Take the Crown!

“Let’s Go Royals!” seems to be the chant you hear whenever you’re in a large crowd anywhere in Kansas City and rightfully so.  The Royals have swept the Angels to move on to the American League Championship Series against Baltimore.  Here some ideas on what local beers go great with all aspects of the game.

Tailgating – Stick with something light with a low ABV like a session beer.  Boulevard’s Pop-Up Session I.P.A has an ABV of 4.3% and has low bitterness with a big, fruity hop aroma.  Another session beer, Cinder Block‘s Northtown Native was brewed and fermented as if it were a lager, but it’s actually an ale.  It has a light and crisp upfront taste with a hops finish.

During the Game – Here’s where you can really get into it.  Start the celebration a little early and open up a Saison-Brett from Boulevard’s Smokestack Series.  The Brett part is named for the Brettanomyces which is a a wild yeast strain that gives a distinctive earthy quality to the beer, but we can say it’s named after George Brett to fit the theme.  If you can’t get your hands on this beer, pick up a growler of Martin City Brewing‘s Bière de Garde.  It’s a little sweet with just the right amount of spice to keep you going throughout the innings.

Extra Innings – Most of the postseason games have gone into extra innings so you need to be prepared with something that can hold you over until the Royals win.  Try The Big Rip Brewing Company’s flagship beer, Hathor’s Sweet Brown.  The smoothness of the beer will keep you calm until it’s time for some bubbly in celebration.  Can’t get up to Northtown to get your growler filled?  Try KC Bier Co‘s Dunkel.  Yes, it’s a German beer, but it’s made right here in Kansas City.  It’s a medium-bodied beer with a slightly sweet, malt flavor and smooth finish that has just enough noble hop bitterness to balance the malt.  It goes great with all the BBQ and sausages you’ve been eating.

The Celebration – The obvious choice is Boulevard’s Championship Ale.  While this was made in honor of Sporting KC’s 2013 MLS Cup victory, why not break it out when our baseball team is winning?  Until Boulevard comes out with a World Series Championship beer, this will have to suffice.  If you didn’t get a bottle of the Championship Ale, try one of Cinder Block’s Ciders; the refreshing, not to sweet taste is perfect complement to that victory feeling.