Craft Beer and Movie Pairings: Oscar Edition
Do we need another excuse to drink good beer? Nope. Did we find one anyway? Yep. Cue up one of these Oscar-winning movies of years past and enjoy one (or three) Acadamy-approved pairings.
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2004 Winner) British Pale Ale
Beer was the most popular drink in middle earth, and it was often consumed in large quantities out of metal steins. The British Pale Ale style was originally brewed with very rich, hard water (something that would have likely been available in the shire), and typically has low alcohol content. This noble choice would not impede one's ability to protect the ring.
Million Dollar Baby (2005 Winner) | Porter
The dark, bold, and roasty flavors often found in porter-style beers will be your ringside companion for this edgy drama. Historically an English style, the newer American-style porters are often available in a range of alcohol content, from lightweight (4%) to fairly heavyweight (8%).
Commercial examples: Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald, Founders Porter, Deschutes Black Butte, Sierra Nevada Porter
Crash (2006 Winner) | American IPA
Known for its spicy, citric, and bitter flavors, the American IPA pairs well with the hard-edged grittiness Crash's plot and characters. The film is set in Los Angeles, and California is one of the main stomping grounds for the ever-popular West Coast IPA style, further solidifying these partners in crime.
Commercial examples: Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Russian River Blind Pig, New Belgium Ranger IPA, Harpoon IPA, Surly Furious
The Departed (2007 Winner) | American Rye Ale
American gangsters are synonymous with back room deals and strong drinks. This uniquely American style of beer that often flies under the radar (like a good mobster deal) can have notes of spice, slight sourness, and rye whiskey.
Commercial examples: Founders Red's Rye PA, Sierra Nevada Ruthless Rye, Sixpoint Righteous Ale, Boulevard Rye-On-Rye
No Country for Old Men (2008 Winner) | Bock
Set in 1980's Texas, this thriller is deserving of a beer that is is dark like oil but drinkable enough to quench desert-crossing thirst. Also known as a "symbol for better times to come", the bock is a perfect match for this talkie.
Commercial examples: Shiner Bock, Anchor Bock, Samuel Adams Winter Lager, New Glarus Back Forty Bock
Slumdog Millionaire (2009 Winner) | Light Lager
The mild bread and malt flavors of Indian (or Indian-inspired) lagers will serve as an unassuming yet welcome companion to the dramatic trials and triumphs of this spicy, savory, and sweet story. And, you should be able to acquire some for less than one million rupees!
The Hurt Locker (2010 Winner) | American Strong Ale
What could be more American and strong than an American Strong Ale? Pair this intense, forceful military flick with an equally strong liquid comrade.
Commercial examples: Lagunitas Wilco Tango Foxtrot, Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale, Great Lakes Nosferatu, Sierra Nevada Life & Limb
The King's Speech (2011 Winner) | English Bitter
English culture and English Bitters can be described using the same three adjectives: dry, clean, and unoffensive. England's staple beer of both past and present, the Bitter is often served with low carbonation and close to room temperature and - leaving more room in the fridge for leftover bangers and mash.
Commercial examples: Fuller's ESB, Redhook ESB, Shipyard Old Thumper, Honker's Ale
The Artist and the Bière de Garde style both exemplify romance, art, and French culture. Known for toasted malt flavors, noble hop aromas, and fruity esters, the Bière de Garde is a complex yet balanced beer that will keep your mouth happy during this silent film.
Commercial examples: Ommegang Bière D'Hougoumont, Jolly Pumpkin Oro De Calabaza, Two Brothers Dumaine DuPage, New Belgium Biere De Mars
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