Tailgating Prep Checklist: Drink

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Friendships that are made in the parking lot last forever.

— Joe “The Commish” Cahn, the self-proclaimed Commissioner of Tailgating

Game-Day Lineup

While nothing is out of bounds at a tailgate, drinks tend to differ by region – sometimes based on climate or the food served, said Hurley.

“In the South, the weather stays warmer longer, and that keeps cold beer at the top of the list most of fall,” he said. “When you get into the Northeast, you see more bourbons and vodkas, but still a whole lot of beer. Wine is a favorite all over, but more so out West.”

White and red wines are equally popular with partygoers, and which wines you choose will depend on your wallet, region, method of refrigeration and food pairings. Boxed wines are safe – no glass to break – and are easy to carry and dispose of.

Vodka drinks are favorites at early-morning scrimmages. Screwdrivers -- vodka and orange juice -- or bloody marys -- vodka and tomato juice with seasonings or bloody mary mix -- can be whipped up onsite and paired with breakfast burritos for a hand-held meal before a 1 p.m. kickoff.

As long as you have the orange juice, grab a bottle of champagne for the ever-popular morning mimosas -- vodka and champagne. Kids and non-imbibers in the group can try the mixers alone for an alcohol-free treat.

Bourbon doesn’t have to be a challenge. Most tailgaters take it on the rocks or neat -- without ice or water -- as a chaser for beer. “Tailgater Monthly” offers a host of more complex recipes for those who really want to bring their game to the game.

Draft Choice

No matter what other drinks you decide on, don’t forget the real top three drinks for any successful tailgate.

“Beer, beer and beer,” said Matthew Conner, co-founder of the Superior Tailgating Club in Boulder, Colorado, which supports the University of Colorado Buffaloes. “Keg beer tastes better, is cheaper, makes less of a mess and takes up less room. It takes 165 cans of beer to equal the beer in one keg.”

If you can afford it, Conner said, get a jockey box, a portable beer dispenser, and a pressurized tank of carbon dioxide to pump your keg. “It will taste just like you are drinking at a bar,” he said.

Beer can also differ by region, said Hurley, with area craft beers showing up at local tailgates.

Strong Safety

While you’re imbibing, remember the importance of safety first, for the environment and for yourself and your friends, said Joe “The Commish” Cahn, who runs the website Tailgating.com and is the self-proclaimed Commissioner of Tailgating.

He recommended canned beer instead of bottles, because they won’t break. He also cautioned that beer and other alcoholic beverages can lead to dehydration, especially in hot weather, so make sure to stock sports drinks and plenty of water.

And while a few beers with friends can signal a good time, it’s not necessary to drink as if you’ve just heard the two-minute warning.

“They’re not going to run out of beer,” he said. “It will be there tomorrow.”

In fact, when you’re sober, it’s easier to meet people – and remember their names.

“Friendships that are made in the parking lot last forever,” he said. And making friends is what tailgating is really all about.

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