My brother Jim has a tradition whenever his Jets make it into the playoffs. He will watch the game and make sure that he drinks at least one Southern Tier Oat beer, the fantastic Oatmeal Stout from the brewers over at Southern Tier in New York State. He actually did a post about this last year. It seemed to help as the Jets week after week with their rookie quarterback continued their improbable march deep into the playoffs to finally get knocked out by Payton Manning and the Colts in the AFC Championship game.
I knew too that my Packers needed an edge to overcome the frenetic attack of Michael Vick and the Eagles on Sunday. So looking at how well this worked for my brother last year, and knowing he had one on Saturday night when the Jets again had a last second field goal to win their wildcard game against this year’s version of Payton Manning and the Colts, I knew what I needed to do. I needed to find a beer that would help my team win! But what beer?…
I knew I couldn’t get a Southern Tier Oat out here in Idaho. So what to do? Should I drink a beer from Wisconsin? I probably could only find macro crap, and I’m pretty sure a Miller Genuine Draft would hurt my team not help. Should I find a good brew that I could identify with like any of the great selections from Laughing Dog? Or was the luck in the oats? I decided that like my brother Jim, I had to find a good oatmeal stout to help my team. Enter Ninkasi Brewing, and their great Oatis beer!
Now I did review this beer about a year ago, and it fell far short of expectation. This was when the brewery was going through a major expansion and their beers suffered in the transition. However I am very glad to report that Ninkasi is back on the top of their game and their beers reflect that. The Ninkasi Oatis was a great, albeit lighter Oatmeal Stout. Unlike the Southern Tier Oat that is loaded with imperial goodness and a rich dark stout flavor, the Ninkasi Oatis lighter and at 7.2% ABV is a much smaller brew by comparison. This however works splendidly in this beer. It has the lighter mouthfeel, starting out with a smoky roasted flavor that then transitions to a lagery bite mid palate, and finishes with a full bodied flavor of the oats with their slight creaminess and bitter flavor that only oats can bring.
And not only do the oats bring the flavor, but they also bring the luck! Both mine and Jim’s teams will be advancing to the semi-final round, where the Jets will meet the Patriots and the Packers will meet the Falcons! Both our teams will need the power of the oat to pull off victories next week, so you know where I will be and what I will be drinking next week too! For all you Patriot and Falcon fans out there I might suggest a good pilsner or lager to help your team. Maybe even a macro brew. Hey, we’re going to need all the advantages we can get!
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
Hmmm…. I was drinking the Schlafly Irish Extra Stout this weekend. I wasn’t all that impressed with it but now you have me wondering if I’m obligated to drink more this coming weekend.
All bets are off if the Packers make it to the NFC Championship game, though. I’ll be in Wisconsin that weekend and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna be in the land of beer and honey with a Super Bowl trip on the line and I’m NOT drinking the copious amounts of incredible local brews.
John, that can only help! I’m not sure if the Schlafly Irish EWxtra Stout uses oats, but if it does, I’d say it is a must! The power of the oat cannot be underestimated! 😉
Yes, the Oat did the trick this weekend, but it was close. Good think I backed it with a Schlafly’s 2008 Reserve Imperial Stout and a Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron.
Guess what the line up will be next week?
If you keep upping the ante Jim next year you will have to watch the game in bed so you can just pass out afterwards!
Don,
How did you become a Packer fan? Other than that you seem like an OK guy.
bill
Bill, Bill, Bill…You don’t “become” a Packer fan, you are born one. Father, Grandfather, and Great Grand Father were all from Wisconsin. Grew up in Milwaukee, and I was born there and spent about 5 years as a resident of the state, and most of my life (in my formative years) as a midwesterner. So my Packer fandom is obviously genetic. I hope you aren’t one of those Bears fans!
I am a Lion fan. I live near Iron Mountain, MI on the WI border, 100 miles N. of GB. I can see the Cheddar head state from my office window. They do have good beer over there, though.
As do you! New Holland makes one of mine and Jim’s favorites in their Dragon’s Milk. Lions Huh? Well, one thing is for sure if they can ever glue Matt Staffords arms in place, you will be one tough team! I don’t think I have ever seen a better, albeit more fragile quarterback than Stafford.
I have not had the New Holland. I spent some time in Grand Rapids a few years ago and I visited Founders a couple times. Breakfast Stout! Here in the UP there is the Keweenaw Brewing Company that has a couple of good beers but they only sell by the barrel or in cans.
A healthy Stafford and a couple of defensive backs and things could be better for the Lions.
Founder’s is great too. The KBS and Breakfast Stout and Old Curmudgeon are all great brews. Do yourself a favor and try the Dragon’s Milk! You will not be disappointed!
I’ll look around to see if I can find it up here. Thanks
Have either of you ever tried Howes Sound Oatmeal Stout? I saw it today while looking for the Dragon’s Milk (which wasn’t available). It’s a little pricey so I’d like to get a review, if possible, before buying it.
Thanks
Bill
Never have, but I’ve never met an oatmeal stout I wouldn’t drink.
I went to high school in Michigan (we had jettisoned Don by then) and I have a soft spot for the Lions. I thought they looked very good this year – Schwartz has them playing hard. They certainly put a scare in my Jets.
I think next year will be a good one for them. They lost a handful of games by a few points. If they keep improving, they’ll win those next year and be in the mix come playoff time. They’re my sleeper/turnaround team for 2011. IF there is a 2011.
They WILL be better next year…maybe even playoffs…
The power of positive thought can be an amazing thing. We will see.
Bah! I had high hopes for my own plan of consuming Victory beers during the Eagles game. How could it have gone so wrong? At least I enjoyed the Hop Devil and Old Horizontal . . .
The power is in the oats. Just something about them are powerful and lucky! Better luck next year! 😉
I only hope the packers win because then they’ll have to come back to Chicago were we’ll slap them around to win the season series 2-1 and a trip to the Superbowl! I think I’ll wash that down with some Stagg and perhaps a Half Acre Daisy Cutter. GO BEARS! See you in SuperBowl Jim.
You will need to hit the Stagg, when the Seahalks beat the Teddy Bears just like they did earlier this season! 😉
I’m currently enjoying a Bitch Creek Extra Special Brown from the Grand Teton Brewery. It’s oat-free but it seems to be bringing some luck to the Mizzou hoops squad.
That is a good brew. Teton Brewing is solid, but gets forgotten sometimes by me. Bad on me.
As I kick back after rearranging my girls room for the new semester, I popped open a Convict Hill oatmeal stout and and tuned in NFL Live. It hit me. I’m not naming names (or teams) but if this thing works out for the both of you, its oats for my Cowboys all next year! Good luck to yall, may the best man, or oat, win…
If you want to win, oats are the way to go. Of course if the Packers and the Jets both win this weekend, it’s going to be Beer & Whiskey Rivals.com!