Bengals beers are here. Tiger stripes look good on a beer can.
That’s the thought that multiple Cincinnati breweries have had, as we’ve seen more Cincinnati Bengals themed beers roll in to start this year than ever before.
Fans are of course familiar with the Hu-Dey special themed cans of Hudepohl that have been released for Bengals Super Bowl appearances in 1980, 1988, and then again for the 2021 season earlier this year. The beers were so popular that many people waited hours at the loading dock at the shuttered Christian Moerlein brewery in the cold in February, only for many of them to come away empty-handed.
Many of the Bengals-themed beers have been released in 2022, but one beer that returns for its second season is Kenny’s Dey Drinking Lager from 16 Lots Brewing Co. The beer honors Bengals quarterbacking legend Ken Anderson, and is a collaboration between 16 Lots and the Ken Anderson Alliance.
A couple of breweries have released Joe Burrow-inspired beers, hoping to capitalize on the popularity of perhaps the most popular QB in Bengals history not named Boomer. Brink Brewing Co. released Jackpot Joey in late August, a beer inspired by a viral video of the man himself after the win over the Chiefs in January. Called a “Game Day Ale,” the beer is a blonde ale that’s easy drinking and tailgate-able.
Not to be outdone, Grainworks Brewing Company released Brrr, a beer that also capitalizes on the rising popularity of the Cold IPA style. Grainworks describes the beer:
Joe is as cool as ice under pressure, with a fashion sense as crisp as the weather on a playoff Sunday. In honor of this fresh Cincinnati sports icon, our Cold IPA brings the intensity with Citra, Simcoe, and Centennial hops while keeping the malt flavor clean and subdued. It’s purposefully powerful and confidently chill. Brrr.
One other entry into the fray is from Cincinnati’s largest brewery, Rhinegeist. Rather than release a new beer, Rhinegiest instead released a special edition “Jungle Cat” version of their popular Cheetah lager featuring tiger stripes.