While “Star Wars” fans have no shortage of collectibles to hunt down, they may have a few new items on their lists, especially if they also love craft beer. Craft brewers love to showcase their love for pop culture in a variety of ways and some have shown their love for “Star Wars” by a few aptly named beers.
Not all of these beers are going to be easy to find, but if you are a true “Star Wars” collector that means nothing to you. So what better way to celebrate the release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” then by enjoying a few of these “Star Wars” inspired beers?
New England Brewing Co.’s Imperial Stout Trooper: This much sought after stout has everything you could want in a “Star Wars” beer, awesome label (although due to rights issues the label now features a storm trooper with a Groucho Marx inspired nose and mustache), perfect name, and world class beer. Imperial Stout Trooper is a Russian Imperial Stout with a wonderfully creamy body, notes of bitter chocolate and licorice. It is also a great beer to age, a must-have beer for all “Star Wars” fanatics!
Westbrook Brewing Co.’s Dark Helmet: Maybe not a definite “Star Wars” inspired beer, but a Spaceballs inspired one is just as good in my book. Westbrook releases this Schwarzbier in the fall. Strong notes of coffee and roasted chocolate sit within a smooth malt bill for an experience that dark beer lovers will want to have as soon as possible.
Revelation Cat Craft Brewing’s Death Star: Revelation Cat is an Italian based brewery with a heavy nod toward classic Nintendo on their labels. The label, name and delicious beer inside make this one a must have for “Star Wars” fans who grew up in the ’80s. This Imperial Stout is full of roasted malts with a leaning toward bitter dark chocolate. This might be a bit more difficult to find, but the reward is worth the hunt!
Snake River Brewing Co.’s OB-1: While inspired by name more than anything, OB-1 in this case actually stands for Organic Beer number 1, it is nonetheless a great beer. Made from 100 percent organic malt and 100 percent organic hops, this 4.9 percent ABV English Brown Ale is very well balanced with hints of sweet and nutty characteristics that are easy drinking and light.
HaandBryggeriet’s Dark Force: This Norwegian brewed beer is heavily influenced by “Star Wars” and is also an extremely unique beer. The style itself is an Imperial Wheat Stout. Yes, this dark stout was brewed with all wheat malts and wheat yeast. The result is a beer with strong notes of chocolate and coffee that is balanced, easy drinking, and will definitely turn you to the dark side.
Jackie O’s Brewery’s Java the Stout: Jackie O’s is one of the best breweries in Ohio and not only is Java the Stout a great “Star Wars” inspired beer; it just might be one of the best beers on this list. Fresh coffee abounds within this creamy stout with backing notes of caramel for an out of this world experience.
