Josh Rubin is a Star business reporter. Previously, he was the Star’s beer columnist for more than a decade and has been a World Beer Awards judge since 2016. He has also judged many other competitions, including the Canada Beer Cup and the Canadian Brewing Awards.
Sure, you might think a Super Bowl party is all about the football.
But the real co-MVPs? The food and drink. And let’s face it, when football fans are having a sip or two to wash down all those wings, chili and pretzels, we’re not talking about Cabernet Sauvignon, rosé or Pinot Grigio. IPA, helles, and dark lagers? That’s more like it.
So whether you’re an embittered Bills fan crushed that your team isn’t in this weekend’s big game, or someone cheering on the Seahawks or Patriots, or you’re just in it for the snacks and suds, here are five good local beers to serve with your Super Bowl spread.
Godspeed Brewery Tmavy Lezak
Most Super Bowl menus lean toward the meaty side of things. And there’s also usually a decent amount of spice. Having this chestnut-hued lager from Godspeed is an excellent complement. Translated from Czech, the name simply means “dark lager,” and is another example of Godspeed founder Luc “Bim” Lafontaine’s obsession with Czech brewing culture. There’s a touch of sweetness, which helps balance the heat from spicy dishes, and some dark roasted-coffee notes, which are a good match for meatier dishes. It’s also delicious all on its own.
Food pairings: Chili, roast beef, steak sandwiches.
Find it: At the brewery (242 Coxwell Ave., Toronto), godspeedbrewery.com/shop ($3.95/355 ml)
Backup player: Czechvar Dark Lager ($2.80/500 ml, at LCBO)
Muddy York Brewing Gaslight Helles
Though the word “helles” might sound a little satanic, it’s actually the German word for pale. And this is a fine example of the classic Bavarian style pale lager, brewed right here in the GTA (at Muddy York’s new Stouffville location — they moved from East York last year). It’s a deep golden colour, with an aroma that hints at freshly baked bread and a gentle sweetness on the palate. It’s a great session beer — at 5.4 per cent alcohol, you can have a few without feeling like you’ve been knocked over by a 350-pound offensive lineman. It’s also a very well-balanced brew that doesn’t overwhelm the palate.
Food pairings: Pretzels, hot dogs, chips, cheese tray.
Find it: At the brewery (50 Innovator Ave. Unit #1, Whitchurch-Stouffville), muddyyorkbrewing.com, LCBO ($3.85/473 ml)
Backup player: Paulaner Munich Helles ($2.90/500 ml at LCBO; $2.48 plus tax at The Beer Store)
Great Lakes Brewery Octopus Wants To Fight IPA
Wings and football go together like movies and popcorn. OK, maybe a little less so, since the Buffalo Bills got knocked out of the playoffs by the Denver Broncos, but wings, especially fried, are a classic staple of many gridiron gatherings. To stand up to the bold favours, especially if you’re serving them Buffalo-style, you need something equally punchy. This slightly hazy, aromatic and bitter brew from Etobicoke’s Great Lakes Brewery fits the bill nicely. There’s just enough of a malt backbone here to keep the hops from overwhelming the palate.
Food pairings: Buffalo wings, nachos.
Find it: At the brewery (30 Queen Elizabeth Blvd., Etobicoke), greatlakesbeer.com, LCBO ($3.75, /473 ml)
Backup player: Amsterdam Boneshaker IPA. (LCBO, $20.45/6×473 ml)
Merit Brewing Ultra Summer Witbier
Let’s face it, there are going to be plenty of rich dishes on the menu at any Super Bowl party, whether it’s something deep fried, something gooey and cheesy, or sometimes — as in the case of jalapeno poppers — both. That kind of richness can be balanced out by having something with plenty of carbonation, like this frothy, Belgian-style wheat beer from Merit Brewing. Like with almost all wheat beers, there’s a hint of acidity, and like Belgian-style wheat brews, this one also has some citrusy notes, thanks to the use of bitter orange peel, and some spice, from coriander seeds.
Food pairings: Queso dip, shrimp ring, jalapeno poppers.
Find it: At the brewery (107 James St. N. Hamilton), LCBO ($3.65/473 ml)
Backup player: Unibroue Blanche de Chambly (LCBO $3.35/473 ml)
Royal City Brewing Co. Smoked Honey Ale
It might not feel like BBQ weather right now, but odds are there will be some pulled pork, smoked brisket or sausages somewhere on your Super Bowl table. What better to pair those smoky classics with than a beer that also has a whiff of campfire to it?
This dark, slightly smoky ale comes from Guelph’s Royal City Brewing, which uses locally sourced honey to add some gentle sweetness. The smoke factor isn’t as dominant as in some others, like Germany’s classic Aecht Schlenkerla, but this one’s more of a crowd pleaser and isn’t likely to scare off non beer geeks. And where does the smoke actually come from? Some of the malt used in this brew has been dried over a beechwood fire.
Food pairings: BBQ brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage.
Find it: At the brewery (199 Victoria Rd. S. Unit C8, Guelph), royalcitybrew.ca, LCBO ($3.95/473 ml)
Backup player: Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier (LCBO $5.15/500 ml)
