Put Another Log On: Top Beers For Sitting By The Fire

When you think of Fall, you think of football, cooking out and campfires. And what goes great with those events? Beer, of course.

The question then becomes, “What beer should I bring?”, and that’s a question with many answers as everyone’s beer taste is different. With that in mind, I polled some friends to find out what kind of beers they enjoyed when sitting around the campfire.

The answers I received spread across the beer spectrum and even crossed over into spirits, from Upland’s Dragonfly IPA to Rogue’s American Ale to a nice glass of scotch. And plenty had the macro brews on their list: Coors Light, Bud Light, PBR, Hamms, etc.
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Those are excellent choices, even the macros, but when I think of sitting around a campfire I envision myself drinking a light, yet flavorful beer.

​Sun King Oktoberfest – When it comes to beer, Oktoberfest is the quintessential “Fall” beer and Sun King’s version is one of the best. At 5.8 percent ABV, Oktoberfest is light enough to drink multiple of – I drank a 32 oz. bullet without even realizing it. The beer leaves a crisp, clean, earthy finish.

Samuel Adams Bonfire Rauchbier - A bonfire and a campfire are somewhat similar, so why not enjoy a beer with bonfire in the name? Unfortunately Sam Adams only brews this beer as a limited release so it can be difficult to find. A smoky beer and smoky campfire might be too much for some people, but it’s a great beer to accent the evening. It’s got similar flavor notes to the Sun King Oktoberfest and comes in at 5.7 percent ABV.

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale - Oktoberfest isn’t the only style of beer that dominates the Fall landscape. Pumpkin beers have become a staple among craft beer enthusiasts over the past couple years and Dogfish Head makes a solid version. At 7.0 percent ABV you might not be able to down more than a couple, but Punkin Ale has great flavors. Made with pumpkin meat, brown sugar and spices, Punkin Ale will leave you happy, hearty, and warm, even while standing next to a fire.

Coors Light, Bud Light, PBR, etc. - Four great craft beers and…macros? I know, it’s a little odd, but most of us start out drinking macros and they are still a staple of any get-together. Whether you’re a Coors, Budweiser or Miller fan, there is room for everyone at a campfire. What they lack in flavor, they make up in…well price. You can buy close to a case of Coors Light for the price of a 6-pack of craft beer and it’s easier to share 24 beers than six.

No matter what your favorite beer is to drink on a brisk, Saturday evening while standing next to a giant campfire, just make sure you bring enough to share.

And speaking of sharing, make sure you let us know what your favorite campfire beer is in the comments below.
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