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The Ultimate 6er

PD’s staff helps you pick the perfect six pack for all seasons, moods, and social situations.

Ultimate 6er | The NFL’s Lovable Losers

December 7, 2017 |

The NFL season is in full force and several teams are competing for a playoff spot. There are some teams however that do not stand a chance even making the playoffs. Rumors are floating about key players being traded, coaches being fired, and who is in the competition for #1 pick in the draft. While several teams’ seasons have been over for weeks that isn’t an excuse to not have a good time. The best way for players to get through the next few months is with a beer that helps them forget (or remember) their team’s woes.
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Ultimate 6er | New M&M Flavors Paired with Excellent Beer

November 30, 2017 |

Halloween may have passed, but my stash of “Dad tax” candy continues to thrive — my kids must pay for the right to trick-or-treat. Hence, traditionally, all Reeses, Smarties and M&M’s become my property.

As a result, I noticed an influx of new M&M flavors that I had not tried. Suddenly the classic, brown-bagged Plain M&M’s and yellow-bagged Peanut M&M’s were joined by such flavors as Birthday Cake, Pumpkin Spice, Cafe Mocha and Carrot Cake.

Of course, that got me thinking, ‘Which of these flavors would go best with what beer?’ This Ultimate 6er seeks to find the answers.

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Ultimate 6er | A Can of Thanksgiving

November 16, 2017 |

I can hear my mom on Thanksgiving Day yelling, “EJ, get in here! It’s time to eat!” But times have changed since then, so I better not hear that nickname today. For any future yellings, please refer to me as Eric.

So let’s imagine for a second that instead of a Thanksgiving turkey on a silver platter, there was a can of beer. But what would that beer be? And say for instance instead of a green bean casserole, you guessed it, another can of beer? What beer would take its place? This is the Ultimate 6er for Thanksgiving, just in case your food happens to be all beer.
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Ultimate 6er | Witches Brew

October 25, 2017 |

‘Tis the season for Halloween haunts and deliciously tasty beers! Halloween is just around the corner and I could barely contain my excitement. I’ve been busy prepping all month long for my favorite holiday by visiting pumpkin patches, putting out spooky decorations, deciding on the perfect costume and watching more horror films than I could count.

I love watching any horror film I can find. Zombies, clowns and slow-moving psycho maniacs, I can’t get enough of them. But since witching hour is nearly upon us, we have to honor some truly classic “black magic” women.

If you are gearing up for an evening of some bewitching entertainment, here are six beers to pair with some witches that graced us with their presence. Read More

Ultimate 6er | The CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

October 18, 2017 |

He made me feel warm like glitter was exploding inside me

These words are from the first episode of CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and I have felt that way ever since. When the show first came out, everyone (myself included) rolled his or her eyes just because the title evokes that same type of romantic drama we know too well. I couldn’t be more wrong; Rachel Bloom’s comedy-musical series was one of the most original, introspective takes on will they-won’t they wacky love featuring great commentary on mental illness. Along with the witty writing, you get high quality, hilarious songs that riff on every genre like the Marilyn Monroe inspired “The Math of Love Triangles” and the best pop-punk song since 2009, “Ping Pong Girl.” Read More

Ultimate 6er | Comfort Beers

October 11, 2017 |

It’s time we all took a seat and enjoyed a comfort beer, don’t you think? We are in the midst of a year dominated by natural disasters, shootings, political turmoil, fake news, nuclear war fears, a cold-war resurgence and societal fractures. But, there’s something about sinking into one’s favorite chair and opening a beer that calms the nerves. Here are six uncomplicated, security-blanket beers that help bring joy even as we are enduring unfathomable tension.

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Ultimate 6er | More Netflix Original Programming

September 20, 2017 |

Netflix has become the new home for incredible original content spending six billion dollars for this year alone. As more people are ditching cable for the comfort of streaming, we expect to see shows that can do great things without corporate oversight. Last year, I talked about the best pairings with this company’s more publicly renowned shows, but this time we’ll point out the newer, more innovative series around!

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Ultimate 6er | Six College-Licensed Beers Perfect For Watching College Football

August 31, 2017 |

College football season is here. If you’re like me, that means that you’ll be spending most Saturdays until the New Year watching your Alma Mater (U Rah Rah Wisconsin) elevate your hopes and mercilessly dash your dreams on a weekly basis. This also means you might be attending a tailgate or hitting your favorite college bar, meaning beer will be a high priority on your list. For me, that means a heavy portion of New Glarus and whatever other craft options are available. Some lucky football fans, however, get to drink college-licensed beer brewed by a local craft brewery. Here are six college-licensed beers for which any college football fan base could be proud.

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Ultimate 6er | Texas Charity Brews

August 30, 2017 |

Beer collaborations happen frequently and usually with other breweries; however, over the past few years, I have noticed a different type of collaboration throughout Texas.  Breweries all over the state are partnering with various charities in their communities by creating a beer, in many cases inspired by the charity, and donating a portion of their sales to the organization. For this piece, I have chosen six examples from Texas, but these are just a few examples of the many collaborations that occur all over the state. For each of the brews, I reached out to the brewery to find out what inspired the beer and why they partnered with a particular charity.
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Ultimate 6er | Beers to Drink in the Desert

August 29, 2017 |

Regardless of the time of year, when you’re spending time in the desert, it is important to stay hydrated, thanks to the dry climate and low humidity. The same concept applies to drinking beers in the desert—you want a beer that is refreshing and easy-drinking, particularly in the summer months when the daily temperature can easily exceed 110°F. This is a six pack that speaks to the lighter side of the desert culture.

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Ultimate 6er | Best Beers for a Cubs Game

August 2, 2017 |

Attending a Chicago Cubs game is an experience. From the bars to the fans to the field, Wrigley Field overwhelms the senses. One thing that has not been traditionally overwhelming near the stadium: the craft beer selection – until now. Thanks to the newly built Lucky Dorr, neighbor GreenStar Brewing and a concerted effort from Clark Street bar owners to stock more craft beer options, it is now easy to sip on some local craft beers before cheering on the 2016 World Champions.

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Ultimate 6er | Six Perfect Beers for Camping In The Midwest

August 1, 2017 |

When summer hits, people find just about any reason to spend time outdoors. For many that means camping. While camping can mean something different for each person, I think we can all agree that craft beer is a perfect companion for spending time in the great outdoors. Canned craft beer is especially ideal because it is lighter, easier to recycle and doesn’t break like glass bottles.

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Ultimate 6er | The Cinematic Films of Sofia Coppola

July 26, 2017 | 1

Sofia Coppola emerged from the shadow of her family name in 1999 when her directorial debut The Virgin Suicides—an adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel—hit screens. From the beginning, Coppola’s films have melded scene-perfect rock music with evocative visuals to explore the inner lives of her (usually) female main characters. Coppola’s sixth film, The Beguiled, came out last month, and while the movie has faced some controversy since its release, what is not controversial is that the director has an eye for great shots and an ear for great tunes.

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Ultimate 6er | Summer Seasonal Cans

July 19, 2017 |

Two weekends ago I waited in line three days in a row to see my favorite band at Red Rocks Amphitheater, The Avett Brothers. While that may sound like a big time suck (it was) it was totally worth it to sit close to the stage each night. There’s a caveat though, the beer they sell at Red Rocks is not craft (Shocktop, anyone?) and you have to kill time in line, right? So why not bring along a few beers to enjoy with your husband and friends! These are some of the Summer seasonal cans that I enjoyed while waiting around for many hours and highly recommend them to anyone tailgating Red Rocks or camping in the plethora of mountains that Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region has to offer!

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Ultimate 6er | Chicago Summer Ale Varieties

July 12, 2017 |

The dog days of summer are upon us. With every drop of sweat comes a need for refreshment, and what better way to achieve that relief than with a beer? The citrus-laden and coconut-flavored brews are just begging to be enjoyed under the summer sun. Here are six summer ale selections to help carry you through July and onto the season’s dog days.

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Ultimate 6er | Surviving Your Big Move

July 10, 2017 |

After nearly three years with two awesome roommates, I’m moving this weekend. And for the first time in 27 years of existing, I won’t be living with someone else. Exciting? You’re damn right. Stressful? You have no idea. Moving is one of those experiences when no matter how sure you are that you’re absolutely sure you have everything under control, there’s always something you’re missing. You might know where every single thing is going to go and the exact layout for your ideal living room, but once someone asks if you have dish rags your whole plan falls to shambles. Luckily, in the grand scheme, this big step and all the accompanying madness will all be worth it. Here are the six beers to get you through your big move.
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Ultimate 6er | Fruit Infused Beers Can Make Your Summer

July 5, 2017 |

Like the changing of the seasons, I love to experience the flavorful transition from the heavier stouts and porters of winter to the lighter brews of spring and summer. And this year, I’m seeing a fantastic influx of more fruit-infused brews that will make for some great summer drinking. This is going to be a great beer summer.
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Ultimate 6er | Ode to The Star Spangled Banner

July 4, 2017 |

Feature image courtesy of the Smithsonian.

It’s Fourth of July season, which means it’s time for intense patriotism on social and other media. We’ll see slews of posts on the most Americana XYZ thing and guides to finding the most Independence Day-themed stuffs, all the stuffs, out there.

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Ultimate 6er | Pure Michigan Summer

June 28, 2017 |

Every summer, thousands of Michiganders make their trek to the northern part of Michigan for their “Up North Vacation.” What exactly Up North entails depends on who you talk to, as the Detroit Free Press recently pointed out.
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Ultimate 6er | Friday Night (Summer Edition)

June 23, 2017 |

Oh Friday nights; they offer so much intrigue, so much anticipation for what’s to come. Regardless of the myriad of plans you might have for the weekend, one of my most cherished Friday night activities is cracking open that first beer of the weekend. It just seems crisper, more refreshing and full of unbridled possibility.

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