By Alex Dapp, Hop City Marketing Manager
“How can you not be romantic about baseball?” — Brad Pitt as Billy Beane in the 2011 film, Moneyball.
I’ve been going to baseball games since before I could walk. Growing up in Baltimore, it was a yearly tradition to attend at least one Orioles game every season. I still remember walking up to the Camden Yards gates and entering what felt like the mecca of the world. The Orioles were near the bottom of the league for most of my childhood, but that never mattered to me. The atmosphere, the crowd, the smell of hot dogs and peanuts — it all felt magical.
As I moved into adulthood and eventually made my way to Atlanta, the Braves became my adopted team. Nothing will ever replace the Orioles as my No. 1 team, of course. But when Truist Park is the only MLB stadium within a thousand-mile vicinity, you adapt accordingly.
At the time of writing this newsletter, the Braves are one of the hottest teams in baseball. While my Orioles side is miserable as always, my Braves side is excited about the possibility of another World Series contender. In celebration of that, let’s take a look at some beers here at Hop City that celebrate the joys of America’s pastime. Because outside of hot dogs and peanuts, beer has been synonymous with baseball since the sport’s earliest days.
First up is Brewery Ommegang. This acclaimed farmhouse brewery is located in scenic Cooperstown, NY - home of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. I’ve visited this town many times on baseball-related trips, and it is truly the most beautiful town across America, rich in baseball history and surrounded by rolling hills and a picturesque lake. Ommegang’s Neon Riot ($15.99) is a Belgian-style IPA brewed in collaboration with their neighbors at Prison City Brewing. Part of their OMG Series, this IPA delivers notes of stone fruit and citrus, while the Belgian yeast gives the beer a warm, cozy finish. It’s incredibly delicious, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have this 4-pack on our shelves.
Next up in the batting order is Fat Orange Cat’s Kittens Summer Ale ($10.99). This beer is for the wheat beer lovers, especially if you’re a fan of Blue Moon (one of the official sponsors of the Braves, by the way).
This refreshing pale ale brings plenty of citrus and wheat character, with warm spice notes throughout. As the name implies, it’s perfect for a breezy summer day. But the main thing I want to point out is the can art, which features a team of hand-drawn kittens in baseball uniforms posing for a team photo. Fat Orange Cat’s labels always give me a good chuckle, so seeing baseball-themed artwork was an instant home run for me.
Batting cleanup is a fan-favorite IPA: Old Nation Single Double IPA ($17.99). Brewed with only a single hop, El Dorado Cryo, this hazy New England-style double IPA delivers huge fruity notes and a full-bodied finish. As the can and name suggest, this beer is built for outdoor enjoyment. As Old Nation puts it, it’s perfect for listening to “...a live baseball game on the radio!” This one is only here for a limited time, so take a lead-off and sprint to your nearest Hop City before it’s gone.
So come by Hop City and take a gander at the beers mentioned above, along with the rest of our selection. Our strikeout percentage is low and our batting average is well above league average when it comes to craft beer.
