Good things come to those that wait, and it feels like I’ve been waiting years for the 2010 NFL season to start. Not sure why, but the span from the Super Bowl to the 2010 kickoff has been excruciating for me. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had a good excuse to drink beers on Sunday afternoon.
But that’s about to change, as the season starts tomorrow night with the “NFL Opening Kickoff 2010 Presented by EA Sports.” Ugh – I hate how corporate the NFL has become!.
As always, I’ll skip all the sponsored shenanigans before the game and tune in 10 seconds before kickoff (8:29:50 pm EDT), to watch the Saints and the Vikings rehash last year’s NFC title game. It should be a good game (the last time these teams met it was a scoring fest that was decided by three points), but I’ll be honest – for me, it’s all about the beer!
I’m looking for something a bit sessionable and evocative of the Fall, and two selections come to mind: Long Trail Double Bag, a sweet and malty 7.2% ABV strong ale (well it’s sessionalble to me!), and Sierra Nevada Tumbler, a roasted and malty 5.5% brown ale that even has an autumnal motif on the label. How can you beat that?
Both beers are brown, sweet, malty and will go well with NY sharp cheddar chesse and Triscuits, my go-to football snack (and probably my dinner for tomorrow night). I might even get lucky and the wife will make her famous guacamole. I can’t wait to dig in!
Oh, and to watch the game and stuff, too. If I’m being honest, it’s becoming harder and harder to care about any other team besides my braggadocios Jets. But the upside is I can watch the game tomorrow, have a couple of beers and go to bed at halftime. Yeah – I’m a party animal!
So how about you? Do you celebrate this first taste of real NFL action with a beer? If so, what’s YOUR kickoff beer? Any go-to snacks as well? Let us know below!
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
I’m super excited for the season as well….it’s the only professional sport I’m glued to. Haven’t decided which brew to crack open, though I’m leaning towards a bottle of Souther Tier’s Mokah that’s chillin’ in the beer fridge right now. Will probably make some nice short ribs and baked sweet potatoes for a late dinner to pair with it.
Wow, that sounds better than Double Bag and cheese, Katie. I guess I’m unimaginative AND lazy!
LOL, don’t beat yourself up too much….that’s Don’s job. And BTW, if you enjoy cheddars, try Trader Joe’s raw milk white cheddar….it’s fantastic.
Jim, you liked the Tumbler? I didn’t really care for it but the Double Bag is a good choice that I probably wouldn’t have thought of. As usual, its way too early for me to plan anything with the weekend being so far off! I’d probably work through my sixer of NJ Beer Co’s Hudson Pale Ale – if it lasts to the weekend!
The Tumbler is pretty good, and I have five of them left, which makes it an easy choice. Of the two, I definitely prefer Double Bag.
And kickoff is tomorrow night at 8:30, so looks like you’re NJ Beer Co Hudson Pale Ale will still be handy.
You may go with the double bag tonight, but I know Monday night when your Jets will play the Ravens you will be drinking Southern Tier Oat!
What the hell’s that supposed to mean?!
Everyone knows that you think Southern Tier Oat is the Jets lucky beer, and you attributed it to their playoff run last year. Remember? https://beerandwhiskeybros.com/2010/01/19/the-luckiest-beer-in-the-world-southern-tier-oat/
Oh, that. Yeah.
i thought you were saying I’d need it to ease the pain!
I’m guessing it will do that too. The Ravens are going to be crazy good!
You do realize the Jets have wine, right? Perhaps THAT’s what you should be drinking?!?!?
I’d rather eat a football.
If you want, I’d be happy to shove that in your face to help you…”choke it down”.
I’m not sure I’d call the Tumbler “sweet”, but it is a tasty beer, especially on tap. Had it first at the Oregon Beer Festival, and it was one of the few I went back for more.
Football beers… well, Monday was Grand Teton’s Festbier Marzen to watch the Broncos stuff the Hokies. I’m thinking next up will be a homebrewed Octoberfest.
You might be right on the Tumbler, Gordon. It’s not super sweet, but I was in the mood for a Long Trail Double Bag when I opened it (my other football beer) and so perhaps I really focused on the “sweet” as I drank it, trying to match the expectation I had in my head.
I have a couple of homebrew options, too, but I wouldn’t want to ruin a football game with mine! Yours is a totally different story my friend…
Options options, too many options. I’m thinking either a 750ml Tripel Karmeliet or a bomber of Rogue Chocolate Stout, either of which I can nurse until half time. Depending on how things stand, I might have to reach for the other one for the second half!
If you’re doing both, I’d start with the Karmeliet – not sure how that’s stand up after the stout!
Try as I may, I just can’t get into football. Nonetheless, I suppose I’ll sit down with my wife’s family at least once the season to watch an Ohio/Michigan game. At that point, I’ll go with a craft pilsner. Unlike most, I love a good pilsner, and it seems fitting to drink a craft version as I watch the endless low brow advertisements for the big breweries.
I know how you feel, Nate. I love football, but can’t really get into any other sports. I guess I can watch them, as long as I have my laptop a good Internet connection to distract me.
I recently had a Pilzilla from Voodoo Brewery and it was as “imperial” as a pils can get and not be busted. Which is to say perfect for me.
I wish I liked football. All my friends do. I love my Yankees. I love baseball but you can’t really sit down with friends and pound beers to a baseball game.
Well you can but you’ll be passed out by the 5th inning. Moves a little slower than football.