Ultimate 6er | The Bittersweet End of Summer

It’s a well-known (if not scientifically documented) fact that as we get older, we start complaining more about the weather. Sit near an old man on a park bench sometime, there’s really no condition that he can’t find fault with. Too hot. Too cloudy. Too much humidity. Lots of hot air these days; very few cool breezes. Nothing’s ever right or as good as it used to be. EDM music and so forth…

What if you like warm weather, yet long for the beers of winter? What about those of us who hate driving in the snow, but love football? People who are in limbo during this time of year want some beers that can meet the needs of any climate. The changing of the seasons truly is a bittersweet symphony, and as we clumsily straddle the fence that separates pre-autumn excitement from end-of-summer blues, let’s look at six tasty brews that that can help us savor the remaining warmth while preparing for the imminence of gawking leafers and poorly raked yards.
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Ultimate 6er | College Football Season 2018

Welcome to the tailgate, college football fan! Pull up a lawn chair; the chili should be ready shortly. Put that red Solo cup away; you won’t be needing that. The season is far too short for you to drink swill, and we have some proper glassware here for you besides.

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Ultimate 6er | Road Trip: Midwest Breweries You Can’t Miss

A road trip resulted in us visiting more than 40 breweries, brewpubs, taprooms and bottle shops in almost all parts of the Midwest, so I had to share my top six picks for breweries along our journey. You simply should not miss any of these places if you are within 50 miles. Not only did each brewery make stellar beer, but there was something special about each one, whether it was the atmosphere, the food, or the history. Note that these breweries were in the order which we visited them – there’s no way a favorite can be picked! After all, breweries are like snowflakes: all are beautiful, and none are the same! Here’s a look at six breweries that stood out in our tour of the Midwest.
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Ultimate 6er | “The Bachelorette”

Craft beer may not be a fixture of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” franchise, but it certainly helps make those awkward limo introductions, catty video confessionals and declarations of love after just two weeks bearable.

Becca Kufrin’s season has been no exception. Suitors vying for the heart of the Minnesota native—who was famously dumped by Arie Luyendyk Jr. just months after he proposed—have checked off the routine boxes of comical villains, off-screen controversy and unexpected love triangles. As we approach the final episodes, let’s pay homage to Becca’s motley crew by assembling a reflective six-pack.

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Ultimate 6er | Vikings: Beer, Books & Binge-Watching

“Soon I shall be drinking ale from curved horns.” ~Ragnar Lothbrok, Vikings.

The History Channel’s globally-popular Vikings is set to return for its Season 5, Part B this fall. While the drama takes creative license with history, the show itself is captivating and as a bonus, the show sheds light on Nordic (including Viking) culture, which has inspired many to investigate Nordic history. Mostly, it’s just a fun TV show and perfect for pairing with beer. Here are six themes (mostly derived from seasons 1-3) coupled with both beers and history books that are meant to help enhance your Vikings-viewing experience. So, binge watch the old shows and then get ready for some more action this fall.

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Ultimate 6er | Summer Dogs: Six Beers Inspired By Furry Friends

In the words of the song Summer from the Smashing Pumpkins, “In the summer I can breathe. I don’t need a single thing and all the love you give is so sweet.” No love is sweeter than the love from “man’s best friend.” While humans get overwhelmed by work, obligations, and stress dogs are just happy to see their owner walk in the door each day. As July 4^th has now passed and we are in the full swing of summer, I created the Summer Dog Ultimate 6er. These are six beers that can be enjoyed with your favorite furry friend. If you don’t own a dog, borrow one! Read More

Ultimate 6er | Independence Day BBQ

We are in the throws of summer; camping trips, long summer nights, fireflies and festivals all around. For most of us, summer flies by and is marked by special events like graduations, summer solstice, birthdays and, if in the states, Independence Day. Grocery stores promote the corner stone foods a couple weeks before and are accompanied by splashy red, white and blue stars/fireworks/stripes. Food is a way to bring family and friends together, it almost is as old as time. Throw in some great drinks and music, and you have a shindig!
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Ultimate 6er | The Annual Family Camping Trip

Ahh, summer! It brings the promise of fun moments in the sun and exciting new adventures. Embedded in every season are holidays we love to celebrate and traditions that will never die. Some folks schedule a week-long beach trip, others like to go lodging at the lake. But, there is one tradition I have entered into sheerly by association and that is the annual family camping trip To Knoebel’s. Read More

Ultimate 6er | How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother did for my generation what Friends did for the one before. As a sitcom, it was never going to be subversive or show the realities of every day New Yorkers, but it certainly gave a better sense of what 20 and 30 somethings in the 2000s were really doing, and it wasn’t sitting in coffee shops. Sitting down with your friends for a few drinks at your local watering hole has been a part of American culture for generations, and HIMYM made it look great. Each of the main characters embodied a certain personality type, but with a level of complexity and fun that makes them perfect for an Ultimate 6er.

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The Ultimate 6er | Summer Movies 2018

Have you been enjoying this year’s slew of summer movies? From big-budget sequels and spin-offs of beloved franchises to… um… other big-budget sequels and spin-offs of beloved franchises, Hollywood has a slate of blockbusters for you to enjoy this summer. And whether you’re reclining in a big leather seat at the air-conditioned theater, drinking beer at an Alamo Drafthouse, or getting cozy at a drive-in, we know you’re going to see summer movies just to have a good time and relax. So here’s the Ultimate 6er to pair with this summer’s movies. Enjoy!
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Ultimate 6er | Therapeutic Beers

Sheryl Crow. Brian Wilson. J.K. Rowling. Tony Soprano. If you are considering therapy, just know you are in good company. And in our present climate characterized by collective anxiety and presidential stupidity (“He tweeted what?!”), therapy is well within the margins of sanity.

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Ultimate 6er | Buffy The Vampire Slayer Beers

No, it’s not the latest show to be resurrected by Netflix or reborn on Hulu. But Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a show that bit the dust 15 years ago, still lives on in our hearts (and our fashion choices—I’m looking at you, red pleather pants). The show ended before the craft beer scene started booming, and much like Buffy herself, I refuse to let injustice linger when there are wrongs to right. I’m giving this show the Ultimate 6er it’s always deserved. Come and take a nostalgic journey with me through Sunnydale, California as we pair up the main characters with their perfect beer counterpart. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Summertime Movies

I didn’t think I was going to make it. I barely shoveled my way out of this winter. Every time I thought it was finally over, Mother Nature proved me wrong. We suffered from freezing weather and snowstorms almost daily. Well, it is finally here and hopefully I didn’t jinx it. It’s summertime and the living’s easy.

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Ultimate 6er | Best Monkish IPA Releases of 2018 (so far)

With warm weather approaching, the time has never been better to track down the best crushable IPA you can find. Monkish Brewing has easily established itself as one of the best out there at creating top quality New England Style IPAs, and this 6er will guide you through the best cans that have graced us with their presence so far this year. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Best Craft Beer Ballpark Experiences

Baseball season is back. And though it may not feel like it in Chicago, I look forward to the warmer months when I get a sit in a plastic seat while watching a ballgame in person – with a beer in-hand. Much like America’s pastime, the venues that typically host baseball games are rooted in tradition, which usually means a heavy dosage of light macro lagers going for anywhere from $8-10. However, several ballparks around Major League Baseball have started to buck this trend by appealing to the new generation of baseball fans who want to buy a craft beer from a local brewer instead of the traditional Budweisers and Miller Lites of the world. Plus, these drinkers expect a higher price point when drinking in a stadium, which means a craft offering can offer similar margins to a macro brew. Here’s a look at six stadiums who are leading the charge by providing a great ballpark-centric craft beer experience to their fans.
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Ultimate 6er | Chocolate Beer: Perfect Any Day of the Year

Valentine’s Day has its chocolate hearts and Easter its chocolate eggs, but chocolate beer can be enjoyed all year. And why not? Chocolate and cocoa are more than additions to dessert, they a delectable ingredients that enhance a multitude of savory dishes such as mole sauce, chili, barbecue and ravioli. Granted, chocolate beers tend to lean to the sweet side, but has anyone ever had a chocolate shake in the summer?  Chocolate exists as a diverse, adaptable and downright delicious ingredient, and brewers have mastered its integration into beer. Here are six noteworthy examples of chocolate-infused beer (even if it’s been a while since the release date, the beers can be found on shelves, or in your beer buddy’s cellar).

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Ultimate 6er | Steven Universe

There’s nothing quite as special in the world of animation as Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe. Rebecca Sugar created this pastel wonderland out of her love of classic anime, space opera, and enchanting melody. The result of her hard work is not only one of the best cartoons of this decade but an incredible examination of sci-fi-infused LGBTQ discovery.

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Ultimate 6er | Packing Up & Moving Out

Let me start by saying that I’m currently in the process of writing this Ultimate 6er while packing up and moving, so I hope that earns me a bit more credibility with this post. There is nothing that’s needed more than a beer while moving, and six beers is probably a good number to have at the very minimum.

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Ultimate 6er | Southern Arizona Sampler

I feel fortunate as a beer nerd to live in Southern Arizona, Tucson specifically. The beer scene here has started to gain some national attention, but still largely flies under the radar. Tucson is a legitimate beer destination with 20+ breweries, drive out a little bit further and there are additional breweries in Tombstone, Bisbee, and Sonoita. The desert is definitely not dry here, so sit back and crack open a few delicious local brews. Read More

Ultimate 6er | Loveland Staples

Colorado is synonymous with countless things: skiing, white water rafting, legalized marijuana, green chili, and, of course, craft beer. With the genesis of the movement often attributed to New Belgium and Odell Brewing in Fort Collins, alongside the well-known names coming out of Denver and Boulder, it’s easy to see how the other locales can be lost in the fold. Loveland, Colorado sits roughly 20 minutes south of Fort Collins, and about an hour North from both Denver and Boulder. While smaller in terms of brewery offerings (roughly six), these establishments sure know how to pack a punch. If you’re in town, here are the six beers you should ensure you get a taste of before you leave.

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