I had a moment of panic yesterday when I decided to look ahead in my TV guide and saw that next Saturday's lineup was available.
The panic came from the fact that I haven't been able to see any real scrimmage footage, the fact that we don't know who the starting QB is, and the fact that I just don't feel ready yet.
What do you guys do to get prepared for gameday?
For me it's picking out a bourbon for the season, deciding on what meats I'll be smoking that first weekend, and finally allowing myself to purchase some Oktoberfest and Pumpkin beers. I feel like if I am not prepared, the team isn't prepared, and if the team isn't prepared, we will lose.
Also: I found out I can't get Yuengling in Minnesota. If we lose every game this year, that is why. I am sorry.
Comments
Ahh yes, the ritual of picking out the season's bourbon. It is only appropriate to also post these related threads from the past:
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/april/10/otwhiskey-gin-vodka-tequ...
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2013/august/6/what-do-you-drink-gameday
Also, should we win a National Championship, I will be opening up my bottle of Blue Label. So what if I saved that for my first kid, there's more important things right? Don't question my priorities!
Tailgate menu.
Smoking meats and making sausages.
scanning for news (made worse this year).
setting up the gear and looking to see what needs maintenance and repair.
Buying the consumables that are not food- tablecloths, stove gas, smoking chips, squeeze bottles, flags, papertowels, etc.
checking the bourbon supply and irish whiskey supply for coffee.
Working on the recipe for a new maroon and orange beverage.
the list goes on and on.
Orange and maroon recipe?
The Turkey Bomb
Drop a shot of WT into a glass of Shocktop (to match Bucky's mohawk)
Consume
Repeat as necessary and/or able
I assume you'll be making this face afterwards
If I'm going to drop bourbon into a beverage, it's at least going to be a beer.
Well played sir!
On a related note, I saw this in the grocery store and thought, "How bad could it be?"
It tasted like honey soaked pot pourri. Blech!
Definitely not a fan of any spiced beers. " Belgian style" means stay away in my book. Pot pouri is spot on.
I don't even know, man. This is my first summer without a band camp and hectic first week to get me pumped up for the game. Gotta find a way to get in the zone
Tennis is on!?! I'll DVR the game
The Angel's Envy in the back is good stuff! As is the Bulleit next to it. Affordable and still good.
Had Angels envy last weekend. It was yummy
Bulleit is my go-to if I want to enjoy me a good bourbon
I love all 3 Bulleit variations! Its very reasonable and is amazing straight up!
I typically keep Bulleit stocked in my house. Makes a good Old Fashioned, although lately I've been making them with Rye. Once I make my pre-season run to the ABC store, I'll be sitting with about the same number of bottles of whiskey as I have every other liquor
Bulleit Rye is my new favorite. More than I like to spend, but amazingly good.
That is just excellent. I lingered on this display.
How's the Hudson Baby Bourbon? It is sitting in my liquor cabinet taunting me. I was waiting for the season to start to crack it open.
Got it in a restaurant once. Pretty good. Smooth, not as sweet as most bourbons. It's from NY though, which I thought was weird...
I've not tried the Blantons but heard it is good.
Blantons is some good stuff. Had a couple glasses a few weeks ago while getting ready to be in a wedding.
I agree Blantons is good stuff!
Ahhhhh, Pritchard's is my jam.
I watch your trailer on repeat all day the Friday before. I need nothing else to get me pumped.
seeing as we're playing William and Mary, I could see either doing smoked deer in homage to the colonial aspect, some form of smoked breakfast sausage considering William and Mary being monarchs of England, or really smoking any kind of meat because the Dutch were extremely cosmopolitan in their cuisine and William was originally from the Netherlands.
Well First I wake up and piss excellence.. ok enough of that.
The night before I marinade the steak+chicken+hotdogs maybe some wings and get some potatoes cut and seasoned. That goes in the fridge and I'm set. Check the liquor cabinet, ok we got Bulleit, Jamison and tequila check!
Get some charcoal, paper plates, paper towels.
Gameday!
I like to have the BillDozer HokieHour going on the tv! Yes just plug in the cable from the laptop to the tv and boom heaven! So while that is blaring in the theater system I'll get changed of course its a maroon VT nike shirt, and shorts and sandals. The friends come over and its grilling/drinking time!
I need to convince my roommate to call FIOS and subscribe to ESPN News just for next Saturday, and that he can cancel it on Sunday.
Don't, it will be on a local network too. Sometimes CSN or MASN will pick up the ESPN News broadcast. Assuming you live in VA that is.
Good to know. I will have to check the guide when I get home.
Or you could stream in from ESPN3 since you have FIOS. Last year the quality from those streams was much better than it has been in the past.
The 7 a.m. shower beer is a greatly under-utilized gameday prep method!
This makes me miss college. Shampoo effect on so many different levels!
I still have lots of excess ribs in the freezer from the post-4th-of-july rib selloff at Wegman's, so I'll start those in the morning and crank Enter Sandman. That should work.
I want Wegman's near me so bad. Only been once, but I miss it everyday since.
We're supposed to be getting one next year......what can I expect?
In Charlottesville?
The cheese bar will be stocked with brie, the bakery will have nothing but french rolls, the wine section will be bigger than the meat section, everyone wears monocles, and powdered donuts made in the shape of wigs.
What can you expect?...Me to come live with you! What's your address, phone number, hug preference?
That got outta hand fast!
I hate to do this to you, but if we win the National Championship you are never allowed to have a Yuengling during football season.
Normally, I would wake up, take a shot, shower, take a shot, piss excellence, take a shot, put on my suit and facepaint, take a shot. ride down, start drinking beer, eat, walk around, get into NEZ and jump up and down and yell and scream.
I yelled louder than anyone in the NEZ for the last couple years. for away games i'd wear the same shirt. (long sleeve maroon with a lunchpail on the front with words "WIN" and the back was a Retro VT logo). and enjoy some whiskey. If we got a W i'd have cake. #teamcake
hell yeah team cake!
Welcome to TKP, glad you found your way over here and glad to hear you are bringing it at Lane and away. For those of us from a few years prior ('01 grad), the consensus is that the intensity in Lane has fallen off a few notches but that doesn't stop us from doing our part to make it the most intimidating place to play in college football.
I graduated in '09 and have been quite saddened at the drop off in intensity from going from the student section (back when I was in school) to all the other parts of the stadium my friends and I have ended up in since. I mean I assume it's a location issue as typically your non students are more sober/older/less energetic (all you TKPers excluded of course). But it's gotten so bad the last few games that we've actually received dirty looks and comments for standing and yelling. I get that lots of people don't want to stand and scream for the majority of the game, so out of respect for the Hokies behind us we usually sit (still yell on D). But it seriously has me considering an attempt to make my way back into the student sections. The problem is I'm usually with a group of my friends and not sure how that would go. Still though it's sad to me to think the energy my friends and I would bring (as alumni) is brought down significantly by our less zealous hokie brethren.
First thing I do on any gameday is blast Enter Sandman through my apartment as I'm readying myself to head to the tailgate. Not sure how my neighbors feel about it but GAMEDAY!
For burboun during football season I usually go with Wild Turkey Rare Breed. A lot smoother than regular WT. My go to if that's out is Bulleit. I get the kids in their jersey's while my wife is making food. I try to link into the pre-game show from "I heart Radio" but it's iffy. Sometimes I get it, sometimes I don't.
"For me it's picking out a bourbon for the season, deciding on what meats I'll be smoking that first weekend, and finally allowing myself to purchase some Oktoberfest and Pumpkin beers. I feel like if I am not prepared, the team isn't prepared, and if the team isn't prepared, we will lose."
This! Except its usually a Pale Ale or IPA.
As I was putting together this response "Enter Sandman" came on the random shuffle on my iPad. Glorious!
I'M READY NOW!!!
Are we there yet?Are we there yet?Are we there yet?
I would get some Canes Chicken if you are coming to CBUS for the game
Even the TV guide is uncertain about this team.
Some sort of Effect t-shirt, read some TKP, maybe some GameDay or FS1; try to get some work done before my heart pounds out of my chest in anticipation.
I'll ship you a case of yuengling if it will make the difference-
Got a Bill&Mary fan to drive to the game so this is my game prep on Saturday
good idea to have your friend drive, it's a pretty long road trip from England
could be Jamaica... Still a pretty long drive.
Wake up around 9am to put on college game day and watch what everyone is saying about all the games (and sorry but I always like the intro song and highlights they play for college game day).
HOME Games:
Then if the game is a nooner :( I leave for the game to tailgate over on green st. until 11ish when I go inside Lane and get a souvenir cup with powerade. Otherwise if its an afternoon or night game I watch hopefully Penn State but if not then any other football game (sometimes the laugher that LOLuva has) then go the game with the same drink order.
AWAY Games: Wake up at 9am and watch college game day and then sulk because the game isn't at Lane so I have to watch it on tv :(
For away games Two words: Road Trip
Bass fishing and football at the same time?
I just need some beer and food. Something to grill and chips to dip.
I love Sam Adams Oktoberfest. I was excited to see it in the stores, but I can't buy it until after labor day. It doesn't feel right buying it in August.
I just finished my basement this spring and it'll be great for football this fall. Reclining Layzboy sofas, 75" TV, surround sound, wet bar with mini fridge, etc.
I guess I've been prepping for a while.
I used to feel this way. Now I feel like the Oktoberfest season is too short so I grab that case as soon as I see it in Costco. I run over to it like a kid and jump up and down as my wife rolls her eyes at me.
haha. I came home from Costco and the first thing I said was "Sam Adams Oktoberfest is in stock"
This year I'll be getting a new VT football jersey for a few reasons:
1. It was bought before the 2010 season, and after one good year has thoroughly underperformed as my go-to gameday shirt (including a horrible opening-day performance at the Boise State game).
2. It's a little worse for wear, with the stripes peeling off a bit on the shoulders
3. It's #32 and, while I love Josh Trimble, it's disappointing to have a backup's jersey.
4. I get my first grad school stipend check in a week, so I'll actually have money.
5. I want a new one.
Like Hokie_x3_Hi, I also pick out a bourbon for the season. In seasons passed, I've had the kickin chicken (wild turkey rare breed), Makers, and Knob. I may think of switching to something new this year.
If I have to watch on TV - pick out the meat to burn on the grill, make some fresh fried chicken, along with some snacks - call up some friends, and turn on the game on the TV and sync Roth and Burnop on the radio via Bluetook speakerbar.
If I attend, pack cooler full of good beer - thinking session IPA's will be the hit this year, along with the choice of the day - pick out and play a perfect tailgate playlist, grill out, do a round of dizzy bat, take a shot of the while listening to enter sandman, and head to the stadium.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed or some good Shine. Deer tenderloin and back straps and chicken legs and livers. Hard to go wrong with Bud light but have been trying new beer recently due to all the suggestions on this site. All suggestions welcome.
I have put this day off and now it is sneaking up on me. I need two beers to stock the keezer - right now I'm thinking of polishing off the landshark and amberbock that I have on hand for W&M and going with Oktoberfest and another light easy drinker as a compliment for OSU. I've noticed that VT games do not typically lend themselves to "easy drinking" and I tend to get plowed sticking to the good stuff. Any suggestions? Keep in mind I'm in SWVA and variety, while being the spice of life, is very limited.
Also thinking of tackling smoking a brisket for late kickoffs, i.e. OSU. Is this above my novice smoker status or should I just continue to drink until all is palatable?
See below, I forgot to hit "reply" before replying.
Don't be afraid of the brisket. I've done several over the past year on a Weber Smokey Mountain and only had one dry out on me. Even then it was only a small portion of one end. You'll never get it right if you don't try.
Beer in SWVA, not sure what your preferences are flavor wise but I have enjoyed everything I have had from Sunken City Brewery over by Smith Mountain Lake. I'd imagine you can find it over most of the SWVA area. The Dam Lager and Red Clay IPA are both pretty good.
Thanks for the tip. I think I'm going to give it a try. Some of the internet experts make it sound like you're enriching uranium, but in the end it's a piece of beef. GO MEAT!
And by SWVA I meant 3 hours SW of Blacksburg SWVA. Right in the armpit between KY and TN. A little OT, but if we loose to UT in 2016 I may have to move.
"Some of the internet experts make it sound like you're enriching uranium, but in the end it's a piece of beef."
It always surprises me that Texans know how to use the internet.
Hey another WSMer!
Seriously though - it seems like a lot of us smoke meat, if we ever have another TKP tailgate I hope there is a smorgasbord of meat.
One thing to keep in mind, with brisket, butts, and shoulders - use a faux cambro to keep it hot. Wrap the meat in foil (or butcher paper if it is brisket and you are a Texas guy) and then old towels, then place in a cooler by itself. It should stay hot for 4-6 hours if it is a big piece.
Usually I can keep my WSM steady over the night and I can wake up, pull my meat off and into the faux cambro and head to the game.
And be prepared for a long cook.
You'll swear around 160 degrees that your therm in broken. It's fine. You're just at the stall stage of cooking, and you've got hours to go.
Eventually you hit 200, plus or minus a few degrees, and it's worth the wait.
Use some of that time to make a little grown-up mustard sauce. Trust me, it is worth it, even if you don't generally like mustard sauces. It takes a lot of ingredients, and you'll wonder halfway through measuring if it's worth it. Take another drink of bourbon, and keep at it.
http://amazingribs.com/recipes/other_fun_sauces/grownup_mustard_sauce.html
That site is like a smoking bible for me.
I love you guys! Got a WSM for my birthday (nice job, wifey). Discovered the amazingribs site about a month ago. So far have tried a pork shoulder and then 3 racks of ribs w/ 3 beer butt chickens.
Even the mistakes are delicious!
More than a nice gift!
Any of you guys ever tried the 14" model? I have the 22" model and it is just too big to lug back and forth to tailgates. I feel like one chimney full of charcoal might keep the 14" going long enough to smoke a pork loin, chicken, ABTs, or a fatty (no not the illegal kind).
I have the 18.5" model. One chimney is enough for all those mentioned as well as ribs. I've also been able to get a brisket done in about 7-8 hrs on one chimney and just feeding a few pieces of hardwood charcoal and hickory chunks. I have a 9 lb pork shoulder on right now probably gonna need to fire up another chimney at some point this afternoon. I wanted to get it on by 7 AM so it would ready in time for the skins game. Stupid alarm and Stone IPA foiled my plans!
A leg for Stone Brewery. Never been disappointed with anything I have ever gotten.
Do you not use the minion method?
I can start a smoke at night and not worry too much about the temps. Depending on the #s of meat I have in the smoker one vent half open and the rest closed keeps it running between 225-250. You might want to check it out. Just google it.
With the minion method 10-12 hours at 225-250 is no big deal. On the 18" you should be able to do more. I started on an offset that required me to throw a new chimney in every hour. I am glad for the sleep now!
Parkway Brewery in Salem is right off of exit 141 and does not make a bad beer. I live exactly 62 yards from the front door however, I am in no way affiliated with said brewery.
I think the Get Bent is awesome.
I agree.
I think they are one of the more underrated craft breweries in the state. Welcome to the site by the way.
To be honest you really can't go wrong with any of the several craft breweries in the Roanoke area now.
For this first tailgate, 3 of us are going to fill growlers all around the city. I think I'm going with Soaring Ridge's Trailhead Nut Brown this time.
Definitely one of mine, and thanks.
You guys have made me hungry and thirsty! I'll be at all home games and the WF & UNC games. I hope to bump into some of you this season.
Two truths I have learned in my years as a football fan:
1) Pre-game rituals work.
2) If you have the game recorded and no on has told you the score, you still have the ability to effect the outcome regardless of whether the game is over.
My pre-game ritual:
Bourbon in the shower and I keep the same pair of VT Mardi Gras beads on me at every game for luck (I'm from Louisiana, had to put a NOLA touch on my pre-game ritual, and they were on me during our 2011 victory over Thug U my freshman year, so I consider them lucky!)
Looking for suggestions
This seems like a good thread for this, since many people have mentioned smoked meats in posts above. I intend to do a fair amount of grilling and smoking during this season, so I'm asking for some advice. I'm looking for recipes for smoking turkey legs, ribs, etc. I have done lots of reading online about different recipes and such, but I want to bring the question to the Hokie community, people that know good game-day food.
What's you're go-to recipe for smoked meats?
I usually only get to 2 games a year (Saturdays are tough to get off, chef problems), but I arrive as early as possible with way too much food, anything from burgers and BBQ to bacon Mac & cheese, a few dips, 2 years ago I smoked salmon on a little camp grill, and I'm only ever certain that I'm feeding myself and my buddy (and usually the cadets working the lot), so if you're around the duck pond October 23, find me. This year I've added a few immersion circulators to my arsenal so I'm thinking about how to cook a few things sous vide on the way from Charlotte to VT, should be interesting. Historically we had some bourbon to open up and switch over to beer, but with my buddy & I both having kids put a damper on our practice drinking and 1 very bad experience of starting Dozers power hour with bourbon, we've evolved to just have beer for the tailgate and a few mini bottles for the first half because we always drive back to Charlotte same day & need to stay somewhat coherent.
Bought my first jersey (LT3 on sale to go with hubby's DW4). I spend the week before football season poaching season tickets off my friend who has four seats and a spot in parking lot #3. The night before gameday is spent at Kroger, purchasing tailgating supplies and ingredients for loaded baked potato dip.
What are everyone's favorite songs to tailgate to?
Someone ship this man some damn yuengling!
Also picking out the bourbon and getting the tailgate situated! Can't wait to have my new cornhole set broken in
I can't handle the excitement...
hmmmm....bassmasters at the same time as the Hokies game....this is a predicament.....