7 Best movies to drink beer with

Sometimes, movies will inspire you to drink a beer better than any commercial. Every now and then, a movie scene will inspire you to hit the pause button and dash to your fridge for your favorite brew.

In honor of this, we’ve compiled a set of classic beer-drinking movie scenes to remind you how movies and beer are the perfect pairing.

Of course, there is another category of movie that makes you want to reach for a beer because it’s so bad, but we’ll leave that for another day.

Photo by ka1970.

The secret history of beer

It’s well known that beer as a beverage dates very far back, although its original incarnations might be somewhat different than the lagers, ales, and stouts we’re used to quaffing today.

However, most people really don’t know how much influence beer wielded in ancient times. So we’re going to list a few interesting beer facts that come from a time long before kegerators and cushioned bar stools.

Picture by irum.

Probably the most expensive beer in the world

If there’s a world recession in progress, then someone forgot to tell Carlsberg about it. While many companies are slashing prices, the Danish brewer has unveiled the world’s most expensive beer. Priced at 2008DKK (approx USD$350), the Jacobsen Vintage No. 1 is a limited edition brew for any beer drinkers who still feel like splashing out.

The beer is a 10.5% ABV Barley wine and is mostly targeted at up-scale restaurants in Copenhagen, Denmark. Perhaps Carlsberg have hit upon the hard-up financial sector workers who can no longer spend $3000 on a bottle of champagne, but will happily downgrade to a $350 bottle of beer.

Beer is usually one of the products that sees an increase in sales during economic recessions; it’s not known if this behavior is limited to low-priced beers or all categories. Just 600 bottles of the Jacobsen Vintage No. 1 have been brewed, so only the lucky/rich few will have a chance to enjoy it.

Cast your mind back to the affluent days of the mid-2000s and read on for more details on this unique product…

Beer Review: Celis White

Brewery: Michigan Brewing Company

ABV: 8.00%

Review: Wow! This is truly a great wheat beer. Bold, rounded aroma, with a full, sweet, complex taste. The Celis White pours well, with a strong head and lush, cloudy body. A kick of citrus flavor adds to the overall intensity without tipping the balance to become yet another novelty-flavor beer. An extremely drinkable beer, and most definitely a crowd pleaser – offer this to any guest and you’ll be a popular host! The Michigan Brewing Company are building a reputation for producing consistently fantastic beers; classic renditions of craft beer favorites.

Food pairing: This beer needs no accompaniment, but would be excellent with rich food, especially meat-based dishes. 

LegendsOfBeer.com rating: 9 out of 10

Have you tasted Celis White? Do you agree/disagree with our rating? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments.

Light beer soars in popularity

In the competitive beer industry, light beer is big business. According to the Convenience Store Decisions website, light beer is the fastest growing segment of beer and the trend is set to continue during 2009.

The article, Light Beers Poised for a Big Year, is an interesting read, although may be depressing news for fans of the micro-brewing industry.

Most of the major commercial breweries have their own light beer brand, with the leaders being Bud Light, Miller Light and Coors Light. One of the interesting revelations from the news report is around brand loyalty – a light beer drinker is less likely to vary their drink from one week to the next, compared to a craft beer drinker, who will want to sample many flavors and varieties.

The massive popularity of light beers cannot be understated. Since 2001, Bud Light has been America’s best selling beer, commanding 16% of the total market.

What’s your opinion of light beer? Do you drink it? Is there really any difference from one light beer to another? Leave a comment and let us know!

Beer Review: Laughing Dog Brewing India Pale Ale

Brewery: Laughing Dog Brewing

ABV: unknown (please add a comment if you know!)

Review: This is a curious beer. I found it in the bargain basket in my local supermarket, priced at $1.00. With no pre-conceptions or notions, I was firstly struck by the dense, cloudy body, topped by a substantial head. At first taste, it’s clear that this IPA is in the same league as many of its Northwest compatriots – very hoppy, strong malt flavors and traces of caramel. The aftertaste is rich, sticky and strongly hopped. Without further bottles to check, my judgment is still a preliminary one. While tasting, I had no idea of the ABV, but guessed it was north of 5%. A complex, curious brew worth a taste. Whenever I find more than a single bottle, I’ll give it a more lengthy tasting. 

Food pairing: This IPA would partner very well with seafood or spicy food.

LegendsOfBeer.com rating: 7 out of 10

Have you tasted Laughing Dog Brewing India Pale Ale? Do you agree/disagree with our rating? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments.

10 Most shameless movie product placements for beer

A beer and a movie go very well together. However, unlike the amusement derived from spotting fictional beers in movies, the opposite can be said for the appearance of real beer brands on the big screen. Product placement is a lucrative business in films and beer companies are eagerly waiting to throw cash at film-makers willing to feature their brands.

As with all movie product placements, it’s only a problem when you actually notice it. When a camera lingers too long over a beer label or a character strays from the plot and starts extolling the virtues of his favorite beer, it becomes an irritating distraction. While we don’t expect every movie to avoid any depiction of real-world brands, there is no place for some of the naked advertising that manages to get included in movies.

We’ve assembled a collection of the 10 worst examples of the practice. These are the most blatant, shameless product placements for beer that you’re likely to see. Prepare yourself for cringe-inducing dialog, bad acting and some thinly-veiled commercials masquerading as feature films.

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Start 2009 with a splash: make some New Beer Resolutions

Why do New Year resolutions have to be a chore? Instead of over-reaching, boring promises to lose weight, exercise more or cut up credit cards, why not take on some resolutions that will give you added enjoyment and will have some chance of success?

To help you get started, we’ve put together our list of New Beer Resolutions – a set of ideas that will inspire the beer lover inside of you, reinvigorate your taste and possibly kick-start a new hobby.

So, jump into the list and leave a comment with your New Beer Resolutions for 2009!

Photo by Gavin

15 Famous beers you’ll probably never drink

We may take it for granted, but the fictional beers of TV and movies are some of the best loved brands in existence. Some of these beers have achieved the brand recognition and affection that major commercial beers can only dream of.

Some TV shows and movies will feature beers are a convenient plot device, but others take the time and effort to cultivate a bona fide beer brand, with tag lines, brewery scenes/episodes and a detailed history. It’s always fun to see characters drinking fictitious beers on screen. As there is no real product or company to protect, the scope for biting satire, commentary or simply plain inventiveness, is unlimited.

We searched long and hard and found 15 of the most prominent, well-loved and interesting fictional beers from TV and film. See how many you recognize!

Beer Review: Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

ABV: 6.8%

Review: This seasonal beer from Sierra Nevada truly lives up to its celebratory name. When poured, the ale has an appealing head and rich amber tones – perfectly designed for the cold winter drinking period. It’s a wonderful, medium bodied beer, with an initial malty taste followed by a delicious, pronounced hoppy flavor that stands up well throughout the tasting. As befitting a seasonal ale, this special brew has an intense flavor that makes this a true pleasure to drink. If you haven’t yet sampled this fine ale during the festive period, it would make an excellent choice for ringing in the New Year. 

Food pairing: There really is no need to pair this fine drink with food. However, it would make an excellent companion to the usual holiday party snacks, or indeed, a turkey sandwich.

LegendsOfBeer.com rating: 9 out of 10

Have you tasted Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale? Do you agree/disagree with our rating? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments.