No. 20 WSU vs. Boise State football: Baxter’s beer of the game

For the first time ever, Baxter will be picking a beer for a 1-0 football team. That feels pretty good, especially after previous years when there were murmurs that Baxter’s beer picks were cursing the team (turns out the team was actually just bad at football).

WSU fans are no strangers to tailgating for a 7:30 p.m. start, we did it just last week. Still, it’s important to remember when carrying out pre-game preparations via liquid libations that the day is long, and wearing yourself out with big beverages early could make for a miserable experience.

Luckily, it’s not was warm as it was last week, but it still will be be in the mid-to-high 70s for peak tailgating hours today, and in that weather sometimes its just nice to have a crisp, clean beer to sip on before dipping into the heavier stuff.

Many will reach for the old standards in that case: Busch Light, Coors Light and whatever else. I’m here today to say we can still have that crisp, clean experience without drinking something that approximates the flavor of white bread soaked in water.

With that, Baxter’s beer of the game for Boise State is Pfriem Pilsner (Sorry about the poorly constructed picture above. Baxter and I were in different locations this week).

I have to admit, I was once a pilsner hater. I was all about big flavors—so it was IPAs, imperial stouts, puckering sours and the like. Over the last year or so, I’ve come to appreciate more and more a brewery’s ability to craft a refreshing and drinkable, but still flavorful pilsner.

Brewing a pilsner is not a novice task. Every mistake is exposed, through both flavor and appearance*. Given that Pfriem is among the most consistent breweries in the Pacific Northwest, it’s no surprise it also brews one of the best pilsners in the region.

*Side note: I had an excellent pilsner from Foam Brewers in Vermont this summer, and it was hazy in appearance (by design). Ain’t nothin’ sacred anymore.

If you aren’t familiar with Pfriem, or Pfriem Family Brewers, it produces many different styles out of its Hood River facility. Pfriem doesn’t seem to get quite as much attention as the some of the more hyped breweries around, likely because it doesn’t brew anything crazy. It just just takes classic styles and brews them immaculately—from pilsners and IPAs to sours and barrel-aged stouts, I’ve never had a bad Pfriem beer.

Craig’s Review: Nice hop and biscuit aroma, clean finish with just the right amount of bitterness. Crisp body, completely crushable.

Baxter’s Review: I thought Craig hated fizzy yellow water, now he gives me this? Not complaining, I’ve heard too many hops are bad for dogs anyway.

What will you be having in preparation for and during WSU vs. Boise State?