We have seen articles on this, and many other web sites/blogs, about college football teams around the nation preparing for the upcoming season. I am positive the players and coaches are giving their all to assure they are prepared for the season opening kickoff that is rapidly approaching. What I am not as sure of is that all you tailgaters are putting in your preseason work to prepare for this soon to arrive last weekend in August. So I here to refresh you on some of the essentials. This weeks lesson, holding your beer.
The style of play in the Big House is expected to be "new" to us all, but much of the style of the tailgate will remain the same. Obviously with tailgating comes consuming, and one of the things we consume is beer. Now Umtailgate has its fair share of visitors, and legends, that partake in other imbibements, but like every other tailgate across the nation, beer is the biggest staple. Within the last decade or so it has become the sign of any real tailgate beer drinker to show their experience with their own personal can/bottle holder. Over this period of time we have seen major evolutions and developments in the science of the can holder and almost on a week to week basis we are shocked to see what can now be used to hold a beer. The purpose of this article is to get your brain stimulated on how you will hold your beer this season. Will you go with a classic? Will you blaze your team colors and logo? Will you be creative, like Coach Rodriguez and come with a whole new approach? The choice is yours, but now is the time to start preparing as you will need something of quality to hold your beer on August 30th. We encourage creativity at Umtailgate and also recommend longevity as the first tailgate will entail approximately 7 hours of beer drinking. If you continue reading I look at some of the can holders that make up Umatilgate history.
The Classics: The classic way to hold your beverage at Umtailgate is to do so while showing your support your Wolverines. This can be done in a plethora of ways; a classic foam holder, a bottle zipper or even a molded football player. This is the safest play and easiest to acquire, so if your are of little creativity this could be your option.
The Weather Dictated: This option probably won't be one you choose in September, but it comes to the tailgate annually out of necessity. The "Beer Glove" is commonly used when temperatures drop and a flip flop in science transpires. In these conditions the beer itself needs no insulation as the weather will keep it cold, however the tailgaters' hands need protection from both the elements and the coldness of the beverage. If you are a trooper and join Umtailgate later in the season, the Beer Glove will be a nice choice, obviously when using the Beer Glove, a glove with a block M is the best choice.
Tailgate Girls Fist: This finished #2 in the final poll of best beer holder in Umtailgate history. It didn't come without controversy however. The fist itself was originally crafted with a Detroit Tiger Logo and while very creative it also was deemed by some as very obnoxious. With its conversion, by placing a block M sticker over the old English D, it vaulted into contention for best Umtailage beer holder. After all voting was in, even though it draws the ire of many contemporary Umtailgaters, it fished in the runner up spot. This choice of beer holder is a classic example of high risk/high reward. So if you try to go this way remember that some will give you accolades while others will experience an elevated level of pisstivity.
The Champion: Hailing from one of the unlikeliest of sources, the champion of the beer holder is none other than Umtailgate Hall-of-Famer Stephen. Unsure how it was constructed, either by him personally or manufactured, apparently didn't deter voters from giving his modified Nerf football a landslide victory. This level of creativity would serve you well for the upcoming season and be highly appreciated at the tailgate. So if one of the lesser creativity speaking members can develop this high level of beer holder, so can you. Congrats go out to Stephen and his victory! As we move closer to the season, we are expecting a new level of excitement on the field and demanding a new level of beer holding at the tailgate. I part with this snippet to spur some creativity, we have a theme for each tailgate so crafting a beer holder to fit both the block M and theme would surely be a hit.
