THE NFL DRAFT (BEER) GUIDE

DRAFT PREP requires countless hours of dedicated study. So to prime ourselves for the NFL's festivities in Dallas, beginning April 26, SI experts (both football and drink) scouted eight prospects from the Dallas area's thriving beer scene and discovered some promising brews with impressive skill sets and plenty of upside.

GRAPEVINE CRAFT BREWERY

LAKEFIRE

RYE PALE ALE

This complex quaff struck multiple notes of rye and malt in succession. Check it out at the brewer's Grapevine, Texas, taproom.

DEEP ELLUM BREWING CO.

DALLAS BLONDE

AMERICAN BLONDE ALE

A golden ale with citrus and floral hues that approximates a hearty, more flavorful pilsner. Gather your pals and take it tubing.

ARMADILLO ALE WORKS

BRUNCH MONEY

IMPERIAL GOLDEN STOUT

Bold flavors of chocolate, vanilla and maple. It says BRUNCH on the label, but at 10% ABV it may be better sipped by the fireside after a hearty dinner.

COMMUNITY BEER CO.

TEXAS LAGER

LIGHT-BODIED LAGER

Community says it brews "for the greater good," and this bright, easy-drinking lager would be sure to please the draft crowds flocking to Jerry World.

LAKEWOOD BREWERY

ALL CALL

KÖLSCH-STYLE

Kölsch-style beers have picked up steam lately as a fuller-bodied alternative to a lager or a pilsner. This one, slightly sweet, gets the job done.

RABBIT HOLE BREWING

MIKE MODANO'S 561

KÖLSCH-STYLE

The second Kölsch in our tasting is lighter and more crushable—an ideal hot-weather easy drinker for the backyard or the pontoon.

PETICOLAS BREWING CO.

IT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING

BELGIAN STRONG ALE

Highly carbonated, with sweet chocolate and banana notes and a spiciness in the finish—like a Jean-Claude Van Damme kick to the 'plexus.

FOUR CORNERS BREWING CO.

EL CHINGÓN

AMERICAN IPA

"Chingón" is slang for "badass," and this hoppy, moderately bitter IPA lives up to its billing. The 360-degree peel-back top adds to the cool factor.