Game day beer picks: Syracuse vs. Wake Forest

With the Syracuse Orange floundering at 1-5, perhaps you’ve skipped the football part of these articles and just moved right on to drinking. Can’t necessarily blame you there, but we’ll continue watching anyway when SU hosts the Wake Forest Demon Deacons this weekend in one of the ACC’s dumbest series.

Whether you’re imbibing before, during or after this week’s noon ET kickoff vs. the Deacs (it’s on ACC Network, as you certainly figured), we’ve provided some local and not-so-local beer recommendations below. Fair warning in advance: You won’t be able to acquire at least one of these.

Syracuse Area Beer Pick: Prison City Roosh Bomb

If you’re in the Syracuse area and you like beer, there’s a damn good chance you’ve have Prison City stuff, and for good reason. They’re the preeminent brewery in the greater Syracuse area, located out in Auburn, have been around since 2014 and have dropped top quality beer after beer without a break. Best known for their Mass Riot IPA that was dubbed best in the country by blind taste test in 2016, we’ve also highlighted their work with Barrel Aged Wham Whams stout last year. This year it’s Roosh Bomb. Not part of the Riot series, and a nod to employee Joe Rusch, The Citra and El Dorado hop bill throw a citrus forward taste and per their description, orange pez. Fitting for the team on the field Saturday. They’re also moving production into a new facility over off North Street to boost canning and production. Always love me some Prison City.

Wake Forest Area Beer Pick: Radar Expanse

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on a pretty new brewery — Radar, which only opened in Winston-Salem earlier this year. Yet, in a short period of time, they’ve seemed to establish a stable of consistently good brews across a variety of styles. This one, Expanse, is actually a Maibock that combines the malty, rich and bready characteristics you’d expect with a smooth finish you may not. For a style that doesn’t get a ton of love, this one could maybe sway your opinion on them. It’s artfully balanced and interesting, yet still a traditional Maibock... perfect for the increasingly cold evenings coming up in CNY.

Los Angeles Area Beer Pick: Modern Times Star Jungle

Yes, yes, Modern Times is a San Diego brewery but they also have a very popular tasting room in Downtown L.A. (the Dankness Dojo), so this counts. Star Jungle is a hazy pilsner and quite possibly the best one of them in a sea of them throughout L.A. The Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic hop bill creates a light yet juicy beer that is refreshingly delicious. There’s a subtle fruit sweetness that comes naturally from the hops, though it thankfully doesn’t overpower at 5.5% ABV. There are lighter beers out there, of course. But if you’re looking for something hazy, this certainly does the trick without knocking you on your ass.

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Alright, what are you drinking this weekend?