Rock bands are touring, football is back, Southern California is in the middle of another heat wave and that can mean only one thing: We’re firing up a new season at Life of Beer. The games are on, the beer needs to be cold, and if we’re going to sweat through September, we might as well have a damn good soundtrack playing while we do it.
So we started thinking about the rock songs that just seem to sound better with a beer in your hand. Not necessarily the greatest rock songs of all time, and not necessarily songs about beer. These are the songs that make you want to crack one open—the backyard songs, tailgate songs, Saturday-afternoon songs, and the ones that make somebody inevitably turn up the volume.
And because this is Life of Beer, we’re not stopping at the music. Every song gets its own beer pairing. Some make sense because of where the band came from, some because of the song itself, and a few simply because the combination feels right.
Before we count down from #10 to #1, however, a few songs came damn close to making the cut.
Almost Made the Cut
No Doubt — “Just a Girl” – Beer: Kona Big Wave Golden Ale
This one has the attitude, energy, and definite beer-in-hand potential. And yes, I know No Doubt is Anaheim, Southern California, not Hawaii, but I’m taking a little personal liberty with the beer pairing. Kona Big Wave brings me right back to when I lived in Hawaii and those North Shore vibes—sunshine, ocean, music, and a cold beer, and me being just a girl.
“Just a Girl” brings the attitude; Kona Big Wave brings the island memories. Sometimes the best beer pairing isn’t about where the band came from. It’s about where the song and the beer take you.
Oasis — “Champagne Supernova” – Beer: Fuller’s London Pride
Oasis absolutely has the rock credentials, and “Champagne Supernova” has that perfect laid-back, end-of-the-day drinking vibe. But there’s one obvious problem: it’s asking for champagne at a beer party. So we’re swapping the bubbles for a proper English ale and pouring a Fuller’s London Pride instead. Oasis gives us one of Britain’s biggest rock bands, London Pride gives us a classic British pint, and champagne can sit this round out.
Black Eyed Peas — “I Gotta Feeling” – Beer: Bohemia Amber
Okay, rock it is not. But tell me this song comes on at a party and you don’t suddenly feel like somebody should be handing you a drink. For me, that drink is a Bohemia Amber—a little richer and more flavorful than your typical party beer, and one I actually enjoy. So crack one open, enjoy the moment, and then politely escort the Black Eyed Peas back to the pop playlist.
House of Pain — “Jump Around” – Beer: New Glarus Spotted Cow
Yeah, we know. It’s not rock. But college football is back, and there was no way we were making a beer-and-music list without giving “Jump Around” some love. The Wisconsin Badgers made this song an iconic college-football tradition, blasting it at Camp Randall before the fourth quarter while the stadium quite literally jumps. Since then, plenty of other stadiums have gotten in on the act, but Badger fans know where the real college-football “Jump Around” lives.
And the beer pairing practically chooses itself: New Glarus Spotted Cow, a Wisconsin beer for a Wisconsin tradition. So grab a Spotted Cow, turn up House of Pain, and start jumping. Just try not to spill the damn beer.
Now that we’ve taken care of the honorable mentions, let’s crack open the cooler and get to the real list.
#10 — Chicago, “Saturday in the Park” – Beer: Blue Moon Belgian White
This isn’t even one of my favorite songs on the list—it’s one of Steve’s favorites—but there is something about it. The minute it comes on, I picture sunshine, people hanging out, something cooking on the grill, and a cold beer nearby. Blue Moon fits that easy afternoon feeling perfectly. This is not the song or the beer for overthinking life. Sit down, enjoy the day, and have another. Sometimes a song doesn’t have to be one of your all-time favorites to make you suddenly realize that what this particular Saturday needs is a beer.
#9 — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “American Girl” – Beer: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
An American Girl deserves an American beer, and no, we’re not going with Bud. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is an American craft-beer classic that feels right alongside Tom Petty: familiar, enduring, and still damn good.
Besides, I own a shirt that says “Real Women Drink Beer,” so this pairing was pretty much inevitable. American girls drink beer, too. Throw on some Tom Petty, crack open an American brew, and consider this one dedicated to all the women who know a good beer doesn’t need a little umbrella in it.
#8 — Aerosmith, “Sweet Emotion” – Beer: Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Aerosmith and Samuel Adams give us a Boston pairing that almost makes itself. “Sweet Emotion” also happens to be one of my favorite Aerosmith songs, and it has exactly the kind of swagger I want from this list. Boston Lager brings enough flavor to the party that it won’t disappear behind Steven Tyler. And really, would you expect Aerosmith to be paired with some flavorless light beer? Neither would we.
#7 — Journey, “Any Way You Want It” – Beer: Lagunitas IPA
Journey has its roots in San Francisco, while Lagunitas got its start in Northern California, so we’re keeping this pairing close to home. “Any Way You Want It” is one of those songs that requires almost no thought: turn it up, crack open the beer, and start singing. Your ability to hit Steve Perry’s notes after a couple of beers is another matter entirely. In fact, you may want to leave that part to Steve Perry—but after beer number two, we’re guessing you won’t.
#6 — Def Leppard, “Pour Some Sugar on Me” – Beer: Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout
We’re taking a little creative license here. If Def Leppard wants us to pour some sugar, we’re going to translate that into something rich, slightly sweet, and preferably served in a pint glass. Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout gives this pairing a decadent edge. It’s darker, richer, and sweeter than most of the beers on our list, which seems entirely appropriate for “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” And let’s face it, subtlety was never really the point of this song anyway.
#5 — Guns N’ Roses, “Paradise City” – Beer: Stone IPA
Guns N’ Roses formed in Los Angeles, and Stone has its roots in Southern California, so geographically we’re already in the right neighborhood. Stone IPA is bold, bitter, and has a little bite to it—much like Guns N’ Roses. Turn up “Paradise City,” crack one open, and for the next few minutes, wherever you are might feel pretty damn close to paradise. Green grass optional. Cold beer required.
#4 — Van Halen, “Beautiful Girls”Beer: Lite Beer: Miller Lite, Coors Light, or Michelob Ultra
“Beautiful Girls” sounds like sunshine, Southern California, hanging outside, and having absolutely nowhere important to be. And since we’re talking about beautiful girls, a lite beer seems like the obvious pairing. Grab a Miller Lite, Coors Light, or Michelob Ultra—because we still want to enjoy our beer while keeping those beautiful-girl bodies looking amazing. Turn up Van Halen, crack open something cold, and call it balance. Who says you can’t have both?
**Side note:: I am highlighting the Red Rocker Sammy Hagar as well, because I can and just because, well, he’s Sammy! Check out his Beach Bar Rum
#3 — Poison, “Nothin’ But a Good Time” – Beer: Pabst Blue Ribbon (PBR)
Is “Nothin’ But a Good Time” the third-best rock song ever recorded? Hell no. But that’s not what we’re ranking. We’re ranking the songs that just seem to rock a little harder when there’s a beer in your hand, and Poison absolutely understood the assignment. For this one, grab an ice-cold PBR. Nothing fancy, nothing that requires a discussion about tasting notes—just a straightforward beer, loud music, good friends, and nothin’ but a good time. Sometimes that’s really all you need.
#2 — The Offspring, “Come Out and Play” – Beer: Elysian Space Dust IPA
Now things get a little louder. The Offspring bring that Southern California punk attitude. Space Dust IPA brings enough hops and personality to keep up. This isn’t sitting quietly on the patio contemplating your beer. This is when someboday turns up the music. By the time we reach #2, the mellow Saturday afternoon has officially become a party. The beer is flowing, the volume is going up, and somebody has probably already annoyed the neighbors. Come out and play.
#1 — AC/DC, “Have a Drink on Me” – Beer: Guinness Draught
Was there really another possible winner? It’s AC/DC. It’s rock. And the damn song is called “Have a Drink on Me.” For a Life of Beer countdown, that’s almost unfair to the other nine. Pair it with a Guinness Draught, turn the volume up, and raise your glass. This isn’t necessarily about finding the greatest rock song ever written. It’s about finding the song that makes you want to grab a beer, turn up the music, and enjoy where you are—and AC/DC couldn’t have made the invitation much clearer.
The Rockers are rocking! Football is back. Southern California is hot. The beer is cold. The music is loud.
And Life of Beer is officially back for another season.
Cheers. 🍺🤘
