This month’s copy of Tailgater Magazine includes a ranking of the top 20 tailgating schools. You can read the full article here with snippets about each school. People love to complain about the top tailgating lists,and I certainly have my issues with this one. But to me, you can only rank what you’ve experienced. Which means only a handful of people in the nation can really create a definitely list. In my opinion there are three aspects that should be ranked. Size, Uniqueness, and the actual Game. Any campus that isn’t jam packed with tailgaters gets pushed down. You need a unique food, tradition, or setting. And finally, the game needs to mean something. The stadium, the competition, everything must be an event. So many years from now when I’ve crossed off 20-30 campuses, I’ll present my thorough list. Until now, settle for Tailgater Magazine’s:
20 UCLA
19 Georgia
18 Penn State
17 Colorado
16 Michigan
15 Oklahoma
14 Arkansas
13 Texas
12 Wisconsin
11 Alabama
10 Oregon
09 Auburn
08 Notre Dame
07 LSU
06 Tennessee
05 Ohio State
04 Washington
03 Clemson
02 Florida
01 Ole Miss
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.
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
Tagged as: southern cal
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.
Tagged as: iowa
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.
