Sippin’ and gamin’: The greatest things to do while enjoying a great craft beer
Let’s get real: If you’re the kind of person who gets absurdly excited about a new drop of hazy IPA or makes your mates try “just one sip” of your favorite saison, you understand craft beer isn’t a drink to consume – it’s a lifestyle. It’s taste, it’s experience, and good times. And if you’re cracking open a chilled can of small-batch magic, you might as well make a moment out of it.
But what on earth are you supposed to do with it as you drink that double dry-hopped gem? I mean, of course, you can simply sit there and enjoy it (and no shame if so), but sometimes it’s fun to have that beer accompanied by something fun to watch – alone or with a pair of your beer enthusiast friends. So here are some of the best methods to elevate your beer time. Among them is playing a virtual roulette wheel for free bonus cash. Interested? Keep reading.
Backyard beer games never go out of style
You know what pairs beautifully with a crisp Kölsch or a crushable pale ale? A little friendly competition. If you’ve got a backyard, or even just a driveway and a little imagination, a few classic beer games can turn a chill hangout into a legendary one.
Research has found that just the sip of a beer can trigger a release of dopamine, which is assciated with pleasure and reward. So just from that one sip, you will feel more happy – so combining this sensation with fun games will only further elevate your spirit! Think cornhole, Jenga XL, beer pong, flip cup – the classics. Or create your own “beer Olympics.” I have played a game that involved a kiddie pool, rubber ducks, and a timer. Don’t question it. Keep ABV lighty – you won’t regret it, drinking a 9% DIPA during the middle of a relay is a new mistake that you’ll only make once.
Craft beer meets online casino vibe
Alright. I realize this one. This is a bit of a left field reply, but hear me out: Sitting in my home playing casino games online. And. Having a craft beer beside me. It kinda rocks. I accidentally stumbled upon it one evening after cracking open a peanut butter stout and browsing through my phone for something to do that did not involve watching The Office for the tenth time. I landed on an online casino website with a wild sign-up bonus (more like, 100 free spins sort of wild). So I thought… why not?
Couple of hours, I was enjoying a porter, playing blackjack against a real dealer in a livestream, and getting the thrill of turning bonus spins into some money. It was weirdly calming. Low stakes, high vibes. If you’re even mildly into games of chance and you’ve got a beer to nurse, give it a try. Just make sure you’re playing on a legit site, and don’t go overboard. Set a limit, chase the bonuses, and let the beer be the main event. And a small pro tip for you: Go and check out the many types of bonuses and free spins no deposit to make the most out of your starting funds.
DIY beer and cheese pairing night – for the fancy in you
Okay, maybe you’re feeling a little bougie. Maybe that oak-aged saison deserves better than just sipping it while scrolling Instagram. Time to break out the charcuterie board and do a beer and cheese pairing night.
Seriously, it’s not that hard. Sharp cheddar and IPAs get along great. Brie? Wheat beer. Blue cheese? That’s what stouts are for. You don’t need to be a cicerone or anything – grab some cheeses, a flight of beers, and enjoy yourselves. It’s a great date night idea, too. Or a fun excuse to invite a couple friends over and act like you’re all foodies for the evening.
Virtual brewery tours — for the lazy traveler
Can’t afford a beercation right now? No worries. A lot of breweries, especially after COVID hit, started doing virtual tours and livestream tastings. And some of them still do!
Order a tasting pack online, fire up your laptop, and the next thing you know you’re sipping in solidarity with a brewer in Vermont, or Belgium, or Oregon, and talking malt bills and dry hopping while sitting on your couch in sweatpants. It’s kind of magical. Add some snacks and you’ve got yourself a low-key, no-fuss beer night with some actual education thrown in. Look at you, getting cultured.
Beer in the kitchen: Not just for drinking
Cooking with beer is criminally underrated. Whether it’s beer chili, IPA-marinated chicken, or a stout-infused chocolate cake – the options are endless and delicious.
I like to crack one open to drink, and use another in the recipe. Doubles the fun. A good saison works wonders in mussels, and if you’ve never made beer bread before… Well, go fix that. Bonus: You’ll impress your friends and end up with food that smells like a brewpub. Win-win.
Low-key virtual game night + beer = Peak comfort
There are days when the best nights are the ones where no one leaves their house. Light up a Zoom call, hop on a session of Jackbox, or play something ridiculous and silly like Internet Pictionary. Add craft beer to the mix and before you know it, you all are having a better time than you’d have at an over-hyped sold-out bar where the music is too loud and the IPA costs $11.
Add some beer trivia or “drink if you lose” rules. You’ll be amazed – by the third round of fibbing your way through a game of Fibbage, you’ll all be laughing far too hard.
Wrap it up already
The moral of the story? Good beer deserves good companionship, or a good time at least. Whether it’s cooking, playing games, pairing, or just easy cash in an online poker room, the thought is to enjoy the experience, not the beverage.
So, next time you’ve got a juicy NEIPA or a crisp Vienna lager calling your name, ask yourself: What would make this beer moment even better?
