What Beer is Your Bond?

Happy James Bond release week.

 

It's been a while since we last posted, but this weeks US release of Skyfall provides me with a unique opportunity to talk two of my favorite things in one post. One of the more intriguing story lines surrounding the newest chapter is the healthy donation made by Heineken to become 007's drink of choice.

 

As a beer lover, I think it's a fun addition. As someone who has actually taken 400 level classes on James Bond at an accredited university, I'm a little shocked at the producer's willingness to sell part of the super agents identity. Regardless of how much or, to be perfectly honest, how little impact this will actually have on the film, this scenario provides us a chance to identify what type of beer best describes each of the Bond's.

Sean Connery – Pale Ale

Who doesn’t love good pale ale? Whether you’re with the mates at the pub, or at home watching your favorite Connery film, good pale ale is just what the doctor ordered when you’re looking for a beer big on taste. 

This beer is strong and assertive to let you know you’re not messing around with a domesticated lager. At the same time, it’s not over-bearing and will charm your palate into a late night rendezvous, at least until the next call from MI-6 comes.

George Lazenby – Saison

Lazenby may have only appeared in one film, but his larger than life portrayal left no doubt which Bond was the ultimate lady’s man. Pent up in a Swedish hill top brothel disguised as an allergy research center, Lazenby made a whole generation of boys going through puberty dream of being Genealogists.

So what does that have to do with beer? Well, with such a zesty spice for life, these farm house ales made of a litany of spices perfectly embody Bond’s ulterior motives while visiting Blofeld’s Winter Wonderland Freak Palace.

Roger Moore – American Style Light Lager

This will be the most difficult one for me to stay objective on as I am not as big of a fan of Roger Moore. I am however a huge fan of his TV show The Saint as it prevented Moore from being the original Bond, a move that would have drastically altered the history of the franchise in my opinion.

What I can say for Moore, is that he is unquestionably the light-hearted fun 007 most memorable for his jokes, puns, creative gadgets, and taking Holly Goodhead around the world one more time. So what better beer would you use to describe this character than the good ole college favorite? When you were looking to get drunk, have fun, and have your own Goodknight, we all turned to the Millers, Buds, and Coors of the world.

Timothy Dalton – Stout

Similar to the actual transition from Roger Moore to Timothy Dalton, Stout is just about as drastic a change from Light Lager as you can get. When interviewed, Dalton stated that Moore’s portrayal had become nothing more than a living joke and a return to a much darker troubled hero was needed.

Aside from the literal change in color (light to dark), Stouts are just a much more potent beer to begin with. While it was Moore’s mission to stop the bad guy hell bent on taking over the world, Dalton’s story lines were much heavier and carried a more menacing tone, if you can look past Wayne Newton as an actual bad guy.

Pierce Brosnan – Lambic

Brosnan, like most lambics, is aimed at appeasing the broadest possible audience. While Connery can best be identified for his raw animal magnetism, Moore for his humorous portrayal, and Dalton for bringing a level of intensity only surpassed by Craig, Brosnan’s rendition stakes a claim to every identity 007 has put up on the silver screen.

An even balance of the charm, wit, and danger that came before him, Pierce took a piece from every one of his predecessors without laying claim to any one specific characteristic. He will never be a fan boy favorite, but you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who had a problem with him either.

Placing that train of thought on craft beer instead of Bond, a Lambic may not be your first choice when looking for a beer, but it’s still beer.    

Daniel Craig – India Pale Ale

With Skyfall’s promotional ties to Heineken, it’d be easy to say….

Most similar to the original namesake, Daniel Craig embodies the cold-hearted and suave sophisticate that Connery first brought to life in 1962. In the same token, he ratchets up 007’s intensity to levels which have never been seen before. Not afraid to get physical, Craig brings the grittiest portrayal of the international super spy the silver screen has seen in its 50 years.

Like the Pale Ale, the IPA brings a lot of the same qualities but punches you in the face with its extra hoppiness.