The NFL and beer have been a match made in heaven for some time now. With the NFL Draft coming up and fans pleading to their teams to "DRAFT A QB!", the stakes are running high for teams looking to improve after having terrible seasons. To ring in the highly anticipated NFL draft we set out to compare draft picks to...beer of course. Taking the players to be drafted in the top 5 according to CBS's Ryan Wilson, we set out to compare the team's potential draft pick to a beer name that matches them based on appearance and potential.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence-Double Sunshine (Lawson's Finest Liquids)
This dude Trevor Lawrence is seriously double what the QB Sunshine (played by Kip Pardue) was in the movie Remember the Titans. Lawrence has put up video game numbers at Clemson and has been the undisputed first pick in the NFL draft since Clemson won the NCAA championship in 2019. Double Sunshine IPA is also at the top of its game in the IPA department ranking in the top 50 in the U.S. according to BeerAdvocate. This beer is all about citrus and tropical juiciness. The balance, the hop character, and the feel of the beer make for one of the better Double IPAs you can get in the New England area.
New York Jets: Zach Wilson-Assassin (Toppling Goliath Brewing Company)
Seriously, Jets fans, how can you be so loyal? This team has done nothing over the past three years and their last "good" QB was notorious butt-fumbler Mark Sanchez. Zach Wilson's rise to BYU legend and a national star was not so expected given that he was not a highly touted prospect coming into the season. He fits the mold of an assassin as a sneaky QB that could take the league by storm. The Assassin is an Imperial Stout that pours thick and gives off a caramel, toffee, brownie batter aroma, velvety texture, and a nicely aged whiskey flavor. The design on their can labels is a work of art too.
San Fransisco 49ers: Mac Jones-Blessed (Anchorage Brewing Company)
Anybody who played for Nick Saban at Alabama, who morphs college athletes into NFL impact players is blessed. Mac Jones won two championships with Alabama one in 2017 as a reserve and one in 2020 as the QB. He has also played behind quality quarterbacks during his time with Alabama and had great defenses that could win games by themselves. Blessed, brewed by Anchorage Brewing Company in Alaska, is appropriately thick with a rich vanilla, coconut, and chocolate taste. A little on the pricey side but a great beer for the fall and winter seasons when you want something heavy.
Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields-Swish (Bissell Brother's Brewing Company)
The 2019 Heisman Trophy finalist plays with a swagger and is a must-watch player. The guy can straight-up ball and was a can't miss prospect along with Trevor Lawrence. He is a legitimate swish for Atlanta Falcons who are having to move on from their long-time quarterback Matt Ryan. Swish is a seasonal IPA made by Bissell Brother's Brewing out of Maine. Harboring a big citrus flavor along with a slight pineapple and melon aroma, Swish plays like a hazy IPA and doesn't overdo it with the addition of other crazy flavors. An overall great beer with a juicy palette fit for hot summer days.
Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell- Dinner (Maine Beer Company)
At 6' 6", 330 lbs Penei Sewell has the build of someone who has never skipped dinner in his life. In fact, he looks like the type of guy who has to have three dinners a night to maintain his football stature. As an offensive lineman, Sewell will be stepping into a situation that keeps getting better with Cincinnati drafting star LSU QB Joe Burrow in 2020. Dinner, brewed by Maine Beer Company, is nice and easy to drink for a Double IPA. This beer is a bit tougher to get with this beer being sold primarily in the New England area. At $8 a beer, it is a bit pricey but a great choice for IPA drinkers new and old.