Football is a time-honored American pastime. Every week countless Americans watch the big game from the comfort of their own homes, and thousands more flock to state-of-the-art sports arenas. These modern-day coliseums come in all different shapes and sizes. Some have retractable roofs, while others come with built-in subway stops. A few stadiums even house some of the largest HD screens in the country. That said, none of these attractions can top a truly massive beer selection. Scroll down to read up on the five best stadiums in the country for beer and football.
1. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA
The number one spot belongs to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This $325 million arena replaced the old Foxboro stadium back in 2002. Today, it’s home to the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution, a men’s soccer team. So far, the New England Patriots have sold out every home game during pre-season, regular season, and playoffs. The stadium also hosted the Madden NFL 2018 Championship, a high-stakes competition in which four gamers compete for the honor of representing the Patriots at Super Bowl 52.
At Gillette Stadium, Beer fans can choose from more than 20 different local breweries, including Blatant, Harpoon, Lord Hobo, and Mayflower. The greater New England area is also represented by Heavy Seas, Long Trail, Shipyard, and Two Roads. For national brews, choose from Oskar Blues, Southern Tier, and Victory.
2. Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA
Runner up is Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This super-arena opened in July of 2014 and cost an estimated $1.3 billion to build. Today, Levi’s Stadium is home to the San Francisco 49ers and San Jose Earthquakes. It also hosts several college football games, including the Foster Farms Bowl and Pac-12 Championship. In 2019, it will host the College Football Playoff National Championship for the first time in history. And in 2018, Levi’s Stadium served as the site of Beyoncé’s controversial 2016 Super Bowl performance.
When it comes to beer, Levi’s Stadium features several San Francisco breweries, including Anchor Brewing, Cellarmaker Brewing Co., and 21st Amendment. West Coast breweries are represented by Anderson Valley, Lost Coast, and Stone. This stadium is also home to the annual Bacon and Beer Classic, which features more than 100 different beers and close to 30 different bacon dishes. As if the selection of 100 different beers wasn’t enticing enough?
3. Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI
Spot number three goes to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. When it first opened in 1957, this arena was originally dubbed City Stadium. However, it was renamed in 1965 after the passing of Curly Lambeau, founder and coach of the Green Bay Packers. This stadium also served as home field for the Green Bay Packers in 2007 — the year they broke the NFL record set by the Chicago Bears.
At Lambeau Field, Beer fans can choose from more than 13 different breweries. Local favorites include Badger State, Hinterland, Stillmark, and Titletown. Other Wisconsin options include Ale Asylum, O’so, and Stone Cellar. They also offer out-of-state options like Dogfish Head, Kona, and Summit. For kid-friendly fun, visit Lambeau Field on Family Night. This annual event features on-field football drills, a picnic, and a colorful fireworks display.
4. Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC
The fourth spot on this list belongs to Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Built in 1996, this stadium cost an estimated $248 million. Since then, it’s been expanded to accommodate more than 75,000 spectators. Today, the stadium is home to the Carolina Panthers. It also features snarling panther statues, domes with pale blue LED lights, and a statue of team founder, Jerry Richardson. For college football, spectators can choose between the Belk Bowl and the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game.
Bank of America Stadium is also known for its wide selection of local beer, including Foothills, New Belgium, NoDa, Sierra Nevada, and Sugar Creek. Some other noteworthy breweries include Allagash, Blue Point, and Terrapin. Deal-savvy spectators can also find deals on football games and other local events.
5. CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA
Last, but not least is CenturyLink Field. This stadium has a sleek, modern design and is located in the heart of downtown Seattle. CenturyLink Field opened in 2002 for a cool $430 million. At the time, it was the first NFL stadium to use an astroturf field. Now, it houses the Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle Sounders, and close to 69,000 fans. These fans are known for their ability to turn up the volume. They’re so loud, in fact, that they’ve earned the Guinness World Record for loudest roar… twice.
CenturyLink Field also features more than 13 local breweries, including Bale Breaker, Fremont, Georgetown, Pyramid, and 7 Seas. Other options include Central City and 10 Barrel Beers.