Football frenzy is underway in Southern California and Total Wine & More, the largest independent retailer of fine wine, spirits and beer in the U.S., has announced its “fantasy beer match-ups,” pairing top local brews throughout the country with America’s favorite football teams.
“We are always focused on providing our customers with an unbelievable selection at the most competitive prices, and during football season we have a chance to make shopping at our stores even more fun than it already is,” explains David Trone, who co-owns Total Wine & More with his brother Robert Trone.
The retailer, which carries more than 2,500 different beers in each of its Orange County stores, including Brea, Laguna Hills, Tustin and Huntington Beach, is inviting local fans to show their team spirit by enjoying beers associated with many of their favorite teams from across the U.S.
Featured match-ups include local favorites from the California coast, as well as craft brews from various football-loving regions throughout the country. Fans are also encouraged to pick their own fantasy lineup using Total Wine & More’s unique “build your own six pack” feature.
“Football season brings out the pride and competitive spirit that we know and love in our country,” Trone adds. “By providing these fantasy beer match-ups to local fans, we are giving them the tools to enhance their enjoyment of two things they love: beer and football.”
Trone adds that these beer match-ups are also an educational opportunity for the store’s customers.
“Total Wine & More customers are some of the most informed customers out there, and we will continue to provide them with new tools to learn more about beers, wines and spirits throughout the nation,” says Trone.
Below is a list of the Total Wine & More “beer match-ups,” teaming regional beers with various football teams. Each of these beers is currently carried by Total Wine & More’s Orange County stores in Laguna Hills, Brea, Tustin, and Huntington Beach, as well as its other Southern California locations in Redondo Beach, Northridge, Thousand Oaks, and Rancho Cucamonga.
Flying Dog Double Dog Pale Ale
Flying Dog Double Dog Pale Ale will be man’s best friend for Baltimore fans. This generously hopped, medium-bodied pale ale brewed in Frederick, MD has a deep red color and, when poured, a nice frothy head. The piney beer also features exciting aromas with hints of raisins and citrus.
Barrel Trolley Amber Ale
Buffalo fans will be on track with Barrel Trolley Amber Ale from Buffalo-based Barrel Roll Brewery. This earthy American Amber/Red Ale is flavorful and easy to drink, carrying a complex malt flavor elevated by a subtle citrus aroma.
Goose Island Pere Jacques
Football lovers who root for Chicago will enjoy Goose Island Pere Jacques, a rich, fruity, Belgian strong dark ale from Goose Island Brewery in Illinois. An alternative to a vintage port, this beer is brewed with loads of malt and Belgian yeast. Pere Jacques’ complex flavors are reminiscent of Belgian Abbey Ales enjoyed in the world’s finest beer bars.
Jester King Noble King
Fans of Dallas’ team will feel like football royalty when enjoying Jester King Noble King from Jester King Brewery in Austin, TX. This spicy, medium-bodied Texan/Belgian Pale Ale pours a straw-yellow color with an aroma of citrusy, earthy hops. The balanced taste is of earthy hops with funky yeast and sweet caramel malts.
Great Divide Titan IPA
Denver fans will give a “titan” cheer for Great Divide Titan IPA, brewed right in Denver. This big, aggressively hopped India Pale Ale is brewed for “hop disciples.” These disciples are independent beer drinkers seeking robust, flavorful beers characterized by their abundance of hops, flavor, aroma and bitterness.
Jolly Pumpkin Autumn Fire
Football fans who love Detroit will give a lion’s roar for Jolly Pumpkin Autumn Fire, brewed in Ann Arbor, MI. This seasonal ale is brewed with chestnut and spices, with gentle amber malts that lead smooth caramel notes. The brewer says this is “a beer to contemplate and enjoy!”
Lakefront Bridge Burner Strong Ale
Fans of Green Bay can enjoy Lakefront Bridge Burner Strong Ale from Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, WI. This hoppy ale pours a deep amber with a rocky off-white head. Its assertive aroma is dominated by dry, earthy American hops, which provide notes of citrus, floral and pine tree. Those enjoying this beer will notice a hefty bitterness to the palate, backed up by caramel malts.
Shiner Bock
Houston’s football fans will cheer for Shiner Bock, a sweet, light-bodied amber/red lager from Shiner Brewery in Houston. This is a rich, full-flavored beer which is handcrafted, creating a smooth taste without the excessive bitterness that characterizes many micro, specialty and imported beers.
Landshark Lager
Football fans who root for Jacksonville can enjoy Landshark Lager, brewed by Margaritaville Brewing Company in Jacksonville. This light-golden colored beer is an “island lager,” brewed with a complex blend of hops.
Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat
Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat will be no shock to Kansas City fans. This seasonal, Belgian-style wheat ale is brewed at Shock Top Brewery in St. Louis, MO. Made with ripe pumpkins and a variety of autumn spices including nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, this is a smooth beer that captures all the flavors of fall.
Cold Spring Moonlight Ale
Minnesota fans are used to the cold, so Cold Spring Moonlight Ale, brewed in Minneapolis, MN, will show these fans’ team spirit. This dark cherry-brown colored brew is a different take on the traditional Brown Ale style. The beer features aromas of cocoa and dark fruits, along with flavors of tart cherries, raisin and plum.
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Footballs lovers who root for New England can show their patriotism with Samuel Adams Boston Lager. This Vienna lager is a full, rich, flavorful beer made with two row barley and the German Noble hops Hallertau, Mittelfruh, and Tettnang Tettnanger. Fans enjoying this beer will notice a smooth body with tastes of sweet and roasted malts.
Abita Fall Fest
Fans who love New Orleans can show their support with Abita Fall Fest, a seasonal Oktoberfest beer from Abita Brewery in New Orleans. Brewed with German Hersbrucker hops and pale, crystal and chocolate malts, this full-bodied, malty beer features a strong hop character and an amber color.
Original Sin Cider
New York fans will give a giant cheer for Original Sin Hard Cider, a clean and complex cider with a noticeable bite. Born out of the NYC experience, the founders of this brew are all New York City natives, and their cider has received immediate acclaim from many sources.
Flying Fish HopFish IPA
SoCal fans who wish they could jet to New York to show their support will love Flying Fish HopFish IPA from Flying Fish Brewery in New Jersey. This English India Pale Ale pours with a deep golden color, and offers plenty of hop bitterness balanced by malt sweetness in its aromas and flavor. The extensive dry hopping of this brew imparts a floral and citrusy character.
Pyramid Audacious Apricot Ale
Football lovers who cheer for Oakland will raid their coolers for Pyramid Audacious Apricot Ale, brewed at Pyramid Brewery in Berkeley, CA. This brewery, which also brews in Washington state, creates this adventurous Wheat Ale which offers the pleasing aroma and flavor of fresh apricots, and the smooth and refreshing character for which Pyramid wheat beers are known.
Victory Hop Wallop
Philadelphia fans hoping for their team’s victory may select Victory Hop Wallop, a biscuity, medium-bodied brew from Victory Brewery in Philly. This American Double/Imperial IPA celebrates the pioneering spirit of old Horace ‘Hop’ Wallop and those who dare mighty adventurous things in this vivid, robust ale. A homage to the hop harvest, expect loads of aromatic splendor and bitter beauty.
Iron City Beer
Iron City Beer is a staple for Pittsburgh fans, who can enjoy the clean, balanced flavor of this light-bodied, American Style Lager. Pittsburgh Brewing company has been brewing these fine beers since 1861.
Stone Pale Ale
San Diego fans will charge the aisles for Stone Pale Ale, a robust, full-flavored brew from San Diego’s Stone Brewery. This hoppy, citrusy, medium-bodied American Pale Ale is deep amber in color. Created as a Southern California interpretation of the classic British style, the delicate hop aroma of this hoppy ale is complimented by a rich maltiness.
Anchor Steam Beer
Those who left their heart in San Francisco will delight in Anchor Steam Beer from San Francisco-based Anchor Steam Brewery. This dark amber lager features lovely malty and hoppy aromas. The beer’s name is derived from the 19th century, when “steam” seems to have been a nickname for beer brewed on the West Coast under primitive conditions and without ice.
Pike Tandem Double Ale
Those rooting for Seattle’s team will give a double dose of support with Pike Tandem Double Ale. This spicy, medium-bodied brew pours a copper-amber color. With sweet malt aromas and fruity tastes of pears, figs, and raisins, this brew features additional spices and brown sugar which add to the palate. Those enjoying this ale will also enjoy touches of floral, piney hops.
Budweiser
St. Louis fans have the king on their side – the “King of Beers,” that is. Budweiser, brewed since 1876 in St. Louis is the largest-selling beer in the world, and is distributed in more than 70 countries.
Landshark
Football fans rooting for Tampa Bay or Miami may enjoy the Landshark Margaritaville Beach Box from Landshark Brewery in Jacksonville, FL. This seasonal variety pack includes three sweet, crisp and refreshing selections including Paradise Punch, Island Lime Margarita, and Landshark Lager.
Air
Tennessee fans can feel refreshed with Air Refreshers alcohol coolers, made in Memphis, TN. This sparkling alcohol water is an all-natural beverage with no preservatives and only 95 calories per serving! Air Refreshers are available in berry and citrus flavors.
