Let’s be honest, what says college football more than a keg of beer? On any given Saturday you will find these heralded little containers strewn about college campuses from the parking lots to frat houses. Whether housed in trash cans filled with ice or in the ever popular kegerator, the keg has become a symbol synonymous with college football (and if we’re honest college in general).
This weekend will mark the 107th all time football meeting between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats. Although the all time series is a bit lopsided in the Vols favor (74-23-9), it is a rivalry steeped in history and intensity. Until recent years this annual meeting was famously known as the “Battle for the Beer Barrel.” While this moniker may cause younger fans to begin scratching their heads in ignorance and salivating at the mention of alcohol simultaneously, more seasoned fans still remember the tradition well.
The first “Beer Barrel” appeared ironically enough in 1925, right in the middle of the Prohibition Era. It was created by Kentucky students as a tangible sign of the rivalries victor. The first “Beer Barrel” trophy was rolled out onto the field with the words “Ice Water” written on it, for obvious reasons. The half blue half orange trophy was given to the winning team until the tradition was discontinued in 1998 via mutual agreement of the two schools in the wake of an alcohol-related car accident involving two UK football players. Tennessee, led by Peyton Manning, hoisted the last victory drum overtop their heads in 1997 following a 59-31 victory over the Wildcats, led by star QB Tim Couch.
Recently there has been a growing movement to bring back this games traditional sudsy name. On one side you have the hardcore traditional (and likely red-faced) fan that says there is no harm in bringing the tradition. After all, people are going to drink at any football game regardless of any alcohol-related name or lack thereof. It is a bit illogical to posit that more beer drinking will occur if the game once again becomes known as the “Battle for Beer Barrel.” It would also be a stretch to assume that the accident that caused the termination of the tradition would not have happened if the game was not known by that name. On the other hand, you will have those of more conservative mindset that will state that it is irresponsible to have an event in which many of the participants aren’t even of legal drinking age to be named for a drum of beer. In our society’s ever increasing push to be politically correct on all fronts, we certainly want to put a tag on a football game that might make someone uncomfortable. While opinions are many, it is hard to argue that the renewal of the nickname could add a new luster to this rivalry that has seen the Vols win a nation leading 26 consecutive games over the Wildcats.
What AB Sees: I say bring back the “Battle” and all its glory! Now, let it be known that I am by no means a proponent of underage drinking or even drinking in general (I myself am not a drinker), but the simple fact is it’s going to happen. I believe no matter what you want to call the game, the same amount of alcohol will be consumed either way. However, I'm in a compromising mood so I will put forth this little piece of simple brilliance. How about we restore the tradition of the name and barrel trophy but simply call it the “Battle for the Barrel.” Also let’s restore a little more history in doing so and put the words “Ice Water” back on the barrel just like that first one way back in ‘25. Doing this will really fool no one, and we will all know that it is essentially a beer keg. However, it will allow the institutions to successfully refute any negative claims or ramifications that might come their way as a result of the former alcohol-infused name. Problem solved. Not telling you how it is, just what I see.
This weekend will mark the 107th all time football meeting between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Kentucky Wildcats. Although the all time series is a bit lopsided in the Vols favor (74-23-9), it is a rivalry steeped in history and intensity. Until recent years this annual meeting was famously known as the “Battle for the Beer Barrel.” While this moniker may cause younger fans to begin scratching their heads in ignorance and salivating at the mention of alcohol simultaneously, more seasoned fans still remember the tradition well.
The first “Beer Barrel” appeared ironically enough in 1925, right in the middle of the Prohibition Era. It was created by Kentucky students as a tangible sign of the rivalries victor. The first “Beer Barrel” trophy was rolled out onto the field with the words “Ice Water” written on it, for obvious reasons. The half blue half orange trophy was given to the winning team until the tradition was discontinued in 1998 via mutual agreement of the two schools in the wake of an alcohol-related car accident involving two UK football players. Tennessee, led by Peyton Manning, hoisted the last victory drum overtop their heads in 1997 following a 59-31 victory over the Wildcats, led by star QB Tim Couch.
Recently there has been a growing movement to bring back this games traditional sudsy name. On one side you have the hardcore traditional (and likely red-faced) fan that says there is no harm in bringing the tradition. After all, people are going to drink at any football game regardless of any alcohol-related name or lack thereof. It is a bit illogical to posit that more beer drinking will occur if the game once again becomes known as the “Battle for Beer Barrel.” It would also be a stretch to assume that the accident that caused the termination of the tradition would not have happened if the game was not known by that name. On the other hand, you will have those of more conservative mindset that will state that it is irresponsible to have an event in which many of the participants aren’t even of legal drinking age to be named for a drum of beer. In our society’s ever increasing push to be politically correct on all fronts, we certainly want to put a tag on a football game that might make someone uncomfortable. While opinions are many, it is hard to argue that the renewal of the nickname could add a new luster to this rivalry that has seen the Vols win a nation leading 26 consecutive games over the Wildcats.
What AB Sees: I say bring back the “Battle” and all its glory! Now, let it be known that I am by no means a proponent of underage drinking or even drinking in general (I myself am not a drinker), but the simple fact is it’s going to happen. I believe no matter what you want to call the game, the same amount of alcohol will be consumed either way. However, I'm in a compromising mood so I will put forth this little piece of simple brilliance. How about we restore the tradition of the name and barrel trophy but simply call it the “Battle for the Barrel.” Also let’s restore a little more history in doing so and put the words “Ice Water” back on the barrel just like that first one way back in ‘25. Doing this will really fool no one, and we will all know that it is essentially a beer keg. However, it will allow the institutions to successfully refute any negative claims or ramifications that might come their way as a result of the former alcohol-infused name. Problem solved. Not telling you how it is, just what I see.
