Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

Super Bowl of Beers: The Best Brews from San Francisco and Kansas City

By

While the highly anticipated ads may tell you otherwise, what you drink this Super Bowl Sunday doesn’t have to be generic suds. In fact, you can drink some great stuff from in and around the two cities represented in this year’s matchup.

As the Kansas City Chiefs get set to take on the San Francisco 49ers, another rivalry comes to life — that of craft beer from the two American cities. We’ve picked three of our favorites from the Bay Area and the city that sits in two states to suit up and fetch a W in the name of beer excellence.

Recommended Videos

While there’s at least some woke-ness at this year’s Super Bowl (recyclable cups, for example), the beer selection at Hard Rock Stadium on February 2nd won’t be very good. Plus, per Stubhub, tickets are starting at over $4,000 a pop. Our advice: Stay home, burrow into your favorite couch cushion, and enjoy some craft beer from KC and San Fran.

Related: 
Upgrade your daily routine with the best smartwatches for men

San Francisco

Anchor Steam by Anchor Brewing

Anchor Steam by Anchor Brewing
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Anchor Brewing Company’s flagship beer is a great marathon sipper for what usually amounts to be an all-day football game. It’s a modest 4.9% ABV, richly flavored with the right amount of malt. And it’s been crafted in San Francisco since the late 19th century, which is pretty cool.

Batch 1 by Fieldwork Brewing Company

Batch 1 by Fieldwork Brewing Company
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Berkeley brewery Fieldwork Brewing Co. is making an unbelievable variety of beers. Among the best is the beer the brand started with — Batch 1, tasty double IPA. It’s big, tropical, and not overwhelming, despite a rather tall alcohol content (8.8%). The hop bill is a neat melding of Mosaic, Galaxy, and Citra.

True Kölsch by Almanac Beer Company

True Kölsch by Almanac Beer Company
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The brewing pride of Alameda makes a wonderful kölsch-style beer. It’s light and crisp, ideal for daytime enjoyment. It’s also thirst-quenching without being too alcoholic, meaning it’ll do great washing down hot wings and spicy nachos. Almanac Beer Company is responsible for some dazzling can designs, as well as quality beer.

Kansas City

Boulevard Brewing Tank 7

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Now in cans, Boulevard’s fantastic Tank 7 is a role model within the farmhouse category. The beer has all of the fetching things, like zest, freshness, and yeast-y goodness. It’s put together in Kansas City but so good you’d think it was the work of deft European farmers. Enjoy it in a bulbous glass as it’s quite aromatic and pours a thick head.

Tea Weiss by Crane Brewing

Tea Weiss by Crane Brewing
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Based just outside of Kansas City in Raytown, Crane Brewing is up to some innovative brews. One of note is Tea Weiss, a sour-ish wheat beer made with rooibos tea (made by Kansas City’s Hugo Tea Company). It’s session-like in makeup, with lively flavor and that signature nutty kiss only rooibos can provide. The beer falls neatly between a Berliner Weisse and a fun fusion project.

Block IPA by Cinder Block Brewery

Block IPA by Cinder Block Brewery
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Kansas City outfit Cinder Block Brewery makes an IPA just for the hop enthusiast out there. Made with a half-dozen hop varieties, this IPA is fruity and piney, like enjoying a passion fruit deep in the evergreen forest.

Need some more Super Bowl suggestions? Here are our tips for betting. You can also prep by rewatching the best commercials and halftime shows.

Mark Stock
Mark Stock
Former Contributor
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
Topics

Editors’ Recommendations

This historic US winery can legally call its wine champagne
Dive into the 150-year old history of this unique south jersey spot
Renault Winery

I lived in South Jersey for most of my life, yet I was completely unaware that such a popular winery with a rich history was right here in my backyard. The Renault Winery's story dates back nearly 156 years, when Louis Nicholas Renault left his hometown in France to set sail for California and later settled in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. Since then, the winery has changed hands a few times but still retains one unique trait that sets it apart from other wineries.

While most wineries in the U.S. are not allowed to call their sparkling wine champagne, Renault Winery has a notable historical exception. This historical privilege dates back to when Louis Renault requested a special permit from French authorities in the 1870s that allowed his wines to be labeled as champagne. Since the winery is grandfathered in, it can still safely call its blueberry sparkling wine "Blueberry Champagne", unlike other companies in the U.S. that must refer to it as a sparkling wine. Today, visitors can take a walking tour of Renault Winery and experience a wine tasting, diving into the history of this special winery.

Read more
Aquavit: the centuries-old spirit that’s more than just “black death”
What exaclty is aquavit?
Alcohol tasting: Aquavit, Bitter orange snaps, Bask, Arrack punsch

If you’ve ever been to Iceland, there’s a chance a local tour guide has offered you a chance to partake in a less-than-appealing local rite of passage. I’m talking about eating fermented shark followed by a shot of Brennivin. I, like many travelers to Iceland, have taken part in this life-changing experience. I can tell you that the shark is the biggest acquired taste I’ve ever been a part of.

The Brennivin, on the other hand, was actually memorable in a good way. Even though it’s referred to as “black death,” this strong Icelandic spirit is a neutral spirit made from potatoes. It gets its unique flavor from the use of caraway seeds. It’s the country’s main type of Aquavit and it's the national drink. But it’s definitely not the only country that makes this unique spirit. You might be wondering what Aquavit is.

Read more
Oskar Blues dresses up its beer in denim for the summer
A timeless look for some classic ales
Dale's Denim Pale.

Colorado brewery Oskar Blues is bringing back a limited-time favorite with the return of the Denim Dale's line. The release features a couple of flagship beers treated to cans inspired by your favorite pair of jeans. The light summer beers are available now through Labor Day Weekend.

"Last year’s denim beer case was a statement of rebellious independence – and people got it. This year, we wanted to take it even further,” says Aaron Baker, Oskar Blues brand director. “So we wrapped the can itself in denim. It’s a celebration of individuality, utility, and American grit – all things denim and Dale’s share at their core. Whether you’re cracking one open at a dive bar or tossing it in your cooler for a weekend outside, this is a beer that wears its character on its sleeve – or in this case, its can.”

Read more