The first thing that caught my eye about the 2 Mugs fantasy site was the 2011 beer draft. I thought what a simple yet awesome concept it was. A beer draft isn’t like a fantasy draft. Nay, it’s more important. You have to declare the top beers in your rotation. Unlike a fantasy draft, there’s no cheat sheet. You can only pat your belly for inspiration.
The rules for the beer draft are as follows: One golden (think PBR), one amber (think Killians) and one dark (think Guinness). Yeah, I’m using beers that will not be selected as examples. Because we are inspired by fantasy, we have two “flex” spots.
We have 12 drafters, five rounds, and 60 beers. Feels like a party, don’t it? I sent a small three-question survey to my 11 combatants and got a few responses. Here they are, in order of the draft order (click the name to skip ahead):
Zach Law @zach_law
Patrick Daugherty @rotopat
Ryan Forbes @ryfo18
Brian Quinlan @bnquinlan
Josh Moore @4for4_josh
Phil Gentile @ihatejjredick
Jeff Ratcliffe @jeffratcliffe
Matt Schauf @mschauf63
Ryan Burns @ftblsickness
Eric Dickens @dlfootball
Jarrett Behar @eyeofthegator
John Sarmento @rumfordjohnny
It’s only right that I start off the question-answerin’ as I have the coveted first pick. Do I take the “best beer on the board” or consider beer color scarcity, as my next pick is pick number 24. You’ll have to wait.
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? All I know about my fellow drafters is they sure like the hell out of IPAs. I don’t like IPAs, so there’s no worry on that front. My beer tastes aren’t that unusual, but there are so many choices that I doubt that my other 11 owners are going to “steal” all of my favorites between my picks.
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? I like beer.
Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents?
Unlike most drafts, in which the point is to destroy your opponents, I predict that we’ll be doing the beer industry as a whole a big favor (sponsorship?) by giving the world a plethora of delicious choices.
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? Absolutely. A sixer of bottled Modelo is as cheap, efficient and smooth as draft preparation gets.
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? Since there are more beers than Cromartie spawn to choose from, I will more than likely focus on hidden gems from my native — and beer crazy — Missouri. They’ll hang with the Eastern microbrews (those of the fancy hand-drawn bottles and downright adorable names) and European imports when it’s all said and done. [Zach note: If there's any beer that somehow includes BBQ, I'm naming Pat champ.]
Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents? You’re the only group I’ve ever seen who needs to be drunk for a fantasy football draft but sober for a beer draft. P.S. I love you all very much.
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? I’m a huge fan of IPAs, but not all IPAs. I really want to make sure I lock up my personal favorites early because I know there are a few other IPA connoisseurs that will be a threat to me.
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? My biggest strategy was to do my research. You always want to go into a draft prepared. So therefore I just drank a lot of beer to prepare. [Zach note: How did Ryan find my top-secret draft preparation formula?]
Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents? You guys are losers.
If you feel like adding anything else, go right ahead. I was the self-proclaimed winner of the beer draft last year, so I’m looking to repeat. As long as I’m the judge again, I think we can make that happen.
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? I wish there was less variety of “light” beer, other than that I’d say the depth is good at all positions. I prefer IPAs but drink all types, except wheat beers haven’t found one I really like. [Zach note: That's how I feel about IPAs.]
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? BBA (Best Beer Available) the beer version of VBD. Also if I’m not working during my pick I’d like to be drinking while I pick, you know to really focus on selecting the right beer for the team.
Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents? It’s hard to talk smack when I’m going to make it my mission to drink every beer named in the draft. That being said I’ll probably mock everyone and refer to at least one beer as being as tasty as sweat scraped off Vince Wilfork’s thighs after July practice.
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? Nah, as long as it’s not non-alcoholic (Bush NA, O’Douls, Sharps etc.) we should be good to go. There has been talk of expanding this draft to MLB style with 40 rounds. In that case I’d get more picky-slash-desperate. Don’t want to be the last man standing forced to grab a King Cobra off the shelf.
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? I am always seeking value. End of the night and a bunch of half-bottles are laying around with no owner in sight? To one man that may look like trash/recyclables. To me, 12 half full bottles means I’ve got a sixer.
Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents? I don’t view this as a competition, but an exploration.
If you feel like adding anything else, go right ahead. Not sure what the hell you are looking for here. But I might as well ramble. The first beer I ever had in my life was a warm Busch Light. I remember because a friend of mine had an older brother who lucked into a case of this fine golden liquid. Okay so not exactly golden, more piss color. He had to store it secretly, out of sight of adults, so of course the rafters in the garage made the perfect spot. Never mind that when I was handed my first ever beer it was about 95 degrees warm, which if you know your Busch Light means it will be incredibly bubbly and hard to skull*. Anyways, that’s just what I did. Skulled the thing, because, well, that’s what they did in the movies and it was the only way I knew to drink a beer. I wouldn’t say I got drunk, but I sure didn’t feel so well after.
Didn’t have another beer for a while, but when I did it was back to the Busch Light, which quickly became my beverage of choice. The great thing about Busch Light is that it is 99.9% water. The beauty of this is that it actually hydrates you AS you drink, so it is impossible to get a hangover (or drunk really). Try it yourself. This weekend drink 30 Busch Lights and see if you get hungover. Not likely. What is likely is that you’ll have to pee about 30 times.
That’s all I got. Hope it was sufficient for this open ended question.
* Skull = Australian for chug (likewise, Fosters is Australian for terrible beer)
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? Probably Stouts. Not a huge fan but they are crucial for a well rounded beer roster. No pun intended.
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? Not really. Mainly because I have no idea how this is going to work. I’m an avid craft beer fan and it should be fun to hear what folks on the other side of the country like to drink. My favorite beers right now are IPAs. [Zach note: Yes, please take as many IPAs as you can handle.] I love New Belgium’s Ranger, Boulevard’s Double-Wide, and Baltimore’s own Heavy Seas’ Loose Cannon. Wait you didn’t even ask my favorite beers……am I drunk right now?????
Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents? I will dominate these Bud Light drinking sissies! Seriously though I’m excited because a lot of my favorite twitter folks are involved in this thing. Of course you’ve got the guys from 2 Mugs, yourself, Jim Day (@FantasyTaz), Burnsy from Football Sickness, Brian Quinlan, etc. Plus there are so folks I’ve never heard of so it’s always fun making fun of someone you’ve never met for liking a horrible beer.
Matt was ranting about something, kids getting off his lawn and such, and couldn’t answer.
Ryan was showing Justin Blackmon how to drink “like a man” and was too busy to reply. West-coast types and all.
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? I feel like IPAs and Belgiums are pretty deep this year, so you can definitely wait there. I don’t see much value in Wheats or Pilsners. I don’t want to tip my hand too much, but I have my eye on a few Imperial Stouts and Brown Ales that I plan to pounce on early.
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? I started to run a value-based analysis, but VLOOKUPs and double IPAs don’t mesh well together. So I think I’m just going to wing it.
Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents? No. I’m going to let my picks do the talking.
If you feel like adding anything else, go right ahead. Cheers, boys.
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? There’s depth at every position here. With the starting requirements and number of teams in the league, there may even be a position I can wait on for a while…but if I told you, I’d be giving away my strategy.
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? Just like in dynasty drafts, value, value, value. I might even have a sleeper pick in my back pocket.
Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents? I would, but I’m too busy downing this beer.
If you feel like adding anything else, go right ahead. If you’re drafting against me, you should probably go with Miller Lite, Bud Light, and Coors Light as your first 3 selections. I hear their ADP is on the rise and you’ll want to grab them before your competition does.
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? I would say Corona Light is the ultimate lack of depth beer.
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? When you guys are passed out from drinking your Triple Bocks, I’ll be there to draw mustaches on your face with a sharpie. [Zach note: That's not a mustache.]
If you feel like adding anything else, go right ahead. Good luck and god speed to all. Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents?
It’s only right that I start off the question-answerin’ as I have the coveted first pick. Do I take the “best beer on the board” or consider beer color scarcity, as my next pick is pick number 24. You’ll have to wait.
In fantasy football, experts are saying that you need to grab two running backs early this year. Is there a type of beer that’s a little light on depth that you’re going to have to pound early in the draft? Strategy? I’m hiring a beer Sherpa to find beers in remote mountainous villages and such, to ensure my picks are rare and delicious.
Do you have a strategy for this year’s draft? Smack? You guys all drink beer with fruit in it, and you wear sweaters around your necks in the Summer. Oh, and you listen to Nickelback on blast. [Zach note: John says this while drinking a ahandy while applying Stetson cologne and adjusting his Uggs.]
Do you have smack talk for your fellow opponents? Final words? Beer. Vikings fought over this shit, make it matter.
