Ten American Craft Beers to Drink While Playing Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3

A friend of mine, who will remain nameless, recently bragged to me about drinking a bunch of Coors Light while playing Call of Duty. That conversation, inspired me to highlight a few themed craft choices for the game. Most of these focus on the patriotic theme in one way or another.

10) Pabst Blue Ribbon: Not all gamers have a lot of money. In this case, PBR may be the most viable American option. Goes great with saving the world.
9) Brooklyn Pennant Ale: This English Pale Ale (ironic isn’t it?) is sessionable and has a baseball is on the label.
8 ) Stoudts American Pale Ale: The label contains a flag and the contents contain a solid American pale ale.
7) Samuel Adams Boston Lager: The beer is highly drinkable, with the picture of a founding father on its label (as to all Samuel Adams products) and one of America’s most celebrated cities in the name. That is pretty American.
6) Schlafly Coffee Stout: Because, if you fall asleep while playing Modern Warfare, the terrorists win.
5) 21st Amendment Bitter American: Great name, even better can design (a monkey in a space suit). Pretty much anything from 21st Amendment Brewery can qualify for this list such as Fireside Chat, Brew Free or Die IPA and The Allies Win the War.
4) Rogue American Amber Ale: Stars and Stripes behind the traditional Rogue image. This is also delicious and drinkable beer.
3) Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale: If that does not scream “American” I don’t know what does. I suppose Canada might be able to make an argument for this as well, but it was brewed in the USA, so we win.
2) Oscar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale: One of the best pale ales out there and in a bright red and blue can.
1) Anchor Liberty Ale: Because isn’t that what you are fighting for in the first place?

Liquor Alternative
Three Olives Dude Vodka, mix with some real Mountain Dew and a little Sprite and you have a a dangerous alcoholic Mountain Dew.

Rogue Voodoo Bacon Maple Ale (Review)

The Rogue Voodoo Bacon Maple Ale seems to top many people’s list as the most disappointing release of the year. While it is not going to make my favorites list anytime soon, I think this judgement is unfair. For starters, such a combination has not be attempted on a major scale, to my knowledge at least. Novelty aside, I think it was interesting, unique and yes tasty. On the nose, I got a lot of smoke with hints of bacon and maple. The taste was ephemeral, one sip seemed to be all smoke while the next had a little maple and the next sip made me think bacon. But it was basically a unique and complex rauchbier with a couple of wild cards (the bacon and maple) that created havoc. I liked it and drank a substantial amount of it. Take that for what its worth. I think the Rogue Voodoo Bacon Maple Ale is certainly worth trying. The people with me and it seems much of the rest of the world were not impressed, but that is why we have our own tongues right? Plus, I love the obnoxiously painted bottle.

Old Chicago, Springfield, MO (Review)

My girlfriend, Nadia, and I went to the Old Chicago in Springfield, MO last night. This large restaurant chain brags about their 110 beers, unfortunately many of these beers are dominated by things such as Miller, Old Style, Budweiser and so forth. Considering I had fairly low expectations, Old Chicago’s beer selection was adequate. It is completely dominated by the big three,the Springfield location has Sierra Nevada Pale, New Belgium 1554 and Rogue Dead Guy on draft. They also have some solid bottles such as Chimay and Schlafly APA. The food was very good, try the Thai Pie, it is unique and exceptional. The spicy spinach dip was also delicious. And Caprese salad is pretty hard to mess up. I also enjoyed the atmosphere. The bar has Buzztime Trivia and I cannot complain about the two dollar drafts they were serving me. All in all, it was a pretty decent spot, it is a large chain, but has a beer selection that is better than most places in town, a pleasant atmosphere (sports bar) and some pretty good food. If I had to rate it I would give it an 80.

Also, Boulevard is bottling their Bourbon-Barrel Quad today, which should hit the shelves in December and make a nice addition to that month’s lineup.