Put away the energy drinks and caffeinated sodas. It’s time to play with a more mature palate. Meats, cheeses, and even Girl Scout cookies can be paired with a variety of alcohol, so why not video games? Here are suggestions for some of the latest releases.
Firewatch: Ranger IPA by New Belgium Brewing
Sure, you could drink a cheap beer like Red Eagle, but then you’re no better than those pesky teens partying at the lake. The bitter Cascade hops and dry finish pair well with the game’s heart-rending story. It’s a delightful sessionable ale that’s suited for sipping when lounging at the top of a watchtower with your typewriter. The name and logo of the beer also fit naturally in Campo Santo’s version of the Shoshone National Forest. Just remember that if you packed it in, you pack it out. Forrest Byrnes doesn’t like litterbugs.
Far Cry Primal: Classic Semi Sweet Mead by Medovina
For a game set in 10,000 B.C., why not drink one of Earth’s oldest fermented beverages? The honey wine sits at 13% ABV so it is not for slamming while hunting saber-toothed tigers and jaguars. Instead, this is for relaxing around a campfire in a cave. The aroma is rich in notes of honey, vanilla and oak. The mead isn’t cloying sweet like a dessert wine nor is it dry like a chardonnay. Well-balanced and full of flavor, pour this into a horn the next time you channel your ancestors.
The Witness: Raspberry Provincial by Funkwerks
Like Jon Blow’s latest release, sour beers aren’t for everyone. You wonder why you’re drinking something that makes you pucker and you wonder why you’re spending five hours on a single puzzle. Yet, as soon as you put down this Berliner Weisse or step away from the game, it’s all you can think about. Tart raspberries and lemon flavors enthrall the tongue as lines and shadows take hold of the mind. Some may argue that drinking isn’t good for critical thinking, but the low alcohol content means your head won’t become clouded while solving the game’s challenges.
Unravel: Not Your Father’s Root Beer by Small Town Brewery
A nostalgic game needs a nostalgic drink. By increasing the beer’s carbonation, along with the addition vanilla and sarsaparilla, Small Town Brewery took an ale and transformed it into a childhood beverage. The smooth molasses and licorice tastes makes it easy to forget it’s a beer. But make no mistake, this isn’t simply a soft drink made hard. Whether you’re flipping through your own scrapbook or collecting digital memories as Yarny, there’s no other drink this suitable for reminiscing of more innocent times.
The Flame in the Flood: Rye-on-Rye by Boulevard Brewing Company
A whiskey or moonshine might seem to be a better fit for navigating the waters of post-apocalyptic bayou, however, this rye beer has a complex profile that’s too good to ignore. Templeton Rye barrels cocoon the ale and transfer properties of charred oak. A butterfly of a beer emerges with spicy whiskey notes. Malty bread and caramel flavors dominate the tawny body. Half beer and half spirit, Boulevard created a magnificent monster conjures Americana imagery with every sip. The dry finish will have you scouring each piece of abandoned cargo or rickety shack for another bottle.
The Division: Brooklyn Winter Ale by Brooklyn Brewery
With New York under quarantine, Division agents have no choice but to drink a local brew. Luckily, Brooklyn Brewery provides a respite from the turmoil with their seasonal Scottish Ale. Even though there are no added spices, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon magically find their way into this cup of Christmas. The ABV isn’t as high as other winter beers, but it’ll work if you can’t find that perfect scarf to keep you warm. Note: booze doesn’t make you warmer and you’ll probably become a worse shooter under the influence. Take caution before heading into the Dark Zone.
Hitman: Pepe Nero by Goose Island Beer Company
A saison, French for “season,” is usually a blonde Belgian style farmhouse ale. Yet if it’s made with roasted black malt then it becomes as dark as a stout. The roasting gives the body more malt and toasted bread flavors than a normal saison. The spicy peppercorns are also more pronounced and overshadow any hints of hops or hay. However, it remains balanced and the finish is as smooth as Agent 47’s bald head. With this new game taking an episodic approach, each new installment can be paired with a different brew.
Republique: Smoked Porter by Stone Brewing Company
Yes, it’s another dark beer for another stealth game, but there’s more to it than that. While in Hitman Agent 47 can walk in public normally until hitting his mark, Hope must remain out of sight constantly. The player uses distractions and other smokescreens to make sure she’s never spotted. That’s why this beer pours the darkest of all on the list and Stone’s addition of peat-smoked malt makes it more complex than your average porter. Cocoa and coffee flavors are on the forefront and the smokiness subtly lingers in the finish. Instead of being overpowered and feeling like you drank a campfire, the balanced profile sneaks up on you.
Samorost 3: Oro de Calabaza by Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
The world of Samorost is a photo-realistic Maurice Sendak fever dream. The soundtrack is an otherworldly jazz that harmonizes with each planet’s flora and fauna. A wild beer therefore is the only drink that can match Amanita Design’s surreal point-and-click adventure game. The wild yeast means that it was brewed with the bacteria naturally occurring in the environment. Each batch will then have dynamic flavors, but banana esters and pepper will be present like in other golden Belgian strong ales. One thing for sure is that it will always be funky.
Adr1ft: Space Juice by Long Trail Brewing Company
I wanted to suggest Ninkasi’s Ground Control brewed with space yeast or Dogfish Head’s Celest-Jewel-Ale made with lunar dust, however those limited releases were crafted only once. While there aren’t any alien ingredients, four different hops combine to create a double IPA that’s fruitier than New Belgium’s spicy Ranger. The Galaxy and Citra hops in particular lend grapefruit, mango and pineapple flavors. Though you have to worry about oxygen levels in game, you can take a deep breath and relax with this tropical beer in the comfort of your own home.
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Jefferson Geiger is a journalist, critic and amateur homebrewer from Colorado. Along with ZAM, his work can be found at GameSpot, Memory Insufficient and Haywire Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter @geigerjd or at his website.
