Your Favorite 2024 Orlando City Players as Craft Beers

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.

This article is strictly for the purpose of having fun. If you would like to take it too seriously, you are kindly invited to go read one of the many other serious articles available on The Mane Land. Thanks.

It’s that time of the year, Mane Landers! Each season I look at the roster and pair players (or at least those I haven’t included before) with a craft beer. I base the pairings on what is funny, punny, or whatever else I like. I make no promises that you will be able to find these beers locally, though I make an effort to do so. I also encourage you to share your thoughts whether you agree, disagree, or have your own suggestions for beers or players not mentioned.

Last year, I paired Dagur Dan Thorhallson, Wilder Cartagena, Ivan Angulo, and Mason Stajduhar with an appropriate selection of craft beers. If you want to know which beers I chose for those players please go check it out. Here are this year’s pairings.

Luis Muriel — Club Colombia Dorada

I know that the club hasn’t officially announced Muriel’s arrival, but the Lions are the only ones at this point who haven’t. I’m going to take a chance and include him in the list. Muriel has been a staple of Colombian soccer for many years, though he has also traveled abroad to show his value, much like Club Colombia Dorada. Club Colombia is a lager that has been around quite a bit longer than Muriel, but both are proven winners.

According to the brewery:

To know beer, you have to know Club Colombia. Those who know it, call it the perfect beer. An extra-dry, carefully crafted pilsner lager, Club Colombia, is Colombia’s premium brand, with an alcohol content of 4.7% by volume. brewed with Saaz hops.

David Brekalo — Victory Dark Thunder Storm King

It’s always fun finding out little things about the players when I research for this feature. Did you know that Brekalo was given the nickname “the King of Slovenia” while playing in Norway? I didn’t, but how cool is that? That makes it easy to pick this beer. When he got to Orlando City, Brekalo state the following:

I am a sore loser. I love winning games and will do everything in my power to help teammates and the club to victory.

Thus, I have chose Victory Dark Thunder Storm King for our new Slovenian center back. His nickname has King in it, it’s brewed by Victory Brewing Company, and I imagine he will play like an oncoming storm against opponents.

According to the brewery:

A downpour of toasted coconut and coffee meets dense, dark chocolate note of Storm King to deliver an indulgent twist on this bellowed Imperial Stout. Let the thunder roll.

Rafael Santos — Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro

Sticking with the defense, I thought Santos deserved to be included this year after having a phenomenal 2023. His crossing was superb and, as such, I felt that since he plays on the left-hand side of the pitch he should get a Left Hand Brewing beer. I’m going to go with their classic Milk Stout Nitro, because it’s a very good stout that I know you can find.

According to the brewery:

Experience America’s Stout. Milk Stout Nitro is a full sensory experience. Gaze at the mesmerizing cascade of all those tiny Nitro bubbles. Breathe in the aromas of roasted coffee, milk chocolate, brown sugar and vanilla cream. Savor the super smooth Nitro sensation. And, smile as the perfectly pillowy head coats your upper lip. This portable draft beer experience is Good to Go straight from the can or served Like a Pro in a glass. From the bottle, Pour Hard to release the Nitro magic inside.

Martin Ojeda — Lagunitas Sucks

Don’t everyone get all riled up with my beer choice for Ojeda until you hear my reasons. I chose Lagunitas Brewing Company’s Sucks Ale. It’s not because I think Ojeda sucks. It is because Lagunitas originally made it as a “substitute” beer for their better known Brown Shugga Ale. The result was a great beer all of its own that I look forward to every year. Ojeda might have been a substitute for Orlando City last season, but I expect him to see more minutes this year and to contribute more.

According to the brewery:

This beer is a ‘cereal medley’ of barley, rye, wheat, and oats. Full of complexishness from the 4 grains, then joyously dry-hopped for that big aroma and resinous flavor.

It might be hard to find this particular beer right now, but keep it in mind when it makes its annual return. It’s worth the wait, I promise. Hey, hopefully like Ojeda will be worth the wait.

As we head into another season, let me know if you were able to enjoy any of these selections. I also look forward to your own pairings in the comment section below.