Here’s the scoop: For Super Bowl weekend, Bud Light took over the beautiful Hotel Palomar in downtown Phoenix, and directly across the street in a previously vacant lot, Bud Light paved over and built the House of Whatever. You’ve seen the commercial, but what was it like?

Day One

The highlight of day one was something “off menu” from the Bud Light festivities.

While getting hassled by overly aggressive security guards at the entrance as we attempted to enter the House, a familiar voice chimed in from behind us. “Excuse me, fellas.” We turned around and it was none other than NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp. Little did we know, the next 48 hours were essentially the requiem of Sapp’s media career, as he was busted for assaulting two prostitutes at the very same hotel two days later. RIP, Warren.

The first-ever Bud Light House of Whatever got the party started with unique “Up For Whatever” experiences, an unpredictable party and epic concerts. Inside the House, DJs spun from the top of a beached yacht, food trucks lined the interior, and a massive social media tree served as the epicenter of a kinetic forest. Bullz-Eye was on location to partake in whatever. 

Here is what it was like when the House was thrown open:

Friday’s activities included:

– An unexpected delivery from Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan, who gave partygoers a pep talk and arrived with plenty of Pizza Hut pizza.
– A variety of spontaneous activities, including Super Fry, where guests could have anything edible deep-fried for them by people dressed as super heroes; Brew U, which offered a ten-minute crash course on beer-making with Bud Light brewmasters; and the ultimate Pac-Man black-light arcade.
– Guests putting on animal masks as part of a party boat-themed concert with epic performances by Kongos and Nicki Minaj.

The best thing about the House of Whatever on night one, besides endless Bud Light, Warren Sapp’s inevitable demise, and meeting Riley from the Bud Light Pac Man Super Bowl commercial, were the bottomless quesadillas.

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Cold Snap is the latest beer creation from Samuel Adams we tried, and the name pretty much says it all. It’s an unfiltered White Ale with a smooth wheat taste brightened up with some spring spices. There’s a subtle hint of sweet orange peel and plum along with a hint of pepper. It’s a very smooth and very refreshing drink that should go well with any Super Bowl spread this weekend.

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Since the Superbowl is just about upon us, a beer-based recipe seems like a good idea and, guess what, we’re in luck.

You see, with the aid of divine providence (which I’m agnostic about), not to mention Google and Epicurious (which I’m pretty sure exist), I stumbled upon a beverage that was damn near irresistible. Seriously, this drink is so sweetly easygoing and deceptively gentle and refreshing, you WILL want seconds and thirds and you DO want to make sure you’ve got some extra beds handy at your Superbowl party…or at least make sure you’ve got Lyft or Uber good and downloaded for everyone’s ride home.

Developed by bartenders at Virginia’s Virtue Feed & Grain, the only actually shocking thing about Shock Me is that it’s not a staple of every bar in the land. It’s rich and full bodied comfort booze of the highest order.

Shock Me

2 ounces brown ale
1 ounce bourbon whiskey
1 teaspoon Southern Comfort
1 teaspoon maple syrup

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass. I think it’s okay to stir this very vigorously, but I would not shake it since ale is carbonated, after all. Strain into a well-chilled Old Fashioned/rocks glass, the smaller the better. Sip and toast American football, American booze, or anything else American. Also contemplate why it is that movies with word “American” in the title always seem to do better at the box office.

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Cocktails are largely a U.S. invention. Even so, this is a drink with an unusually American cast to it. So, even though Brown ale is an olde English favorite, it makes sense that the original recipe for this calls for Brooklyn Brown Ale over, say, Newcastle. That brew isn’t available in my North Hollywood locality, so I went with Get Up Offa that Brown Ale from L.A.’s own Golden Road Brewery, perhaps the best (only?) good ale I’ve had from a can. It worked beautifully.

For my whiskey, I first went with Evan Williams, which is  becoming the well bourbon at many of your better bars for a reason. It also worked with the slightly snootier Wathen’s Kentucky Bourbon I had on hand as well, though the result arguably had more of an edge. Since Maker’s Mark is mentioned in the original recipe, I’m sure that would work extremely well also.

Shock Me marks the first time DOTW has had anything to do with Southern Comfort. This is a much maligned and very American liqueur that I hadn’t had since college days and which is, admittedly, sweet to the point of absurdity. However, when you stretch it’s mix of honey, vanilla, and whiskey-like flavors out properly, it’s an important member of this particular party.

That also true of the maple syrup, like beer and raw egg another all rare cocktail ingredient I’m a real sucker for. I should add that when I say “maple syrup” I mean the straight stuff, not your mass market commercial pancakes syrups like Log Cabin or Mrs. Butterworth. If they contain any actual maple or maple derivatives at all, they’re keeping it a secret.

Unlike most Super Bowl parties in Arizona, you can’t buy tickets to Bud Light House of Whatever. Instead, you have to prove yourself!

The Bud Light House of Whatever is a three-day event featuring unforgettable parties, amazing concerts and unique activities, much like this summer’s epic Whatever, USA that we were fortunate to attend.

Check out the awesome schedule of events:

Day One

The festivities begin on Friday, January 30th. Bud Light’s House of Whatever main event is much more than a concert anchored by A-list talent; it’s a musical story full of “Up for Whatever” moments that is sure bring out the animal in all of us. In true “Up for Whatever” fashion, the full theme and artist line-up will not be pre-announced.

Day Two

By day, Bud Light House of Whatever will offer continuous “Up for Whatever” activations, concerts and unexpected celebrity interactions. By night, for the main event, Bud Light House of Whatever becomes a house of house music with performances from some of the world’s most popular EDM DJs, including Steve Aoki. Additional performers and special guests will remain a surprise to those who are “Up for Whatever.”

Day Three

Experience the ultimate Bud Light House of Whatever tailgate and concert. After the show, stay and watch the Super Bowl on the big screen in unique (and extremely comfortable) stadium seating that only Bud Light House of Whatever can provide.

So, how can you attend? As seen on Bud Light’s Instagram, Bud Light is inviting beer drinkers 21+ who are “Up for Whatever” to audition for the chance to take part in the experience.

Now through Monday, January 19, create a 15-second video demonstrating how you would live out a phrase presented on a Bud Light “Up For Whatever” bottle. Post it on Instagram and tag it @BudLight and #UpForWhatever for the chance to be invited to Bud Light House of Whatever for an incredible weekend featuring three days of parties, concerts and unique activities.

If you’re fortunate to make it to the ballpark as the baseball playoffs get started, I have a beer suggestion for you if you’re looking to try something other than the bland offerings usually offered while you’re in your seats.

I’ve been a fan of Sapporo for years as I was introduced to this beer when I started enjoying sushi. Sapporo is the top selling Asian beer in the States so it’s one of the offerings you’ll usually find at sushi restaurant. Now baseball fans can experience Sapporo at the ballpark as it’s on the beer menus at Washington’s Nationals Park, San Francisco’s AT&T Park, Seattle’s Safeco Field and Angels Stadium of Anaheim as well as Dempsey’s Restaurant, across from Baltimore’s Camden Yards.

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