You want to get technical? Summer isn’t officially over until the end of September. But me? I go by jackets. I go by football season. I got by tailgates. When those begin again, fall begins again. To me? Summer is over. I’m calling it.
I’m sure you’re good on jacket advice. And football? We’ve done a style guide on that, too. But tailgate? An elevated tailgate, no less? It isn’t impossible. But it does require a little planning. I put together a list of essentials you’ll need for the football season ahead, and many more to come. Coolers, grills, tables, chairs, and yes, even booze.
Photo via REI
REI Wonderland Chair
Any good tailgate begins with a comfortable chair. A great choice is the classic, comfortable REI Wonderland Chair. Made with rugged steel tubing and recycled polyester, it comes in Flint Blue or Fresh Fig colors and features timeless wooden armrests and a bottle holder to guarantee your favorite brews won’t spill while you lounge in the parking lot, munching on a charred hot dog.
Photo via Camp Time
Camp Time Roll-a-Table® Standard
It wouldn’t be a proper tailgate without dips, grilled meat, and drinks. Where’s a guy to put it all? That’s where the Camp Time Roll-a-Table® Standard comes in. This compact, easy-to-transport, durable table features a roll-top with eleven segments. It’s made from “Ultra Core” laminated wood from Montana that’s covered in water-resistant fabric to guarantee spills won’t be a problem.
Photo via RTIC
RTIC 22 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
Ah, the sturdy, rolling cooler. An absolute essential for all our meats, sides, and of course, beer. A great choice is the RTIC 22 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler. It features ultra strong, all-terrain wheels, a retractable handle, and 2.3’’ of closed-cell foam insulation as well as a freezer-style gasket lock to ensure your essentials stay cold for as long as four days. You can even customize it with different baskets. If you only use it for drinks, it can fit up to 28 cans or 6 wine bottles. Not bad at all.
Photo via YETI
YETI Rambler Colster
This ain’t your grandfather’s koozie. (Though, I’d never speak ill of the basic neoprene koozies.) This is the YETI Rambler Colster. A 12-ounce can cooler that’s made of kitchen-grade stainless steel and features double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your drink cooler, longer. If that wasn’t enough, it comes in a variety of colors and designs to fit any tailgate personality.
Photo via Blackstone
Blackstone 17" Tabletop Griddle with Hood
Unless you prefer cold hot dogs or you’re content with cheese and crackers, you need a durable, portable grill. A great choice for tailgaters is the Blackstone 17″ Tabletop Griddle with Hood. It features an ‘H’ style burner that distributes heat evenly so you can cook all of your pregame favorites. It also comes with a built-in hood to protect the griddle surface, rear grease management, and an easy to use Piezo ignition system.
Photo via Wayfair
American Cornhole League REC 2x4 Cornhole Board Set
You need a game before the game. That’s just how it works. The American Cornhole League REC 2×4 Cornhole Board Set is the perfect addition to your tailgate party. This set features an officially licensed board, two regulation size boards that have a 12mm surface made from 100% sanded Baltic Birch, and 4 red and 4 black bean bags.
Photo via Flaviar
Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Straight Rye
As you get further into the season, you’re going to want a warming whiskey to sip or mix into cocktails on game day. A great choice is Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Straight Rye. This award-winning 56.1% ABV rye whiskey is a blend of high-rye and low-rye mash bills that have been matured between four and seven years. The result is a bold, sippable whiskey known for its flavors of spicy cracked black pepper, vanilla beans, citrus peels, caramelized sugar, and oak. Fall in a glass.
Photo via Total Wine
Zero Gravity Green State Lager
A classic tailgate calls for a classic, crushable, well-balanced lager. A perfect choice is Zero Gravity Green State Lager. This 4.9% ABV lager is brewed with German Pilsner malts, house lager yeast, and Hallertau Mittelfruh and Saaz hops. The result is a crisp, clean, highly refreshing beer that pairs well with brats, burgers, and all manner of tailgate food.
