Does your beer match your game?

Living in one of America’s hardest-drinking cities, I naturally spend a fair amount of time bellying up to the bar. And if I’m not at the bar, I’m playing games.

Which begs the question: Does your choice of beer reflect what type of game you play? Read about these games/series and their beer equivalents and decide for yourself.

The beer: Miller Lite The game: Halo

Miller is the default brew of just about any party; Halo is the default first-person shooter you turn to when you want to hang out with your friends online. You always have Miller in your fridge, just like you always have Halo in your disc tray. They’re both tasty, and if someone offers one to you, chances are you wouldn’t turn either one down.

The beer: Budweiser The game: Madden

Bud Light is an old warhorse that has stood the test of time. Madden NFL has sold a gazillion copies of its games over the past 20 years without radically changing its formula. Bud is Anheuser-Busch’s flagship product, just like Madden is EA’s revenue-generating juggernaut. Both are marketed so heavily that no matter where you go, you’re going to run into it.

The beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon The game: Asteroids

It’s an old brew that’s the choice of mid-30-somethings and 40-somethings who are truly old-school. It’s basic (i.e. not full-bodied), it’s cheap, and it carries a lot of hipster cred because it doesn’t get a whole lot of attention.

The beer: Woodchuck Cider The game: Wii Sports

Woodchuck is sweet and fun, and it might be the “starter beer” you drank before you turned 21. (It was for me, at least.) It doesn’t taste like real beer, just like Wii Sports isn’t a real bona-fide game. They both serve as a casual introduction into something that’s much, much deeper.

The beer: Corona The game: Final Fantasy

Like Corona’s slogan, the Final Fantasy series is miles away from ordinary. It has a huge fan base, but it’s not a game you’d play day in and day out. Final Fantasy is a game you’d play for weeks until you finish it, then put it on the shelf. Corona is a beer you’d drink for weeks during a hot, blistering summer, but once it’s over, you’re not necessarily going to spring for more.

The beer: Rolling Rock The game: Mega Man

Rockman comparison aside, Rolling Rock is one of those beers that isn’t particularly great, yet it’s still around and people still order it, and you have no idea why — just like most of the games in the Mega Man series. You don’t have anything against Rolling Rock or Mega Man. You’re just baffled that it’s still around.

The beer: Guinness The game: Metal Gear Solid

You wouldn’t drink Guinness on a regular basis, just like you don’t play MGS on a regular basis. And just like MGS’s cinematic cut scenes, you could chug a Guinness if you’re the impatient type, but it’s best to sip and savor until you finish it off.

The beer: Maudite The game: Beyond Good and Evil

It’s the beer you wouldn’t drink unless the bartender recommends that you try it. Beyond Good and Evil is the game that your well-versed gaming friend suggests you play, but you always forget to look for it. Both are enjoyable, but under-appreciated.