Unlike the traditional crowded bars and overly expensive cocktails, game nights have become the new social craze where friends meet to create memories. And if you’re the host, chances are you might want to offer your friends an incredible experience beyond just a pool table and vintage arcade games.
This may entail but is not limited to elements like beers to make the evening more memorable. And since we’re living in a golden age of beer, now is the best time to learn about the different beer styles you can include in your game night.
Especially now that companies are redefining their products to ensure optimal quality, knowing which brand to go for has never been as important. For instance, brewers are shifting their focus toward hop oil content instead of organoleptic properties to cater to the growing demand for aroma hop varieties.
By reading this article, you will find some of the best beer brands to add to the fun of your game night.
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IPA
Whether playing online slots, strategizing or building empires, IPA is a great way to enjoy your game night with your friends. It has a 6.1% Alcohol By Volume (ABV) and a captivating beer label that leaves you nostalgic.
IPA combines old-school bitterness with Citra, Centennial, and Mosaic hops, which offers a herbal and citrus flavor. Plus, its head lasts for some time after it’s poured into a glass.
Modelo Especial
Rich and fully flavored, Modelo Especial is a classic lager that delivers a crisp and refreshing taste. It’s been around for quite some time and has weathered the test of time, explaining why Mexican lagers are these popular.
It takes time and determination to brew this model Mexican lager – which is characterized by a well-balanced finish. The alcohol content is quite considerable (about 4.4%), combined with other ingredients, including water, barley malt, non-malted cereals, and hops.
Pilsner Urquell
Surprisingly, this beer’s history dates back to as early as the 19th century and was the world’s first pale lager. Pilsner Urquell is brewed by the Pilsner Urquell Brewery in Plzen and boasts Saaz hops, a key element in its flavor profile.
For more than 180 years now, the brand has managed to maintain its refreshing crispness through its dedicated employees. Having a central place where the beer is brewed ensures that it tastes the same worldwide.
Since the company has stuck with traditional methods of brewing like triple decoction and parallel brewing, this allows them to maintain the integrity of the beer’s taste across generations. With every sip of Pilsner Urquell, you’ll notice a dense, wet foam that seals its freshness and prevents oxygen from interacting with delicate flavours.
Ale
At only 6% ABV, Ale ensures you can have a couple before you can start feeling dizzy. This allows you to have extended gameplays with your guests. Brands like Pipeworks Blood of The Unicorn Hoppy Red Ale and City Steam Naughty Nurse Amber Ale are some of the popular choices you might consider for a gaming night out with friends.
Just like other beers, Ale also has a bittering agent that acts as a preservative. Initially, gruit (a blend of herbs) would be added to the beer to bitter it before being replaced by hops. Shockingly, generations in the medieval age would use Ale as an important source of nutrition along with pottage and bread.
The following list categories ales according to their groups of origin:
- British-origin ales, including Pale Ale, Scotch Ale, Summer Ale, etc.
- North American ales such as Sour Ale, Amber Ale, etc.
- Belgian and French origin types, including Table Beer, Session Ale, etc.
Porter
Porter has its roots in London, where it became the first beer style to be brewed globally. It has a moderate ABV of about 4% (mild) to about 7% (strong), implying that you can chuck several glasses before you are dizzy.
With elements of malted barley and ale yeast, Porter ensures that you can enjoy the beer with every sip. The common variations to try out at a game night include:
- Everett
- Mocha Machine
- Maple Bacon Coffee Porter
- Bravo
While stout and porter share a common history, they differ in that the latter uses malted barley while the former uses roasted barley.
Wheat Beer
Just like the name suggests, wheat beer has a larger percentage of wheat compared to malted beer. It differs from regular beers, especially so because it’s mainly brewed from ale yeasts.
With an alcohol content of about 2.5% to 5%, wheat beers are a perfect option to drink while you participate in social games. The lower alcohol content allows one to take several sips before getting drunk, making it possible to have elongated gaming sessions.
Wheat beers are often bubblier compared to others, as brewers can use 30% to 70% wheat malt during the brewing process. By incorporating a wonderful aroma, wheat beers ensure that gameplay is as memorable as possible.
In summary, this list of top beer brands ensures you don’t have to be stranded, especially when considering the beer to add to your game night. As there are many options, you only need to choose the brand that fits your preferences.
