Fall also explodes onto the scene with seasonal flavors: juicy, tart, spicy, warm spices, apples, squash, and of course, pumpkin. Fall also arrives with its own special rituals and celebrations, perhaps all owing to harvest festivals of the past; like most rituals, they have ties to many cultural events, happenings, and special moments of recognition that all seem to merge somehow and combine together over time to meld into something that is somehow both unique and altogether tied to history.  

 Fall doesn’t just bring apple picking and, of course, the most meal-based holiday of all of the holidays, Thanksgiving; it also kicks off (pun intended) football season. Just like Thanksgiving, this is a purely American tradition that consumes our social calendar from the last of summer’s warm nights to the first blast of winter’s cold air. And football means tailgating

A tradition and ritual that can largely be traced to the first recorded football game - between Princeton and Rutgers - all the way back in 1869, that rose in popularity alongside that of the automobile, and the rise of automobiles increased the popularity, tailgating has grown to become a right and ritual of its own accord. 

 Naturally, it isn’t just about the game, often in some cases, its not about the game at all, but rather the tradition that comes before. Tailgating. A name that certainly indicates that a car is involved  - it has grown into so much more than a picnic out of the back of someone’s car. 

Of course, like many traditions that evolve, the name stuck around, while the requirement for an actual vehicle with a tailgate didn’t.  Since a tailgate is essentially a giant outdoor pre-party, you better believe we are all over this one. Signature foods, local flavor, and crowds of excited fans ready to celebrate the smallest of details and honor long-standing traditions (even if they don’t make sense to half of the crowd) and rituals that feel like secret conversations. Count us in. 

As is true with most traditions, the art of tailgating comes with its own set of rituals, most of which involve particular foods and drinks.  Some tailgates have even become famous for certain culinary traditions - and some fans have become renowned for certain, well, celebratory skills (looking at you Buffalo Bills fans). 

While fans of the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Bills are again known to duke it out for the title of masters of NFL tailgating, the SEC is also well known for its college football tailgating traditions.  Fans of Ole Miss and their famous tailgates at the Grove, Sailgating at the University of Tennessee, and even a locally unique combination of tailgating that sees fans of the University of Kentucky in nearby Lexington, Kentucky, hit up both Commonwealth Stadium and the Fall Meet at Keeneland in one magical day. Of course, there is also the infamous University of Georgia vs University of Florida match up that sees Gators and Dawg fans converge upon Jacksonville, Florida, for a tailgate for the ages.  

  Visiting a tailgate for the first time, you can be sure to be ensconced in a sea of fans decked out in team colors, portable grills cooking up seasonal and local favorites, and a guaranteed good time that is often even more fun than the game itself. So, in the spirit of Tailgating Season, we’ve got the comprehensive guide to game day favorites and all the tips for how to tailgate like a pro. 

THE FAQ’s of FOOTBALL TAILGATING
 How to Tailgate like a Pro: food, flavor, hospitality. 
Tailgating Essentials: Plan ahead and think simply - tailgates are essentially parties “to go.” You will need to bring in and take away everything you will need. So stock the coolers, prepare easy-to-serve foods, or consider the potluck method and have everyone bring a little something.  The set-up. As the name suggests, a tailgate on the back of a truck is the preferred method of serving, sitting, and dining. If your car doesn’t have a proper tailgate, make sure to clean out the back of an SUV and have as much available space as possible, then grab a card table and some coolers. Stock up on festive tablecloths and paper napkins in your team colors. Load the back of the car with coolers, trays, and baskets of easy-to-grab snacks, grab-and-go cups, and coozies, of course, to keep those beverages cool. 

  The gear: Pappy Hour Shatterproof Cups;  lay out crudites and dips, pimento cheese and crackers on our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel Crafted serving trays and cutting boards for an elevated element to your tailgating snacks. Conversation starters - if you aren’t decked out in fan gear for your team - you should still show off your Pappy pride. Hats, bandannas and even portable fans to score that game day gear extra point.  Don't forget your game-day companions. Stock up on a cigar from our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel Fermented or Tradition Collection, to console your loss or celebrate your win (or simply enjoy the tailgating scene)!

Game Day Grilling is on. Fire up Game Day.  Walking around a tailgate to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of all of the set-ups is half of the fun! What you need to get in on the tailgating grill action: custom Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Grilling Tools, Pappy & Company X Hedley & Bennett Essential Apron, and of course, our Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel Stave Smoking Chunks to infuse everything with sweet and smoky Pappy Van Winkle flavor. Crafted from retired, genuine Pappy Van Winkle Barrel staves in our Pappy & Company Woodshop by artisan Jason Cohen, these tools will at least make sure you look the part of a genuine grill master!  Whether you are making ribs, BBQ or chicken wings, just make sure you have enough to share - because the notes of signature Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon wafting from your grill will draw a crowd.