Soccer season (or at least MLS) is officially upon us. FC Dallas opened the year with a 3-2 win over the Montreal Impact, and despite the weather, supporters were there in full force. Their party, however, started at 7:30 on Friday night. The annual 24 hour tailgate brought the season into style with with camping out, barbecuing, and, of course, beer.
All bundled up, supporters groups of FC Dallas, including Lone Star Legion, the Dallas Beer Guardians, and Dallas Football Elite, all got together to celebrate the dawn of the new season. Although national beers were present, craft and Texas beers were in control. Kegs and bottles of local brews could be seen everywhere, and everyone was sharing.
Events like this are great for local breweries. Visiting fans and locals that haven’t been exposed to local brews get the chance to try new things. This can, and often does, lead to them supporting local breweries in the future. There are few events where people willingly part with their favorite beers for nothing, and this free advertisement for breweries can do wonders.
When I first started hanging out with supporters groups, I hadn’t been exposed to local breweries. I didn’t even really know there were any in the area. The first local brew I had was from Franconia, and it was given to me by someone who convinced me that I needed to try something local. Fast forward to now. I’ve tried beer from almost all of the local breweries, and I’m writing this blog.
I don’t claim to know everything about craft beer. I’ll be the first to admit that. I wouldn’t, however, have anywhere near the amount of knowledge I do without events and people like these. If you look, you can find a tailgate for almost every event that can allow you to try new beers. If you’re just getting into the local brew scene, or if you have a friend that just can’t put down that Bud Light, see what you can find. Try new beers. You never know, next time it could be you offering someone a new kind of beer.
Brew DFW 