Real beer at the Hockey Game -- FINALLY!

[threecb]

So I went to the Devils v. Hurricanes game last night at the Continental Airlines Arena.

Although the Devs played like crap and lost (2-1), there was a bright spot. The new beer stand that they have is Brooklyn Brewery! Although there was only one that I saw, it was located a couple of sections over from my seats. They had the lager and pilsner on tap, and were doing a decent business. So what if it was 6.75 for a 14 oz. beer, it was better than 6.00 for a 18 oz. Bud! I think this cart took the place of one that was selling Harp and Guiness. It would've been nicer if it was replacing one of the AB carts, but at least a micro is getting props in the big league!

I chose to drink the pilsner. I used to be a big fan of their pilsner, but the last couple of six packs I had bought weren't that great. I'm happy to say that, on tap, the pilsner was very nice. Slightly sweet malty flavor supported a nice, subtle hop tang. I was happy for the beer, at least.

I have tickets to Friday's game, too. Hopefully there will be more to cheer about than the beer!

[studentofbeer]

wow not bad, but i was going to be really impressed if the first impression i got from your headline was correct and that they served real ale at the game!

what are brooklyn breweries best? i know chocolate stout, but i want to get a friend in ny to send me some samples.

[threecb]

The chocolate stout IS awesome. The Monster Barleywine is solid. I like the brown ale and the pennant pale in bottles, too.

The day they serve real ale at a game, I'll be first in line!!!

[Stodbrew]

It seems more arenas/stadiums/ballparks are finally getting the message that there is more out there than the big 3. Out here in CA, we've been able to get good beer at sporting events for quite a few years now. Up at Pac Bell Park, you can always find SN. You can also get Anchor Steam. They also feature a couple of small very local Brewpubs like 21st Amendment which is 2 blocks away from the park. In bottles they have other local breweries like Speakeasy and Lagunitas. I'm not sure about Oakland, because I don't go to A's or Raider games.

In the South Bay, at the Shark Tank, again, you can always get SN. They also have Gordon Biersch on tap as well. They also feature a couple of small Brewpubs beer such as the Tied House. I was even able to get my pubs beer on tap there this season, and the craft brews are selling extremely well.

Thank God they're coming to their senses!:D

[threecb]

That's great to hear!

On the east coast, it seems that the minor league venues have made good inroads with the micros. But that was the first I've ever seen it at the CAA. Usually the best you can do is an interbrew brand, or guiness group brews. Now if they could only get some New Jersey Beer in there! A Flying Fish Winter Grand Cru woulda been nice to have...



I've been to 21st Amnd. and thought that they had one of the hoppiest beers I had while in SFO. It was a double IPA and it rocked!

[barley ben]

At the Wacovia center in Philly(Flyers/76ers) the have their own brewery, Red Bell. Haven't tried it yet though. Haven't been to a Flyers game in a couple years. I usually check out the Phantoms instead(Minor League/$20 a ticket for good ones). Anyone in the area tried this stuff?

[threecb]

Actually ,until VERY recently, the Red Bell beers were contract brewed by FX Matt. Red Bell has recently hired a brewmaster to oversee both the Manayunk and WC beers. That's real good news there. The Trenton Titans Sovereign Bank Arena has a River Horse outlet in there. I don't think it's brewed on premises, but it's a nice little area on the main concourse.

When I went to the Fleet Center in Boston last year, all I could find on my level (pronounced: nosebleed) was Sam Adams. Not a bad "settle".

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by threecb
When I went to the Fleet Center in Boston last year, all I could find on my level (pronounced: nosebleed) was Sam Adams. Not a bad "settle".

Last time I was at the Fleet was several years ago, but they had some pretty decent choices, IIRC. A Samuel Adams cart with a handful of styles, Redhook & Magic Hat. Don't know if all of those brands survived, but hey, Boston Beer Works is a stone's throw from the arena. Drinking well before and after the game always works for me ;)

Cheers!

[threecb]

Sam was the best I could locate, but I wasn't looking too hard. It was gonna be (and ended up being) a long night, and pacing wasn't a bad thing!

And I do like BBW. That Canal St. location is very convenient to the FC. And they make some good beers. My wife loved the Pumpkinhead.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by threecb

I've been to 21st Amnd. and thought that they had one of the hoppiest beers I had while in SFO. It was a double IPA and it rocked! [/B]

21st Amendment does have some incredibly good beers. I love going to Giant's games and heading there before and after the game. Their U.S. IPA is one of the better ipa's I've had.

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
It seems more arenas/stadiums/ballparks are finally getting the message that there is more out there than the big 3. Out here in CA, we've been able to get good beer at sporting events for quite a few years now


speak for norcal! socals still in the mustard trying to catchup! actually i've not been to a chargers/lakers game in over a year so it may have changed...but i don't think so.....

[Stodbrew]

Sorry Hopjack. I forgot there were teams in So Cal.:D I would imagine/hope that the new Padres park will have some pretty damn good beers.

[brewmonkey]

Kansas Speedway and a bunch of the local KC venues all carry Boulevard from KCMO.

[crashbobo]

I love Boulevard so much :)

[hopjack13]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
Sorry Hopjack. I forgot there were teams in So Cal.:D

rub it in man , go ahead n rub it in!
THATS WHY I QUIT GOING TO THOSE GAMES! or was it cuz i got married.........hmmm

[fretlessman71]

Coors Field has a brewpub RIGHT THERE IN THE PARK! Sandlot Brewery is relatively decent (they're owned by Coors, how good could they be? ;) ), and just up the road is Falling Rock Tap House with about 125 beers on tap or in stock! YEE-HAW! Colorado, here we come!

[threecb]

The Air Canada Center has a Molsen-owned Brewpub on premises -- Rickard's. I had the pale when I was there and it tasted like a Molsen. I hope Coor's is doing a better job trying to please the microfans!

[fretlessman71]

Well, I've had worse, that's for sure.... then again, if it's hot enough, even Coors is palatable!

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by crashbobo
I love Boulevard so much :)

How close are you to KC? If anyone here is interested in seeing the brewery I will arrange an off hours tour rather then the generic one they give on Saturday.

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Coors Field has a brewpub RIGHT THERE IN THE PARK! Sandlot Brewery is relatively decent (they're owned by Coors, how good could they be? ;) ), and just up the road is Falling Rock Tap House with about 125 beers on tap or in stock! YEE-HAW! Colorado, here we come!

Falling rock is ok, but to many beers on tap IMHO. I have had some bad beer there believe it or not. Sandlot has a good Pils (Pinch Hit Pils) and I believe he has won some GABF medals with it. Breckenridge is across the street from the field and then right next to Falling Rock is Alice Coopers place. While they don't brew beer they do have some good stuff on tap and it is a neat place to wander through.

[fretlessman71]

Too many beers on tap? Do you mean that there are too many beers for the amount of people who are drinking them and they get old?

Never liked Breckenridge... their Avalanche is a big disappointment for me. I'll have to check out Alice Cooper's place when we move back!

By the way, speaking of moving back, I'll let you know when we're planning to be en route to Colorado for the final time... maybe we can get that tour then!

[crashbobo]

I'm in Columbia. Almost all of the bars here have Boulevard on tap. Its great :)

[hopjack13]

columbia??? tennessee ?

[crashbobo]

Columbia, Missouri. Home of the Tigers :)

[Budman]

Hey Stodbrew, what beer do you have on tap at SJ Arena? Is it Stoddard's? What part of the arena can I get it at? I already enjoy the Tied House and Alaskan Amber but I love Stoddards ESB, so if you got some there I'd love to find it.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by Budman
Hey Stodbrew, what beer do you have on tap at SJ Arena? Is it Stoddard's? What part of the arena can I get it at? I already enjoy the Tied House and Alaskan Amber but I love Stoddards ESB, so if you got some there I'd love to find it.


Hey Budman-

Yep, it is Stoddard's. I've got my Pale Ale and the ESB on tap there. It's in section 102, just to the left of the main stairs from the Santa Clara St. entrance. The only signage is my tap handles, and they're pretty small so it can be kind of hard to find. And thanks for the kind words. I take it you're in the area. We should get together for a beer sometime.


Cheers!

Steve

[hopjack13]

hey i wana drink stodstevebrew! see you in about 6 months!;)
hopefully.....

Columbia, Missouri. Home of the Tigers

damn, i wasn in columbia tenn once and they have an area downtown that is a circle street thing , any way it looks just like the orange circle in orange, ca. i think, i want to get pictures of both and compare. the first time i was there it was like deja vu, then i relized i was in another state or that i was thinking of another state anyways.

[Brownbeard]

Originally posted by brewmonkey
How close are you to KC? If anyone here is interested in seeing the brewery I will arrange an off hours tour rather then the generic one they give on Saturday.

Hey Brewmonkey, I live in Iowa, and we camp in Missouri sometimes in the summer. I would love to see the brewery. I am sure there has to be some good camping near KC.

[Budman]

Hey Stodbrew, yes I am in San Jose. I'll definitely grab some of your ESB at the next home Sharks game. I'm very happy you guys opened a brewpub in Campbell as it's close to me than Sunnyvale

[fretlessman71]

I was born in Mt. View and lived in Fremont for the first 5.5 years of my life. Is there still a shopping center called The Hub?

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by crashbobo
Columbia, Missouri. Home of the Tigers :)

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS BABY!!!

A lot of fun in my house, my entire family is KU alumn, my wife went to MU.

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by Budman
Hey Stodbrew, yes I am in San Jose. I'll definitely grab some of your ESB at the next home Sharks game. I'm very happy you guys opened a brewpub in Campbell as it's close to me than Sunnyvale


Unfortunately, we closed our Campbell brewery in September. So, next time you're in Sunnyvale, come on by.:)

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I was born in Mt. View and lived in Fremont for the first 5.5 years of my life. Is there still a shopping center called The Hub?

Hey Fret-

Yep, The Hub is still there. There's a brewpub in there now called Jack's and the beers are very good.

[fretlessman71]

What, no one thought of The Pub At The Hub? ;)

[Stodbrew]

What's all the hubbub at the hub pub?

I'm sorry. That's quite possibly the lamest thing I've ever said.

[fretlessman71]

I don't want to hear about your hub pub hubbub, BUB.... ;)

(That's FAR lamer than anything you've ever said, I'm sure...)

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I don't want to hear about your hub pub hubbub, BUB....

(That's FAR lamer than anything you've ever said, I'm sure...)



Nicely done!:D