The Starting Lineup
Position: Center
Beer: Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, England
Scouting report: Very dense and firm-bodied, with great balance and a hint of chocolatey sweetness
Matchups: A hunk of carrot cake or apple pie topped with Cheddar cheese (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Right Tackle
Beer: Samuel Adams Triple Bock, U.S.
Scouting report: Syrupy thick and complex as vintage port, with molasses and melted bittersweet chocolate
Matchups: Possibly liverwurst, but best sipped alone (in a liqueur glass) (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Tailback
Beer: Anchor Liberty Ale, U.S.
Scouting report:Flowery aroma, creamy mouth-feel and tart, seductive flavor a real go-to brew
Matchups: Heres your burger beer, fans (and melt some blue cheese on that ground round) (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Left Guard
Beer: Old Peculier, England
Scouting report: Rich, round ale with a pronounced sweetness that gives way to a bitter finish
Matchups: Pastrami piled on slabs of rye bread (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Tight End
Beer: Stone Smoked Porter, U.S.
Scouting report: Dark with intensely smoky nose and flavor, and exceptionally long finish
Matchups: Sliced roast pork loin with a really sharp mustard (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Flanker
Beer: Redhook IPA (India Pale Ale), U.S.
Scouting report:Riesling-like aroma, bright, ultra-bitter zestiness in the mouth, and a good, long finish
Matchups: Almost any chip and any dip; strong cheeses like aged Gouda (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Right Guard
Beer: Anchor Porter, U.S.
Scouting report: Deep and dark, but thirst-quenching, with a hint of raspberry brightness
Matchups: Sizzling sausages or, conversely, oysters, mussels or clams (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Quarterback
Beer: Chimay Red, Belgium
Scouting report: Cerebral and complex, with a pronounced note of cloves; member of a category (Belgian ales) many experts consider the pinnacle of brewing
Matchups: Ham, cheese, nuts anything, really, except a rushed attitude (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Wide Receiver
Beer: Pyramid Hefeweizen, U.S.
Scouting report:Light and lively with a wheaty nose, fruity flavor and a refreshingly bitter aftertaste
Matchups: For an early game-day start, buttermilk waffles and mild sausage (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Left Tackle
Beer: Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale, U.S.
Scouting report: A delicious, shockingly complex barley wine, among beerdoms most powerful (9.6% alcohol)
Matchups: The strongest cheese in the house (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Fullback
Beer: Bert Grants Scottish Style Ale, U.S.
Scouting report: A lightly molasses-like aroma and a robust taste of sweet malt that ends with a bitter flourish
Matchups: Nuts, especially fresh walnuts, or dry salami (Lori Shepler / LAT)
Position: Placekicker
Beer: Sam Adams Light, U.S.
Scouting report:A light beer hardly belongs in this lineup, but the Sam has more color and richness than other lights, (besides, a placekickers not really a football player, anyway)
Matchups: Salty popcorn, salty peanuts anything that makes you want to guzzle thirstily (Lori Shepler / LAT)