Kegs and kegging barrels. Sounds good! Photo: ASP/Kirstin Scholtz
On Monday, the ASP announced that Pacifico would become the organization’s official U.S. beer sponsor, participating in various World Tour events including Lowers and Pipeline. “Pacifico is a brand that is synonymous with the enjoyment and celebration of beach culture,” said CEO Paul Speaker. “A partnership with the world’s best surfers is a very good fit.” In light of this news, the following list shows pairs individual surfers with their alcoholic equivalents.
1. Mick Fanning – Foster’s
Mick likes to knife the froth off the top… of waves that is. Photo: ASP/Kelly Cestari
Foster’s is Australian for beer. With three World Titles under his belt, in addition to being the only Australian to win a contest during the Australian leg of the World Championship Tour this year, “White Lightning” has proven one thing: Mick Fanning is Australian for surfing.
2. Joel Parkinson – Pacifico
Add a lime and you’re one step closer to paradise. Photo: ASP/Kelly Cestari
Parko is hailed as the surfer with the smoothest style on tour, which calls for the pairing of a smooth beer. His zen-like composure on a wave takes us to the kind of inner peace we could only otherwise achieve through a relaxing tropical vacation, and Pacifico somehow manages to bottle that vacation.
3. Gabriel Medina – Red Bull Vodka
Drop the bass. Gabriel Medina’s ready to party. Photo: ASP/Kirstin Scholtz
Bursting on the scene in 2011, Gabriel Medina wowed surf fans with his aerial prowess. Medina’s a guy that surfers hate to compete against because he’s always busy. With some of the highest individual wave counts in each event, and a go big or go home mentality, it’s clear why he pairs so well with Red Bull Vodkas. Medina is here, and he’s ready to party.
4. Michel Bourez – Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale
Michel’s famous for his heavy hand approach. Like the way Arrogant Bastard manhandles your taste buds. Photo: ASP/Kelly Cestari
Stone Brewing’s Arrogant Bastard Ale touts itself as an “aggressive ale” that most people lack the taste or sophistication to appreciate. To say the least, it’s not for the faint of heart, and neither is Michel Bourez’s surfing. Like he demonstrates at each and every contest — he’s not just out to ride waves, he’s out to rip them to smithereens one power hack and gouge at a time. Each of Michel’s turns is like a roundhouse kick to the teeth, and every sip of Arrogant Bastard is an uppercut to the jaw. A match made in heaven.
5. Dane Reynolds – Pabst Blue Ribbon
Stoked and broke. Photo: Channel Islands
Remember when you were in high school and the only requirement you had for beer was that it was cheap and came in cases of 30? PBR is the kind of beer you reach for when it’s time to get hammered, just like Marine Layer is the site you go to when you’re trying to get fired up. From beer pong and beer bongs to shot-gunning and keg standing, PBR is a don’t care, throw caution to the wind kind of beer, and Dane’s surfing is all about going for broke.
6. Bobby Martinez – Mezcal
Mezcal with a worm attacks your liver. Bobby Martinez attacks Rincon. Photo: Channel Islands
Since he’s no longer competing on the ‘CT, Bobby Martinez isn’t the kind of guy that’s perpetually in the public eye. But with a few appearances in videos here and there, and photos at firing Rincon, Bobby seems to surface just when you begin to wonder what’s going on with him. Like Mezcal (with the worm!), you don’t come across him every day but his surfing packs a serious punch. Think about watching him attack waves on his backhand at Rincon. It’s like watching Mezcal attack your liver!
7. John John Florence – Shock Top Belgian White
Smooth, yet bursting with flavor. Photo: Aaron Lieber
John John is a guy with serious variety. From his innate ability to ride the barrel, to his air game, and even big waves, John John’s surfing has a serious assortment of flavors. A cold bubbling glass of Shock Top with a slice of orange has that same variety. Fruity, hoppy, and smooth, it’s a beer that’s exciting and refreshing.
8. Jordy Smith – 1 liter of Hofbrauhaus
Throw a few buckets, drink a few buckets. Makes sense right? Photo: ASP/Kirstin Scholtz
As one of the biggest guys on tour, Jordy is known for being surprisingly light on his feet. His surfing is also, however, one heaping helping of speed and power. It’s no wonder that this goes best with a giant 1-liter glass of tasty German beer. Maybe the giant glass will give you an appreciation for Jordy’s ability to maneuver such big boards.
9. Nat Young- Lagunitas IPA
Nat Young & Lagunitas IPA. Your surfing and other beers pale in comparison. Photo: ASP/Kelly Cestari
Hoppy, springy, fresh. These words are applicable both to Lagunitas IPA and Nat Young’s surfing. Even though he’s one of the newer guys on tour, Nat Young has proven that he belongs alongside the very best. Growing up in Santa Cruz, he’s a hometown hero that deserves to be paired with a California brew. Why an India Pale Ale? Well, he is a little pale. No offense Nat.
10. Kelly Slater – Fine Wine
Kelly let this gouge age in his wine cellar until Margies. Well played sir. Photo: ASP/Kirstin Scholtz
11 World Titles and no sign of slowing down, Kelly’s surfing is proof that it’s not just wine that gets better with age. Like winos that can identify minute differences in wines from year to year, Kelly fans talk about “the 90’s Kelly” or “the 2000’s Kelly.” And his surfing is clearly aged in oak barrels.
