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10 Awesome Ways to Drink Beer

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10 Amazing Ways to Drink Beer

Whether it was a sip from Dad or a cheap can in college that you shotgunned, beer for many of us marked our introduction to alcohol. And even though our taste may have evolved and expanded since then, beer remains an old friend that’s always ready to welcome us back; it’s comfort food in liquid form.

RELATED: Healthy Beer Drinking

That said, there’s a right way and a wrong way to drink beer. Sure, it can enhance a situation, but it’s also possible to go overboard, as you probably learned long ago. With that in mind, here are 10 tried-and-true (and funnel-free) ways to drink beer:

10. Go to a Beer Tasting

We all have our favorite beers, but it never hurts to find some new options. It shouldn’t be hard to find a beer tasting or a brewery tour in your area that gives you the opportunity to learn about and sample several new flavors without overindulging (unless you want to).

Tastings are often paired with brewery tours, and typically feature guides describing beer flavors and qualities as you sample them (helping you finally learn what hops are). You can host your own, too! You may even end the day with a few new favorites — or at least some new information about the kinds of beers you enjoy.

9. Pair It With Another Drink

Odds are that beer isn’t the only alcoholic beverage that you like, but don’t worry, because beer might still pair well with it. Take the boilermaker, for instance — beer with a shot of whiskey. It’s standard at bars across the land, and a great way to unwind quickly.

There are also a host of delicious beer-based cocktails that are especially refreshing as the weather starts to get better. The michelada, for instance, is a Mexican cocktail that mixes beer with hot sauce, lime juice, tomato juice, and spices for a punch-you-in-the-mouth dose of spicy sweet refreshment. Other favorites include snakebites and beeritas.

8. Kick Back at a Ball Game

There’s still something to be said for the classic experience of a cold one on a warm day — with a hot dog, of course. We spend all winter thinking about getting outdoors and enjoying the weather, so once spring rolls around, pair the sun on your face, the smell of the grass, and the crack of the bat with your favorite beer. You don’t even have to get up, with vendors in the stands hawking brews along with cracker jacks.

Just remember — a baseball game can take a while, so pace yourself. You want to be able to get out of your seat when the ninth inning ends (or whenever you leave to beat the traffic).

7. Relax on the Beach

On that note, if you really want to get outdoorsy, you can bring some beer to the beach. The cool breeze and ocean spray on your face as you sip a beer under the sun makes for the ultimate in relaxation. It’s almost like time is passing by a little more slowly.

Before you get yourself in trouble, take note: Alcohol is actually illegal at most public beaches in the U.S. But here’s a list of 18 beaches in the country where it’s legal to drink. Odds are, there’s one near you (if, you know, you live near the coast).

6. Play a Drinking Game

Sure, college is in the past (way, way in the past for some of us), but it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a drinking game. As an adult, there are way more respectable choices than beer pong, like drinking games tied to specific TV shows or movies.

There are also more social drinking games, like “Never Have I Ever,” where players take turns stating things they’ve never done, and all players who have done those things have to drink. It’s not only a fun way to get drunk, but it’s a great icebreaker.

5. Search for Great Beer Abroad

Beer is worldwide, and most countries put their own spin (or spins) on it. And yes, there are plenty of imports, but sometimes the only way to really experience what a country has on tap is to travel there.

Tokyo, for instance, has tons of bars and a branch of the famed Mikkeller brewery, among other craft offerings. Montreal boasts enough breweries that a tour might be the best way to check some of them out. And don’t forget about Oktoberfest, the famed Bavarian festival that’s famous for its flowing rivers of beer (metaphorically, of course). You can try well-known beers from brewers such as Löwenbräu and Hofbräu München, or any number of smaller breweries’ offerings.

4. Brew It Yourself

If you’re a beer aficionado, little is more satisfying than taking matters into your own hands. There’s a veritable smorgasbord of home brewing kits out there for brewers of all experience levels, as well as all the ingredients and instructions you need to get started. Take, for instance, Northern Brewer’s Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit, the best-selling homebrew starter kit in history — if that’s not a ringing endorsement, what is?

Like any other art, home brewing takes a bit of research and a bit more trial-and-error before you get it right. Check out this beginner’s guide for ten tips to help newbie brewers get acclimated to their new favorite hobby.

3. Play Bar Trivia

Have you ever noticed how sometimes a couple of beers will actually improve your memory? When you want to spend the evening in that zone, there’s nothing like getting a bunch of friends together for bar trivia. Most cities have tons of bars with trivia nights, and there are companies that host their own trivia events in different bars and pubs.

As for the kinds of trivia, they’re as varied as the locations. General trivia is popular, but some bars offer sports or music trivia, while others get really specific — like “Rick and Morty” trivia, for instance. Prizes vary, but often include free drinks (more beer!), gift cards, or cold, hard cash.

2. Drink It With Great Food

It’s never a good idea to drink on an empty stomach, and it’s never a good idea to fill your stomach with sub-par food. To that end, beer connoisseurs have been exploring the best beer/food pairings available, and have come up with some great ideas. For instance, Epicurious’s guide recommends pairing lagers with seafood, pork, and chicken; fruit beers with foods heavy in herbs and spices; and porters with smoked meats.

RELATED: Best Foods to Pair With Beer

Call this a personal preference, but chocolate and beer make for an ideal pairing. We grow up on milk and cookies, but few ever realize how well beer goes with chocolate chip cookies — or candy bars, or cake, or really anything chocolatey. The sweetness and the smooth crispness balance each other out perfectly, and the result is a fantastic snack or dessert.

1. Enjoy It With Friends

No matter where you are, what you’re eating, or what you’re doing, one thing’s consistent about beer: t goes down better with friends. Conversation and camaraderie come easy after a couple, whether you’re hanging out with your best pals or making brand-new ones.

So the next time you crack open a beer, make sure you’re in good company. That’s the best pairing of all. 

Shop for beer at Drizly.com

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