Beer League Hockey

On the surface, a beer league in hockey is an adult hockey league that caters to local hockey players in a community.

The beer part of beer league hockey accounts for the fact that most players drink beer before, during, or after league games.

In fact, it kind of centers around beer in one form or another.

Beer is a primary ingredient included in the communal bonding ritual that takes place after each game.

Another ‘beer’ connection is the fact there are many hockey teams sponsored by local bars, pubs, and restaurants.

Because in most leagues, there is always beer.

Tons of it.

But don’t get me wrong here. There are many non-drinkers who participate too.

Beer league hockey is for both adult men and women who are, more often than not, beer drinkers.

Hockey and beer go together as seamlessly as salt & pepper. Or beer… and pretzels. Or beer and more beer.

Usually not.

While checking and hitting is a key component in the game of hockey, there is no point to it in beer hockey.

Most of us are older guys who have no interest in cleaning somebody’s clock anymore. We would rather go to work in one piece tomorrow, instead of the ER tonight.

Although there is no checking, there is still bumping, pinning, pushing, shoving, hooking, stick-checking, and of course… chirping.

How About Fighting?

Fighting does happen sometimes. However, in the beer leagues, most players wear full cages and shields so it’s rather pointless.

Further, most beer leagues are quick to serve suspensions and even fines to players who fight.

The guys who still don’t get it are usually banned from the league.

Those guys are called likes-to-go guy.