How to Make an 11 a.m. Kickoff: Breakfast Beers!

Regardless of what zrau has been babbling about on twitter this week, early kickoffs suck. You can tell yourself whatever you want, but football in Tiger Stadium is supposed to be played at night. Accept no substitutes.

That said, I’m a man that believes in making the best of a bad situation, and changing up the tailgating options can have its benefits.

And it’s not just a cliche, there are a number of fantastic brews out there that fit just as well early in the morning as your typical Bloody Mary, Mimosa or Screwdriver. Friend of the site Jordan Grove and I put our heads together to come up with a worthwhile six-pack.

All of these beers bring something useful to the table. Some have flavors that pair well with breakfast food, have a brightness to them that befits a brisk fall morning, or are strong/heavy enough to fit an abbreviated tailgate before an early kickoff.

Let’s get to it:

Founders Breakfast Stout

One of my personal favorites, and something that just so happens to be available in four-packs of bottles around the Baton Rouge area right now. Dark, rich and strong, this can easily replace an Irish Coffee and have you ready to give Tiger Stadium a little character.

Southern Prohibition Devil’s Harvest Breakfast IPA

Bright, citrusy beer that goes down super easy with a little bit of a hoppy kick at the end for some texture. Not a fan of champagne for a Mimosa? Try this one on for size, and save the orange juice.

Jordan’s take:

Devil's Harvest Breakfast IPA
Southern Prohibition Brewing
Hattiesburg, MS
4.9-percent abv

Who doesn't like a little juice with breakfast? This citra and mosaic hopped IPA lacks the bitterness associated with some pale ales and instead packs enough citrus *avor to make this a juice bomb. The low alcohol content allows you to cruise til kickoff.

Creature of Habit Brown Ale

Great Raft Brewing
Shreveport, LA
8-percent abv

This brown ale is made using locally sourced coffee from Rhino Coffee in Shreveport. The past couple of years this beer was only available in 22-ounce bombers and weighed in at 6 percent abv, but this year they changed that. Available in 16-ounce four packs and kicked up to 8 percent abv, this light bodied, coffee-forward brown ale packs decadent, bold coffee flavor which is sure to wake you up while the high abv will get you where you need to be in a hurry (and who doesn't since it's a godforsaken 11am kickoff?!).

Moo-Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout

Terrapin Brewing Company
Athens, Georgia
6-percent abv

Disregard the fact that the beer is brewed in UGA's backyard and concentrate on how freakin' much this beer tastes like an actual Yoo-hoo! It's uncanny and you forget you're drinking beer at times with how similar the beer tastes to it's namesake. It uses chocolate shells to get the chocolate flavor and added lactose for a sweet finish. It's available in cans and can be found pretty much anywhere.

Death By Coconut

Oskar Blues Brewing Company
Longmont, Colo.
6.5-percent abv

This beer goes quickly once it hits the market but if you see it, snatch it up. It's like drinking a liquid Almond Joy with flavorful roasted coconut balanced by a dark chocolate backbone. If you're feeling frisky in the morning, drop a shot of Jameson (or whatever your whiskey of choice is) for the best damn boilermaker you've ever had.

Santa Fe Imperial Java Stout

Great on a short timetable — not really a session beer. But rich, very flavorful and goes down incredibly easy, much like Founders Breakfast. Likewise, it gives you some kick at eight-percent abv. This used to be pretty easy to find in Baton Rouge, but I haven’t seen it lately. Definitely worth a pick up for Saturday.