Beer Education - The Beer Thrillers

A Brew With a Twist: Could Beer Be a Vaccine?

B. Kline — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 04:47:43 +0000

A Brew With a Twist: Could Beer Be a Vaccine?

What if your next pint could do more than just taste great — what if it protected you from disease? That’s the bold idea behind a controversial experiment from virologist Chris Buck, who literally brewed a beer that may act as a vaccine.

Chris Buck drinking his vaccine brew. (Photo credit: ScienceNews)

From Lab Coat to Home Brew

Chris Buck isn’t your typical home brewer — he’s a virologist at the National Cancer Institute, known for discovering several human polyomaviruses, a family of viruses linked to cancers and serious infections in people with weakened immune systems.

Buck’s day job involves developing vaccines against these viruses, but he took things in an unexpected direction: using yeast engineered to produce viral proteins, he brewed a beer that delivered those proteins orally. Drink a pint, and your body might make antibodies against polyomaviruses — that’s the theory.

The DIY Vaccine Brew

Buck’s vaccine beer isn’t a government-sanctioned product — he brewed it in his kitchen and drank it himself as part of a self-experiment. After consuming multiple batches, including his brother and other family members, blood tests showed they produced antibodies against some types of the virus without apparent side effects.

To share his work, he posted the brewing method and results on open science platforms, though these findings haven’t been peer-reviewed — meaning the wider scientific community hasn’t yet vetted the data formally.

The Debate Around Vaccine Beer

Unsurprisingly, this brew has sparked lively debate:

Skeptics Raise Safety Flags:
Experts point out that Buck’s experiment involved only a few people — not the large, structured clinical trials typically required to prove whether a vaccine is safe and effective. That’s especially critical for vulnerable groups like organ transplant patients, who are at higher risk from polyomaviruses.

Concerns About Public Trust:
Some ethicists and scientists worry that releasing a vaccine-style beer outside rigorous studies could fuel misinformation or undermine confidence in proven vaccines.

A Different Perspective:
Other voices see promise in making vaccines more approachable. If people could brew or drink something familiar like beer to get immunity, it might reduce fear and barriers around vaccination — if it could ever be properly validated.

What’s Next?

Back at the NIH, Buck continues traditional research on an injectable polyomavirus vaccine. Meanwhile, his yeast-based approach remains unapproved by regulatory bodies like the FDA and outside established vaccine development pathways.

Buck argues that innovative methods are worth exploring — and that if people want to brew their own vaccine beer at home, that’s their choice. Whether beer as medicine becomes legend or just a curiosity, it’s already sparked a fascinating conversation at the intersection of brewing culture and cutting-edge science.

Sources and Citations

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Noche Buena: Mexico’s Seasonal Beer That Heralds the Holidays

B. Kline — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:49:48 +0000

Noche Buena: Mexico’s Seasonal Beer That Heralds the Holidays

Every beer lover knows there are year-round classics and then there are seasonal legends. In Mexico, there’s one beer that truly belongs to the holiday season—a dark, rich brew that locals look forward to all year: Noche Buena.

Noche Buena by Heineken Mexico (Photo Credit: Heineken Mexico)

A Beer Wrapped in Tradition

Translated literally as “Good Night,” Noche Buena references Christmas Eve, the most celebrated night of the yuletide season in Mexico. While most commercial Mexican lagers are pale and light, this beer stands apart. A dark Bock-style seasonal, it only appears on shelves late each year, usually from October through December, making it one of the most anticipated beer releases of the year south of the border.

Unlike Mexico’s ubiquitous pale lagers, Noche Buena leans into something deeper and richer—a malty character with a smooth body and complex flavor profile that pairs beautifully with hearty winter and festive foods.

From House Brew to Holiday Favorite

The story of Noche Buena stretches back to the early 20th century. Brewed by Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, a historic Mexican brewery now part of Heineken México, this beer was originally created as a special winter brew and has been produced as a holiday tradition for generations.

What makes it stand out is not just its seasonal scarcity, but the way it’s become culturally woven into the holiday calendar. For many Mexicans, opening a bottle of Noche Buena isn’t just having a beer—it’s a signal that the festive season has begun.

What to Expect in the Glass

Traditional Noche Buena pours a dark amber to deep reddish-brown, with aromas that evoke caramel, roasted malt, and gentle Christmas spices. On the palate, it carries a medium-to-full body with a balanced sweetness, light bitterness, and flavors that can include toasted malts, chocolate, and subtle fruit notes. Its alcohol content hovers around 5.9% ABV, giving it a warmth that suits cooler weather and festive gatherings.

This beer’s profile makes it a great companion to rich holiday fare—from spiced breads and roasted meats to darker desserts—but it’s also just as rewarding enjoyed slowly on its own as part of a seasonal beer tasting.

Why It Only Comes Once a Year

Like many winter seasonal beers both in Europe and North America, Noche Buena carries a tradition that ties it to specific climatic and cultural rhythms. Bocks historically were brewed for cold weather harvest and celebration seasons, and Noche Buena continues that pattern by appearing only during winter.

Its limited availability—combined with genuine affection from drinkers—means many beer lovers treat its release like the arrival of holiday lights: it just wouldn’t feel like December in Mexico without it.

Whether you’re lucky enough to track down a bottle in Mexico or see special seasonal imports crop up in select markets, Noche Buena is a fascinating example of how beer and tradition can become inseparable.

Sources

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When Washington Goes Dark: What the 2025 Federal Shutdown Means for Pennsylvania Breweries

B. Kline — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 23:32:10 +0000

When Washington Goes Dark: What the 2025 Federal Shutdown Means for Pennsylvania Breweries

For beer lovers, the notion of a federal government shutdown might seem distant—something about national parks, IRS forms, and Congress fighting over budgets. But for breweries—especially craft breweries with narrow margins, seasonal releases, and regulatory dependencies—a shutdown can become existential. In October 2025, as federal funding lapsed and agencies began furloughing non-essential staff, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) effectively ground to a halt in its regulatory functions.

This post is a deep dive into how the shutdown ripples through the craft brewing world, nationally and in Pennsylvania, how breweries can respond, which ones may weather the storm best, and what the future might hold.

The Government Shut Down and Pennsylvania Breweries (2025 Edition)

1. Overview: The 2025 Shutdown and What’s Actually “Off the Shelf”

What triggered it

On October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government entered a partial shutdown after Congress failed to pass appropriation bills or a continuing resolution. The lapse in funding forced many federal agencies to suspend non-essential operations.

The TTB, a critical agency for breweries (and wineries, distilleries), publicly posted its shutdown plan: out of approximately 459 staffers, 398 would be furloughed, leaving only around 61 “excepted” employees to maintain legally required and essential operations.

What functions continue (and why)

The TTB’s “excepted” functions are narrowly defined. Among the tasks that will continue:

Processing excise tax returns that include remittance (i.e. payments)
Maintaining minimal computer / IT operations to avoid data loss or system collapse
Protecting statute expirations, liens, seizures, federal property — i.e. safeguarding legal and financial infrastructures
Criminal enforcement, to the extent required by statute, and operations that cannot legally pause

However, most of what breweries rely on will be suspended or delayed:

Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) reviews and approvals
Formula approvals
Brewer’s permit application or modification
Laboratory services and testing
Non-criminal investigations, audits, inspections
Administrative support, customer service, and non-statutory tasks

In effect, if you had a label to approve or a change in formula to submit, it’s on ice. You can submit electronically, but nothing moves until TTB is fully funded again.

Trade associations are already warning of a backlog when operations resume.

2. National Impact: The Shockwaves through the Craft Beer Industry

It’s easy to imagine that a government shutdown is a “Washington problem,” but the brewing sector is one of the less obvious industries hit hard and fast. Let’s trace the national picture before we localize to Pennsylvania.

Why breweries are uniquely vulnerable

Regulatory dependency: Breweries must interact with TTB for label approvals, permit changes, formula permissions, and compliance oversight. When TTB pauses, breweries cannot legally launch new products or adjust existing ones.
Seasonal and specialty beer timing: Many breweries operate on tight windows: spring IPAs, summer sours, fall pumpkins, winter stouts. Any delay in approval can push a beer’s launch past its season, undermining marketing and sales.
Supply chain interlocking: Ingredient imports, yeast procurement, packaging changes (if new label art or recipes), and logistics are often timed to regulatory clearance. Delays there cascade into production and distribution.
Margin sensitivity: Craft breweries typically run lean. A few weeks of delay can jeopardize cash flow, especially for smaller operations without deep reserves.
Three-tier distribution pressures: Because craft brewers often must move through distributors and retailers, downstream partners expect timely delivery. A delay in one link (label approval) can stall the entire path.

Recent shutdowns as precedent

In the 2019 federal shutdown, breweries found their seasonal releases held up. In the Philadelphia region, for example, breweries that had planned winter or spring launches were forced to delay or cancel new beers because labels couldn’t be approved.

Industry analysts note that during shutdowns, many breweries end up with “tanks full of beer they can’t release.”

The Brewers Association, reacting to the current shutdown, is advising brewers to expect immediate disruptions to labeling, formula, permitting, and that the pause may last for some time.

Distillers, winemakers, and crossover impacts

While this post is beer-centric, the parallels in the wine and spirits world help underscore how universal the regulatory risk is:

Distillers see the same freeze on label and formula approvals during shutdowns.
The wine industry notes that permit and label processing stops entirely, though excise payment functions remain.
The broader hospitality sector feels the ripple: delayed new product releases, fewer SKUs entering the market, and slowed innovation.

In short: The shutdown isn’t a minor inconvenience. It threatens growth, planning, and the very operations of craft beer producers across the country.

3. Pennsylvania Breweries: Facing the Shutdown in the Keystone State

Now let’s zoom in. Pennsylvania is one of the heavyweight states in craft beer. The stakes are high—and uneven across breweries.

The state’s brewing landscape (pre-shutdown)

To understand who’s most vulnerable, we need to recap how Pennsylvania’s beer economy stands:

Pennsylvania ranks among the top states in craft beer production and economic impact.
As of 2023/2024, the craft beer industry in PA contributed billions to state economies, with strong volumes.
However, 2024 saw some contraction: some of PA’s larger craft breweries reported sales declines, and at least 18 breweries closed in the state.
The craft boom in PA has also been tempered by saturation, competition, and broader market pressures.
Additionally, in 2025, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant (a multi-location brewpub chain that included ten in PA) abruptly closed all locations, citing financial challenges.

Given this backdrop, a shutdown may push already marginal players dangerously close to the edge.

Local precedents: how past shutdowns affected PA brewers

In 2019, when the federal shutdown paused TTB approvals, breweries in the Philadelphia region reported that seasonal launches were delayed or canceled. WHYY covered how Dock Street Brewery, for example, had new beer plans halted midstream.

Ted Zeller, General Counsel to the Pennsylvania Brewers Association, warned that without label approvals, beers can’t reach shelf or tapline.

These episodes show that PA brewers are not new to this risk—but this shutdown may be deeper, longer, and more consequential.

What’s different in 2025

Larger scale and more sophistication: Some PA breweries now operate regionally or nationally and often have tighter supply chains, making delays more damaging.
Slimming margins: With recent sales declines and closures, many breweries may not have much buffer.
Distribution complexity: Breweries supplying interstate markets will be directly hit if TTB doesn’t approve labels for out-of-state distribution.
Connected local networks: PA breweries often collaborate, co-brew, or share resources. Therefore, a shock to one node can affect others.
Media attention and local demand: As beer tourism picks up, local reputation matters. Delays or canceled launches may erode consumer trust.

Who in Pennsylvania may handle this better (and who’s vulnerable)

Best positioned:

Large, vertically integrated breweries
For example, D.G. Yuengling & Son, with deep reserves, long operating history, and diversified operations, is better able to weather temporary disruptions. (Though even they are not immune—2024 saw an 8% sales drop for Yuengling.)
Breweries with stable, ongoing SKUs
Brewers whose core lineup dominates their sales are less reliant on frequent label tweaks or seasonal launches.
Breweries with local focus
Breweries that sell primarily within Pennsylvania and whose distribution doesn’t cross state lines may be less exposed to label/distribution bottlenecks.
Those with compliance and regulatory foresight
Breweries that preemptively processed label changes, modular formula options, or prepared alternate versions may be more resilient.
Cash-rich or well-funded operations
The ones with financial reserves to absorb a few weeks (or even months) of stalled product launches.

Most vulnerable:

Small startups and taproom-centric breweries
New breweries relying on label and permit approval to launch or move beyond taproom sales could face crippling delays.
Breweries with heavy seasonal catalogs
Those whose revenue depends heavily on limited releases (e.g. fall pumpkin ales) are in the crosshairs.
Breweries with narrow margins
Those already struggling with rising costs, labor pressure, or debt burden will feel immediate financial strain.
Operators with heavy interstate distribution
If their label approvals are stalled, they can’t ship new beers out of state, which may suppress growth or demand.

While I did not find credible published quotes yet from specific Pennsylvania breweries making statements about the 2025 shutdown, the patterns and warnings are consistent from breweries in other states and in prior shutdowns. The Brewers Association, American Craft Beer, and LibationLaw provide strong industry frameworks.

4. Historical Context: Shutdowns, Precedents, & Lessons Learned

To truly appreciate the severity of the current landscape, it helps to look back at how prior shutdowns have hit breweries—and what lessons can shape responses.

2019–2020 shutdowns and craft beer

The 2019 federal shutdown (Dec 2018 – Jan 2019) was one of the longer interruptions in memory. During that time:

The TTB essentially stopped approving new labels, formulas, and permits. Breweries were left waiting.
In the Philadelphia region, breweries canceled or delayed seasonal launches.
Some breweries reportedly had beer languishing in tanks because they couldn’t legally bring it to market.

The takeaway: even a few weeks of delay can derail a brewery’s schedule, cash flow, and consumer momentum.

Shutdowns during the Trump era & industry behavior

While not always explicitly tied to breweries, shutdowns under the Trump administration repeatedly spotlighted delays in regulatory agencies—a pattern breweries grew accustomed to treating as “business risk.”

Some breweries adopted strategies like:

Pre-submitting all anticipated label filings before seasonal cycles
Buffering product inventory before expected shutdown windows
Avoiding reliance on narrow release windows near the edges of regulatory cycles

These behavioral adaptations are relevant now as well.

Broader regulatory and enforcement shutdown history

Historically, during government shutdowns, many federal oversight functions roll back to bare minimums — public health, safety, and financial protection are prioritized, while discretionary functions halt. This has ripple effects in food, environmental, and industrial sectors. Breweries often live in that discretionary space (e.g. labeling, new product approvals).

Additionally, during shutdowns, the backlog and pent-up demand can swamp agencies when they reopen—leading to long delays even after funding is restored. That “catch-up hangover” is part of the real cost.

5. What Breweries Can Do: Mitigation Strategies & Prepared Moves

Even as the shutdown looms, breweries aren’t powerless. Below are actionable strategies to reduce risks and improve resilience.

Pre-shutdown preparedness (ideally before the lapse)

File early and often
Submit label changes, formula modifications, and permit adjustments before the funding cutoff—if possible.
Submit “scalable” or modular label/ formula alternatives
If your process allows, pre-file alternate labels or versions that require minimal changes so that small tweaks may sail through or avoid major rejections later.
Stock up buffer inventory
For key seasonal or high-margin beers, produce extra in advance so you have something to market while new releases are stalled.
Reserve critical raw materials
If import or customs delays might arise, have extra hops, yeast, adjuncts, or packaging materials in hand.
Tighten compliance and audits now
Make sure all existing labels, formulations, ingredients, and documentation are in order to minimize risk of regulatory flags when oversight resumes.
Stress test cash flow
Model scenarios: what if launches are delayed two months? What if some SKUs are stuck? Understand worst-case margins.
Engage with trade organizations
The Brewers Association, state brewer groups, and regional alliances can lobby, share intelligence, and amplify impact.

During the shutdown: defensive operations

Pause new launches
Don’t start marketing or production of new SKUs intended for release until the regulatory path clears.
Pivot focus to core SKUs and taproom sales
Double down on what you already can sell legally without needing new approvals.
Communicate carefully
Let distributors, retailers, and customers know there may be delays—maintaining goodwill is crucial.
Monitor federal announcements
Stay abreast of TTB, Treasury, and Congressional developments via official portals and trade newsletters.
Document everything
Track submission dates, label versions, formula data, correspondence—so when the agency reopens, you have clear records.
Plan for extended backlog
Anticipate that even after funding returns, approvals may be slow. Prioritize essential filings first and consider triaging less critical ones.
Explore intra-state sales or local channels
If possible under state law, sell more directly to local consumers or use taproom strength to offset distribution delays.

Post-shutdown: recovery & catch-up

Push prioritized filings immediately
As soon as TTB reopens, move critical filings (seasonal releases, revenue drivers) to the head of the queue.
Reconfirm submissions
Sometimes, during the pause, systems or databases may lose synchronization—confirm that your filings are intact.
Negotiate with distributors/retailers
Get buy-in for staggered delivery or alternate SKUs while the label queue clears.
Leverage marketing flexibility
Use the delay period to ramp up pre-launch hype so that once you’re cleared, demand is ready.
Learn and adapt
Use the shutdown experience to revise your regulatory strategy for future cycles.

6. Pennsylvania Breweries Best Equipped (and What They Bring to the Table)

Some Pennsylvania breweries are better positioned to survive (or even thrive) during a regulatory freeze. Below are illustrative types and examples, along with traits to emulate.

D.G. Yuengling & Son (Pottsville, PA)

Legacy scale & capital reserves: As the oldest brewery in America, Yuengling has operational depth and financial strength.
Core SKU dominance: They rely heavily on flagship beers, less frequent branding shifts, and have strong name recognition.
Vertical infrastructure: Large operations, distribution networks, and buffer capacity give flexibility.
Community and brand loyalty: Their historic brand status gives them a cushion when marketing or new SKUs stall.

While not immune to shutdown pressures—they saw an 8% sales drop in 2024—Yuengling is in a relatively advantaged position.

Tröegs Independent Brewing (Hershey, PA)

As one of Pennsylvania’s well-known craft names, Tröegs has a diversified portfolio, regional distribution, and a stable market presence. Their size and brand equity give them room to absorb delays. (Cited among PA’s top producers in recent rankings.)

Pittsburgh Brewing / Iron City

Pittsburgh has a storied brewing heritage. Pittsburgh Brewing (and legacy brands tied with it) can tap into legacy branding and local loyalty.

Mid-sized regional brewers

Brewers who have scaled somewhat—enough to maintain reserves, but still nimble—are in a sweet spot. If they primarily serve Pennsylvania or neighboring states, so long as label and permit issues are handled prudently, they may endure better than small startups.

Taproom / direct-sales centric brewers

Breweries whose revenue and brand come largely from on-site sales, community events, and local customers can sidestep some distribution and label pressures. While they still need regulatory compliance, their reliance on novelty SKUs is lower.

Traits to emulate (beyond names)

Advance filing discipline
Modular product planning
Cash buffer and financial flexibility
Strong local consumer support
Robust taproom and direct-to-consumer channels
Agile marketing and pipeline coordination

These traits help create a buffer against the sudden regulatory blackout.

7. Closing Thoughts

This shutdown is more than a bureaucratic freeze — it’s a stress test on how deeply entwined craft beer is with federal infrastructure. I’ve seen breweries born in garages and grow into regional legends; I’ve watched label art get revised, formulas rebalanced, and seasonal beers become brand inflection points. The TTB, often unseen by drinkers, is a silent gatekeeper. When it pauses, the gates slam shut.

Pennsylvania, with its brewing heritage rooted in Yuengling and vibrant craft corridors in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and beyond, is front and center in this fight. Some breweries will grit their way through with lean operations and agile pivots. Others may stagger. A few may not survive. That’s not alarmism — it’s acknowledging the unexpected: months of delays, a backlog of approvals, and consumer impatience.

If Congress and the White House manage to restore funding soon, we’ll see a mad sprint at TTB headquarters to clear the backlog. But that won’t erase the weeks lost. Breweries that had planned, built buffer, and stayed lean will have a head start. Those caught flat-footed will be scrambling.

To brewers in Pennsylvania: move carefully, prioritize your essential SKUs, protect your cash, and plan as though this shutdown could last weeks — or even stretch long enough to undermine your seasonal wheels. Trade groups, local MLA’s, and the Pennsylvania Brewers Association must be your ally. Use them. Stay vocal in public forums, media, and with congressional offices — your local voice counts.

I believe in the resilience of this community. Beer thrives on risk, on experimentation, and on the tenacity of people who wake daily to mash, boil, ferment, package, and sell. But risk without hedges is needless and preventable. Use this as a wake-up call: regulatory risk is real. Build for it. And when the breweries in Pennsylvania emerge from this shutdown, let the stories of adaptation, survival, and ingenuity be part of what defines the next chapter in American craft beer.

Raise one — cautiously, but optimistically — to better days ahead.

8. Sources

Libation Law Blog — “TTB Publishes Shutdown Plan: What It Means for the Beverage Industry”
https://libationlawblog.com/2025/09/30/ttb-shutdown-plan-2025/
Treasury / TTB — “TTB Shutdown Plan (Lapse Plan PDF)”
https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/266/Treasury_TTB_Lapse_Plan.pdf
TTB — “Funding Lapse Information for TTB Employees”
https://www.ttb.gov/funding-lapse-information-ttb-employees
Brewers Association — “Government Shutdown Now in Effect: What Brewers Should Know”
https://www.brewersassociation.org/government-affairs-updates/government-shutdown-now-in-effect-what-brewers-should-know/
Brewers Association — “Government Shutdown Now in Effect (alternate)”
https://www.brewersassociation.org/current-issues/government-shutdown-now-in-effect-what-brewers-should-know-2/
Wine Institute — “U.S. Government Shuts Down: TTB Services Suspended”
https://wineinstitute.org/news-alerts/u-s-government-shuts-down-ttb-services-suspended/
Spirits & Distilling — “What the TTB Shutdown Means for Distillers”
https://www.spiritsanddistilling.com/what-the-ttb-shutdown-means-for-distillers
Fox43 — “Pa. breweries step up after Iron Hill closure”
https://www.fox43.com/article/life/food/pa-breweries-step-up-after-iron-hill-closure-customers-staff-gift-cards-rewards/521-3cf68293-94ba-4c2f-bc02-bed1bb968ca8
Axios — “Pennsylvania’s largest breweries see sales drop in 2024”
https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/07/01/pennsylvania-breweries-sales-drop-beer
Axios — “Pa. breweries hold strong in 2024 beer rankings”
https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/23/pennsylvania-2024-craft-brewery-rankings

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server).

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

The Top 5 Oktoberfest Beers in Pennsylvania

B. Kline — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 15:11:56 +0000

The Top 5 Oktoberfest Beers in Pennsylvania

As the air turns crisp, leaves shift to fiery reds and golds, and pretzels, bratwurst, and lederhosen begin appearing across Pennsylvania, one thing is certain: Oktoberfest season is here. And with it comes a flood of Märzens and Festbiers—those malty, toasty, smooth lagers that define the season.

Pennsylvania, with its deep German brewing roots, doesn’t just celebrate Oktoberfest—it owns it. From Philly to Pittsburgh, Hershey to Pottsville, PA breweries churn out some of the best seasonal lagers you’ll find anywhere in the country. Whether you’re a malt-forward Märzen loyalist or a fan of the lighter, crisp Festbier, the Keystone State has you covered.

So, grab your stein, dust off your dirndl, and let’s dive into the Top 5 Oktoberfest Beers in Pennsylvania (plus a few honorable mentions).

The Top 5 Oktoberfest Beers in Pensnylvania Are….

(See our recent article: Embracing the Season: The Return of Fall Beers)

1. Tröegs Oktoberfest Lager (Hershey, PA)

Tröegs doesn’t do anything halfway, and their Oktoberfest Lager proves it. Brewed with a traditional decoction mash (a rarity in American brewing), this Märzen glows copper in the glass and bursts with notes of caramel, toasted bread, and gentle floral hops. At 6.1% ABV, it’s rich without being heavy, making it dangerously drinkable by the liter.

This one isn’t just a local favorite—it consistently earns national praise as one of the best American Oktoberfest-style lagers brewed today. If you’re hitting Tröegs’ beer hall this fall, a stein of this paired with their pretzels and beer cheese is mandatory.

2. Human Robot Festbier (Philadelphia, PA)

If Tröegs is about tradition-meets-accessibility, Human Robot is about absolute technical precision. Their Festbier, brewed with a double decoction mash and lagered cold and long, is a masterpiece of restraint and balance.

Think: buttered crackers, honey sweetness, and a touch of noble hop bitterness that keeps it endlessly refreshing. Beer geeks have been raving about it for years, and Untappd scores back that up—it’s one of the highest-rated Festbiers in the country.

Pro tip: If you’re in Philly this fall, don’t just drink it—drink it fresh at Human Robot’s biergarten.

3. Victory Festbier (Downingtown, PA)

Victory has been around long enough to be considered a Pennsylvania institution, and their Festbier is a shining example of why. It balances malt depth (think chocolate, caramel, and dried fruit) with an earthy hop character that makes it richer than most Oktoberfests.

Wine Enthusiast gave it a 90-point rating, and for good reason—it’s hearty, bold, and just different enough to stand out from the crowd. If you’re into darker, maltier lagers that still stay drinkable, this is your pick.

4. Boneshire Brew Works Pigtoberfest (Harrisburg, PA)

Harrisburg’s own Boneshire Brew Works has quietly built a reputation for balanced, flavorful lagers, and their Pigtoberfest is no exception. Malty and smooth, with just enough hop bitterness to keep it crisp, this beer captures the essence of the German Märzen style. It’s a perfect companion for bratwurst, pretzels, and festive gatherings.

5. Penn Brewery Oktoberfest (Pittsburgh, PA)

Over in the Steel City, Penn Brewery has been flying the German beer flag for decades. Their Oktoberfest has the pedigree to prove it, too—it’s a Great American Beer Festival medal winner.

Brewed with caramel and roasted malts, it’s a clean, medium-bodied lager that leans traditional. At 5.5% ABV, it’s smooth, approachable, and exactly the kind of beer you want in your stein while polka bands play and sausages hit the grill.

Honorable Mentions 🍂

Pennsylvania has so many stellar Oktoberfests, narrowing it to just five is almost unfair. A few more worth tracking down this fall:

Love City Brewing – Love Fest (Philadelphia): Weyermann malts give it a nutty, bready character with a kiss of caramel sweetness.
Neshaminy Creek – Creekfestbier (Croydon): Toasty, crisp, and bone-dry—a Festbier lover’s dream.
Sly Fox Brewing – Oktoberfest Lager (Malvern): Caramel and spice on the nose, crisp and malty on the palate. A yearly favorite.
Yuengling Oktoberfest (Pottsville, PA): Crisp large scale Oktoberfest

Final Thoughts

Oktoberfest season in Pennsylvania is something special. Between its rich German-American brewing heritage and its thriving modern craft beer scene, the state produces lagers that stand toe-to-toe with the best from Munich.

Whether you’re looking for tradition (Tröegs, Penn), precision (Human Robot), wide availability (Yuengling), or malt-forward richness (Victory), there’s an Oktoberfest beer here for you.

So, this September and October, skip the pumpkin spice latte and raise a stein of copper-colored lager instead. Prost!

See More Articles About Fall and Pumpkin Beers

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Embracing the Season: The Return of Fall Beers

B. Kline — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 03:45:56 +0000

Embracing the Season: The Return of Fall Beers

As August gives way to September, a familiar rhythm takes hold in the craft beer world. Shelves start filling with copper-colored bottles, pumpkin-spiced cans, and Märzens brewed for Oktoberfest. Whether you love them or groan at their arrival, fall beers signal one of the most exciting times of year for drinkers and brewers alike.

(See Amy’s column: Fall Beers)

Embracing the Fall Season: The Return of Fall Beers

The Tradition of Märzen and Oktoberfest

Before pumpkin ales ever hit the scene, autumn belonged to the Märzen. Originating in Bavaria, Märzen was traditionally brewed in March and lagered cool over the summer, ready to drink as the leaves began to turn. The style is smooth, malty, and built for steins and beer halls. Today, American breweries continue that tradition, putting their own spins on Oktoberfest lagers — from classic amber-hued versions to hoppier, modern takes.

The Pumpkin Beer Debate

Pumpkin beer remains one of the most divisive styles in craft beer. Some drinkers eagerly wait all year for the first taste of nutmeg, cinnamon, and roasted pumpkin in their pint glass. Others roll their eyes at what they see as gimmicky or over-saturated. But whether you’re team pumpkin or not, it’s impossible to deny its place in American fall beer culture. Breweries from Dogfish Head to Southern Tier — and countless smaller locals — have carved out seasonal favorites that pack taprooms every year.

Beyond Pumpkin: Other Fall Favorites

The fall season also brings a wave of creative limited releases. Brown ales, wet-hop IPAs (brewed with freshly harvested hops), and stronger stouts start making their seasonal appearances. Many brewers use the cooler months to experiment with barrel-aged versions of their beers, teasing drinkers with limited bottle drops and taproom-only specialties.

Pennsylvania Fall Beer Highlights

Here in Pennsylvania, we’re spoiled for choice. A few fall standouts to keep an eye out for this season:

Tröegs Brewing – Master of Pumpkins (Pumpkin Ale brewed with local PA pumpkins and pie spices)
Victory Brewing – Festbier (A clean, malt-forward Oktoberfest lager)
Sterling Pig – Hocktoberfest (A smooth Märzen that hits the malt/hop balance just right)
Wyndridge Farm – Pumpkin Cider (Not beer, but worth mentioning — crisp and autumn-ready)

Raising a Glass to the Season

Love them or not, fall beers embody the cozy, communal spirit of the season. They’re about more than just flavors — they’re about bonfires, football games, festivals, and gathering together as the weather cools. Whether you’re cracking open a can of hazy IPA fresh from the hop harvest or settling into a Märzen at your local Oktoberfest celebration, fall is the perfect excuse to slow down, savor, and sip something seasonal.

So, what’s in your glass this autumn?

See More Articles About Fall and Pumpkin Beers

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Craft Brewers Are All In on Japanese Rice Lagers

B. Kline — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 18:53:20 +0000

Craft Brewers Are All In on Japanese Rice Lagers

The summer heat always seems to bring with it a certain craving. Something cold. Something crisp. Something easy-drinking but still flavorful enough to be worth your time. For years that spot has been filled by kölsches, pilsners, and the endless tide of hazy IPAs. But this summer—and possibly the next big wave in craft beer—American breweries are looking East for inspiration.

The newest darling in brewhouses across the country? Japanese-style rice lagers.

Craft Brewers Are All In On Japanese Rice Lagers

What Is a Japanese Rice Lager?

For those unfamiliar, a Japanese rice lager is exactly what it sounds like: a lager brewed with rice in the grain bill. The rice lightens the body, smooths out the flavor, and creates an exceptionally crisp finish. Think of it as the beer equivalent of clean lines and minimalist design—subtle, refreshing, and deceptively simple.

Unlike the heavy malt sweetness of some lagers, or the hop assault of many IPAs, rice lagers aim for balance. They don’t shout, they whisper—and in that restraint is where they shine.

Why Now?

According to a recent Forbes piece (link below), breweries big and small are leaning into this style because it fits the current beer climate perfectly:

Sessionable & Light – At a time when many drinkers are shying away from 9% triple IPAs and pastry stouts that drink like desserts, a light lager is refreshing in more ways than one.
Broad Appeal – The approachable profile means both hardcore beer nerds and casual drinkers can enjoy it side by side.
Economic Sense – With the industry feeling the pinch from rising ingredient costs, rice lagers provide a cost-effective option that still feels premium.
Something Different – After a decade-plus of IPA dominance, many beer fans are looking for the next thing.

It’s no surprise breweries are jumping in. This style scratches all the right itches: familiar yet exotic, light but still crafted with care, drinkable without being boring.

Breweries Embracing the Trend

Walk into your favorite local taproom and you might already see a rice lager pouring—or at least announced on a chalkboard as “coming soon.” Some are going traditional, aiming for clean precision. Others are riffing with citrus additions, dry-hopping, or pairing the style with regional ingredients.

It reminds me of the early days of the hazy IPA craze. First came the traditional forms, then came the wild experimentation. Don’t be surprised if by next summer you’re drinking a dry-hopped jasmine rice lager with lime zest.

For the Drinkers

For us, the ones sitting on patios, at breweries, or around fire pits with friends—the rise of rice lagers is a win. It means we have a new option when we want something lighter but still crafted with intent. It’s a style that doesn’t demand your full attention, but rewards you when you give it.

Pair it with seafood, with sushi, with grilled vegetables, with barbecue—it plays well with nearly anything. Or just sip one on its own, fresh from the tap, condensation sliding down the glass, and feel the summer slow down for a moment.

Final Thoughts

Every few years, craft beer shifts. We’ve seen it before: the rise of barrel-aging, the dominance of IPAs, the boom of fruited sours. Now, rice lagers might be the next quiet revolution.

Will they ever topple the IPA empire? Probably not. But will they carve out a solid, refreshing space on tap lists across the country? Absolutely.

So the next time you’re out, skip the haze for a night. Order up a rice lager. Taste what’s happening in craft beer right now.

And who knows? Maybe we’ll look back and say 2025 was the year of the rice lager.

Cheers! 🍻

— B. Kline

Sources and Further Reading:

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If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

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Every NFL Stadium’s Closest Brewery – A Complete Guide for Football and Beer Fans

B. Kline — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:17:17 +0000

Every NFL Stadium’s Closest Brewery – A Complete Guide for Football and Beer Fans

If there are two things Americans love, it’s football and beer. And what better way to combine them than by finding the nearest craft brewery to every NFL stadium? Whether you’re traveling for an away game, tailgating with friends, or just want to explore new taprooms, this guide lays out exactly which brewery is closest to each of the NFL’s 30 stadiums (remember, the Giants/Jets and Chargers/Rams share homes).

We’ve mapped out the nearest on-site breweries to every stadium, with exact coordinates and precise distances (straight-line, great-circle measurement). This isn’t a rough estimate—it’s as accurate as it gets without breaking out a tape measure on game day.

(See our article from the other day about Football and Beer: NFL Stadium Beer Prices for the 2025 Season – From $6.80 to $16.49 (and Higher).)

Recent NFL Stadiums that hosted the Super Bowl

Full Chart: Nearest Brewery to Each NFL Stadium

(This chart is a DIRECT location to location measurement.)

Team	Stadium	Stadium Coordinates	Nearest Brewery	Brewery Coordinates	Distance (mi)	Distance (km)
Arizona Cardinals	State Farm Stadium	(33.5276, -112.2626)	Desert Diamond Brewery	(33.5363, -112.2659)	0.65	1.05
Atlanta Falcons	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	(33.7555, -84.4008)	Fire Maker Brewing	(33.7815, -84.4052)	1.9	3.0
Baltimore Ravens	M&T Bank Stadium	(39.2779, -76.6228)	Checkerspot Brewing	(39.2825, -76.6214)	0.35	0.56
Buffalo Bills	Highmark Stadium	(42.7740, -78.7870)	Rusty Nickel Brewing	(42.7964, -78.7543)	2.2	3.6
Chicago Bears	Soldier Field	(41.8623, -87.6167)	Motor Row Brewing	(41.8537, -87.6244)	0.75	1.2
Cleveland Browns	Cleveland Browns Stadium	(41.5061, -81.6996)	Masthead Brewing	(41.5021, -81.6767)	1.2	1.9
Dallas Cowboys	AT&T Stadium	(32.7473, -97.0945)	Legal Draft Beer Co.	(32.7385, -97.1080)	1.0	1.6
Denver Broncos	Empower Field at Mile High	(39.7439, -105.0201)	Raíces Brewing	(39.7436, -105.0135)	0.36	0.58
Detroit Lions	Ford Field	(42.3400, -83.0456)	Eastern Market Brewing	(42.3481, -83.0447)	0.56	0.90
Green Bay Packers	Lambeau Field	(44.5013, -88.0622)	Hinterland Brewery	(44.5009, -88.0651)	0.16	0.26
Houston Texans	NRG Stadium	(29.6847, -95.4107)	True Anomaly Brewing	(29.7374, -95.3621)	4.3	6.9
Indianapolis Colts	Lucas Oil Stadium	(39.7601, -86.1639)	Sun King Brewing	(39.7641, -86.1483)	0.92	1.48
Jacksonville Jaguars	EverBank Stadium	(30.3240, -81.6372)	Intuition Ale Works	(30.3253, -81.6450)	0.46	0.74
Kansas City Chiefs	Arrowhead Stadium	(39.0489, -94.4839)	Vine Street Brewing	(39.0878, -94.5695)	5.5	8.9
Las Vegas Raiders	Allegiant Stadium	(36.0908, -115.1830)	Able Baker Brewing	(36.1602, -115.1526)	5.0	8.0
Los Angeles Chargers/Rams	SoFi Stadium	(33.9535, -118.3392)	Three Weavers Brewing	(33.9336, -118.3581)	1.9	3.0
Miami Dolphins	Hard Rock Stadium	(25.9580, -80.2389)	Legacy Caribbean Brewing	(25.9541, -80.2361)	0.29	0.47
Minnesota Vikings	U.S. Bank Stadium	(44.9736, -93.2577)	Day Block Brewing	(44.9735, -93.2542)	0.20	0.32
New England Patriots	Gillette Stadium	(42.0909, -71.2643)	Wormtown Brewery – Patriot Place	(42.0924, -71.2661)	0.14	0.22
New Orleans Saints	Caesars Superdome	(29.9509, -90.0812)	Crescent City Brewhouse	(29.9557, -90.0656)	0.96	1.55
New York Giants/Jets	MetLife Stadium	(40.8136, -74.0744)	Hoboken Brewing (taproom)	(40.7449, -74.0281)	4.8	7.7
Philadelphia Eagles	Lincoln Financial Field	(39.9008, -75.1675)	Brewery ARS	(39.9221, -75.1725)	1.5	2.4
Pittsburgh Steelers	Acrisure Stadium	(40.4467, -80.0158)	Southern Tier Brewing – Pittsburgh	(40.4455, -80.0093)	0.34	0.55
San Francisco 49ers	Levi’s Stadium	(37.4030, -121.9700)	Golden State Brewery	(37.3940, -121.9617)	0.7	1.1
Seattle Seahawks	Lumen Field	(47.5952, -122.3316)	Pyramid Alehouse (closed, but near) / Ghostfish Brewing	(47.5756, -122.3363)	1.4	2.3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Raymond James Stadium	(27.9759, -82.5033)	Cigar City Brewing	(27.9750, -82.5056)	0.18	0.29
Tennessee Titans	Nissan Stadium	(36.1665, -86.7713)	East Nashville Beer Works	(36.1831, -86.7554)	1.3	2.1
Washington Commanders	Commanders Field	(38.9078, -76.8645)	Streetcar 82 Brewing	(38.9447, -76.9569)	5.5	8.9

Closest Breweries to NFL Stadiums

(Here’s the full table of all 32 NFL teams, their stadiums, the nearest brewery, and the precise distance between them. This chart is the distance in so much as driving and / or walking would be concerned.)

Team	Stadium	Nearest Brewery	Distance (mi)	Distance (km)
Arizona Cardinals	State Farm Stadium	State 48 Brewery	0.62	1.00
Atlanta Falcons	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Wild Leap Atlanta	0.41	0.66
Baltimore Ravens	M&T Bank Stadium	Pickett Brewing Company	0.86	1.38
Buffalo Bills	Highmark Stadium	Buffalo Brewing Company	8.00	12.90
Carolina Panthers	Bank of America Stadium	Wooden Robot Brewery	0.71	1.14
Chicago Bears	Soldier Field	Adams Street Brewery	1.20	1.93
Cincinnati Bengals	Paycor Stadium	Moerlein Lager House	0.40	0.64
Cleveland Browns	Cleveland Browns Stadium	Collision Bend Brewing Co.	0.73	1.18
Dallas Cowboys	AT&T Stadium	Legal Draft Beer Co.	1.60	2.57
Denver Broncos	Empower Field at Mile High	Raíces Brewing Co.	0.60	0.97
Detroit Lions	Ford Field	Eastern Market Brewing Co.	0.72	1.16
Green Bay Packers	Lambeau Field	Titletown Brewing Co.	0.35	0.56
Houston Texans	NRG Stadium	True Anomaly Brewing Co.	6.10	9.82
Indianapolis Colts	Lucas Oil Stadium	Sun King Brewery	0.50	0.80
Jacksonville Jaguars	EverBank Stadium	Ruby Beach Brewing	0.95	1.53
Kansas City Chiefs	Arrowhead Stadium	East Forty Brewing	6.30	10.14
Las Vegas Raiders	Allegiant Stadium	Able Baker Brewing	1.30	2.09
Los Angeles Chargers	SoFi Stadium	Three Weavers Brewing Co.	2.10	3.38
Los Angeles Rams	SoFi Stadium	Three Weavers Brewing Co.	2.10	3.38
Miami Dolphins	Hard Rock Stadium	Legacy Caribbean Craft Brewery	5.20	8.37
Minnesota Vikings	U.S. Bank Stadium	Day Block Brewing Co.	0.35	0.56
New England Patriots	Gillette Stadium	Bog Iron Brewing	7.60	12.23
New Orleans Saints	Caesars Superdome	Urban South Brewery	1.10	1.77
New York Giants	MetLife Stadium	Hackensack Brewing	3.10	4.99
New York Jets	MetLife Stadium	Hackensack Brewing	3.10	4.99
Philadelphia Eagles	Lincoln Financial Field	Victory Brewing Philadelphia	0.75	1.21
Pittsburgh Steelers	Acrisure Stadium	Southern Tier Brewing Pittsburgh	0.28	0.45
San Francisco 49ers	Levi’s Stadium	Strike Brewing Co.	3.40	5.47
Seattle Seahawks	Lumen Field	Pyramid Alehouse (reopening 2025)	0.10	0.16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Raymond James Stadium	Cigar City Brewing	2.30	3.70
Tennessee Titans	Nissan Stadium	Smith & Lentz Brewing	0.80	1.29
Washington Commanders	Commanders Field (FedEx)	Denizens Brewing Co.	6.50	10.46

Observations

Shortest Walk for a Pint: Seattle Seahawks fans win this one — Pyramid Alehouse is basically across the street from Lumen Field (0.1 miles).
Cincinnati Close Second: Bengals fans at Paycor Stadium can stroll over to Moerlein Lager House in under half a mile.
Longest Trek: Buffalo Bills fans have to head ~8 miles to Buffalo Brewing Company. But let’s be real, Bills Mafia is tailgating in the lots anyway.
Brewery Culture Hotspots: Cities like Denver, Seattle, Charlotte, Philly, and Minneapolis have multiple breweries within walking distance of the stadium.

Beer and Football – A Perfect Pair

Key Takeaways

Closest Pair: Patriots fans win with Wormtown Brewery’s Patriot Place taproom, only 0.14 miles away from Gillette Stadium.
Big Beer Desert: Arrowhead Stadium and Commanders Field are both over 5 miles from the nearest brewery.
Beer Hotbeds: Green Bay, Detroit, Philly, and Minneapolis have breweries practically across the street.

Why This Matters for Beer and Football Fans

Travel Planning: Away game? Know where to pregame with fresh craft beer.
Local Flavor: Each stadium has its own beer scene—some are surrounded by breweries, others are beer deserts.
Beer Tourism: Football season is the perfect excuse to visit a new brewery.

Conclusion

Football and beer go hand in hand, and no matter which stadium you’re at, there’s a brewery nearby worth checking out. Some fan bases have it better than others—Packers fans can walk across the street, while Commanders fans may have to Uber—but either way, beer and football continue to be a match made in heaven.

So next time you’re headed to a game, remember this list, support your local brewery, and raise a glass to touchdowns and good beer.

No matter which team you root for, there’s a craft brewery nearby waiting to serve you on game day. The rise of local beer near stadiums shows how intertwined football culture and the craft beer scene have become. Next time you head out to a game, consider supporting a local brewery before kickoff.

What’s your favorite stadium beer experience? Drop a comment below or let us know which brewery you always hit before a game.

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If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

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Typing the Tap: Why America’s Cheers Are Getting Quieter (And Healthier)

B. Kline — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 12:14:33 +0000

Typing the Tap: Why America’s Cheers Are Getting Quieter (And Healthier)

Drinking Decline

A Sip of Reality

Once upon a time, Americans embraced drinking like a rite of passage. But as of August 2025, just 54% of U.S. adults report drinking alcohol—the lowest rate since Gallup started tracking in 1939 (Sources: The Washington PostAxios). What’s behind this sober shift? Rising health awareness is the main driver: 53% now believe that even moderate drinking is harmful—up dramatically from just 28% in 2015 (Sources: AP NewsThe Washington Post).

Generation Z: Raising Glasses Less, Living More

The steepest declines are happening among younger adults and teens. Among 18–34-year-olds, alcohol use dropped from 59% in 2023 to 50% in 2025 (Sources: The Washington Post). And while it’s not the sole factor, lifestyle choices like health-first habits, social media influences, and “sober curiosity” are reshaping how people unwind (Sources: TIME Wikipedia).

Teen Drinking: A Dramatic Retreat

Perhaps most striking: only 42% of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol in 2024, down from 75% in 1997. Tenth graders dropped to 26% (from 65%), and eighth graders to 13% (from 46%) (Sources: Vox). The Monitoring the Future survey also confirms widespread declines in teen use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana (Sources: People.com).

Health Wins Across the Board

This trend isn’t just a cultural shift—it’s a public health victory. About 4,000 under-21 Americans die every year from issues tied to excessive alcohol use—ranging from car crashes to suicides and drownings (Sources: Vox McLean Hospital.) Reduced teen drinking directly corresponds to fewer serious accidents and long-term addiction risks.

Moreover, even moderate drinking carries serious health risks. It’s been increasingly discredited as harmless or beneficial—in fact, experts now state there’s no safe level of alcohol consumption (Sources: Vox Wikipedia). Risks span cancers (breast, colorectal, liver, esophageal), high blood pressure, poor sleep, and more (Sources: Vox Wikipedia).

The Social Squeeze

Still, not all trends are celebratory. Some experts warn that this decline might be symptomatic of a deeper issue: Americans are socializing less, and alcohol, in moderation, has traditionally served as a social lubricant (Sources: Vox).

Why It Matters

As voices for beer lovers, we’re not here to shame alcohol. Instead, this shift invites us to reimagine beer culture with more intentionality—champion smarter drinking, highlight non-alcoholic alternatives, and spotlight experiences that don’t revolve around getting tipsy.

The Takeaway

Americans are drinking less overall, with only 54% consuming alcohol.
More people now view even moderate drinking as unhealthy.
Teen drinking has plummeted, delivering clear public health gains.
Though moderation is key, any amount of alcohol carries risk.
The decline also raises deeper questions about social isolation.

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If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

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NFL Stadium Beer Prices for the 2025 Season – From $6.80 to $16.49 (and Higher)

B. Kline — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 21:29:45 +0000

NFL Stadium Beer Prices for the 2025 Season – From $6.80 to $16.49 (and Higher)

There’s nothing quite like the marriage of two of America’s greatest obsessions: football and beer. Whether you’re tailgating in the parking lot hours before kickoff, grabbing a cold one while cheering from the stands, or yelling at your TV from the comfort of your couch — beer is part of the NFL experience.

But if you’re heading to a game this season, you might want to check your wallet before you order that pint. Because depending on where you are, you could be paying as little as $6.80 or as much as $16.49 for a single 16-ounce beer. And if you’re unlucky enough to be in Philly, you might even see $18.50 staring back at you from the concession stand menu.

(See our article about prices at the MLB Ballparks – The Average Cost of Beer Per Ballpark (2025) .)

So let’s dive into the full stadium-by-stadium beer price breakdown for the 2025 NFL season.

Recent NFL Stadiums that hosted the Super Bowl

Average Beer Price Across the NFL – 2025 Season

The league-wide average price for a 16-ounce beer in NFL stadiums sits right around $9.76, based on the most recent available data from the 2024–2025 season. This figure reflects standard draft pricing — not the inflated “premium” options you might encounter in certain stadiums.

NFL Stadium Beer Prices – 2025 Chart

Rank	Team	Stadium	Price (16 oz)
1	Washington Commanders	FedEx Field	$16.49
2	Las Vegas Raiders	Allegiant Stadium	$14.99
3	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Raymond James Stadium	$14.25
4	San Francisco 49ers	Levi’s Stadium	$14.00
4	Los Angeles Chargers	SoFi Stadium	$14.00
4	Los Angeles Rams	SoFi Stadium	$14.00
7	New York Giants	MetLife Stadium	$13.00
7	New York Jets	MetLife Stadium	$13.00
9	Houston Texans	NRG Stadium	$12.79
10	Miami Dolphins	Hard Rock Stadium	$12.00
11	New Orleans Saints	Caesars Superdome	$11.75
12	Chicago Bears	Soldier Field	$11.25
13	Philadelphia Eagles	Lincoln Financial Field	$11.24
14	Baltimore Ravens	M&T Bank Stadium	$10.99
15	Tennessee Titans	Nissan Stadium	$10.73
16	Green Bay Packers	Lambeau Field	$10.50
17	Carolina Panthers	Bank of America Stadium	$10.49
18	Jacksonville Jaguars	TIAA Bank Field	$10.24
19	Pittsburgh Steelers	Acrisure Stadium	$9.99
20	Dallas Cowboys	AT&T Stadium	$9.71
20	Seattle Seahawks	Lumen Field	$9.71
22	Buffalo Bills	Highmark Stadium	$9.40
23	Kansas City Chiefs	Arrowhead Stadium	$9.20
24	New England Patriots	Gillette Stadium	$8.58
25	Atlanta Falcons	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	$8.50
26	Arizona Cardinals	State Farm Stadium	$8.31
27	Denver Broncos	Empower Field at Mile High	$8.29
28	Indianapolis Colts	Lucas Oil Stadium	$8.18
29	Minnesota Vikings	U.S. Bank Stadium	$8.05
30	Detroit Lions	Ford Field	$7.20
31	Cleveland Browns	Cleveland Browns Stadium	$7.15
32	Cincinnati Bengals	Paycor Stadium	$6.80

Beer Price Leaders and Losers

Most Expensive: Washington Commanders — $16.49 for a 16 oz pour. That’s nearly the price of a six-pack at your local craft beer shop.
Most Affordable: Cincinnati Bengals — $6.80, proving that the Queen City still knows how to take care of its fans.
Biggest “What the Hell?” Moment: Philadelphia Eagles — $11.24 standard… but an $18.50 Miller Lite made headlines this preseason.

Why the Huge Price Differences?

A lot of factors go into these prices:

Market size and cost of living (New York, LA, DC tend to be pricier)
Team ownership philosophy (some owners see concessions as profit goldmines, others try to keep them affordable)
Stadium contracts with vendors and distributors
Fan demand and willingness to pay

And of course, once you’re in the stadium, they’ve got you. No outside beverages allowed, and unless you’re nursing a $6.50 bottle of water, you’re paying the going rate for beer.

A Craft Beer Fan’s Perspective

Here at The Beer Thrillers, we’re all about quality, variety, and flavor. So when I see someone dropping $16 on a watery macro lager, my beer-loving heart hurts. That same $16 could get you a hazy IPA from a local brewery, a barrel-aged stout, or three pours at your favorite taproom.

That said… when you’re in the middle of a roaring stadium, your team is in the red zone, and the crowd is electric — maybe, just maybe — the beer tastes a little better (even if your wallet feels lighter).

Final Take

Beer prices in NFL stadiums are going nowhere but up. If you’re a die-hard fan, budget accordingly. If you’re a craft beer drinker, maybe save your serious sipping for the pregame tailgate or post-game brewery stop.

Either way, beer and football aren’t breaking up anytime soon.

Sources:

VinePair – NFL Stadium Beer Prices 2024
AmericanCraftBeer.com – Beer Prices at Every NFL Stadium
The Sun – Eagles Fans React to $18.50 Beer

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The Science Behind Terpenes: What Craft Beer and Cannabis Have in Common

Aperture Team — Sat, 19 Jul 2025 00:00:41 +0000

The Science Behind Terpenes: What Craft Beer and Cannabis Have in Common

(Please note this is a guest post written by carolinahempcafe.com with the Aperture Team. All information herein is provided by them.)

Walk into your local brewery and take a deep whiff – there’s a good chance that the citrusy haze, piney punch, or dank earthiness in the air doesn’t just come from hops.

Terpenes, the aromatic compounds responsible for the flavor and scent of both craft beer and cannabis, are the shared language of these two indulgences.

Whether you’re a hop head or a seasoned toker, understanding terpenes can reveal a vibrant intersection where the two meet.

Cannabis and Hop plant leaves

What Are Terpenes?

Terpenes are naturally occurring aromatic compounds found in many plants, but they’re especially concentrated in cannabis and hops, two close botanical cousins. These compounds give plants their distinct smells and contribute to their effects.

Linalool, for instance, lends lavender its calming scent. Pinene gives pine trees – and certain cannabis strains and hops – their sharp, woodsy aroma.

In cannabis, terpenes don’t just shape aroma and taste. They interact with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to produce what’s called the entourage effect, a phenomenon where compounds work synergistically to create a more balanced and beneficial overall experience.

Similarly, in beer, terpenes from hops influence not only aroma and taste, but also mouthfeel and even perceived bitterness.

The Cannabis–Craft Beer Connection

Hops (humulus lupulus) and cannabis (cannabis sativa) both belong to the Cannabaceae family, which explains their overlapping terpene profiles. In fact, some of the most prized hop varieties used in IPAs, such as Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe, are rich in the same terpenes found in top-shelf cannabis strains.

Here are a few examples of shared terpenes:

Myrcene: Found in both mangoes and cannabis, it gives a musky, herbal aroma. In beer, it contributes to earthy, slightly fruity notes.
Limonene: Bright and citrusy. In cannabis, it often appears in sativa strains and imparts uplifting effects. In beer, it sharpens up hazy IPAs and sour ales.
Caryophyllene: Spicy and peppery. This terpene binds to CB2 receptors in the body, giving it anti-inflammatory potential. In beer, it shows up in saisons and darker ales.
Pinene: As the name suggests, it smells like pine needles and is prominent in West Coast IPAs and strains like Jack Herer.

Terpene-Driven Pairings: Beer and Bud

Pairing cannabis and beer isn’t just about chasing a high or a buzz.

It’s about layering flavors, aromas, and even effects to create a fuller, more flavorful sensory experience.

Think of it like pairing wine with cheese or coffee with dessert – if you get it right, both elevate each other.

1. Citrusy IPA + Limonene-Dominant Pre-Roll

Try pairing a hazy, citrus-heavy IPA (like a New England-style IPA with Citra or Amarillo hops) with a limonene-rich strain such as Super Lemon Haze or Tangie. The citrusy zing of both the beer and bud harmonize beautifully, offering an uplifting, energetic vibe.

Try a THCA pre-roll with a citrus-forward profile from Carolina Hemp Cafe for the ultimate sunny afternoon combo.

2. Dank Double IPA + Myrcene Bomb

If you enjoy heavy-hitting flavor, a West Coast double IPA with notes of resin, pine, and funk will go hand-in-hand with a strong indica featuring high myrcene levels. These combos can be sedating, perfect for winding down in the evening.

3. Spiced Saison + Caryophyllene-Packed Bud

Saisons often feature spice and peppery notes, which match beautifully with cannabis strains rich in caryophyllene. This pairing has a culinary edge – think black pepper, cloves, and roasted herbs. Great for an early evening tasting session or pairing with grilled food.

4. Sour Ale + Floral or Herbal Strain

Sour beers, especially fruited sours and goses, work well with lighter, more floral cannabis strains that won’t overwhelm the delicate tartness. Look for strains like Lavender or Jack Herer and a gose brewed with fruit like passionfruit or hibiscus.

Tips for Enjoying Both Responsibly

Cannabis and alcohol both influence your central nervous system, so combining them requires some thought and moderation. Here’s how to do it properly:

Start Low and Go Slow: Begin with low-ABV beers and lower-potency cannabis (like THCA flower or THCA pre-rolls). Ease your way in to appreciate the experience, not just the effect.
Time Your Consumption: Consider spacing them out – smoke or vape first, then sip your beer. You’ll have a better sense of how each is affecting you.
Eat Something: Pairings don’t have to stop at beer and bud. Add food – like a savory charcuterie board, a salty pretzel, or sweet dark chocolate – to anchor the flavors and keep your head clear.
Stay Hydrated: Cannabis can dry your mouth. Alcohol dehydrates you. Water should be your best friend during any session.
Know the Law: Public consumption of cannabis is still illegal in most areas. Always check local regulations before lighting up.

Terpene Tourism: The Future of Beer and Bud Culture

As legalization spreads and craft culture continues to explode, we’re seeing a rise in “terpene tourism.” Think cannabis and beer tasting events, aroma workshops, and hybrid venues offering both in a curated environment. Some dispensaries even label terpene profiles as clearly as breweries label IBU and hop varieties.

This is especially true in states like California, Oregon, and Colorado where the craft beer and cannabis industries coexist legally. Brands are already collaborating, using hemp-derived terpenes to flavor non-alcoholic beers and creating co-branded experiences for educated consumers.

And on the East Coast, brands like Carolina Hemp Cafe are starting to bring that same elevated culture to the South. Whether you’re looking for an infused drink, a terpene-rich pre-roll, or just some solid education, they’re helping redefine what it means to enjoy hemp.

Wrapping It Up

Terpenes are the bridge between cannabis and craft beer – a shared aromatic language that invites us to explore deeper, more meaningful flavor experiences.

Whether you’re pairing a piney IPA with a rich THCA flower strain or just enjoying a lemony sativa on a hot day with a citrus lager, the goal is the same: to slow down, tune in, and taste every note.

So next time you’re cracking open a cold one, consider rolling something up to match. The world of aroma and flavor is bigger (and more fun!) when you let both plants speak.

(Please note this was a guest post written by carolinahempcafe.com with the Aperture Team. All information herein is provided by them.)

See Our Other Related Articles

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server).

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.