Beat the heat and the meat: Jeff Hester's top five wing beers

Have you ever tried eating hot wings without beer? Of course you haven’t. There’s nothing more pure and American than pairing hot wings and beer, not even housewives playing baseball with apple pies. The inevitable heat of these tasty poultry treats goes perfectly with brews that provide a natural, malty smoothness that calms the tongue and doesn’t fill up the belly (more room for wings). So, in honor of this week’s Features section, here are my top five wing beers. One-plus per basket, and a general sense of responsibility, are highly recommended.

5.) Bristol’s Laughing Lab

Here’s to hometown pride. While Bristol might not put out the most impressive brews in the state, Laughing Lab is a classic take on the Scottish Ale, a light red brew with just a hint of hops paired with a thick malt flavor. A taste that soothes but never overwhelms. Do they have chicken in Scotland?

4.) Sierra Nevada’s Summerfest

Sierra Nevada’s seasonals seem to never, ever disappoint, and Summerfest is no exception. Personally, I’m pretty picky when it comes to buying craft-brewed Lagers, since you can often find a cheaper equivalent in a thirty-rack format, but when it’s worth it, goddamit, it sure is worth it. The name is incredibly indicative of the beer: Summerfest is a jubilant and refreshing endeavor that keeps you interested while remaining reminiscent of some of America’s fine, lighter beers.

3.) Odell’s Cutthroat Porter

When it comes to rich barbeque flavor, I always tend to think Porters. Cutthroat is robust and flavorful, yet light and rejuvenating with hints of roasted characteristics. A Porter as fine as this not only compliments the flavor of flame-licked meat, it wipes away the “good hurt” that one is destined to feel when enjoying a fresh basket of spicy Buffalo.

2.) Left Hand’s Milk Stout

If you’ve ever lived anywhere near a diner or seen a movie about teenagers in the 1950s, you know that nothing beats the heat better than a milkshake. The creamy texture of ice cream translated into a delectable, drinkable delicacy. One can’t help but look at the Milk Stout as a milkshake for us beer snobs. The fuller flavors of a classic Stout are prevalent in this brew, but what is most impressive is how it is smoothed over effortlessly with tones of luscious dairy. And besides, didn’t your mom say you should get more calcium?

1.) Budweiser

This choice is adamant and unapologetic. It’s no coincidence that the Budweiser label bears the same color as Ten-Alarm Hot Sauce and scorched chicken flesh; this is a pairing drawn in blood. Not only is Budweiser the perfect beer for hot wings, but how many wings joints are going to know what a Milk Stout is? In the same fashion as hot wings, Budweiser is a universal and undeniable source of comfort across America and deserves to be celebrated as such.