Ballpark/stadium beer

[zacster]

I was at Citifield a couple of weeks ago for a Mets game, and they have a huge selection of beers to try, so of course I did. The thing is, after drinking 3 or 4 brews, I didn't actually feel it. Now we all talk about the watered down beer at the game, but is this really the case? My IPA definitely was not the 7% I expect, more a session version.

I did notice that all bottles and cans were packaged in a way that is different from generally available beer (not that I buy much commercial brew anymore). Some of it is in aluminum "bottles", cans are narrower, or brews that aren't generally available in cans are at the ballpark. So are the brewers producing lighter ballpark versions of their brews?

Some of this is for safety, glass bottles are heavy, and not allowed to be taken. But a bunch of rowdy fans is also a safety hazard!

What do you all think?

 

[ColoHox]

Were they the gas-station 3.2ABW versions?

I've never seen lighter versions of beer just at the stadiums. That seems like an unnecessary packaging problem for the breweries.

 

[Paulthebrewer]

I read something recently about macrobreweries making "Stadium Kegs" in some states. Supposedly they make a lighter version of the beer for sale at the stadium. I'm not sure if it's true; having said that, it was on the internet so it must be true!

 

[nettekdl]

A news station in my area did a report a few months back where they bought several craft beers at the local baseball stadium and sent them Into a lab, everyone of them came back with a significantly low abv. These were all kegged beers suspected of being cut with seltzer but of course the ball park denied everything and blamed a bad lab report

 

[Natdavis777]

My word, its bad enough that they charge an arm and a leg for an Old Style or Bud Light, but now they are going to start cutting it on us too??

Its beer, not cocaine...

 

[bobeer]

Wow... if this is true what a crock! I typically don't drink too much at a sporting event because it's just too expensive when you put the ticket cost and parking on top of what you spend at the game. Now, I'll think twice if I really NEED a beer...

I'm just outside of DC so I go to a lot of Caps games. They have a Greene Turtle sports bar attached to the stadium; but it's not part of the stadium. During intermissions I jet down there and tip a couple beers and watch the intermission on TV. Once it gets close to the next period starting I jet back up to my seat and enjoy the game. At least I know I'm not getting a watered down beer!

Although, lately, ever since the last NHL lockout, I've been happily watching all the games at home on my 55 inch TV, surround sound, and "free" homebrew. :rockin: Maybe this Winter I'll venture out and catch a game or two again.

 

[Peruvian802]

Several west coast stadiums have been accused of this.

 

[eric19312]

$12 for a goose island IPA at Yankee stadium - came in a big cup - now I'm wondering.

 

[JonM]

I'd be very surprised if this were true. (It's possible, sure - there was that scandal where a stadium had a "large" and "small" that held the same volume) but it just doesn't sound right. I'd think it would be a consumer protection law violation that would open them (the team, the breweries, etc.) up to massive fines, class action suits, and so on.

My gut says you're out in the sun, having fun, eating a lot, etc and that's why you don't feel as buzzed as you do when you're just hanging out at home or at a bar.

 

[Brew_G]

That's what you get for paying to go to a baseball game.

:fro:

 

[A2HB]

It's been confirmed to happen

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...ng-watered-down-beer-report-article-1.2009339

 

[JonM]

Eh, I'm not so sure about that. There were some pretty serious concerns about the TV station's methods and most of the samples were within a specific tolerance (set by federal law) that allows for ABV to be plus or minus a bit.

 

[zacster]

I went to see the Milwaukee Brewers (at the aptly named Miller Park), and the beer there felt as watered down as at Citifield. I was with a lot of the same people as at Citifield too, and they all thought the same. (It was a work group at Citifield, and we are on a project in the north burbs of Chicago. The Cubs weren't in town and the locals said that Miller was actually easier to get to than Wrigley.)

Citifield has Miller Park beat hands down for food. And while Miller has beer other than their own, Citifield has a much bigger selection, although it was all tasteless if you ask me.

 

[JonM]

I'm going to go on record as saying that the watered down beer at the ballpark thing is right up there with the oxygen in casinos thing and the rumors about how and when to buy gasoline - i.e, bulls&*t.

 

[Zekk]

I was at Angels Stadium a few weeks ago and drank a handful of Coors Lights with out eating and had a good buzz going. Didn't taste any more watered down than usual

 

[zacster]

I'm going to go on record as saying that the watered down beer at the ballpark thing is right up there with the oxygen in casinos thing and the rumors about how and when to buy gasoline - i.e, bulls&*t.

Even though I believe in what I myself tasted, I wouldn't put money on this theory myself either.

 

[kh54s10]

Whatever.... If you are in a venue like that you are going to pay $$$ for ???? Buy a couple but........

If you are looking for good beer, look elsewhere......

 

[Spartan300man]

SL Cardinals stadium had the aluminum cans for $8.50 each from the BeerMan, and then they had draft beer at the concession stands for $9 (I think it was a pint). The aluminum cans cool faster, so they save energy. The cans can be recycled easier, and crushed to save space, and they surely can't have glass bottles that could be thrown around. Now that Bud has bought Goose Island, at least the Goose Island IPA is a decent brew to drink at a game compared to the MegaBrew swill typically served.
I have gone to several minor league games, that is where you get the great food and the wider assortment of craft beer. And the tix and parking are both under $10 each.

 

[Spartan300man]

(It was a work group at Citifield, and we are on a project in the north burbs of Chicago. The Cubs weren't in town and the locals said that Miller was actually easier to get to than Wrigley.)

From the far north suburbs, you can take the Metra train into town, and then transfer over to the L-train in Evanston. The L-train has a stop right on the corner of Wrigley. You can't get much easier than that.

When I had some friends going to Northwestern, we used to drive to the Evanston station and park there, and then take the L right to the Addison station at the corner of the ballpark.

 

[zacster]

From the far north suburbs, you can take the Metra train into town, and then transfer over to the L-train in Evanston. The L-train has a stop right on the corner of Wrigley. You can't get much easier than that.

When I had some friends going to Northwestern, we used to drive to the Evanston station and park there, and then take the L right to the Addison station at the corner of the ballpark.

Next time we are definitely going to Wrigley. The Cubs weren't in town last week when I was there anyway.

 

[plumbrew]

Whatever.... If you are in a venue like that you are going to pay $$$ for ???? Buy a couple but........

If you are looking for good beer, look elsewhere......

+1. When I go to ballgames, I usually get downtown about 2 hours before game time and hang out in a bar close to the stadium and "front load." Beer is cheaper, and I know what the quality will be, and then it limits me to one insanely expensive (and not as good) beer in the stadium.

 

[Spartan300man]

+1. When I go to ballgames, I usually get downtown about 2 hours before game time and hang out in a bar close to the stadium and "front load." Beer is cheaper, and I know what the quality will be, and then it limits me to one insanely expensive (and not as good) beer in the stadium.

Yep, IPA pint for $6 at the venue right outside of the stadium, and $9 for a pint of Bud light inside the stadium. I'm tempted to bring in my old wineskin flask from college football games.

 

[Natdavis777]

Last Cubs game we went to, we hung out @ Hopleaf for a bit before heading to the game... Money well spent. May have had a Manhattan or two before going to Hopleaf.


It was a good day

 

[Spartan300man]

Last Cubs game we went to, we hung out @ Hopleaf for a bit before heading to the game... Money well spent. May have had a Manhattan or two before going to Hopleaf.

I've heard about that place...for both the beer menu and the food! When I am up on the northside in that general area, I'm over on Argyle in Little Saigon getting barbecue pork hanging from the hooks.

 

[Natdavis777]

My buddy and his fiance live up on Sheridan and Bryn Mawr. I think they are moving south to Lincoln Park though. Ill have to check that place out next time I am up.

 

[Spartan300man]

I have not been there, but take a look at Kuma's- supposed to be one of the best burgers in Chicago, (and heavy metal type atmosphere?) Not my style of music, but just sounds fun,....and also Revolution Brewing tour and tap room. Two places that are on my list of To-Dos.
Oh, and also Half Acre brewing tour, and Metropolitan Brewing. Also on my To-do list. The list keeps growing.

 

[Natdavis777]

I love Half Acre... I really want to talk my wife into a long weekend up there so I can go there and Pipeworks. Had some Ninja vs Unicorn this past weekend.

 

[zacster]

As far as I could tell there were no pubs around Miller Park in Milwaukee, nor are there any around Citifield. Yankee Stadium has some. Wrigley is good this way as it is surrounded by bars, but I've never been.

Next time I'm in Chicago...and definitely will take the train.

 

[Talgrath]

The issue has come up in Seattle of all places too. Though it's worth noting all the beers tested are sort of garbage anyway...

http://www.komonews.com/news/business/Watered-down-beer-at-CenturyLink-282344591.html

 

[JonM]

As far as I could tell there were no pubs around Miller Park in Milwaukee, nor are there any around Citifield. Yankee Stadium has some. Wrigley is good this way as it is surrounded by bars, but I've never been.

Next time I'm in Chicago...and definitely will take the train.

Pub? Before a game? Who the hell needs a pub? We tailgate up here.


Pubs for the pregame. Pshhh. Stadium area pubs are for after the Sheriff's Dept. throws you out of the parking lot after the game.