Cocktail Thursday: Western Kentucky Edition.

Are your Georgia Bulldogs getting ready to kick off in Sanford Stadium and looking to avoid a letdown after a sterling week one performance? Then you could probably use a drink. I can help you with that.

It occurred to me earlier this week that I was in Sanford Stadium the last time the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers came to Athens. You can forgive me for taking awhile to recognize that fact because, well, it was 20 years ago. In case you weren’t there (or weren’t born yet) the Bulldogs notched a solid 48-12 victory to open the season against WKU. Joe Tereshinski, III had a solid day throwing the ball as the starter, Joe Cox came in and showed some flashes, and freshman Matt Stafford mopped things up in the 4th quarter. Gregg Lumpkin and Thomas Brown had touchdowns on the ground, but Mikey Henderson actually got the scoring started with a 65 yard punt return for a touchdown.

That season would have some later low lights, including losses to Vanderbilt and Kentucky. But it ended with an upswing as the Red and Black upset a top five Auburn team on the road, beat Georgia Tech to conclude the regular season, and then came from behind for a thrilling Peach Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. That set the stage for the 2007 Dawgs who, I will die declaring, would have won a national title if they’d been invited to a four team playoff.

2006 was also noteworthy because it was the first season I wrote these Cocktail Thursday posts. Time flies when you’re having fun I guess. A lot has changed since the Hilltoppers last crossed the Clarke County line. The Bulldogs have changed head coaches, appeared in three national title games and won two of them. Not bad. Not bad at all.

But some things never change. The objective on Saturday is the same as the objective back in September 2006: win going away without getting anybody hurt. It’s a simple remit.
So, in accordance with that, we’re going to keep this week’s cocktail simple. What’s the drink for sending Big Red down the River with a quick L?

A Sipsey River Red. It’s a solid Irish-style red ale from Alabama’s Goat Island Brewing. It’s malty, smooth, but not overpowering. No pretension, just a solid brew with enough character to enjoy but that also doesn’t feel like a chore to drinks I highly recommend picking some up at your local grocery or similar retail establishment. Until later…

Go Dawgs!!!