Craft Beer for the Breedersʼ Cup

Sometimes the universe points you in the right direction if youʼre receptive. The list of Breedersʼ Cup contenders clearly speaks about which adult beverage you should serve while watching the races.
Iʼll explain, briefly, and then we can get to some recommendations.
Despite the presence of Red Vine (a licorice candy brand but it reminds me of grapes), Wedding Toast (sparkling wine, anyone?) and Manhattan Dan (“Mad Men” cocktails, even though itʼs not Manhattan Don) another drink has a stronger pull. How could you not opt for beer with names like these? Tap to It, Hoppertunity and Frosted. Thereʼs also Undrafted and Untapable, which still point in the same direction but seem to present obstacles. Someone ought to have beer since The Pizza Man will be there.
The Breedersʼ Cup deserves more than standard domestic suds though. We should venture farther afield, choose something more adventurous. I wanted to share some choice brews from Kentucky (“Go Blue or Go Home”) but had to change since there are none on the shelves in New Orleans.
If youʼre going to be in Lexington for the big races, by all means, enjoy local options. Follow the Brewgrass Trail, I can heartily endorse Blue Stallion Brewing (hereʼs my piece from last year). However, lots more people will be watching from a distance than in person, so here are some thoughts.
I wonʼt bother writing about New Glarus or Three Floyds or even Bellʼs because if you live where you can get them and you donʼt know them, shame on you. Most of us can only salivate from afar. I will also avoid some good, very local beer I have tasted in my travels because they are not widely available. At the risk of boring beer geeks, Iʼm going to offer something a bit off the beaten path but obtainable, although there are no guarantees. Oh, and some horse labels and names, of course.
First, some favorites, by no means an exhaustive list of offerings:
Oskar Blues started in Colorado but has expanded considerably. I was thrilled to find a mixed 12-pack in New Orleans. The brewery’s signature beer is Daleʼs Pale Ale, which has a nice, hoppy snap on the nose and finish. Also check out Mamaʼs Little Yella Pils, a very easy beer to drink that still tastes like something. The mixed pack is a bonus for a party: variety without too much to buy.
 Dogfish Head, located in Delaware, made a name for itself with IPAs (India Pale Ales). The style arose because regular pale ales didnʼt stand up to the trip from England to India, so more hops were added and a tradition was born. Dogfish makes two classics, 60 Minute IPA and 90 Minute IPA. The 60-minute version is what I expect from an IPA and the 90 is much more of an intense sipper.
Allagash specializes in Belgian-style beer but brews them in Portland, Maine. The most widely available beer is the White, a seasoned wheat beer that is a delight on a warm day and also great with spicy food. I am also partial to the Tripel, a golden ale that puts most others to shame. Then there is Curieux, an ale aged in Jim Beam casks which is perfect for cool weather sipping ... and Kentucky races.
 Stone Brewing Co. spreads some West Coast happiness with their IPA, in particular. The intensity is there but it is not a Frankenstein, one and done style. This is very drinkable beer and a great example of why IPA is one of the most popular styles around. Look for their Arrogant Bastard Ale (“Youʼre Not Worthy”) and embrace the challenge.
Quick Sip Clips by Dogfish Head: 90 Minute IPA

Also from the state of California, try some Lagunitas (la-goon-EET-us). The Pils is beautiful and guzzleable, the IPA is a calling card and their Censored is a wonderful style (Rich Copper Ale) that almost everyone will enjoy and almost no one knows. Brewery Ommegang hails from Cooperstown, N.Y. and was part of the Taste NY series at Saratoga this past summer (read about my experience here). They brew in a Belgian style but arenʼt afraid to experiment. My happiest surprise was the Rare VOS, an amber ale with some of the same flavorings as their Witte (white wheat) that I called “Witte on steroids” and a man pouring called “drinkable complexity.” Also look for their Hennepin, a Farmhouse Saison, which offers great depth of flavor without being heavy.
Donʼt worry, I didnʼt forget those who might want something bigger and richer ... and darker. I adore the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter. It comes from the town of the same name in Colorado and is one of my top dark beers ever. Itʼs creamy and smooth but not sweet, though if you want it sweet, try this. This lefty is also a big fan of Left Hand Brewingʼs Milk Stout. Yes, this is creamy and a bit sweet but offers delectable roasted flavors and delights my palate. If you can, get the Nitro version, which is the best carbonation system available in a take home version. They have also been doing this for more than 20 years, so donʼt be afraid to experiment with other selections.
Every one of the breweries listed above has an option on its website to find the company’s beer, which will make it easy for you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Are you listening wineries?

Stone IPA

Weʼll wrap this up with a few quick thoughts about horse labels and a nod to betting. I have tried none of these beers and pass them along solely for the name/label. There is Horseheads Brewing out of Horseheads, N.Y. The Black Horse Ale seems to be their flagship offering. Iron Horse (no relation to the winery of the same name) brews out of the state of Washington and has a horse on their IPA label. Dark Horse makes wild-sounding beers in Michigan and piqued my interest. The labels are eye-catching and some reviews value the beer as well. They are unrelated to Dark Horse Wines, which I reviewed this past summer.
Finally, if you donʼt love favorites and want something more unusual, seek out the Longshot series from Sam Adams. They offer a mixed six-pack of beers made by home brewers that entered a contest.

There is a lot to consider here, experiment, have fun. Next week there will be even more options when I explore things to do in and around Lexington during Breedersʼ Cup.