By definition, craft beer is a beer that is made by a brewer that is small, independent, and traditional. This type of drink is usually someone’s favorite because these beers and their companies usually aren’t national or commonly known. There is also a set of qualifications that each beer must follow to be considered a craft. To keep it easy, craft beer is carefully crafted and produced while other beers are just manufactured.
Here at Cox’s and Evergreen Liquors, we carry the most popular brands of craft beer in our area! Check out our list of beers that you NEED for Sunday Football:
1. BLUE MOON
Born straight from love of baseball, Blue Moon was first created by the Sandlot Brewery in Denver, Colorado in 1995. The goal of brewing well-crafted beers was inspired by Belgian styled craft beer with a refreshing twist. Among the numerous beers brewed out of the Sandlot Brewery, a fan favorite quickly emerged. In true baseball fashion, the favorite was named “Bellyslide Wit.” Now, it wasn’t until someone exclaimed, “A beer this good only comes around once in a blue moon” that the name Blue Moon finally made its debut. The Belgian White Wheat Ale was born.
2. WEST SIXTH IPA
The India Pale Ale is very well-known for its citrus flavor as it is the citrus that sets it apart from its competition. The Ale’s main structure is made from bready malt and pine stickiness with hints of peaches, grassiness, lemon zest, tangerines, and pine needles. Each sip is dangerously addicting and you might just find yourself a new favorite Ale.
3. SAMUEL ADAMS OCTOBERFEST
The passion for never settling is exactly how Samuel Adams Octoberfest started. The founder, Jim Koch brewed the first batch of Boston Lager in his kitchen, using the recipe he received from his great great grandfather. Fast forward to nowadays, the Boston Brewery experiments all day everyday to find the perfect mixture for their craft beers. The Octoberfest is a direct result of years and decades of experimentation.
4. KENTUCKY BOURBON BARREL ALE
This Kentucky native Ale is aged in freshly decanted bourbon barrels straight from some of Kentucky’s best distilleries. Subtle, yet familiar flavors of oak and vanilla are infused into this special ale while it rests in the charred barrels. After a long aging process of at least six weeks, the final result is this craft beer has grown to become the flagship beer of the premier name in barrel-aged beers: Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Pleasantly smooth and robust, it may also be served as an aperitif or after-dinner drink.
5. NEW BELGIUM JUICE FORCE
As Voodoo Ranger is slowly becoming a household name, the brand is continuing to expand and dominate the national IPA category. Voodoo Ranger’s latest release has people going in a frenzy. The Juice Force craft beer has once again proved that Voodoo Ranger cannot be beat. This IPA has quickly risen through the ranks and became the fan favorite amongst all of Voodoo Ranger’s beer flavors. Expect a beer that is chocked full of tropical flavors with aromas of guava, pineapple, peach and plenty of citrus.
6. COUNTRY BOY COUGAR BAIT
The Country Boy brand was founded in 2012 by four native Kentuckians that all had a strong passion for amazing craft beer. This brand prides itself on making high quality minimally processed beers using real ingredients. The Cougar Bait is one of the most well-known flavors with a clean and crisp taste. One sip of this Ale will provide a toasted malt taste with a hint of some sweetness.
7. THREE FLOYDS ZOMBIE DUST
Three Floyds, a brewing company known for their wide variety of Ale styles and their stylish branding, is currently highly sought after for their Zombie Dust flavor. Using the finest ingredients and modern innovation, Three Floyds has created a most memorable craft beer that presents a big bitter hop burn with every gulp. Rated highly by craft beer lovers, you won’t want to miss out on this.
8. RHINEGEIST TRUTH
The Rhinegeist Trust is found in the scintillating brilliance of hops. This flavor was created with the inspiration of the Pacific Ocean in mind and the outcome is tantalizing. Big hops of sizzle with notes of grapefruit and mango and an aroma of tropical fruit create a sense of smoothness for any drinker. There is a reason the Rhinegeist brewing company has been around for almost 20 years. They create the most beautiful craft beer flavors.
9. FOUNDERS ALL DAY IPA
Here is a beer we can guarantee you have seen everywhere! The sharp flavor of the Founders All Day Ale is carefully brewed to radiate arrays of hops, grains, and malts. With the consumer in mind, Founders has always been ever so careful to create craft beer that is balanced and leaves the drinker with a clean finish and no aftertaste. This Ale here is what you use to celebrate life’s simple pleasures
10. BELL’S TWO HEARTED
Bell’s Brewery named this flavor after a fishing trip to the populated waters of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This Ale has been beloved and recommended by many craft beer lovers throughout its life. This particular flavor is brewed with dry hopped with 100% centennial hops creating hop aromas ranging from grapefruit to pine.
11. SWEETWATER 420 IPA
Once again, another great household name that you can find at any store! The SweetWater 420 IPA appears with a slightly hazy gold color and smells of light citrus. The taste matches the aroma perfectly with an orange and lemon flavor. This craft beer is well-known for being dry and slightly bitter to the taste. If you are on the hunt for a light beer with great flavor, look no further.
12. SIERRA NEVADA PALE ALE
Sierra Nevada Brewery has always been centered around creating craft beer that is heavy on the hops and that is exactly what they need with their Pale Ale. This beer has been around since 1980 and there is a reason for that. Rated very highly by craft beer enthusiasts, this flavor comes with a deep amber color and a hint of spice. This ale is truly unique in its own way and you won’t want to miss out on it.
Enjoy your Sunday night football game right! Stop by your nearest Cox and Evergreen Liquors today to pick up one of our favorite craft beers! You can’t go wrong with any of them!
Do you enjoy learning about what brands we carry? Head over to our blog section to keep yourself up to date!
