Game day beer picks: Syracuse vs. Duke

After we addressed the pumpkin in the room last week for the Fightin’ Byes, the Syracuse Orange are back in action this week against the Duke Blue Devils. The Orange are somehow underdogs, but as you saw in the prediction thread, the staff here likes their odds. Here’s to hoping Syracuse keeps the ship moving and evens their record after their second home game.

Though you can’t tailgate and head to the Dome, you can still enjoy some beers before, during and after this noon ET kickoff from home. We share some selections for you as well, if you’d like to drink to a theme. At least one of these is going to be very hard to acquire. Sorry in advance.

Syracuse Area Beer Pick Aurora Brewing Frischbier

Heading a little outside of town this week, to the Finger Lakes, for some Aurora Brewing zwickelbier. The crisp, refreshing lager is a nice easy drinker on a fall day and has a phenomenal flavor profile in a simple package. Aurora is still shipping throughout the state, so if you can’t get a hold of any locally, they’re well worth getting your hands on. I don’t know if I’ve had a bad beer from them.

Durham Area Beer Pick: Barrel Culture The Yard

The Yard is the milkshake IPA series from Barrel Culture, a Durham area brewery and blendery that is known for it’s sours, wild ales and general fun with barrel aging and weird styles. This lactose IPA series is a bit of a break toward what the masses are looking for, but it doesn’t disappoint. They also have done iterations of this with strawberry and pineapple.

As they send these out every once in a while, the latest iteration is “banana pudding,” which has the flavor profile of banana and vanilla wafers. I don’t know what to expect out of this, but I’m extremely intrigued. If that’s not your jam, they also offer the aforementioned wilds and sours, as well as a line of IPAs and lagers.

Fall in the Northeast Staff Pick: Long Trail Brewing Harvest Maple Ale

One of the classic New England craft breweries, still around and putting out quite tasty options. From Kevin: “It’s a pretty low ABV option but also a decent brown ale for these Fall afternoons where us casual drinkers want something that isn’t pumpkin.” I’d say that fits as an apt description.

NYC Transplant Staff Pick: Logical Conclusion Threes Brewing

For the many greater-NYC area fans watching, Threes Brewing is a great option thanks to same day delivery to Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, and parts of Queens with quick delivery everywhere else. From Andy: “The seasonal Threes offerings are usually solid, but a bit all over, so Logical Conclusion is my standard go-to. A high ABV IPA that is juicy as heck and goes down smooth, it’s perfect for noon-ish kickoffs with breakfast sandwiches.”

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How about you? What are you drinking this weekend?