* Citizen Kane & a 2001-2003 Anchor Old Foghorn: "Some beers, like some films, actually improve with age. Aged barley wine works really well with this Orson Welles classic. Stronger ales (9% ABV and above) are proving that the right beers can age as well as the world’s finest Bordeaux."
* The Silence of the Lambs & Victory Hop Devil, Duvel or Another Evil-Themed, Hoppy Beer: "The more bitter, the better when you're watching a horror flick accompanied by great beer. To take this particular movie and beer pairing to the next level, cook up some liver and onions with a toasty baguette."
* The Godfather & an Italian Artisanal Beer: "Francis Ford Coppola’s classic film shows ambitious Italians making it in America, and it should be paired with one of the many amazing Italian artisanal beers now being sold in America. I recommend Le Baladin Brewery’s Nora or anything from the Troll Brewery. These are aggressive, flavorful beers that don’t take "no" for an answer."
* Fight Club & Stone Brewing Co.'s Arrogant Bastard Ale or 3 Floyd's Alpha King: "This is one of my favorite films, and I enjoy pairing it with big, flavor-forward beers from small but growing American breweries. I love the way this film shows a community of people who feel anesthetized by the status quo, so they set out to beat the crap out of each to at least feel life again - kind of like what we are doing in the craft brewing renaissance. We know that our beers won’t appeal to everyone, and some are so flavorful and unique that they actually offend some people; however, slowly but surely we are spreading the word. People who want to be impressed by their beer, not merely satisfied, but punched in the palate by flavorful craft beers are widening our double-secret society of hardcore beer lovers."
* Annie Hall & a Brown Ale or Sixpoint Sweet Action: "This is my favorite film about my favorite city: New York City. I’ve been spending a lot of time up there as we are working with Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali to help them open a brewpub on the rooftop of Eataly NYC in March. My wife isn’t into Woody’s fussy, self-conscious dialogue as much as I am so I usually end up watching his films alone, or at least in the company of a great beer from an NYC brewery."
So since I have a man crush on Sam and try to copy everything he does (shaddup!), I'm adding my own list of some movie and beer pairings.
* Gargoyles & Stone Ruination IPA: The classic TV movie from 1972 paired with my absolute favorite beer on earth, which has a beautiful gargoyle right there on the label. It's like it's meant to be paired with this film. You may not make it to the end of the movie though if you're not careful, this beer is a beast.* The Exorcist & Founder's Devil Dancer: Another pairing of 2 favorites of mine. The Exorcist is probably my favorite all-time movie and there's a lot of dancin' with the devil going on in it, or Captain Howdy as it may be. You won't be spitting this beer up like pea soup though, it's delicious. So says my Oujia board. Your mother drinks Founder's in heck!
* Double Impact & Founder's Double Trouble: Jean Claude Van Damme is such a bad ass, perhaps the baddest ever, that he plays a dual roles as Alex and Chad, twins who can both beat-up any living creature, including perhaps elephants.
* The Descent & Left Hand Fade to Black: So these girls go in this cave and fumble around in the dark, while some humanoid creature things start picking them off. Sweet. And the beer is awesome. If they had this beer at their campsite they probably would have never even went in the cave.
* Enter The Dragon & Mikkeller Monk's Brew: If you like your Shaolin monks to kick ass, and let's face it who doesn't, and your beer to do the same... mix these 2.
* Cool Runnings & Red Stripe: Pop a top on these stubby little bottles while watching the (somewhat) true story of the first Jamacian bobsled team trying to make it to the winter olympics. You'll probably want to light up as well. Hooray beer!
* Stand By Me & Rogue's Dead Guy Ale: You guys wanna go see a dead body? You could substitue Weekend at Bernie's here I'm sure and be just as satisfied.
* Dances With Wolves & Tallgrass Buffalo Sweat: Buffalo Sweat seems like something the Injuns might have drank. Can I say Injuns? Too late. Oddly though, not 1 single casino in this movie.
* The Three Stooges Meet Hercules & Ommegang Three Philosophers Quadrupel: I think it's pretty much a known fact that this is the best Three Stooges work. Right? Well, this beer is so good that you'll think it's their best work probably by the end.
* Deliverance & Grand Ridge Moonshine: I haven't had this brew, but I assume it'll make the sqealing more appealing. Hey, I'm a poet and didn't... eh. It's always been sort of funny to me how this movie launched Burt Reynolds into Hollywood tough guy extraordinare and launched Ned Beatty into that guy. Bent over the stump. Ya know.
* Bad Santa & Ridgeway's Very Bad Elf: Well, actually the whole holiday movie thing would be too easy. Easier than Ned Beatty! I'll stop now.
