Tailgating Beer: The Growler

by nixforsix on September 7, 2011

in drinking


To the professional beer drinker, there is no denying that draft beer is superior tasting to it’s bottled or canned alternative. The only downside is typically access or rather the convenience of obtaining draft beer. While I highly recommend getting a keg for your tailgate, it’s not always practical. Be it the size of your crowd or legal/campus restrictions. Luckily, the rise of the craft beer movement in the US has also brought about the growler renaissance. A growler is typically a half gallon (64 oz) glass container that allows you to get draft beer to go. The immediate benefit is obviously the ability to drink sweet wonderful nectar of the gods draft beer while not being reliant upon a bar/keg. If you’re looking for another justification, the reusable glass bottles are environmentally friendly.

Once filling up your growler, it should stay fresh if unopened for easily a week. Once opening, I suggest keeping that baby cold and finishing it within about 48 hours to maintain good carbonation. Filling up your growler on a Friday and drinking it on Saturday before kickoff is not a shabby way to pregame. If you don’t want to throw it in your cooler you could also pick up an Insulated Beer Growler Bag. Below I’ve included some places around the South where you can pick up a growler before the game. If you have a favorite local fill up station please let us know in the comments.

Athens, GA: The Beer Growler
Atlanta, GA: Hop City
Birmingham, AL: Highland Package
Columbia, SC: Green’s
Fayetteville, AR: Hog Haus
Gainesville, FL: Tipple’s Brews
Lexington & Louisville, KY: Liquor Barn
Knoxville, TN: Bearden Beer Market
Nashville, TN: Midtown Beer & Cigar Store

Folks in Mississippi appear to be battling Johnny Law but can join the fight. All I could find in Louisiana was the Abita Brew Pub. But based on drinking laws in that state, I’m sure just about anywhere would fill up a growler.

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USC Tailgating Video

by nixforsix on September 6, 2011

in tailgating chronicles

The only time I’ve tailgated at a Southern Cal game, the scene was nothing like this video. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t currently play out like an extended montage from The Hills. Good camera work and soundtrack. Of note:

- Jean shorts and Ray Bans are just as popular as they were in 1987. But only on girls

- The shot of the post party trash is a nice start, but the Trojans are going to have give it 110% if they want to rival the North Campus tornado damage level disaster that used to go down in Athens

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Hawkeye Tailgating Adventures

by nixforsix on September 5, 2011

in tailgating chronicles

Hawkeye Bean took in the Iowa/Tennessee Tech game this weekend and took some photos of the tailgating scene. As previously discussed, Iowa tailgating usually involves cold weather. So what happens when there is a home game in the early September heat? Apparently dudes wear ridiculous outfits. And also, Hawkeye Bean himself had the following experiences

  • Showed up to a tailgate without any sort of adult beverage, relying on the kindness of others
  • Only brought one Hawkeye Koozie,which was later renamed Mrs. Hawkeye Bean’s Koozie.
  • Failed to follow the wife’s advise to leave the cell phone in the car.
  • Discovered our rain ponchos were just windbreakers
  • Discovered our windbreakers don’t break wind in the rain
  • Discovered Hawkeye Fans do still break wind in the rain
  • Left a Hawkeye game before the 4th quarter for only the 2nd time ever (shame)
  • Check out their site for more photos, Iowa tailgating gear, and more.

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    The opening Thursday of college football season was weird. Devoid of any key matchup and full of schools playing on Thursday so they could be broadcast online at espn360 espn3 WatchESPN.com. Then there was the debacle of Western Kentucky playing a home game against Kentucky in Nashville, TN on a Thursday. But like most opening weekend games, it was an even mix of prime time programs and cupcakes getting their 15 minutes. Here are the photos to prove it.

    Arizona State girls resorting to costumes and/or ecstasy to liven up a matchup with UC Davis

    Oh you’re not using that ketchup dispenser? I have a semi practical use for it.

    There are many a Chippewa fan in Mount Pleasant that dropped the ball and didn’t figure out a way to invite this girl to their tailgate.

    Temple and Villanova both apparently play football in addition to basketball. I haven’t bothered to fact check this, but it’s possible they play for something call the Mayor’s Cup or something like that. It’s Always Sunny should start sponsoring this game to coincide with the start of their new seasons. Anyways, props to hardcores who tailgate and presumably watch that display of athleticism.

    Murray State made the trip north to play instate rival Louisville. No word yet on whether the Racers will be hosting the Cardinals in a rematch next year in Nashville.

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    Pig of the Month

    by nixforsix on August 21, 2011

    in grilling

    The theory behind Pig of the Month is a solid one.  Ribs can be hard to cook based on gear and time limitations when it comes to tailgating.  So they cook the meat for you, mail it in dry ice packaging, and then all you have to do is reheat it.  Which certainly cuts down on prep time and allows you to cook ribs on even some of the smallest tailgating grills.  Pig of the Month sent me over a rack of baby ribs and I threw them on the grill to try em out.  And I’d say they were pretty good.  Not amazing, but not bad either.  I wouldn’t hesitate to serve them at a tailgate.

    Unfortunately, I can’t figure out who this service actually makes sense for.  The main objection is the price.  Though they cover a wide variety of styles, two 2lb racks of Baby Backs are going to cost you $55.  And that doesn’t even include shipping.  At this point why wouldn’t you just grab ribs from the nearest BBQ place?  It’s cheaper and less work.  I just checked the menus for about six different restaurants and not a single one sold a full rack for more than $25 and most were much cheaper.

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