Show Your Team Spirit by Being Responsible at the Game

Brown-Forman’s Chief Entertaining Officer offers tips on how to tailgate responsibly

When it comes to football, you don’t have to look far to find a good tailgate party. Whether it’s at a game or elsewhere, tailgaters are all about fun, food, and drinks.

Brown-Forman, a leader in the beverage alcohol industry, has recently teamed up with TURF – Tailgaters Urging Responsibility and Fun – to encourage responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages and curb unsportsmanlike conduct among fans during tailgating and sporting events.

In support of this effort, Brown-Forman’s “CEO - Chief Entertaining Officer” Tim Laird, is traveling the country appearing on television and radio offering tips on how to make your game- day party a success.

“Tailgating is fast becoming a major social event,” said Tim Laird, Brown-Forman’s chief entertaining officer. “Whether you are entertaining at home or at the game, there are several fun and easy ideas you can do to make your party a success while also promoting responsible behavior. And the best part is the host can have fun as well!”

Follow these simples steps from Tim on how to tailgate responsibly and your party will be a winner no matter what team you are rooting for!

1. Get Organized.
Do as much as possible before the tailgate day. Start by making a task list with time-lines. This includes food and beverage preparation, packing, and assigning duties to your other tailgate partners. Review checklist for items you need to bring and pack. Such items will include grill, food and drink items, blankets, tickets, trash bags, chairs, first aid kit, plates, napkins, and sun block.

2. Easy is Key.
Set out easy-to-serve and grab items that don’t need forks or spoons: chilled shrimp, wings, skewered beef or chicken, pizza slices, chips, veggies, and big sandwiches. Choose salads and dips that withstand being set out for a period of time, such as bean salads and dips without mayonnaise.

3. No Food Fumbles.
Set-up food stations where your tailgate guests can serve themselves.
An idea includes:
o Making a basic chili recipe and then let your tailgate friends customize theirs by setting out bowls of beans, onions, cheeses, hot peppers, spaghetti (yes, some people put this in their chili), an assortment of hot sauces, sausage, turkey cubes, and cooked hamburger meat. Again, everyone can customize to how they like it and the host can enjoy the game and not worry about serving everyone.

4. Hydration Station.
• Make a beverage list and include an assortment of items that can be set up as a self-serve bar. As a host, you won’t have to worry about filling up glasses or even hiring a bartender. Self-serve beverages include water, juices, lemonade, sodas, punches, and pre-mixed cocktails.
• Be sure to have plenty of bottled water and alcohol-free drinks available.
• Make a signature tailgate punch that is easy to serve (You can use food coloring to make a team color specific punch). Make one with and one without alcohol for designated drivers and those who want a great punch without alcohol.
• Serve drinks in containers your party-goers can keep. That means no glasses to wash.

Pigskin Punch
Serves 15-18
1/2 cup Sugar
4 oz Lemon Juice
6 oz Orange Juice
4 oz Grenadine
1 Liter Jack Daniel’s® Tennessee Whiskey
1 Liter Club Soda
Mint
Ice Mold

Combine Sugar with the lemon and orange juice and stir well. Add grenadine and Jack Daniel’s and stir again. Add the club soda, garnish with mint sprig and ice mold and serve.

For a Non alcohol version: Leave out the Jack Daniel’s and add a liter of sweet tea.

5. Don’t Forget the Leftovers.
When the party is over, you may have leftovers. Put any leftovers in coolers as soon as you can because food that sits out for more than two hours isn’t safe to eat. If the temperature is above 90º, food should be put away after one hour. There should be ice left in the cooler to store the perishable items, if not, throw the food out.

6. Have a Safe Finish: Be a Responsible Host.
If at the stadium, set out a wide assortment of non-alcoholic drinks. At home, have pre-paid cab vouchers available in addition to a wide assortment of non-alcoholic drinks.