3 Sports-Themed Beers for Watching the Rugby

There are two sacred rituals in life: yelling at the ref from your sofa, and cracking open a cold one before kickoff. And when the rugby’s on, both become high-performance sports in their own right.

Whether you’re gearing up for a bruising clash in the Six Nations Championship, settling in for a dawn alarm to catch the Rugby World Cup, or just pretending you understand the scrum laws, one thing’s certain: your beer choice needs to be as match-fit as the players.

This isn’t the day for a shy little lager that disappears faster than a winger in open space. No, today calls for bold flavours, big personalities, and a bit of sporting swagger — brews that bring as much character to the table as a veteran prop with 100 caps and a slightly suspicious cauliflower ear.

So lace up your imaginary boots, silence the group chat (unless it’s for tactical analysis, obviously), and let’s dive into four sporty-themed craft beers that deserve a starting spot in your match day lineup. 🍻

Athletic Lite by Athletic Brewing Company (AF)

From the brewers who specialise in beers for athletes, Athletic Lite is a fresh take on a classic light brew. Clean, crisp, and expertly crafted, it delivers full flavour without the usual trade-offs. With just 25 calories, 5g of carbs, and premium grains, it’s an easy-drinking option for any occasion — or no occasion at all. Enjoy watching the game with no stress of a hangover the morning after!

Queen of Baseball IPA by LeftField Brewery, 6.0% ABV

Brewed exclusively with Nectaron and Azacca hops and named after Lizzie “Spike” Murphy — the first woman to play professional baseball, and the first to compete against Major League players — this beautifully balanced hazy IPA delivers a vibrant mix of tropical flavours. Expect aromas of passionfruit, peach, mango and pineapple, alongside soft citrus notes of grapefruit and a smooth, well-rounded bitterness. 15¢ from every can sold supports Canadian Girl's Baseball.

Shandy Murray by Sheep in Wolf's Clothing Brewery, 3.4% ABV

A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing Classic! Any similarities to Olympic gold post boxes or real people are entirely coincidental and definitely not intentional. No lemonade was harmed in the creation of this crisp lager. A refreshing drink from first serve to last set with hints of Marlborough Savvy and notes of ripe plum and freshly cut grass courts. Once you have finished the first, it will probably be time to serve one more.

About Sheep in Wolf's Clothing Brewery

Sheep in Wolf's Clothing is an independent craft brewery based in Dunblane, Scotland. We're best known for our award-winning alcohol-free and low-ABV craft beers — full-flavoured pints brewed for the curious, the sober-curious and everyone in between. Every can is vegan, brewed in small batches at our Dunblane brewhouse, and shipped UK-wide direct from the source.

Our core range covers alcohol-free craft beer, hazy IPAs and pale ales, and rotating single cans of our latest experiments. We also stock a regularly refreshed guest beer line-up from breweries we love. If you're new to us, the mixed 12-pack is the easiest way to taste the range.

Founded with the belief that good beer should be inclusive — whatever your reason for picking up a can — SiWC has been recognised in national craft beer awards for both flavour and for the work we do around mental health and community. You can read more about our story on the About page, browse our full stories, or sign up to the newsletter for new releases and behind-the-scenes notes from the brewhouse.