By Fabiana Santana
The Daily Meal

There's nothing like a cold beer on Super Bowl Sunday. According to the USDA, Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest food consumption day of the year, behind Thanksgiving, and we're sure it's right up there in drink consumption too. You could make things simple and pick up a case of whatever is on sale to go with the nonstop rotation of wings, burgers, chili, chips, and more, but if you want to enjoy your beer as much as you are going to enjoy watching the game, think beyond your price club card when selecting Super Bowl beer.

Even though you could hunt down a brew that's made by monks for the ultimate in conversation-creating crafts, you might want to focus on food-friendly beers, instead.

Try serving a few different styles of beer. Set out, for example, ale, stout, and wheat beer so you can cover all the cravings of a crowd. Some will insist on bottles, while others want the nostalgia of a can. Also, consider how much food you’ll be serving, or eating, so that you can pace yourself accordingly. Nothing will suck more than sleeping through the second quarter and Katy Perry’s possible wardrobe malfunction, so save the heavy stuff for the latter half of the day. Here is a list of beers available that will complement the meat-centric and snack-happy menus that are musts on Super Bowl Sunday, but are equally as impressive as standalone suds.

Best Beers For Watching Super Bowl

 

Dale's Pale Ale

Even anti-canned-beer snobs will line up for Dale's. The award-winning pale ale delivers floral hops with a balanced flavor that pairs nicely with BBQ, burgers, sauced-up wings and sausage. Eager to set out a halftime showstopper? Try making a beer can chicken -- using a can of Dale's, natch.

 

Shiner Bock Dark Lager

If you're serving up an order of pig while the pigskin is passing hands on TV, then make sure to have some Shiner Bock on hand. Monks actually used to drink Bock to sustain themselves during the 40-day Lenten fast because of its nutritional value. Despite its heartiness, it pairs well with pork, game meats, and heavier meat dishes like chili. Amp it up a level and use Shiner Bock to flavor your chili, too.

 

Bud

Whether it's Bud, Bud Lite, or one of Bud's lime-spiked concoctions, have something from the brand on ice. Bud may not be the most sophisticated beer you've ever had, but chances are it's the first one you tried, so it screams Americana, just like the Super Bowl. No one will hate you if you set up a White Castle Crave Case of sliders right near the cooler, either.

 

New Belgium Mothership Wit

Wheat beers are easy drinkers, but that doesn't mean they should be boring. The organic Mothership Wit is brewed with wheat and barley malt, coriander, and orange peel spice, and has flavor notes of clove and banana that manages to be spicy, herbal, and citrusy sour all at the same time. This is a refreshing brew, so it will play nicely with rich dips like hummus.

 

Fuller's London Porter

Fuller's London Porter is a modern version of a classic porter-style beer. Fuller’s award-winning take is smooth and rich with flavors of coffee and chocolate. It’s one that will showcase the flavors of steak perfectly, so if steaks, steak tacos, steak sandwiches, and the like are on your menu, Fuller’s London Porter should be, too.

 

Legend Brown Ale

If you've got a crew that is new to craft beer drinking, Legend Brown will be a great intro beer for them. It's got loads of flavor (caramel, toasted nuts, coffee, molasses) and pairs well with the bread/meat/cheese combos that are so popular on game day. It's the brewery’s most popular beer and one that could wind up being a fan favorite.

 

Funky Buddha Maple Bacon Coffee Porter

Funky Buddha's popular Maple Bacon Coffee Porter is back in stock again at Florida’s Funky Buddha Brewery on January 15, so get your plane tickets or credit cards ready to order up a storm of this stuff. The name says it all -- this beer is a perfect balance of maple syrup, bacon, and coffee. None overwhelm, but all are present like the perfect diner-style breakfast.

 

Beer Here Mørke Pumpernickel Porter

Shock and awe your guests with Mørke's Pumpernickel Porter. The Danish brewery set out to create a beer that was as lush and dark as the bread it's modeled after and tastes as savory and sweet. It's a fun finger-food beer created by Christian Skovdal Anderson, former brew master at the award-winning Ølfabrikken. His motto is "Don’t waste your thirst," and you won't with this food-friendly brew. For complete list of Best Beers To Drink While Watching Super Bowl, go to TheDailyMeal.com.

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For the complete list of the Best Beers To Drink While Watching The Super Bowl, go to TheDailyMeal.com.

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