DRAFT Magazine

Yesterday, we took you on a 35,000-foot tour of the beer choices available on some of the world’s biggest airlines. Today, we’re deadheading it around some of the smaller ones. Follow us to such great heights, preferably with a beer in hand.

Air Canada
Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec
Slogan: “Go far.”
Why we love it: Air Canada’s planes are equipped with XM radio (XM Canadian radio, but XM radio nonetheless), television screens and music ports, and interactive games in every seat in both business and economy. They also offer USB ports to charge electronics so you can start playing with your handheld mp3 player/latest iThing immediately upon exiting the aircraft. Plus, Febraury 6th marked the fourth humanitarian flight to Haiti to deliver medical supplies.
Most memorable moment: Air Canada was the official airline of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, responsible for transporting over 2,700 athletes to and from the games. Twenty Air Canada employees participated in the running of the torch. Oh, Canada.
Beers: Kokanee Beer, Budweiser, Bud Light, Alexander Kieth’s
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Three

Alaskan Air
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Slogan: “North of expected.”
Why we love it: This airline has a very feel-good background, founded on the principles of “can do” and “neighbor helping neighbor.” The airline claims these are the Alaskan way. And we like that they offer a little Alaskan flavor on their beer menu.
Most memorable moment: This airline took part in the historic Berlin Airlift in 1948, risking life and limb and airplane alike, and also helped to bring thousands of Yemenite Jews to Israel for their safety from Arab unrest.
Beers: Alaskan Amber, Corona, Miller Light, Budweiser.
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Three

Frontier Airlines
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado
Slogan: “A whole different animal.”
Why we love it: This airline slowly incorporated Horizon Air, and although they are a relatively new service (established in 1994), they are a leading low-cost airline in the U.S. Frontier partnered with Midwest Airlines as they continue to expand their service.
Most memorable moment: Almost all of the aircrafts that Frontier flies feature an animal on the tale of the plane. And every one of these critters has a name: Hector the Sea Otter and Jack the Rabbit, for example.
Beers: Miller Genuine, Miller Light Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Newcastle
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Four

Virgin Blue
Headquarters: Queensland, Australia
Slogan: “Keeping the air fair.” “Now there’s an idea.”
Why we love it: Virgin Blue is the second largest airline in Australia and another low-cost option.
Most memorable moment: Virgin pioneered another unique airline that has received a lot of media attention, Virgin Galactic. With Galactic, a flier pays more or less his or her gross earnings for 15 fiscal years (if you’re a magazine intern) to fly to the earth’s uppermost atmosphere and enjoy zero gravity, spectacular views, and an incredible chance to see the earth where only a handful of others have had the opportunity to go. Flights cost $200,000, so it would be wise to begin saving now.
Beers: Victoria Bitters, Crown Lager, Pure Blonde
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Three

Allegiant Airlines
Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada
Slogan: N/A
Why we love it: Originally dubbed WestJet Express but required to relinquish the name to an existing airline with the same name, Allegiant was rebranded in 1997. Allegiant focuses on flights to airports that have limited service from mainline air carriers.
Most memorable moment: This airline is so new that currently their most memorable moment seems to be opening their doors. But you can only go up from there, right?
Beers: Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Ultra.
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Two

WestJet
Headquarters: Alberta, Canada
Slogan: “We succeed because I care.”
Why we love it: This airline, founded in 1996, hopes to be a leading commercial airline by 2016. Like so many new airlines, the craft comes equipped with a number of conveniences, including LiveTV.
Most memorable moment: In 2006, Westjet was accused of — and admitted to — using various tools of espionage to gain valuable company information regarding Alaskan Airlines business practices. The company issued a formal apology and gave $10 million to various children’s charities.
Beers: Molson, Coors Light
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): One

Hooters Air
Headquarters: Alberta, Canada
Slogan: Too busy staring to ask.
Why we love it: This airline, founded in 2003, flew its last run in 2006. It was advertised as a low-fair airline, the brain-child of the fine folks at Hooters (not the ones in orange, but the men behind the women of Hooters) and was targeted to the golf-and-business crowd. While the airline is out of service and could not be reached for comment, reviews on popular travel sites claimed the service wasn’t as lowbrow as you’d expect — in fact, most passengers seemed pleasantly surprised by Hooters Air. The increased fuel prices following Hurricane Katrina were the demise of the brand, but it was sure nice while it lasted.
Most memorable moment: The stewardesses of Hooters Air wore — what else? –the official Hooter’s garb: orange hotpants and bosom-baring tanks, in which they performed all of the typical duties of a flight attendant… but just looked better doing it.
Beers: If we knew, we’d be raising a toast.
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): N/A

– Mariah Beckman is an editorial intern at DRAFT Magazine.

By Mariah Beckman

Since when is air travel all about getting from A to B? Life isn’t about the destination — it’s the journey. Make your next airline journey an informed one with DRAFTMag.com’s pick of airlines who present their client-base with popular and indigenous brews to ease the travel-weary mind. In part one, we check in on some of the big boys and girls in the industry. Come on back tomorrow for round dos.

American Airlines
Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas
Slogan: “We know why you fly.”
Why we love it: American Airlines carries more passengers from the U.S. and Latin American than any other airline, making it the most likely carrier the next time you fly. American Airlines was formed after years of aviator hunting — the conglomerate originally began seeking out small aviary companies, including Charles Lindburg’s employer, Robertson, in 1929 — and by 1934 had become a lindy-hopping version of the airline we know and love today. Far from being old-fashioned, this company was the first commercial airline to hire both a female and Aftrican-American pilot. They were even forward-thinking enough to establish a stewardess college in the 1950’s. How cute is that?
Most memorable moment: In February 2010, American Airlines launched a site dedicated to commemorating the achievements of African Americans in aviation and aerospace, Black History in Aviation. Equality? We’ll drink to that.
Beers: Amstel Light, Heineken, select domestic beers (check your flight for specific beers offered)
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Three

Delta Airlines
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Slogan: “Change is___”.
Why we love it: Delta is the largest airline in the world in terms of passenger and fleet size, and until mid-’10 will be the only airline to offer service to every continent except Antarctica. The airline’s roots as an aerial crop dusting operation are amusing, considering that they currently traffic over 170 million passengers and do not seem to be the least bit concerned with boll weevils.
Most memorable moment: In 2009, Delta merged with Northwest Airlines to become the largest airline in the world, just in time for their 80th anniversary.
Beers: Corona Extra, Michelob Ultra Light, Miller Light, Heineken
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Two

Southwest Airlines
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Slogan: “You are now free to move about the country.” “Just plane smart.” “Wanna get away?” “It’s on.”
Why we love it: It isn’t just because the original flight attendants were chosen by the same man who picked out Hugh Hef’s stewardesses. (They wore hot pants and go-go boots, and served “love potions” and “love bites” that looked suspiciously like Coke and peanuts). No, it’s Southwest’s low-fare that attracts us — they are the nation’s leading low-cost airline in terms of passengers carried per year. They also have a series of crafts, called Spirit One, that are painted and themed inside and out to look like, among other things, Shamu, Sports Illustrated cover model Bar Refaeli, a basketball, and Tinker Bell.
Most memorable moment: In 1983, author Winifred Barnum transformed the real-life struggle between emerging airline Southwest and other incumbent (i.e., successful) airlines into a children’s book called “Gumwrappers and Goggles.” In this Jay-Jay the Jet Plane-style tale, a little airline is taken to court because the older airplanes won’t let him join in their airline games. Then The Lawyer and Good Air Fairy uphold his right to fly, and the little engine that suddenly could learns the magic of honestty, hard work, and love. Awww… While no names were specifically mentioned in the tome, the plane’s colors were the same as Southwest’s. The book inspired a musical of the same name that is coincidentally only shown in cities where Southwest flies.
Beers: Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Miller Light, Heineken
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Two

US Airways
Headquarters: Tempe, Arizona
Slogan: “Fly with US.” “Fly the flag with USAir.” “USAir begins with you.”
Why we love it: This airline began as a simple mail carrier in 1939. Today they consider themselves one of America’s greatest success stories.
Most memorable moment: In 1992, US Airways officially purchased Donald Trump’s small airline, Trump Shuttle, and got to say “You’re fired” to The Donald himself. Respectfully, of course.
Beers: Budweiser, Bud Light, Beck’s
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Two

Continental Airlines
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Slogan: “Work hard. Fly right.”
Why we love it: This airline offers in-flight live television (90 channels, which is more than some people get at home) and inflight Internet. It’s not blazing fast so you might not be able to Google apps on your iPhone, but you’ll be able to check out the latest DRAFTMag.com posts at 39,000 feet. And while Continental may only offer three drafts in the U.S., they certainly get points for being indigenous with their selection of continent-appropriate brews.
Most memorable moment: Honestly, Continental has a pretty dull history. We looked but nothing flew (ha!) to the forefront. Also, they never called us back.
Beers: Corona Extra, Heineken, Miller Lite, Assahi, (Japan only), Gold Star (Israel only), Tsing Tao (Hong Kong only), Yanjing (Beijing only)
Pilot wings for beer selection (out of four): Two

– Mariah Beckman is an editorial intern at DRAFT Magazine.

With Jersey Shore ready to shoot its second season in South Beach, it’s only fitting that we take a moment for pause and recognize the “unsung” cast mate that’s responsible for all the steamy hookups, brawls, and poor fashion choices (how else do you explain glitter on a man’s t-shirt?): alcohol. In honor of beer and pseudo-celebrity, we’ve re-imagined each house member as one of our favorite frosty brews.

Enjoy.

Snooki – Sam Adams Imperial Stout: Stout dark ale with plenty of kick (remember those back walkovers at the Shore’s Club Karma?) that screams, “Party’s heeeeeere.” Full-bodied and robust, this craft brew packs a dynamite punch (and knows how to take one, too), and is available in plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and animal print corsets.

DJ Pauly D – Shock Top Belgian White: Hardly a hair gel-stiff mix (4.5 percent ABV), this good-natured, amicable brew is quite popular with boardwalk babes and Israeli stalkers. Down a DJ’s dozen, though, and you’ll be spinning faster than “bang the beat” records, ready to get down to “strictly business”: jacuzzi, bedroom, business, sleep. It’s a blown-out brew the way God (and Rhode Island guidos) intended.

Ronnie – Red Stripe: Hooray for this stumpy 12 oz. bottle with a bold lager flavor and anger management issues. When push comes to shove (sorry, Sammi), and you’re wound up tighter than an Affliction t-shirt, there’s only one way to get the party started. (And no, it’s not Ron Ron Juice.) Take “one shot, kid” of this heavy-handed brew to relax your juiced-up delts and get you “ready to party… and just get creepy, filthy, and weird.”

Sammi “Sweetheart” – Sweetwater IPA: Loaded with intense hop flavor and dark eyeliner, this craft ale is lovable by name but bitter in taste. Imbibers of this hoppy brew beware: Get caught talking to a tall blonde pilnser with a hairsprayed poof, and you’ll end up crying, hugging, and forfeiting your manhood while the IPA gives her number to a cop.

Vinny – Birra Messina: If you’re looking for a Sicilian craft brew with a great sociable flavor as infectious as pink eye, you’ve found your perfect pint. With aromas of hops and Axe body spray aplenty, you’re guaranteed a fist pumpin’ good time with each and every sip. It’s all about the GTL, baby. (Great Tasting Lager, of course)

J-Woww – Dorada, Especial: Bursting forth with big melon flavor (that’ll whap! you in the face if you dance too close), this supple cerveza (no lie, she’s Irish and Spanish… go figure) is best served with house music and a side of Pauly D’s pierced prosciutto. A 5.5% ABV light golden lager, this malt from Madrid drops candied hints of sweetness throughout, but don’t be fooled by palette pleasantries (or silicone implants, for that matter). One false move, and you’re liable to end up on the receiving end of a spinning back punch, courtesy of a Barcelona biatch with bad hair extensions.

Mike “The Situation” – Yuengling Black & Tan: Modeling a traditional English Half and Half (and underwear with Bar Rafaeli), this pilsner-style brew is “fake bake” golden in color and ripped up like Rambo. Caramel smooth with malty notes, any night of the week’s a perfect excuse to grab a 6-pack of this 4.7 percent ABV craft brew, pick out a girl to bring back from the club, and have yourself a situation.

Angelina – Dogfish Head’s 120 Minute IPA: This strong craft brew (18 percent ABV) won’t talk with its hands, but if you fail to drink in moderation, you’ll have to deal with an early A.M. headache and that annoying Staten Island accent. Luckily, the brief pain will pass, pack its –ish in trash bags, and take itself out to the curb, missing out on reality television infamy and a big pay day.

– Adam Tokarz is a Boston-based freelance writer who reminds his friends to stay thirsty and always wear sunscreen. He can be reached at adam.tokarz(at)gmail.com.

Most of DRAFT’s editorial staffers have been LOST die-hards from day one, so we plan to celebrate the final season’s sure-to-be-epic premiere next week by downing 10 beers that honor the show. Here’s our menu.

Kona Oceanic Organic Ale
Freaky coincidence, or a sign the brewing industry has something to do with the Island’s mysteries? This saison is both brewed in Hawaii (where the series is shot) and named after the parent airline of doomed Flight 815.

Atlanta Brewing Co. Numbers Ale
We’re almost as obsessed with this biscuity, grassy Southern session beer as we are with 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42.

LeftHand SmokeJumper
We’ll take our smoke in liquid form, thanks; this campfire smoke-laced beer is much more satisfying and certainly less physically painful than the island’s course-correcting smoke monster.

Widmer Hefeweizen
Could Widmer Bros. Brewery be a money-laundering front for Charles Widmore? Nice try, buddy; really creative name-change trick.

Celestial Meads Clarity
Made with raw honey, this delicate, fruity mead represents what we loyal viewers need this season — a clear explanation of the blurry, time-jumping story arc.

Hite Beer
Maybe if we drink the No. 1-selling lager from their homeland of South Korea, Sun and Jin will find a way to transcend their four-decade time rift and be together already.

Naked City Brother Orchid
This new, fruity Belgian ale from Seattle hearkens two of our favorite LOST elements: The Orchid station, site of that crazy frozen donkey wheel, and “Brotha,” the aww-shucks Desmondism.

Boulder Beer Flashback Anniversary Ale
It’s one flashback we won’t get sick of — an intriguing “India brown ale” that’s both citrusy and roasty. Still, we can’t help question the beer’s eerie circumstances: It’s the brewery’s ninth release in its Looking Glass Series (Looking Glass=the underwater station where Charlie met his fate), and it was crafted to celebrate the anniversary of when two university professors decided to start a brewery in the 1970s. What’s next? Are they gonna reveal they were researching the effects of time travel on rats with Faraday?

Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA
The Losties’ fearless leader is suffering from a serious case of dual personalities: The first few seasons of LOST showed us kind-hearted, valiant Dr. Jack, but recently, we’ve seen only boozed-up, pill-popping Jack. So, we’re hoisting this high-alcohol IPA and hoping Good Jack triumphs over Nasty Jack in season 6.

Brownings Dharmahead Trippel
Because if we don’t drink the Dharma beer, there might be another “incident.”

Forgo the classy intermission sips of bubbly at your next musical and stuff a few bottles of these apropos brews in your tux jacket.

“Cats”
Synopsis: Cats with names like Bustopher Jones and Mr. Mistoffelees gather in a junkyard to publicly manicure themselves, meow songs, and decide which feline will be reincarnated.
Drink: Dairy-inspired Left Hand Milk Stout and New Glarus Spotted Cow are the cat’s pajamas, and catnip to us.

“Phantom of the Opera”
Synopsis: A disfigured stalker with a pension for opera wins the affection of a beautiful woman, but loses his cool when he finds out she’s in love with a smooth operator named Raoul.
Drink: Split your time between two spirits; smuggle in Fantôme Saison.

“South Pacific”
Synopsis: Guys will do anything to meet chicks — even travel to mysterious Bali Ha’i. Sailors in this wartime production go native.
Drink: You likely won’t be able to score a South Pacific SP Lager, so stick with the island pleasure that is Kona Longboard Lager.

“Billy Elliot”
Synopsis: A young English boy transforms a poor, outdated mining town with his wicked ballet skills and leaps from working class to high-brow society.
Drink: It takes guts to buck the status quo. Throw back a few pints of England’s own John Courage.

“West Side Story”
Synopsis: Two rival gangs dance it out on the mean streets of the Big Apple in the name of cred, and learn something about themselves in the process.
Drink: If you’re a Jet, go with Brooklyn Lager; Sharks should represent Puerto Rico with Cerveceria India Medalla Light.

By Sarah Whitmire

By now, most beer lovers have heard all about homebrewing as a cost-effective way to drink great beer. Whatever your reason for not taking the plunge, DRAFTMag.com is here to clear up a few misconceptions about the process of turning water, malt, hops, and yeast into a tasty, drinkable beverage. During the next few weeks, we’ll be examining all the different aspects of homebrewing, from legal issues to implementation. Today, we kick off the series with part one.

More money now means less money later
Though the idea of spending a dollar or so per 12 oz. bottle is obviously tempting, homebrewing doesn’t come without a set of start-up costs. The first expense for most is a starter kit; a basic one will run anywhere from $100-200 with a wide range of included items. An entry-level homebrew kit from www.homebrewmart.com has nearly everything you will need (buckets, bottler, caps, even the ingredients for your first batch) to make five gallons of beer for roughly $150, with shipping and tax. On the higher end, the Deluxe Brewing Equipment Kit from www.homebrewheaven.com includes the basics in addition to a glass carboy, wort chiller, and an instructional DVD for about $240, with shipping and tax.

With each of these brew kits, you will also need to purchase a brewpot — recommended size is seven and a half gallons — that retails for about $80 and vessels in which to store your final product. Bottles are the most common option; you will need roughly 50 12 oz bottles for a five-gallon batch. Look to spend $25 on bottles (or you can opt for a complete keg system starting at about $200).

If you haven’t been doing the math, don’t worry; the approximate tally so far is $255. This means each bottle of your first batch of homebrew will set you back just over $5; a little scary for someone getting into the hobby to save money. However, your second batch (assuming you didn’t break any equipment!) probably won’t cost more than a dollar a bottle, depending on the type of beer you choose.

What about the long-term factor? If you are dedicated and get a good amount of mileage out of your kit, the payoff only increases. If you were to brew 10 successful batches of beer with your $255 investment (plus nine more $50 kits); the individual bottle price comes to roughly $1.41.

Keep it clean!
Bacteria-free beer is tasty beer. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to experience a home brew gone wrong, odds are pretty good it tasted funky due to bacterial contamination. Anything that touches the wort after it has been boiled has to be sanitized. No doubt, this is a chore, but it is better than throwing out a whole batch of your time and energy (especially after waiting two weeks for bad beer to ferment).

Be a good student, take notes
The best brewmasters all suggest keeping track of what ingredients you have in each homebrew, and making tasting notes to record what you liked and didn’t like from the batch. Theoretically, every batch you make will be better than the one before as you discover what works best for your palette.

Play by the rules
Depending on where you live, the law may cramp your homebrewing style. Even though Federal restrictions against homebrewing small amounts of beer were lifted in 1979, some states are slow to follow suit. (Editor’s note: This should not be substituted for official legal advice. Make sure to check your local laws before beginning to homebrew.)

Twenty states have made homebrewing legal, but still ban the sale: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan (cannot gift more than 20 gallons), Minnesota, Nebraska (simple fermentation only), New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, Washington D.C., Wisconsin, and Wyoming

Twelve states have made homebrewing legal, ban the sale, and restrict gallonage. The following states allow only 200 gallons yearly for households with two or more adults (21+), and 100 gallons yearly for households with only one adult (21+): California, Delaware (recently legal March 2008), Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, New Jersey (recently legal January 2009, requires $15 permit for one-year license), Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah (recently legal August 2009)

The following two states impose yearly limits of 50 gallons:
Connecticut — only 50 gallons for one adult household
Georgia — allows only 50 gallons a year, must be less than 6% ABV

Six states that have made homebrewing legal, ban the sale, and limit alcohol content by either volume or weight:
Arkansas — 5% ABV or less, also no more than 200 gallons
Iowa — 5% alcohol by weight (6.335% ABV) or less
Kansas — 3.2% alcohol by weight (4.054% ABV) or less
Montana — 7% alcohol by weight (8.869% ABV) or less
North Carolina — 15% ABV or less
South Carolina — 5% alcohol by weight (6.335% ABV) or less

Three states with their own laws:
Alaska — The country’s northernmost state has screwy rules about alcohol; Alaskan Alcohol Beverage Control mandates that each municipality has local control on selling, importing, and possessing alcohol. Whatever local control placed on alcohol in general applies to home manufacture as well.
Idaho — Homebrewing is completely legal in Idaho, if the brew in manufactured with native-grown products.
Alabama — Officially the only state in the nation that has actual state law stating that homebrewing of beer is illegal. Not only that, Alabama also prohibits the distribution or sale of any beer over 6% ABV. Until just recently (August 2009) however, Utah was the only other state in which homebrewing was illegal.

The nine remaining states have a dotted line to tread; no existing state legislation declares homebrewing beer legal, or illegal. In some cases, clauses of alcohol control law state that laws only apply to alcohol that is sold; every state bans sale of homebrewed alcohol, so many operate under the fact that if the homebrew isn’t sold, it’s free and clear: Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi (homemaking wine is legal), Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia

– Sarah Whitmire is an intern at DRAFTMag.com.

You know what? There are tons of beer weeks all around this great country of ours. It’s high time someone put together a list. Well, that’s why we’re here. Start planning your travel schedule now. (Let us know ones we missed in the comments and we’ll add them to our running tally.)

City: San Francisco
Date (in 2010): February 5-14
2009 highlight: Celebrator’s Best of the West Beer Fest

City: Seattle
Date (in 2010): May 7-15
2009 highlight: Week End Party and BBQ at The Dray

City: America
Date (in 2010): May 17-23
2009 highlight: The Declaration of Beer Independence

City: Philadelphia
Date (in 2010): June 4-13
2009 highlight: Beer Balderdash at Standard Tap

City: Oregon
Date (in 2010): July 18-25
2009 highlight: Oregon Brewers Festival

City: Washington D.C.
Date (in 2010): Tentatively August 14-19 (August 16-21 in 2009)
2009 highlight: Washington Nationals v. Milwaukee Brewers, D.C. Beer Week Special

City: New York
Date (in 2010): Tentatively September 10-19 (September 11-20 in 2009)
2009 highlight: Gotham Cask Festival

City: Denver
Date (in 2010): Tentatively September 17-26 (September 18-27 in 2009)
2009 highlight: Beer College at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

City: Baltimore
Date: Tentatively October 7-17 (October 8-18 in 2009)
2009 highlight: Go and let us know.

City: Los Angeles
Date (in 2010): Tentatively October 14-24 (October 15-25 in 2009)
2009 highlight: TBD

City: Detroit
Date (in 2010): Tentatively October 15-23 (October 16-24 in 2009)
2009 highlight: TBD

City: Cleveland
Date (in 2010):
2009 highlight: Tentatively October 15-23 (October 16-24 in 2009)

City: San Diego
Date (in 2010): Tentatively November 5-14 (November 6-15 in 2009)
2009 highlight: TBD

By Jay Brooks

In its heyday, Burton-on-Trent, in England’s Midlands, was a 50,000 person-town that boasted 1,100 pubs — one for every 45 people. It was also once home to more than 30 breweries, including some of history’s biggest; Allsopp, Bass, Boddington, Marston, and Worthington made big names in this tiny town. But, economic decline wiped out some giants, and today, if you couldn’t identify brewing equipment, you’d be tempted to believe Burton resembles any former industrial town down on its luck. To the beer savvy, there are signs everywhere that beer is what fueled this place; discarded copper kettles, tall, stainless fermenters and other brewing equipment litter the town. Down every meandering street is yet another grand old shuttered brick building for lease, many over 100 years old. Though it may no longer be fair to consider Burton-on-Trent the Capital of British Brewing, it will always remain its soul.

But before the rise and fall of beer, there was the water. Pure water was locked in sandstone aquifers deep in the earth, beneath the town, 10,000 years ago. The water proved miraculous for brewing, especially for the pale ales that were beginning to become popular in the late 18th century. When Bass opened in Burton in 1777, it was the beginning of the town’s glory days.

Back then, when the industrial revolution was just about to get churning, beer was dark and murky, with small particles floating in it. Few people used clear drinking glasses, so, fortunately, nobody much cared what their beer looked like. The dawn of pale ales, however, marked a change of heart; using new industrial sciences, it became possible to brew a beer that was clear and lighter in color. Like golden pilsners that were all the rage in central Europe, pale ales took the public by storm.

The water from Burton’s aquifers contains heavy concentrations of gypsum that lends calcium sulfate that gives beer a subtle sulfury note, like a lit match. This hint of sulfur became known as the “Burton snatch,” and proved to be incredibly desirable in pale ales and similarly hoppy beers, like India pale ales. (Nowadays, brewers can chemically manipulate their water’s pH, and add or subtract those signature characters. When modern brewers treat their water to make it similar to Burton’s water, they say it’s been “Burtonized.”) In those days, water composition was paramount, so breweries located themselves as close as possible to the best sources of water. By 1888, Burton was producing three million barrels of beer annually, 25 percent of all beer brewed in England. Recently, several more brewing upstarts have begun brewing in Burton, like a Phoenix from the ashes — in some cases literally, as some new beermakers adopt the discarded buildings of Burton’s once great breweries.

Burton Bridge Brewery
Founded in 1982, this oldest of the new breweries sits just a few yards from the Burton Bridge that spans the River Trent. It’s a brewery attached to a pub (similar to an American brewpub) and serves 14 year-round beers and another 10 seasonals, most of them award-winning, though the top choice is Bridge Bitter, the brewery’s original offering that continues to be its flagship. It’s deep amber with fruity hop aromas, some nuttiness, and a whiff of sulfur, followed by nice bitterness, fruity notes, some honeyed sweetness, and a very dry finish. The popularity of that beer and its others have allowed the brewery to expanded with five additional pubs that serve its beer, known as Tied Houses in the UK.

Marston’s
Oddly, since 2005, Bass has been brewed in Burton-on-Trent’s other remaining historic brewery. Marston’s continues to brew its flagship Marston’s Pedigree on a Burton Union System, the last Burton brewery to use this traditional method of brewing. It looks vastly different from any brewery you’ve ever visited. It requires giant rooms with rows of big wooden casks — four times the average size — all linked together with a long trough above them and two on each end. As it ferments, excess yeast is pushed out of the kegs through a swan-shaped metal pipe into the trough, which is then collected on the two ends only to flow back into the casks where it continues to ferment as the cycle repeats. Marston’s also brews, using more modern techniques, several other beers, such as Burton Bitter, Old Empire, Oyster Stout, and Ringwood Best Bitter, but the best illustration of the Burton Snatch is Pedigree. Reminiscent of a freshly lit match, the Snatch shows up in the nose along with fruity, toffee aromas; subtle fruity flavors, malt sweetness, and a pleasant touch of sour tartness create a very well-balanced brew. The only other Burton set is in California, where the Firestone Walker Brewery uses a similar system to brew traditional English pale ales. (Last year, Firestone Walker’s Matt Brynildson trekked to Marston’s, where he’d been invited to brew a pale ale using American hops for the JD Wetherspoon International Beer Festival.)

The Black Hole Brewery
Just a jaunt down the road from Marston’s (one of the few remaining giants), Black Hole occupies only a sliver of what was once the Ind Coope bottling plant, an early brewery that ceased operations in the 1990s. Started in January of 2007, Black Hole’s Red Dwarf bitter quickly became its flagship among seven regular offerings, available throughout the area on tap. The beer was named for a British Sci-Fi show of the same name, and is appropriately copper-red. The nose is mostly malty with hints of licorice and berries, while flavors are nutty, almost roasty, with a fruity berry character and a sweet, dry finish.

Tower Brewery
Its building was once the water tower for Walsitch Maltings, who supplied malt to the Tomas Salt Brewery, once the second largest brewery in town. Abandoned for a number of years, the tower’s broken window in the uppermost floor became a refuge for pigeons. Thus, owner John Mills’ first job was removing several feet of droppings by shoveling it into bags and lowering them down three stories by crane. Happily, the brewery is now pigeon-free, and only the aroma of beer fills the air. Mills brews five regular beers, four rotating seasonals and a number of one-off beers whenever the mood hits him. Try Tower Pale Ale, a golden amber with a small, tight white head. A fruity, tangy nose with baked bread notes introduces a swallow that’s initially malty but fruity, balanced by a citrusy hop character and a short, dry finish.

Old Cottage Beer Co.
The city’s smallest brewery sells its beers in a quaint corner pub near Burton’s town hall. You can always find three regular beers from the brewery, but look for the stout, which is particularly fine, or opt for Burton Old Cottage Oak Ale, a sweet brew with a hop bite and dry, bitter finish. Cottage also brews eight more traditional English ales.

Coors
No matter where you are in Burton, you’ll see bright red rectangles on smokestacks and tall buildings, reminders that Coors has owned the famous Bass brewery since 2002. The operations enormity is astounding: It’s not one single brewery, but a massive warren of structures that are seemingly everywhere. The operation is now used primarily to brew other beers under license, mostly lagers, along with several English brands. Coors still has one tiny brewery that makes Worthington’s White Shield, a historic bottle-conditioned English-style IPA. Brewer Steve Wellington was coaxed out of retirement several years ago to man the ancient brewing equipment and traditional methods to make it.

– Beer scribe Jay Brooks blogs regularly at brookstonbeerbulletin.com.

By Matt Wilhalme

Last week, we batted around the ballparks of the Junior Circuit. Today, we take a look at the National League.

Chase Field, Arizona Diamondbacks
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Capacity: 48,652
Why we love it: The stadium formerly known as “Bob” boasts one feature that everyone always wants in a home or resort while on vacation: a pool. Just beyond the right-center field fence may seem like a poor vantage point to enjoy the game, but the field also includes one of the largest state-of-the-art HD video boards. So any action you miss cannon-balling into the pool is magnificently replayed in crisp clear colors. It’s almost like you were there…
Most memorable moment: After advancing to the World Series in 2001, the Arizona upstarts took on the reigning champs the New York Yankees only days after the attacks on September 11. The Diamondbacks prevailed and became the youngest franchise ever to win a World Series.
Beers: Amstel Light, Corona, Heineken, Tecate, Dos Equis Lager, Miller Chill, Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Bud Light, Budweiser, Bud Select, Coors Light, Bud American Ale, Michelob Ultra, Stella Artois, Bud Light Lime, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, Fat Tire, Black Butte Porter, Red Stripe, Pyramid Hefeweizen, Gordon Biersch Marzen, Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen.

Turner Field, Atlanta Braves
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Capacity: 50,096
Why we love it: When the Braves fans begin the Tomahawk Chop you can see the tension level rise in the opposing teams inside of Turner Field. This stadium’s intelligent design and attention to detail set the bar.
Most memorable moment: Hank Aaron, one of the greatest all-around baseball players ever, never played a game inside of Turner Field but he hit his 715th career home run on April 8, 1974 in front of a home crowd at Atlanta Stadium and surpassed Babe Ruth’s seemingly untouchable record. For that he earned himself a place on this list.
Beers: If you go, let us know.

Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs
Location: Chicago, Illnois
Capacity: 41,210
Why we love it: Maybe it’s the curse of the goat or the ivory-coated walls but something about this 1914 relic connects one to the storied history of baseball.
Most memorable moment: There are home runs that shatter car windows outside of the ballpark, and there are home runs that go beyond the field, out of the stadium, across the street, and knock out windows in apartments across the street. Both Sammy Sosa and Dave Kingman have hit “long bombs” so far that the people in the apartments could have confused the broken window as the work of kids outside playing in the street.
Beers: Bud Light, Old Style, Old Style Light (Really? I didn’t even know there was Old Style Light, to be honest), PBR, Labatt Blue, Labatt Blue Light, Corona, Heineken, Heineken Light, Amstel, Tecate.

Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati Reds
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Capacity: 42,271
Why we love it: This park is great because whenever a batter manages to send a ball airborne it has a great chance of going all the way to the grandstands. Known by many as the “Great American Launch Pad,” this field gives hitters an advantage that all fans enjoy as they sit back and take in the show.
Most memorable moment: On opening day in 2006, George W. Bush became the first U.S. President to throw a first pitch in Reds history. Too bad for the Reds, that season they would finish 80-82, good enough for third place in the National League Central Division.
Beers: Bud Light, Budweiser, Budweiser Select, Guinness, Bud American Ale, Goose Island, Shock Top, Moerlein OTR, Moerlein Helles, Nutty Brunette, Pirahna Ale, Jeremiah Red, Brewhouse Blonde, Miller Lite, Amstel Light, Heineken, Michelob Ultra, Corona Extra, Sam Adams, Sam Adams Light, Great Lakes Dortmunder, Mt. Carmel Amber Ale, Stella Artois, Flying Dog, Left Hand Pilsner, Land Shark Lager, Great Lakes Burning River.

Coors Field, Colorado Rockies
Location: Denver, Colorado
Capacity: 50,449
Why we love it: One of the true “hitter’s parks” in all of baseball, the ball travels over nine percent farther at this mile high baseball stadium giving fans plenty of free souvenirs to take home while they watch the home team slug it out with their opponents.
Most memorable moment: On the Fourth of July in 2008 the Colorado Rockies were able to overcome a nine-run deficit to defeat the Florida Marlins, 18-17. The Rockies combined for six home runs and scored in every inning except for the eighth marking the largest comeback in Rockies history.
Beers: Coors Banquet, Coors Original, Coors Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Rolling Rock, Blue Moon, Blue Moon Seasonal, Shock Top Belgian White, Dale’s Pale Ale, Right Field Red, Single Track, Hazed and Infused, Killian’s Irish Red, Corona Extra, Corona Light, Foster’s, Guinness, Fat Tire, New Castle Brown Ale, Coors Non-alcoholic, Dos Equis Amber, Stella Artois, Tsingtao, Heineken.

Dolphin Stadium, Florida Marlins
Location: Miami, Florida
Capacity: 36,331
Why we love it: You have to love a stadium that pays for itself to be built. The first ever privately funded stadium financed its entire construction from the licensing of private seats within the park. Hosting both the Miami Dolphins and Florida Marlins, this multi-use facility is perfect for any sport year-round
Most memorable moment: On opening day this season, the very first batter — Emilio Bonifacio — hit an inside-the-park home run. The Marlins went on to sweep the Washington Nationals.
Beers: Heineken, Heineken Light, Peroni, Blue Moon, Presidente, Sam Adams, Amstel Light, Stella Artois, Bass Ale, Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Land Shark Lager, Shock Top, Yuengling, Grolsch, Michelob Ultra, Corona, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic

Minute Maid Park, Houston Astros
Location: Houston, Texas
Capacity: 40,950
Why we love it: There is a train inside of the stadium. No, not the one that you took to the park, but an actual 19th-century train replica that blows its whistle and chugs down 800 feet of track along the west side of the stadium.
Most memorable moment: Originally named Enron Field, the stadium repurchased the rights to the name and re-sold them to Minute Maid. Now fans affectionately refer to their teams home as “The Juice Box.”
Beers: Bud Light, Miller light, Bud Select, Budweiser, Michelob Ultra, Shiner Bock, Sam Adams, St. Arnolds Amber, Lawnmower Lager, Negra Modelo, Leinenkugal’s Sunset Wheat, Blue Moon, Landshark Lager, Drop Top Amber Ale, Shock Top Belgian White, Coors Light, Amstel Light, Corona Extra, Corona light, Heineken, Heineken Light, Red Stripe, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic.

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Dodgers
Location: Los Angeles, California
Capacity: 56,000
Why we love it: Because the players love it. In a 2003 poll of MLB players conducted by Sports Illustrated, Dodger Stadium was voted the “Best Stadium in all of Baseball.”
Most memorable moment: It wasn’t baseball but religion that marks the best moment for Dodger Stadium. When Pope John Paul II conducted Mass in Sept. of 1987 to a capacity crowd he may have blessed the people, but the Dodgers went on to win the World Series the very next year.
Beers: Budweiser, Bud Light, Blue Moon, Corona, Corona Light, Heineken, Dos Equis Lager, Tecate, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Gordon Biersch Marzen, Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen, Redbridge, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic.

Miller Park, Milwaukee Brewers
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Capacity: 41,900
Why we love it: Miller Park definitely takes the award for most interesting retractable roof in all of baseball. This fan-shaped structure provides the perfect setting regardless of the temperature or weather outside of the stadium and looks good while it does it.
Most memorable moment: Sometimes if you can’t win in one league you are better off going to the other. In 1997 the Brewers took a chance and did just that. After years at the bottom of the American League East and Central Division (yes, they changed once before, too), the Brew Crew opted to give the NL a shot after MLB decided to add two new expansion teams.
Beers: Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, MGD 64, Miller Chill, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Leinenkugal’s Honey Weiss, Leinenkugal’s Red Lager, Leinenkugal’s Classic, Leinenkugal’s Berry Weiss, Leinenkugal’s Summer Shandy, Heineken, Blue Moon, Red Stripe, Foster’s, Peroni, Beer Capitol, Lake Front, Corona Extra, Coors Light, Guinness, Pilsner Urquell, Sam Adams, Rolling Rock.

Citi Field, New York Mets
Location: Flushing, New York
Capacity: 41,800
Why we love it: Mr. Met. Has there ever been a more bizarre mascot for a professional team speak?
Most memorable moment: Man landed on the moon and the New York Mets rose from last place to World Series Champions. In 1969, the nation was engulfed in an unpopular war in Vietnam but the Mets, lead by pitcher Tom Seaver and a young gun named Nolan Ryan, captured the heart of America as they turned their title of “Loveable Losers” into World Champions.
Beers: Blue Point Lager, Brooklyn Brewery Sobroso Ale, Blue Smoke Ale, Shackmeister Ale, Brooklyn Lager, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Beck’s Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Bud American Ale, Michelob, Michelob Ultra, Tennent’s Staropramen, Czechvar, Leffe Blonde, Harbin, Tiger, Hoegaarden, Kirin, Kirin Light, Heineken, Rolling Rock, Goose Island IPA, Kona Lager, Red Hook Blonde Ale, Beck’s, Beck’s Dark, Beck’s Light, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic.

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia Phillies
Location: Philadelphia, Pennslyvania
Capacity: 43,647
Why we love it: The “Angle.” This architectural freak of nature creates more problems out of town outfielders than losing your passport while on vacation in eastern Europe. As players run full sprint for long fly balls hit to left-center field, their journey is interrupted by the sudden inward diversion of a 19-foot wall sending baseballs every which way but to the fielder.
Most memorable moment: In the first ever rain-suspended game in World Series history, the Phillies and the Florida Marlins had to call it quits after five and half innings because the weather would not allow them to finish. The delay was enough to give Cole Hamels’ arm a rest so that when they returned to the diamond the Phillies’ were able to walk away victorious.
Beers: Yuengling, Flying Fish Brewing, Yards, HopDevil Ale, Sam Adams, Shock Top Belgian White, Blue Moon, Beck’s, Red Hook ESB, Victory Prima Pale, Copper Ale, Amstel Light, Sly Fox, Smithwick’s, Dos Equis, Heineken, Woodchuck Cider, Kensinger, Tröegs Sunshine, Sierra Nevada, Dortmunder Actien-Brauerei, Foster’s, Budweiser, Bud Light, Budweiser Select, Bud Light Lime Miller Lite Coors Light Michelob Ultra, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic.

PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Capacity: 38,362
Why we love it: This stadium offers one of the best overall skyline views from a seat that you can buy. While the team may look good inside of the park, the view of outside is always better than actually walking around Pittsburgh.
Most memorable moment: There haven’t been many memorable moments inside of PNC Park over the past few years since the Pirates have failed to reach the Series since 1971. Hey, at least Iron City has the Steelers.
Beers: Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Iron City, I.C. Light, Labatt’s Blue, Miller Lite, Yuengling, Penn Pilsner, Penn Gold, Miller Genuine Draft, Corona Extra, Heineken, Yuengling Premium, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic.

PETCO Park, San Diego Padres
Location: San Diego, California
Capacity: 42,445
Why we love it: Aside from the beautiful weather and ocean in front of PETCO, this stadium gives fans one of the most intimate experiences in all of the major leagues. With seating so close to the field it’s like being apart of the show at Sea World just down the street.
Most memorable moment: Pitcher Jake Peavey was the man to beat in 2007, winning the Cy Young, MVP, National League Pitchers Triple Crown, and NL The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year.
Beers: Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Coors Light, Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Stella Artois, Shock Top Belgian White, Longhammer IPA, Michelob Ultra, Michelob Amber Bock, Widmer Hefeweizen, Pyramid Hefeweizen, Sam Adams, Tecate, Heineken, Stone IPA, New Castle, Firestone, Sapporo, Sierra Nevada, Fat Tire, Carl Strauss Amber Lager, Red Hook Swim Chance, Bass, Dos Equis Lager, Corona Extra, Corona Light, Kirin, Foster’s, Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale, Ballast Point Big Eye I.P.A., Coors Original, Gordon Biersch Marzen, Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen, Stone Pale Ale, Stone Levitation, Guinness, Peroni, Alaskan IPA, Rouge Dead Guy Ale, Blue Moon White, Pacifico, Deschutes Black Butte Porter, Green Flash IPA, Pete’s Strawberry Blonde, Rolling Rock, Landshark, Widmer Drifter Pale Ale, Anderson Valley Boont Amber, Woodchuck Pear Cider, Beck’s Non-Alcoholic.

AT&T Park, San Francisco Giants
Location: San Francisco, California
Capacity: 41,915
Why we love it: This park was designed with fans in mind by Giants owner Peter Magowan. The view from nearly every seat is immaculate with the Bay Bridge in the background. We especially like seeing home runs knocked completely out of the park and into the bay.
Most memorable moment: Barry Bonds hit a few home runs in his career, but when he surpassed Babe Ruth in May of 2006 by hitting his 715 career home run, all bets were off.
Beers: Amstel Light, Sam Adams, Anchor Steam, Shiner Bock, Bass, Shock Top, Beck’s, Sierra Nevada, Blue Moon, Smithwick’s, Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Bud Light Chelada, Bud American Ale, Sol, Spaten, Speakeasy, Stella Artois, Tsingtao, Bud Select, Tecate, Coors Original, Coors Light, Trumer Pils, Corona Extra, Widmer Hefeweizen, Dos Equis, Widmer Drop Top, Fat Tire, Firestone, Foster’s, Full Sail, Gordon Biersch Marzen, Gordon Biersch Pilsner, Guinness, Harp, Heineken, Hoegaarden, Kirin, Lagunitas IPA, Miller Genuine Draft, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Mirror Pond, Negra Modelo, Pacifico, Peroni, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pilsner Urquell, Pyramid Hefeweizen, Red Hook ESB, Red Stripe, Red Tail Ale, Rolling Rock, Sapporo, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic.

Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Capacity: 43,975
Why we love it: The ability to own an actual piece of Busch Stadium in your very own home is pretty spectacular. The Cardinals are offering fans the opportunity to purchase one of the 2.14 million bricks manufactured for the new Busch Stadium for a mere $30. Use it as a paper weight or door stop, but know that this part of the Cardinals franchise belongs to you.
Most memorable moment: The Midwest is known for its simple attitude towards life and chaotic weather. In July of 2006, only a few months after the third Busch Stadium opened, a storm blew through the stadium and damaged several infield tarps and one that protected the open air press box. One of these tarps collapsed on top of the unlucky fans below and injured at least 30 spectators.
Beer: Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Bud Select, Bud American Ale, Busch, Schlafly Pale Ale, Michelob Amber Bock, Michelob Ultra, Goose Island, Shock Top Belgian White, Blue Moon, 5-day IPA, Land Shark Lager, Heineken, Red Bridge, Stella Artois, Sam Adams.

Nationals Park, Washington Nationals
Location: Washington D.C.
Capacity: 41,888
Why we love it: This stadium is green. Nationals Park is the first major stadium in the United States to earn Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation. As a leader in environmental awareness other fields look to the design and management of this park as the epitome of how a stadium should operate.
Most memorable moment: When Christian Guzman hit for the cycle in August of 2008 he became the first National to complete the cycle in National Park and only the second National to achieve this accomplishment in the team’s history.
Beer: Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light Lime, Miller Genuine Draft, Coors Light, Old Dominion Ale, Wild Goose, Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen, Gordon Biersch Marzen, Heineken, Amstel Light, Yuengling Lager, Drop Top Amber Ale, Starr Hill Jomo Lager, Fordham Copperhead Ale, Newcastle, Dos Equis, Stella Artois, Bass Pale Ale, Blue Moon, Leinenkugel’s Classic Amber, Shock Top Belgian White, Home Run Ale, Pilsner Urquell, Peroni, Stella Artois, Landshark Lager, Rotations of Dogfish Head brews, Arrogant Bastard Ale and Rogue brews.

(Additional reporting by Annie Woods.)

By Matt Wilhalme

Here at DRAFTMag.com, it goes without saying that we like beer. We also enjoy baseball. Combine the two and, well, you have a perfect afternoon. But to what stadium should you go? To answer that question, we dispatched intern Matt Wilhalme (with an assist from Annie Woods) to find out the different types of beer available at professional diamonds around the country. Today, we bring you the American League. We’ll be back next week with the Senior Circuit. Let the (drinking) games begin.

Camden Yards, Baltimore Orioles
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Capacity: 48,290
Why we love it: This stadium’s design puts this field in the heart of downtown Baltimore only blocks away from the original “Babe’s” birthplace. The asymmetrical design is a throwback to the first American ballparks so while watching the Orioles take on their opponents you can feel the raw energy and magic that made baseball America’s national pastime.
Most memorable moment: On September 6, 1995 Cal Ripken Jr. stepped out onto the yard and played his 2,132 game in a row, breaking Lou Gehrig’s record. Ripken would make the streak his own, calling it quits at 2,632 consecutive games.
Beers: We tried and tried, but the Orioles PR staff holds the record for consecutive number of phone calls that went unreturned.

Fenway Park, Boston Red Sox
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Capacity: 37,373 (Night); 36,945 (Day)
Why we love it: Big Green Monster, need we say more? This stadium is more than just the oldest in use; it’s also a symbol of the American League.
Most memorable moment: Since this field is so old there are too many moments to list but World Series wins 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, and 2007 have to be up there. (Dave Roberts’ steal of second base in the 2004 ALCS wins the award for recent memorable moment.)
Beers: Sam Adams, Sam Adams Seasonal, Sam Adams Light, Guinness, Smithwick’s, Harp’s, Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Bud American Ale, Shock Top Belgian White, Harpoon IPA, Heineken, Ipswich Ale, Stella Artois, Whale’s Tail, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Amstel Light, Corona Extra, Corona Light, Heineken Light, Michelob Ultra, Narragansett, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic.

U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago White Sox
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Capacity: 40,615
Why we love it: This stadium was designed with the Chicago weather in mind. For the long hot stretch of the summer U.S. Cellular was equipped with its own “Rain Room” so fans can take a break from the overpowering sun and chill out on their way to concessions for more hot dogs and beer.
Most memorable moment: In 2005 the White Sox’s took on the Boston Red Sox on their way to their first World Championship since 1917. Juan Uribe hit a ground ball that should have been an inning-ending double play, but it went through the legs of Tony Graffanino and the error extended the inning. Tadahito Iguchi subsequently came up to bat, and he hit a three-run homer giving the White Sox command of the game and earning Ozzie Guillen’s team a trip to the World Series.
Beers: Miller Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Chill, Budweiser, Tecate, Becks, Old Style, Amstel Light, Heineken, Pilsner Urquell, Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat, Leinenkugel’s Red Amber, Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss, Foster’s, Red Bridge, Guinness, Corona Extra, Corona Light, Sam Adams, Peroni, Dos Equis Lager, Honkers Ale.

Progressive Field, Cleveland Indians
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Capacity: 43,545
Why we love it: This stadium was built, along with the Quicken Loans Arena for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as part of an urban renewal program to beautify the city of Cleveland. The exposed steel design and its mini “Green Monster” give the Indians an imposing home field advantage. It may be called Progressive Field now but fans still call it “The Jake” for the Indians former residence Jacobs Field.
Most memorable moment: From 1995 to 2001 the Indians set a major league record of more than 455 consecutive sell outs. Now that’s something to be proud of.
Beer: Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud American Ale, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Labatt Blue, Labatt Blue Light, Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold, Great Lakes Burning River, Great Lakes Elliot Ness, Shock Top Belgian White, Miller High Life, Miller High Life Light, MGD 64, Natural Light, Amstel Light, Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, O’Doul’s Amber, Harpoon IPA, Goose Island 312, Dogfish 60 Minute IPA, Brooklyn Lager, Michelob Light, Michelob Ultra, Leinenkugel’s Summer Sandy, Pete’s Wicked Ale, Shiner Bock, Clipper City Heavy C’s, Anchor Steam, Heineken.

Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Capacity: 41,255
Why we love it: In order to get to Comerica Park in downtown Detroit, one must pass the ominous Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. Once you reach the baseball stadium, giant tiger statues protect the gates. If these big cats are too much for the little ones, the park also features a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round to entertain when the games get long in the summer.
Most memorable moment: After winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2006 we knew Justin Verlander was good, but on June 12, 2007 he became the first Tiger to throw a no-hitter since 1984. Verlander left the Milwaukee Brewers hitters speechless in his 12-strikeout performance.
Beer: Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Lite, Guinness, Bell’s Oberon Ale, Corona, Heineken, Heineken Light, Amstel Light, Tiger Beer, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Miller Chill, Coors Light, Rolling Rock, Atwater, Strauss, Labatt Blue, Labatt Blue Light, Shock Top, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic, Woodchuck Cider

Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City Royals
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Capacity: 38,177
Why we love it: This stadium’s open construction and circular design gives Royal’s fans more than they could ask for in a ballpark. Recognized as one of the most beautiful fields in all of Major League Baseball, Kauffman even features fountains just outside of the right field fence, perfect for cooling off under when the Royals are blowing out their opponents (as rarely as that occurs).
Most memorable moment: The I-70 series pitted the Royals against cross state rivals the St. Louis Cardinals. Down 1-0 in game six of the series, the Royals were able to steal a win away from the Cardinals in the bottom of the ninth inning with a base hit from the unlikely Dane Lorg.
Beers: Amstel Light, Blue Moon, Boulevard Pale Ale, Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Bud Select, Coors Light, Corona, Guinness, Harp’s, Heineken, Landshark, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Micheolb Ultra, MGD 64, Miller Lite, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Pacifico, Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, Red Stripe, Redbridge, Sam Adams, Sam Adams Summer Ale, Smithwick’s, Stone Mill Organic Pale Ale, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic.

Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Los Angeles Angels
Location: Anaheim, California
Capacity: 45,281
Why we love it: When Gene Autry founded the Angels in 1960, Los Angeles got a new team to divide the city’s loyalty — as if L.A. wasn’t split enough. But, this stadium’s close proximity to Disneyland makes this field perfect for a family trip. Who wouldn’t want to catch a ball game and then go ride Space Mountain?
Most memorable moment: Nolan Ryan’s first career no-hitter came on May 15, 1973 when he struck out 12 Kansas City Royal batters on his way to his first. He would throw another no-no later that year and set the record for the most no-hitters in a single season.
Beers: Fat Tire, Pyramid Hefeweizen, Miller Lite, Coors Original, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Heineken, Heineken Light, Corona Extra, Corona Light, Sierra Nevada, Pacifico, Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Amber Bock, Sam Adams, Sam Adams Seasonal, Firestone, Guinness, Stella Artois, New Castle, Kona Long Board, Wyder’s Pear Cider, Kona Fire Rock, St. Pauli Girl Non-alcoholic, O’Doul’s Non-alcoholic.

Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minnesota Twins
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Capacity: 46,632
Why we love it: Though many consider this stadium to be the worst park in all of baseball, loyal Twins fans make it out to the games every time their team comes home. The fans are the heart and soul of any squad and that’s why everyone breathed a sign of relief when Minnesota approved financing for a new stadium to open in 2010.
Most memorable moment: In game six of the 1991 World Series, it all came down to a final at bat by Kirby Puckett. With his team facing elimination he dug in against pitcher Charlie Leibrandt and hit a walk off home run. In the next game, the Twins would win what is considered the greatest World Series of all time.
Beers: Newcastle, Corona, Corona Light, Pacifico, Modelo Especial, Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Lite, Miller Chill, Michelob Ultra, Grain Belt Premium, Leinenkugel’s Classic Amber, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss, Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat, Gluek Golden Pilsner, Summit EPA, Shock Top, Schnell’s Dark, Finnegans Irish Amber, Guinness, Amstel Light, Sam Adams, Heineken, Labatt Blue, St. Pauli Girl, Sierra Nevada, Foster’s.

Yankee Stadium, New York Yankees
Location: New York, New York
Capacity: 52,325
Why we love it: The brand new Yankee Stadium may not have any incredible moments just yet but the new field that’s located in the parking lot of the “House that Ruth built” has the same feel and design of the old stadium except with the addition of much needed amenities. For one thing, this park offers drink holders where you can place your beer when you’re booing the other team.
Most memorable moment: Only the most memorable image in all of baseball: Ruth points to center field, ball goes over the fence — amazing. (We know that happened in the old stadium. Deal with it.)
Beers: Multiple phone calls were not returned.

Oakland-Alameda County Stadium, Oakland Athletics
Location: Oakland, California
Capacity: 35,067
Why we love it: Getting to this stadium could not be easier. Fans are invited to take the BART Metro to the park in lieu of driving and parking — which is always a great idea when having a few beers at a game. This field offers one more amenity that makes us very happy: an all-you-can-eat section located in the upper deck behind home plate.
Most memorable moment: One of the most (in)famous home run hitters in all of baseball got his start in Oakland. Mark McGwire bashed 49 home runs his rookie year. His career would be marked by scandal, but who cares? Chicks did the long ball.
Beers: Miller Genuine Draft, Budweiser, Bud light, Long Hammer IPA, Slim Chance, Widmer Hefeweizen Widmer Drifter Pale Ale, Pyramid Hefeweizen, Pyramid Curve Ball, Apricot Ale, Coors Light, Heineken, Fat Tire, Skinny Dip, Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams, Miller Lite, Red Hook ESB, Guinness, Harp’s, Smithwick’s, Blue Moon, Kona Long Board Lager, Kona Waialua Wheat, Red Hook IPA, Dos Equis, Lagunitas Pale Ale.

Safeco Field, Seattle Mariners
Location: Seattle, Washington
Capacity: 47,447
Why we love it: Beer, hot dog, and a view of Puget Sound; this isn’t your ordinary ballpark. This stadium’s unique retractable roof stays open for the very, very few days of sunshine in Seattle but only closes enough to keep out most of the rain. The atmosphere is still that of an outdoor park.
Most memorable moment: In 2001, the Mariners tied the 1906 Boston Red Sox for the all-time record of 116 wins in a season. That season Ichiro Suzuki made his debut in the MLB, winning the American League Rookie of the Year, AL MVP, and a Golden Glove on the way to helping hte M’s reach the American League Championship Series.
Beer: Alaskan Amber, Alaskan Summer Ale, Alaskan Pale Ale, Amstel Light, BridgePort IPA, Corona Extra, Corona Light, Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond, Mac & Jacks African Amber, Foster’s, Full Sail, Hale’s Pale Ale, Hale’s Ale IPA, Heineken, Heineken Light, Henry’s. Kokanee, Labatt Blue, Molson, Fat Tire, Pilsner Urquell, Pyramid Hefeweizen,
Pyramid Curveball, Pyramid Crystal Wheat, Pyramid IPA, Georgetown Manny’s Pale, Dick’s Danger, Snoqualmie Grand Slam, MacTarnahan’s Amber, Blue Moon Belgian White, Shock Top Belgian White, Red Hook IPA, Red Hook ESB, Red Stripe, Rolling Rock, Sam Adams, Sapporo, Sierra Nevada, Singha, Stella Artois, Tecate, Dos Equis Amber, Widmer Drop Top, Widmer Hefeweizen, Beck’s, Guinness, Miller High Life, Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay Rays
Location: St. Petersburg, Florida
Capacity: 36,973
Why we love it: Upon entering Tropicana field one finds him or herself in a place many would consider heaven; an intersection of a microbrewery, cigar shop, and a wine cellar. We’re sure you will be able to find something of interest inside of this park — oh, and you still have a baseball game to watch.
Most memorable moment: On October 29, 2008 the Tampa Bay Rays did what no one thought was possible at the beginning of the season, and earned themselves a trip the American League Championship Series. Not only that, they defeated the reigning World Series Champions the Boston Red Sox in a seven-game slugfest.
Beers: The park might be heaven, but the Rays PR staff is hellish.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas Rangers
Location: Arlington, Texas
Capacity: 49,170
Why we love it: You don’t have to go to Cooperstown in order to experience the history of baseball. Rangers Ballpark features the “Legends of the Game Museum” that includes more than 1,000 different artifacts from the very beginning of the sport. And, if you are ready for a show, they have an auditorium that seats more than 225 people.
Most memorable moment: Kenny Rogers’ perfect game on July 28, 1994. Rogers became only the 14th major league pitcher to achieve this feat — only four other pitchers have done it since.
Beers: Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Rahr’s Red, Tecate Light, Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s, Land Shark, Killian’s Irish Red, Lone Star, Michelob Ultra, Blue Moon, Ziegenbock, Coors Original, Coors Light, Bud, Bud Light, Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower.

Rogers Centre, Toronto Blue Jays
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Capacity: 49,539
Why we love it: Because this park’s existence alone proves that there is more to do in Canada than play hockey and drink Canadian Club. We have heard they’re fond of beer, too.
Most memorable moment: In 1993, Joe Carter stood in the batter’s box — his team down 6-5 with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning — and crushed a World Series winning walk-off bomb to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
Beers: Bud, Bud Light, Keith’s Alexander Pale Ale, Stella Artois, Stella Léger, Blue, Hoegaarden, Bass, Tennants, Beck’s, Kokanee, Keith’s White.

(Additional reporting by Annie Woods.)