You watched it, I watched it, and at this point everyone has talked about it and analyzed it. I'll offer up just two words regarding the Saints' domination of the Panthers with the whole nation watching: It sucks.
Sucks - Lagunitas Brewing Company
The Brewery
Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in 1993 in Lagunitas, California, but later moved to nearby Petaluma. One of the fastest-growing breweries in the country, Lagunitas is currently building another brewery and taproom in Chicago.
The Brew
Just before the holidays back in 2011, Lagunitas announced they lacked the brewing capacity to make Brown Shugga', a beer that so many enjoyed during the holidays. Before beer geeks could take them to task, they beat them to the punch and acknowledged how badly they sucked by naming its replacement "Lagunitas Sucks, Brown Shugga' Substitute Ale".
How it relates to the game
Things could have easily gone bad at this point for Lagunitas. Their portfolio already included several IPAs, and to throw out yet another in craft beer's most crowded category seemed a recipe for disaster, especially at a time everyone was craving the more seasonally-appropriate Brown Shugga'.
What beer drinkers didn't yet realize was that -- at least for many of them -- they were getting something even better for Christmas. Sucks quickly became one of the nation's most sought-after IPAs. The beer has some of the trademark pine and citrus notes, but with a drier, crisper finish than most in the style. It comes in at 7.85 percent ABV, but drinks as if it were about half that.
What can Panthers fans take from Lagunitas' experience? Things that first appear to suck can actually be blessings in disguise. In the case of the Panthers, the loss could instill a little humility in a team that had been on an eight-game winning streak prior to this loss. It may be better for them to lose prior to (hopefully) starting another streak all the way through the playoffs.
Price Point / Availability
Just this past week, Lagunitas Sucks started to trickle into beer stores around NC (and throughout the nation). It usually retails for around $9.99 a sixer, and new 32 oz. quart bottles (yes, bottles -- not growlers) are available as well.
Looking to drink craft beer at the game? Here's a list of craft beers in Bank of America Stadium.