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beers-star_00407516

I love this image so very much! I can make beer…but this is true art and a killer article to go along with it. Read it here: http://hrgrowler.com/star-wars-themed-beer-may-be-coming-our-way/

I’m not at the brewery today. Why, you might ask? Well, it’s simple. Today is the unofficial release of “StarWars: The Force Awakens.” Come early afternoon I will be spending the evening waiting in line with my step-son to see this soon-to-be life changing event.

While watching an episode of “StarWars: Rebels” with my daughter last night I started to think about what different beer styles might be a good representation of many of the main characters in the “StarWars” films.

**THIS BLOG ENTRY CONTAINS NO SPOILERS**

If you’re a fan of the films that line is important.

The only characters I have chosen to work with are the ones that are already fleshed out and I will focus only on the new films. There are tons of characters in this universe but to many these are the ones that stand out and make an impact in the universe.

C-3PO and R2-D2

These two droids filter throughout the six films and will be present in the new ones as well. They carry the stories and help to relay what’s going on through the eyes of outsiders.

R2-D2 is curious, adventurous, witty, and small. I find a lot of the same qualities in today’s session IPA’s.

C-3PO is a bit more cautious, worrisome, caring. Kolsch was the first style that came to my mind for him. This German ale that drinks like a lager is calm, and safe for many but still has a beautiful delicate flavor and aroma to it making it easy to enjoy!

Luke Skywalker & Leia Organa

This duo has and will have many adventures together. Both  have strong wills and are determined to fight strongly for a common cause. They are two of the main heroes of the StarWars universe.

Luke was challenging and I broke down into three different beers.

Luke Skywalker, farm boy (“A New Hope”)

Luke is curious, longing for adventure, and ready to jump into anything as a young farm boy who hates his home may act. I chose a Belgian Wit to describe this. Unique, flavorful, and a bright star in the beer world.

 

Luke Skywalker, Jedi in training (“The Empire Strikes Back”)

Luke is now part of Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire and is the rebirth of an ancient order of knights to help protect the galaxy. While still learning he is rambunctious, excited to learn and help, and pushes his will to the limits to get what he wants, even if it involves risking his or the lives of his friends. To compare to this I decided an American style IPA was a good choice. Aggressive, flavorful, bitter, and exciting. Just as Luke learns that a Jedi does not crave these things we as beer drinkers have learned that hoppy does not always mean bitter or flavorful, but rather a balance of both.

Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight (“Return of the Jedi”)

A fully trained Jedi, Luke now has better control over himself and his abilities. He is more patient but still has sparks of himself that arise making him a unique and powerful character. Thus, White IPA! A perfect blend of both styles blending flavorful Belgian wit packed with orange and spices and a boost of bitter and flavorful hops to create a truly unique style!

Leia Organa

A strong woman and one of the first characters we are introduced to in the original film. A princess and senator in the Galactic Senate, she also doubles as a spy and leader for the Rebel Alliance. She is passionate and caring for those she loves and ideals she supports. I feel that a Belgian Tripel is one of the best styles to meet her character. Big, bold, spicy-sweet, but can really mess you up if you’re not paying attention!

Han Solo and Chewbacca

These two are friends for life. A Wookie life debt was made by Chewbacca to Han for saving his life once from the Empire (or so traditional cannon states.)

Chewbacca is a Wookie from the planet Kashyyyk. These yeti like creatures are gentle, but also have a fierce warrior side. They are loyal and dedicated to their causes and Chewbacca embodies all that Wookies stand for. Thus an American Amber ale, in my opinion, describes him best. Malty sweet with hints of caramel backed by strong hop flavors of traditional American hops from the Pacific Northwest like Cascade.

Han Solo is a smuggler, scoundrel, lover, and pugnacious. He never wanted to be part of the rebel cause, but ended up involved to save his own skin. He gained many new friends and a desire to help others. Roggenbier! A German rye beer fits his personality the best! Spicy, relaxed, full of flavor and zest, roggenbier offers all of these things! Plus, he’s one of my favorite characters and one of my favorite beer styles.

Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

Ok, so this is a really fun one. Anakin goes through some drastic changes in his life as a slave boy (A film I will ignore in this blog), to padawan (Jedi in training), a Jedi Knight, and later a Sith Lord (the big bad guys.)

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The many faces of Anakin Skywalker https://www.pinterest.com/pin/405886985140278120/

Anakin Skywalker (Jedi Padawan, “Attack of the Clones”)

Anakin was always wanting to do his own thing. While he believed in the cause of the Republic and Jedi together he was always breaking the rules and exceeding limitations in his training and as a boy. The American Double/Imperial IPA is a great fit for this character. Packed with flavor and always pushing the limits of power to get what he wanted, everyone to be happy!

Anakin Skywalker (Jedi Knight, “Revenge of the Sith”)

Anakin excels at his training and passes his “tests” quickly to become a full Jedi Knight and help protect the people of the galaxy from an upcoming war with the soon-to-be empire. He is brash, aggressive, and begins to abandon much of the Jedi way to develop and unorthodox version of the Jedi which he is unaware is spiraling him to the dark side of the Force. I chose Black IPA to exemplify this change. The hops are still there, blended with soft roast, the bright gold/auburn of an IIPA is replaced by jet black to create a unique inspiring style that reflects Anakin’s thoughts and actions.

Anakin Skywalker (Lord of the Sith Darth Vader, “Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi”)

The big bad guy in the StarWars cinematic universe. Anakin has taken a turn for the worse and has become everything he swore to protect against. Bulky black armor, an intimidating mask, and unreal power was gained to create a war machine capable of tapping into the dark side of the Force to get his will accomplished. This one was obvious…Russian Imperial Stout. It seems to be the next evolution in the other two styles and also in the beer world, trumping the Black IPA. Full bodied, roasty, chocolaty, rich, bitter-sweet, and will end your night very quickly if you aren’t careful, just like the Dark Lord himself.

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan was a true hero in the films from padawan to Jedi Master he embraced what the Jedi stood for, helped his friends, and pushed to end the tyranny of the Galactic Empire by introducing us to Luke and aiding him in his training as he had with young Anakin.

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Obi-Wan Kenobi While I love McGregor I will always be a fan of Sir Alec Guiness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obi-Wan_Kenobi

While he grows through the films his personality is already strongly developed by the start of the film that shall not be named. He comes into his own by “Attack of the Clones” and is fully aware of who he is and is very comfortable with himself by the time we see him in “A New Hope.” Thus, a traditional English IPA is a great choice. Birthing the American IPA and IIPA styles this English version is malty, balanced with floral and earth hops, and not super bitter, but very flavorful and easy to enjoy, just like Obi-Wan from start to finish of the films.

Yoda

Yoda is the true embodiment of what we consider to be a Jedi Master and a true master of the Force itself. He is ancient and holds so much knowledge and has a lot to teach us as well as his students. I feel the best beer to reflect Yoda is the traditional Belgian Geuze. This style is small but packs a powerful punch. Yoda loves misdirection and this Belgian wheat ale does the same thing. While small in alcohol by volume this style is packed with flavors derived from wild yeasts and bacteria. Old hops provide balance against the malt and flavors of barn yard funk, stone fruit, and aggressive tart-sour notes. Yoda surprises us all in “Attack of the Clones” and “The Empire Strikes Back” and shows us he is a force not to be toyed with both in his skills as a Jedi but also as a philosopher and teacher. Geuze also has much to teach us about beer styles and what beer can really become and what it means to that drinker.

Senator/Emperor Palpatine

This man is the mastermind and true evil in the StarWars universe. He corrupted the Senate, created Darth Vader, destroyed entire worlds, and enslaved people to do his bidding, much of which happened under the guise of the sweet old senator who convinced everyone he wanted nothing but to help others and resolve wars peacefully.

Bourbon barrel aged English Barleywine. My wife decided on this one, I had Belgian Dark Strong, but hers makes way more sense. Complex, intense, decadent and full of flavors that meld into one evil concoction that can destroy your world if you’re not careful. English barleywine is important in this comparison due to its malty sweetness and lack of aggressive hops. The bourbon adds a new dimension and exemplifies the sweet malt flavors with spice and then you’re hit with the high tide shifting alcohol that you forget is very, very present and has no problem making itself known when the time is right.

The last one….

Lando Calrissian

Suave, man of business, and a gambler Lando is the representation of the ladies man in the StarWars universe. Portrayed by the great Billy Dee Williams this character brings about some really great spunk to the last two films. Lando is someone that Han sees as a friend, then an enemy, then a hero! I think saison says it all. Attractive to many who are just getting into craft beer due to its bright, sparking body, fruity flavors, and in some versions high alcohol, saison is a great style! But, many people once they get into other beers begin to dislike saison. They learn that it can hide things they may like in beer, but when it comes down to it, who cares! Its a fun beer style that almost everyone loves, just like Lando…and Billy Dee!

Would you agree with this list? What would you place as styles for these characters? What about other characters that I did not mention? Leave your thoughts in the comment section!

So I will end this entry here. I’m super thirsty and even more excited for the new installment tonight! So after the movie tonight swing by The Tap and enjoy some music, great food and some amazing beer!

Cheers, and may the Force be with you!

 

 

 

 

I do not own any of the images used in this post. I have placed the links from where they were borrowed from. StarWars is the property of Disney and Lucasfilm. The thoughts associated in this blog entry are for entertainment only and do not reflect the opinions of Disney, Lucasfilm, or the actors who portrayed the characters in the films and film stills.