No matter what your NFL loyalties, New England vs. New York in the Super Bowl could be a lot of fun, if while watching the game you're tasting and comparing brews from those two areas.If you grant that the Patriots represent all of New England, you'd have a big range of good craft brews to try. But even if you stick to Massachusetts, you can do quite well.The Boston Beer Co. makes more than Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Light and Ale.If those sound a bit mundane, know that Sam Adams has several other varieties, including a most drinkable Black Lager and an out-of-this world (and hard-to-find) Hallertau Imperial Pilsner. Just coming out now is a new Irish Red Ale, chosen by consumers across the country to be part of the Samuel Adams Brewmasters Collection variety pack. Buy this widely available brand in a perfect-for-a-party variety case or make a mixed six-pack of bottles.A new line of Massachusetts brews is from Paper City Brewing Co. in Holyoke, which makes an India'n Pale Ale that pays homage to the Indian motorcycles that were made in nearby Springfield.If you're rooting for the Patriots to harpoon the Giants (for whatever reason), you also could pick up some brews made by Boston's Harpoon Brewery, which describes itself as "New England's craft brewery." The current seasonal is Hibernian Style Ale and you can still find some Winter Warmer, as well as a variety case.New York has its share of them, too, of course, including New York City, but you'd be going with a winner in the Brooklyn Brewery. It also makes a wide range of flavors, including its seasonal Black Chocolate Stout and the baseball-themed Pennant Ale. Another New York choice (yes, the Giants play in New Jersey, but ...) might be something from Long Island's Blue Point Brewing Co. Its lineup, which is available in our market, includes its flagship Toasted Lager and a nice Extra Special Bitter and, for more adventurous tastes, an American IPA called Hoptical Illusion and a Blueberry Ale.The only beer ads you'll see during the game are for Budweiser and Bud Light, as biggest advertiser Anheuser-Busch has an exclusivity clause. But lay in a variety of brews for your Super Bowl party and everybody can win.(Contact Bob Batz Jr. at bbatz(at)post-gazette.com)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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