Alabama Fans' Beer Drinking Rituals Explained

Alabama, known for its college football culture, has a dedicated fan base that enjoys drinking beer while cheering on their favourite teams. In recent years, the sale of alcohol at college football games has become more common, with 88% of FBS schools selling alcohol during the 2023 season. Alabama fans of college football teams like Alabama and Auburn have shown a preference for certain beer brands. Good People Brewing Co., a Birmingham-based brewery, has been the most popular choice for fans of both teams, with its Mexican lager, the Muchacho, being a summer favourite. Alabama's craft beer scene is thriving, with breweries like Band of Brothers, Blue Pants, Druid City Brewing, and Folklore offering unique and compelling flavours. However, the state has restrictive laws regarding alcohol content, making beer with more than 6% alcohol illegal. Despite this, Alabama fans have a diverse range of drinking preferences, and the availability of alcohol at college football games adds to the lively atmosphere of the sport.

Alabama fans' favourite beer brands

Alabama and Auburn football fans may not agree on much, but they can agree on Good People Brewing Co. being their favourite beer brand. This Birmingham-based brewery beat out larger macro brands like Miller Lite and Bud Lite to become the most popular beer for both fanbases, according to an analysis of social media data by marketing company Zoomph.

Good People Brewing Co. has been legally brewing beer in Alabama since 2008 and its Mexican lager, Muchacho, is a fan favourite. The brewery also has other popular beers, including its flagship hoppy IPA and the Snake Handler IPA.

While Good People was the most popular beer for Alabama fans, it was even more popular among Auburn fans. About 1.4% of Alabama fans were Good People fans, compared to 2% of Auburn fans. Alabama fans also preferred some domestic macro beers, including Miller Lite, Bud Light, and Budweiser.

In general, Auburn fans seem to enjoy craft beer more than Alabama fans. Based on Zoomph's data, Auburn fans are more likely to be considered beer enthusiasts. Two other Birmingham-area breweries, Avondale Brewing and Cahaba Brewing, were among Auburn fans' top four beer brands.

Outside of Good People, Auburn fans also enjoyed craft beers from breweries outside of Alabama, including Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing, Georgia-based SweetWater Brewing, and Delaware-based Dogfish Head Brewing.

Where to buy beer at college football games

College football games are a great opportunity to bond with friends and classmates, and many schools have recognised that students and fans want to be able to enjoy a beer while they watch the game. In recent years, the NCAA and conferences have loosened rules, and universities have started to allow alcohol sales at college football games.

In 2023, 88% of schools sold alcohol at college football games, and there are now only a handful of college football stadiums that don't serve alcohol. This is a notable shift from over a decade ago, when it was rare to find alcohol being sold at a college football stadium.

If you're looking to buy beer at a college football game, it's worth noting that not all colleges and universities allow the sale of alcohol, and some schools only sell alcohol in premium seating areas. In 2023, 16 schools did not sell alcohol at college football games, including Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, and Michigan.

However, many schools now allow alcohol sales throughout their football stadiums. In 2023, 117 out of 133 FBS schools sold alcohol, and three schools—Kentucky, Michigan State, and Western Michigan—sold alcohol for the first time. Some schools that sold alcohol throughout their stadiums in 2023 include:

• Air Force
• Alabama
• Appalachian State
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Florida International
• Southern Mississippi
• Texas
• West Virginia
• And many more

So, if you're planning to attend a college football game and want to buy a beer, be sure to check the alcohol policies of the specific school and stadium before you go.

Alabama's alcohol laws

Alabama has strict laws regarding the sale of alcohol. The state has a monopoly on the sale of wine with an alcohol content of 14% or higher and all distilled spirits. Grocery and convenience stores may sell wine with less than 14% alcohol and beer with less than 6% alcohol. It is illegal to serve alcohol after 2 a.m. and to sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Alabama also has a number of dry counties and towns where the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

The penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs in Alabama can be severe. For a first DUI offense, the penalty includes a fine of $500 to $2,000, a driver's license suspension for 90 days, and up to one year in jail. The penalties increase for subsequent offenses, with a third DUI offense within five years resulting in a fine of $2,000 to $10,000, a driver's license suspension for three years, and 60 days to one year in jail. A fourth or subsequent DUI offense is considered a felony, with a prison sentence of one to ten years, a fine of $4,000 to $10,000, and a driver's license suspension for five years.

Alabama also has laws prohibiting boating under the influence (BUI). Operating a boat, water skis, or similar devices while intoxicated is illegal, and the penalties for BUI are similar to those for DUI. Alabama's alcohol laws also allow for the use of ignition interlock devices, which prevent a vehicle from starting if the driver has alcohol on their breath.

In terms of the beer preferences of Alabama fans, Good People Brewing Co. is the most popular beer brand among Alabama and Auburn football fans. This Birmingham-based brewing company beat out larger macro brands like Miller Lite and Bud Lite. However, Auburn fans seem to prefer craft beer, with two other Birmingham-area breweries, Avondale Brewing and Cahaba Brewing, also making their top four beer brands. Alabama fans, on the other hand, preferred domestic macro beers, with Miller Lite, Bud Light, and Budweiser being their top choices after Good People.

Beer drinking culture in Alabama

Alabama is known for its vibrant beer drinking culture, with a growing number of craft breweries and a passionate fan base for local brews. The state's drinking culture is closely associated with its love for college football, with many fans enjoying a cold beer while cheering on their favourite teams.

One of the most popular beer brands among Alabama football fans is Good People Brewing Co., a Birmingham-based brewery that has been legally crafting beers since 2008. Good People's Mexican lager, Muchacho, is a fan favourite, known for its refreshing and crisp taste, perfect for summer days. Another popular choice is Avondale Brewing, also based in Birmingham, known for its unique and creative selections.

While Alabama's drinking culture is heavily influenced by football, it also extends beyond the sports realm. The state has seen a rise in craft breweries that cater to a wide range of palates, from boozy Belgian pale ales to fruity saisons and crisp IPAs. Tuscaloosa's Band of Brothers Brewing Co. and Huntsville's Blue Pants Brewery are great examples of breweries offering innovative and compelling flavours.

Alabama's beer drinking culture also has its unique regulations. In the past, the state had restrictive laws that prohibited beer with an alcohol content of more than 6%. However, there have been efforts to change this, with a bill proposed in the Alabama Legislature to increase the allowable alcohol content and provide consumers with a wider range of options.

The state also has strict laws regarding underage drinking, with establishments required to check IDs for anyone who appears under the legal drinking age. Alabama takes drinking and driving seriously, with a limit of 0.02% blood alcohol content for drivers under the age of 21. The state also offers a voluntary program called the Responsible Vendor Program, which provides training and registration for licensees to responsibly serve and sell alcohol.

Craft beer in Alabama

Alabama is known for its college football, but it's also a hub of creativity when it comes to food and drink. The state offers a wide variety of craft beers, with an ever-growing number of local breweries, pubs, and craft beer enthusiasts.

The most popular beer among Alabama and Auburn football fans is Good People Brewing Co., a Birmingham-based brewery that has been crafting beer since 2008. Good People beat out larger macro brands like Miller Lite and Bud Lite to become the favourite among both fan bases. However, Auburn fans seem to lean more towards craft beer, with two other Birmingham-area breweries, Avondale Brewing and Cahaba Brewing, making their top four.

Avondale Brewing, owned by Good People, offers a range of craft beers, including their popular Belgian Pale Ale, "Monk on the Radio," with an ABV of 8.2%. Druid City Brewing, located in Tuscaloosa, is another popular spot, known for its compact and inviting taproom. Their Lamplighter IPA, with an ABV of 5.9%, is a classic, bitter yet tropical IPA.

Huntsville, a city in Alabama, is home to several breweries, including Blue Pants Brewery, which offers a unique strawberry-infused beer called Slip Rose Strawberry Saison with an ABV of 6.5%. Huntsville also boasts the Straight to Ale Brewing Company, which features innovative and experimental beers, and Salty Nut Brewery, known for its creative and playful brews.

With a growing craft beer culture, Alabama is challenging the stereotypes and offering a diverse range of beverages that showcase the state's creativity and hospitality.

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