The Mane Land’s Incomplete World Cup Beer Guide

Note: We at The Mane Land believe in the responsible consumption of alcohol. If, as an adult of legal drinking age, you decide to drink alcohol, we urge you to please ensure you do so in a safe manner, and never drink and drive.

The World Cup is here, and we’ve already had several great matches. There have been upsets, surprises, heroics, and disappointments. It’s great! Though I might be a bit late, I thought I’d provide a beer guide for many of the teams to help you decide what to drink based on which team you are supporting during any given match. Let’s have some fun!

Germany

Weihenstephaner Original Premium, Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan

Germany may have lost to Mexico in its first match, but it’s no cause for alarm. If you’re supporting Die Mannschaft, then this is the beer you should be drinking. Weihenstephaner is the oldest brewery in the world. That alone makes the brewery worthy of inclusion on any list, but they also happen to brew excellent beers. Maybe it’s just that they’ve had a lot of practice. The Original Premium is an outstanding lager and one that you should be able to find relatively easily. Prost!

According to the brewery:

A good beer takes time, and the long storage time makes our bright yellow lager, “Original”, a flavorful beer with a fine poured, white foam. Featuring a mild hoppy note and a pleasantly fresh spicy taste, it goes very well with salads, poultry, stews, or hearty snacks. This lager is brewed according to our centuries-old brewing tradition on the Weihenstephan hill.

Brazil

Xingu Black, Xingu Beer

The other favorite going into this World Cup is Brazil. The Brazilians may have drawn with a determined Swiss side on Sunday, but this beer stands on its own. Just like Brazil’s national team, Xingu has won plenty of awards with a flavor all its own. This black lager is one that if you haven’t tried it yet, you’re missing out. Saúde!

According to the brewery:

Inspired on old recipes of Indian beer, Xingu Black Beer is a two-time winner of Beverage Testing Institute’s Gold Medal as the best dark lager in the world. This exceptional beer is a great success in worldwide, and has a following that ranges from beer critics to fans and consumers alike. It is a very well balanced beer, with subtle aromas and personality.

Mexico

Corona Extra, Corona USA

There’s been a bit of a push by some in the media to market El Tri as the “other American team.” While I understand they may have been worried about having enough eyes glued to televisions after the USMNT failed to qualify, I cannot and will not support this position. As such, I’m punishing the very idea by choosing Corona Extra as the beer you will drink if you support Mexico. ¡Salud!

According to the brewery:

With a refreshing, smooth taste balanced between heavier European imports and lighter domestic beer, Corona is an even-keeled cerveza with fruity-honey aromas and a touch of malt. The flavor is crisp, clean and well balanced between hops and malt, a superior taste profile from superior ingredients—the finest-quality blend of filtered water, malted barley, hops, corn and yeast.

England

Flag Porter 1825 Original, Darwin Brewery

This is a young England squad that might eventually break your heart if you support the Three Lions, however I can guarantee that this delicious porter won’t do the same. The yeast used in this beer is probably older than the combined age of the entire team. Cheers!

According to the brewery:

A porter brewed to a traditional 19th Century British recipe using yeast salvaged from a sunken 1825 vessel in the English Channel. Rich malt character with spicy finish.

Belgium

Chimay Cinq Cents, Brasserie de Chimay

This Belgian tripel comes in at a potent 8.0% ABV. Chimay is well known for putting some of the best ales out into the world, just as Belgium has done with players. What remains to be seen is if that stacked team can finally pull it all together the way that this tripel does. No matter what happens, you’ll get to enjoy the beer. Santé!

According to the brewery:

The Chimay Cinq Cents, with its golden hue, offers a rare balance of mellowness and bitterness. It is a subtil [sic] combination of fresh hops and yeast.

Russia

Baltika #9 Strong, Baltika Breweries

The hosts of this World Cup have always presented themselves as a people of great strength. It is appropriate then to have Baltika #9 strong lager represent Russia on this list. At 8.0% this strong lager isn’t easy to brew, just as Russia ultimately won’t have an easy time, despite their opening win. Nostrovia!

According to the brewery (actually Baltika went into a really long description that you can read here. For the purposes keeping our editors sane, I’ll let World of Beer give us a more succinct description):

A bold lager, high in alcohol, malty sweet in taste, deep golden in color, yet surprisingly light and crisp in body.

France

Kronenbourg 1664, Kronenbourg Brewery

France took care of Australia in its first match and is a potential team to watch as the Cup continues. If you’re supporting Les Bleus, then do so with a glass of this lovely pale lager. As pale lagers go, it’s slightly above average with a unique taste. Just like their soccer team. Santé!

According to the brewery:

A beer is only as good as the ingredients used to make it. Premium Strisselspalt hops, unique to Alsace, have been exclusively used in Kronenbourg 1664 since 1885. Known as the ‘caviar of hops’ by master brewers, Strisselspalt give Kronenbourg 1664 a low bitterness and aromatic quality. Beer connoisseurs will notice a persistent fruity aroma, with notes of citrus peel and spices, and a medium and sustained intensity. Strisselspalt hops help create the beer’s pale yellow and golden hue. A fairly dense, long-lasting white creamy head, with fine bubbles, can be achieved with the perfect serve. Its good balance, fine quality and delicate bitterness really are a taste suprême.

Iceland

Icelandic White Ale, Einstök Ölgerð (Einstök Beer Company)

If you’re not supporting Iceland on some level in this World Cup, then you simply don’t have a heart. They are the fun, funny, and fantastic group of vikings that have taken the soccer world by storm. Fortunately for us, we can get the excellent Icelandic White Ale to enjoy while watching this Cinderella story play the beautiful game. Skál!

According to the brewery:

In Iceland, our quest was simple: We wanted to make the best white ale we ever tasted. We got there with the complex flavors of the classic witbier, including orange peel and coriander – all brewed with pure Icelandic water and a touch of oats that deliver a cool smoothness that is uniquely flavorful and refreshingly drinkable.

There you have it. It is obviously not a complete list, but I tried to keep it to beers you might realistically be able to get without having to ship them in from Argentina or Portugal. That being said, if you have a recommendation for me or your fellow Mane Landers for a team or beer I didn’t include, let us know in the comments below. Now, go enjoy the rest of this World Cup! Proost!