Meister Brau cheep beer on ice for fishing old advertisement

Tournament fishing is hard and occasionally depressing enough, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to drink your cares away after a tough day on the pond. B.A.S.S. has yet to announce the full 2021 schedule (they have made clear that Lake Ray Roberts in Texas will host the Classic, which is more than fine with me) but if I was on the scheduling committee it wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit to build a tour around tasty brews.

Because this is my list – and I don’t need to take into account driving schedules or economics – please refrain from criticizing….and be sure to drink responsibly.

I’d love to start the season on Lake Mead in Nevada, site of the first Bassmaster Classic, and we could hold the pre-tournament meeting at Big Dog’s Brewing Company, which offers “Lake Mead Monster”

Big Dogs Brewing Company Lake Mead Las Vegas double red ale

Then the Classic should be held on one of the most dynamic fisheries in the country – the California Delta – and Media day could be at Delta Brews in nearby Tracy, CA.

Delta Brews Tracy CA fishing tap room and craft beer

Those who don’t get to fish the Classic or work the Expo could head straight to Texas and hit up Lake Fork Brewing Company before it goes off limits. They produce both Lake Fork Lager and Hazy Hawg

Lake Fork Brewing Company fishing beer Texas TTBC

Then they should head down to Zapata to fish Falcon. While I couldn’t find a current beer reminiscent of what may be my favorite tournament lake, I did see that Lake Effect Brewing in Chicago must be fans of big bass because they offer Falcon Dive IPA

Lake Effect Brewing Company Falcon Dive IPA Chicago Texas Zapata

They also produce St. Lawrence Gose Ale (as well as beers named after all of the Great Lakes), which would be a good start for the northern swing.

Lake Effect Brewing Company St. Lawrence Gose Ale fishing waddington chicago clayton

But first they should hit Buggs Island, which is due for a return now that the lake is on the upswing, and we could hit Buggs Island Brewing to sample Kerr Lake Kolsch

Buggs Island Brewing Company Clarksville fishing beer Kerr

Then they could head to Leech Lake in Minnesota, which to my knowledge has never hosted a major event. While Leech Lake Brewing Company closed its doors in 2015, and took their Loch Leech Monster with them, Portage Brewing Company still sits in the town of Walker, MN, which would be an incredible stop for any tour. Their “Chatter Chatter Pilsner” might give you an idea of what to throw.

Portage Brewing Company Walker Minnesota Leech Lake beer

Then they could swing on up to Bay de Noc and visit Upper Hand Brewery, which brews Escanaba Black Beer

Upper Hand Brewery Escanaba Black Beer Bay de Noc fishing Michigan

And then on over to Buffalo for a Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA

Great lakes Brewing Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA Buffalo

Finally, I’d love to see a late fall AOY Championship on the Louisiana Delta, where we could enjoy all sorts of libations, not the least of which would be Delta Momma from Urban South Brewery

Urban South Brewery Delta Momma classic lager fishing bayou

Or something from Delta Sunshine Brewing Company

Delta Sunshine Brewing Company New Orleans bluesman fishing tournament

And depending on how the event goes, I may even be tempted to try Cajun Breakfast Stout from Bayou Teche Brewing, which adds two doses of boudin during the brewing process.