10 Beers to Share with Dad on Father's Day

With Father's Day looming this weekend, we've picked ten brews that are sure to put a smile on his face (and help him forget that time you backed into the mailbox).

Anchor Steam Beer
Anchor Brewing

Appreciating the classics is a part of growing up. Sure, forging your own path and deciding what you like is important too, but if you don’t know what cultural artifacts shaped the world you’re currently existing in, you miss critical context about the direction the future may take. That’s all a bit histrionic when it comes to beer, but this touchstone from Anchor Brewing is certainly something your dad has tried if he knows beer. Malty, smooth and housed in that beautifully clean Anchor bottle, Anchor Steam is about as classic as they come. Just like your Pops.

Curmudgeon Old Ale
Founders Brewing Company

Aged, weathered and heavy describe this beer, as well as any dad that’s been around the block. The seasoning that comes with raising a rapscallion may take its toll on the exterior, but it’s the kind of sacrifice required in order to bring a youngster up properly, and should be justly rewarded with an equally seasoned Old Ale of the highest caliber. Founders’ oak-aged boozy bruiser with an “insane” malt bill is just the sort of heavy hitter to share with pops for a special occasion, especially if he’s the type that enjoys a nice scotch.

Upslope Craft Lager
Upslope Brewing Company

Sometimes, fathers might be a little wary of craft beer. If he’s drunk Coors Banquet for years, why would he try something different now? This beer is for the dads willing to try something a little different. With clean and simple branding, Upslope’s Craft Lager features more flavor and body than your dad’s favorite macro brew, while still retaining the low ABV and sudsy appearance of his favorite crushable six-pack. Who knows, maybe after sipping a craft lager, he’ll soon be hitting you up for tickets to Dark Lord Day!

Baby Daddy
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

Every dad will remember the moment they found out they were going to be a father. It’s undoubtedly an unforgettable feeling, and something to be celebrated with a flavorful beer that’ll still leave you able to piece together a crib. Enter this perfectly named Session IPA from Speakeasy. The firm bitterness will also help cleanse the palate of diapery esters.

Goudenband
Brouwerij Liefmans

This refined choice is sure to impress the paterfamilias. A luxuriously rich Oud Bruin, this is the beer that might convince pops that your “little hobby” of drinking dope craft brews is more than a passing fancy. Clothed in a beautiful blue paper sheath, it looks and drinks like a world-class beverage. Also, if you bring this for your dad, the blue paper will save you the trouble of wrapping it yourself (you lazy bum).

King of the Yahd
Foolproof Brewing Company

He sits perched atop his riding mower, shearing waves of grass into neat checkers before edging the corners, trimming the hedges, pulling the weeds, painting the fence, creating an ornamental rock garden with a koi pond, building a tree house and raking the leaves into a perfect child-sized pile for you to leap into. The yard is a singular, sacred domain for Dad. It is his kingdom, built for no one but the royal family, and tending to his realm is parching work – the perfect time to pop open this canned DIPA from Foolproof.

Your Father Smelt of Elderberries
Stone Brewing Company

Father’s Day is usually a time for joy, happiness and positivity. But there’s always a little part of everyone that thinks, “You know, my dad is the best, wayyy better than these other bums.” This Stone Brewing beer captures and distills that mean streak, all the while quoting one of the best comedic movie choices, Monty Python and The Holy Grail, for discerning moments of fatherly bonding. An unorthodox brew (as is Stone’s wont), this historical ale is brewed in the medieval tradition with archaic ingredients, such as the eponymous elderberry.

Wide Awake It’s Morning
Funky Buddha Brewing Company

How does he do it? Your dad woke up, had his coffee, read the paper, mowed the lawn and cleaned the pool all before you had time to even open your eyes. He’s a marvel. This boozy, beautiful, breakfast-themed beer (an Imperial Maple Bacon Porter) from Funky Buddha might slow him down for a while, but after a quick power nap, he’s back up and at ‘em in no time. What a hero.

XS Old Crustacean Barleywine
Rogue Ales & Spirits

There’s nothing like some good old-fashioned banter. Razzing pops is a way to show love without getting overtly emotional, and giving him a hefty, delicious and friendly reminder of his own mortality is a double-whammy of appreciation, giving him the warming buzz of love and beer. Just be sure to help him finish this bad boy, or you might end up hearing the story of how you were conceived. “This one’s for you, you Old Crustacean!”

Handshake IPA
Green Flash Brewing Co. & Alpine Beer Co.

This IPA collaboration between Green Flash and Alpine serves as a reminder that handshakes can often make or break first impressions. Too firm? You’re a bully. Too limp? You’re a pushover. It might be a snap judgment, but isn’t that what humans do best? In honor of the man who (hopefully) taught you how to give a good handshake, this enjoyable brew from two West Coast IPA masters will go down smooth on dad’s day – accompanying everything from grilled burgers and greasy fries to flaxseed tortilla chips and mango salsa.

Thanks for reading and feel free to share this article with your dad (or anyone) via the button above. Happy Father's Day!