While your friends might show up for the party this Sunday with twelve- and twenty-four packs of macro beers that are most likely sponsoring the big game (or worse, not-beer beverages, which makes me shudder) I challenge each of you to show up with equal amounts of craft beer that will convert your macro beer−lovin’ and not beer−lovin’ friends to craft beer.
For the Pilsner Drinker
Victory Brewing Company’s Prima Pils(Downingtown, Pennsylvania) is a classic American Pilsner that has just enough hops-forwardness to provide flavor nuance worlds beyond macro lager without the bitterness that typically scares off those who drink industrialized light lager or bust.
Another crisp, sessionable beer that can easily convert macro drinkers to craft is Schlafly Kölsch (St. Louis, Missouri), which packs loads of flavor for only 4.8 percent ABV. Or give Firestone Walker Pivo Pils (Paso Robles, California) a try.
The Game Is Long―Get Sessionable
Some who aren’t quite initiated into the craft-beer world believe all craft beers are not only super hoppy, but super high in ABV. You and I know that this is simply not true. And, when the game can drag on for hours (which is relative depending on how well “your team” is doing) pacing things a bit is a smart choice. So sessionable it is. Try Odell Brewing Company’s Loose Leaf Ale (Fort Collins, Colorado), which is available in 6-packs, or crisp and refreshing Boat Beer from Carton Brewing (Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey).
For those who like something on the sweet and tart side, may I suggest Funkwerks Raspberry Provincial (Fort Collins, Colorado), or Dry Dock Apricot Blonde (Denver, Colorado).
Disguise It with an Orange Garnish
If your pal’s pint never comes without a slice of fruit, cajole him or her with New Belgium’s Snapshot Wheat(Fort Collins, Colorado & Asheville, North Carolina), an unfiltered wheat beer with the tiniest touch of tartness in its finish, or Allagash Brewing’s White (Portland, Maine), which is spiced with coriander and Curaçao orange peel. Another one to try is White Rascal by Avery Brewing (Longmont, Colorado).
Chocolate
We all have friends who aren’t beer drinkers at all, but who might try a beer that doesn’t taste a lot like a Pilsner, IPA, or saison, for example. There’s a beer for everyone, so you’ll want to dig a bit and see what your friend likes to drink regularly. Chocolate is usually a safe bet. If somebody doesn’t like chocolate, you should probably avoid him or her anyway.
For the friend who loves the boozy milkshake, buy Boulder Beer’s Shake Chocolate Porter (Boulder, Colorado)—it’s a thick and chewy chocolate porter that can almost fool you into believing you’re drinking a chocolate milkshake. If coffee is preferable, find out if (s)he likes cream and sugar, or black. If the former is the case, go for a sweet stout like Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro or Schlafly Vanilla Milk Stout (St. Louis, Missouri), and if it’s the latter, try Alaskan Brewing Company Alaskan Stout (Anchorage, Alaska).
We’d love to know your tried-and-true macro-convert beers. Share ’em in the comments so everyone can stock up before Sunday!