With the Super Bowl LIII match-up decided, it’s time to take a look at a few of the beers that define New England and Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots will take the field of Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, February 3, to decide the National Football League’s championship, but the decision of which city — the Patriots’ HQ is in Boston — produces the best beer is up to the individual taste buds. Bias from teams aside, both towns make excellent beer (despite Los Angeles’ relatively late start in craft beer), and we’ve highlighted some of our favorites from Boston and LA (we’ve also included a few from the host city of Atlanta). Head to the store or call up beer trading partner and find some of these beers to drink while watching the game.
For the Masses
Boston: Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Sam Adams can be credited with helping build the overall craft brew industry to where it is today, and founder Jim Koch did so on the back of the company’s workhorse, Boston Lager. Found in bars and stores across the country, Boston Lager is one of the most accessible beers for those looking to jump from mass-produced lagers to craft creations. It made the list last year, so you could also pick up a range of beers like Cold Snap or Winter Lager. Also a lucky 199 people can drink a Sam Adams GOAT Beer, specially brewed for Patriot quarterback and five-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Los Angeles: Golden Road Wolf Pup Session IPA
Golden Road started as a small operation in 2011 but quickly scaled up before being acquired by AB InBev. Now the beer is found all over the place and offers a quality session IPA in locations where a session IPA might otherwise be scarce. Wolf Pup is brewed with six different types of hops for a bright, refreshing flavor that goes does easy thanks to its relatively-low alcohol percentage of 4.5 percent.
Best Regional Operation
Boston: Harpoon Brewery Harpoon IPA
While Sam Adams was certainly a trailblazer, many Boston locals consider Harpoon the city’s flagship brewery. Started in 1986, the company became employee-owned in 2014 and maintains its independent operation today. The Harpoon IPA was introduced in 1993 and is still a great example of a traditional American IPA, before hop bombs and juicy brews took over.
Los Angeles: Modern Times Brewing City of the Sun
Technically from San Diego, Modern Times has a presence in Los Angeles now and since the Rams share a city with the Chargers, formerly of San Diego, we’ll say it counts! Modern Times is a versatile brewery releasing delicious IPAs and velvety stouts worthy of sipping. Also, the brewery roasts its own coffee!!
Atlanta: SweetWater Brewing 420 Extra Pale
Laugh all you want, but 420 Extra Pale Ale is a memorable flagship beer in more ways than just a punny name. There’s plenty else the brewery offers, but chances are you’ll stumble on this one, even on a Delta Airlines flight.
Tastiest Local Beer
Boston: Trillium Brewery Congress Street IPA
Last year, we listed Treehouse Brewing’s Julius as the tastiest local beer, but Trillium also deserves a massive amount of respect and makes some of the most sought after brews in the U.S. Along with a fantastic lineup of IPAs, Trillium makes a delicious array of Belgian-inspired beers and heavenly stouts.
Los Angeles: Anything From Monkish Brewing
Monkish has made waves in the beer industry with its Californian take on the hazy IPAs made popular in places like Boston. But Monkish is also a phenomenal brewery and made its way into the beer industry on Belgian-inspired beers aged in oak barrels.
Atlanta: Creature Comforts Tropicalia
In nearby Athens, Creature Comforts provides Georgia with one of the best IPAs found in the U.S. and if it’s available where you live or you’re in Atlanta, seek it out. Likewise, Bibo, Creature Comfort’s pilsner, is a great take on the light style that is perfect for tailgating.
Need some more Super Bowl suggestions? Here are our tips for betting and getting your watch party food on point. You can also prep by rewatching the best commercials and halftime shows.
