Sports fanatics are always soaking up content related to their beloved pastimes. From top podcasts to check out to YouTube rants to watch, the options are extensive. For some NFL fans, however, their game day preparations extend beyond the stadium, with them checking out the food and beverage offerings at tailgates and Super Bowl parties. The times also provide an opportunity for homebrewers to rethink the menu and the different styles of beer that go well with traditional tailgating food. A light lager might be a better option for grilled foods or salty snacks, while a hoppy ale can provide some contrast to heavier dishes. Brewers who are thinking of a larger party might also want to take into account what the beer will taste like when it is served, how it will be served, the temperature, and the length of time before it goes bad after it is put on tap. Beyond these practical factors, they can be utilized to transform a simple football event into a well-organized tasting experience and to provide beer enthusiasts and industry professionals alike with another chance to discover how beer, food, and the event work together.
However, when it comes to refreshing beverages, what does the NFL community typically drink? After all, for NFL audiences, drink consumption is important. We aren’t just talking about alcoholic beverages here, but also concoctions that can be enjoyed by everyone. Be it in hot temperatures or during the winter months, there are always go-to tipples among the NFL population. They’ll even be sipping on local favorites while assessing NFL odds Week 1 options right now, while there are some homemade creations fans sip during any football-themed TikTok sessions. Alongside the drinks fans tend to drink while they’re following the latest news stories and assessing the strongest rosters heading into the season, there are some undeniable favorites inside stadiums and at tailgate bashes on big game days. So, with that in mind, below we highlight a selection of prevalent beverages the NFL community tends to enjoy throughout a typical season.
Light Beer is Extremely Popular
Beer is extremely popular among NFL enthusiasts. A tipple perfectly suited to a huge game day, it’s available in arenas and at football-themed parties where fans watch NFL games together. Prominent options like Bud Light tend to tick a lot of boxes for many NFL fanatics, though other go-to beers include Miller Lite and Coors Light.
Local Craft Beer is also on Offer.
Alongside light, easy-drinking beer, local craft beer is another offering in demand at both stadiums and among fans gathering in car parks for pre-game get-togethers. In fact, there are nearly 20 team fan bases that openly admit their love of local craft beer, with numerous options popping up throughout the league. When they’re attending home games on the calendar, supporting a local brewery is also on the agenda for many fans. Football fans can enjoy more-than-ample amounts of brews they can recognize during the football season, with many established macro-brews available during the NFL season.
The stadium or tailgate cooler can also be an interesting point of comparison, however, for the homebrewer and brewing professionals alike, as various other elements are considered, such as malt character, hop balance, carbonation, serving temperature, and consistency. The same care and attention given to the basics of brewing can introduce a whole new level to game day festivities, especially when different styles are chosen to highlight the food and tempo of the event.
Spirits are Another Leading Option
For fans wanting something a little stronger to demolish, beer just doesn’t cut it. Instead, they’re more interested in drinking an array of spirits that tend to pack more of a punch. From Jack Daniel’s and vodka to Fireball and Hennessy, some clear favorites are among fans of franchises like the Patriots, the Cowboys, and the Eagles.
Cocktails Appeal to Some
While beer is the most popular beverage of the lot, alongside spirits, cocktails are also being ordered inside NFL arenas all over the country. Additionally, during Super Bowl parties and playoff events, there are cocktails and various concoctions poured into bowls for the attendees to consider drinking. There are quite literally hundreds of cocktails sports fans in all areas can consume, but when it comes to the NFL population, the most prevalent cocktails include Kentucky mules, margaritas, Bloody Marys, sweet tea highballs, and micheladas.
Some Non-Alcoholic Favorites
Not all NFL fans are thirsty for a drink, however. From the hot afternoon tailgate to the cold winter evening in the stands, the soft drinks of choice are readily available, such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Gatorade, which offer hydration and energy. Options like non-alcoholic beer can also appeal to fans who want the beer experience without alcohol. This greater selection of Game Day beverages serves as an intriguing reminder to any brewer: there’s more to Game Day than just beer. The balance of flavors, carbonation, sweetness, acidity, and serving temperature all affect the experience of a beverage, something that homebrewers and professional brewers take into account when creating and evaluating a beer.
