Beer is meant to taste good. Many college students have either forgotten or have never learned how to appreciate good beer. College parties will feature the following brews: Coors Light, Bud Light, Natty Light, Keystone Light, or the occasional cerveza. If you enjoy those that’s fine. No judgements on your poor taste. Some of us have made it through the dark ages of beer and are currently enjoying the renaissance of craft brewing. If you're one of the enlightened who has converted to the cult of craft, here’s my list of the best craft beers to take to a college party.
Before I get into it, let me explain that this is not a list of favorites, but a list of beers that are appropriate for a college party. So, don’t be the asshole who shows up with a four pack of Narwhal or Old Rasputin. Those are great, but college parties are hardly the time or the place for such fuckery. Drinkability (how many can you gulp down) and approachability (something not too strong) are the main qualifiers here.
5. Otra Vez – Gose – Sierra Nevada Brewing Company – ABV 4.50%
Normally I have a policy against including more than one beer from a brewery on the list, but I am making an exception. I wrote about this sour beer a few weeks back, so I won’t beat a dead horse here. Killing a sixer of this by the pool is a great way to spend the afternoon. The flavors are over the top and heavy handed. Grapefruit, prickly pear. It's sweet, it's sour, and it's salty. I could drink a whole mess of these and feel fine. Sour beers are not everyone’s deal, so this one is barely making the cut at number five.
4. Great White – Witbier-- Lost Coast Brewing – ABV 4.80%
This beer has stood the test of time, even overshadowing the company’s mainstay brew Downtown Brown. It’s an unfiltered witbier with light malt, spices, and citrus flavor. It’s a very drinkable beer. Take a case of this to the party and watch ‘em disappear.
3. Pale Ale – Pale Ale – Sierra Nevada Brewing Company – ABV 5.60%
This is my all-time favorite, I am transported to a happy place, beer. If we believe the myth that marijuana is a gateway drug, then this is a gateway beer. This beer inspired brewers across the country to try their hand at the craft. This brew hails from my hometown of Chico, California (biased?). It even inspired Matt Brynildson, the brew master at Firestone Walker to comment “When you die as a brewer, you go to Chico,” (Goldfarb,). This is the beer that brought hops to the forefront of craft beer and it walks the delicate tightrope of hoppiness with grace. It’s also the most bitter beer on the list, coming in with only 37 IBUs (International Bitterness Units).
2. Trumer Pils – German Pilsner – Trumer Brewing – ABV 4.80%
Trumer brews their signature Pilsner. That’s it. They know what they’re good at. The beer traces its roots back to an Austrian brewery which has been brewing since 1601. Pilsners are a type of Lager, meaning it’s cold brewed and temperature controlled. The pilsner itself is known for having more hop flavors and characteristics. It’s a lager with balls. Or as I sometimes describe it, the lager’s better looking cousin. It’s light, for craft beer standards, and easy to drink. Light malt and hop flavors combine with a crisp finish to leave you wanting another of Trumer’s masterpiece.
1. 805 – American Blonde Ale – Firestone Walker – ABV 4.70%
I spoke with a rep from Firestone Walker recently and my first question to him was, “Why does 805 have its own website?” He explained that 805 has a following among drinkers who would never be caught drink craft or really, drinking beer at all. It’s kind of true. This is a beer that I can serve to my non-craft, or non-beer friends and they will gulp it down in no time. At the same time, I find the beer to be delightful. It’s crisp, it's clean, and great for binging. There is a reason this beer is developing a cult of its own. It’s just damn good.
