Whether you're at a show with friends or just putting your feet up while listening to some tunes after a long day at work, for many alcohol is just another part of the rock and roll experience. And when hard liquor gets too expensive and wine seems too highfalutin, there is one drink that's always there for you: Beer.
In the last few years we've seen many artists -- including Maynard James Keenan of Tool and Les Claypool of Primus -- take up the fine art of winemaking, which shouldn't come as a surprise. Popular culture teaches us that wine is a sophisticated drink, most likely to be stored in a cellar, and appreciated for its depth of flavor. You can see why some artists want to be associated with it.
Beer is a blue-collar drink. It's for people who work hard and/or want to get smashed on a budget. It's what you use to play beer pong and tailgating. And while it may not scream luxury the same way wine does, there are a handful of artists out there who have gotten into the beer game.
Check out the following list to see if your favorite band has a brew of their own.
Note: Rocks Off reminds all of you to drink responsibly when you do and that, unlike band shirts, there's no rule that says you can't drink the beer of the band you're going to see.
5. Artist: Motörhead The Beer: Bastards Lager
The men of Motörhead are no stranger to the world of alcohol when it comes to both consuming and selling. Lemmy's hard drinking is legendary in the music world, and last year the band got in to the alcohol business via Motörhead Shiraz, a red wine, and Motörhead Vodka.
This year they attempt to take things up a notch with Bastards Lager, described as a "gloriously fresh and fruity beer with a wonderful character of light malt." It also has one of the coolest labels of any beer we've ever seen.
Before you head out to your local liquor store of choice we have some bad news: The beer is only available in Sweden at the moment. That said, if you're already planning a trip to that part of the world at least you have something to look forward to besides IKEA.
4. Artist: KISS The Beer: KISS Destroyer
We know: it's shocking that a group with condoms, caskets, and fine art available for purchase in their web store would also sell beer, but it's true. Much like everything else that will stay still long enough to have a label slapped on it, KISS has slapped their iconic logo on beer cans and bottles for your drinking enjoyment.
Billed by their marketing people as both "the hottest beer in the world" and a "cool brew," this is yet another celebrity beer brewed in the land of the Swedes.
The good news is that Kiss Destroyer has a slightly better distribution chain than Bastard Lager, which is to say it's also available in Norway and Australia. Fear not KISS Army, if you can't wait for your Kiss alcohol fix their official wine is available here in America through the official KISS web store.
3. Artist: Jimmy Buffet The Beer: Land Shark Lager
Jimmy Buffet may not be a brewer, but he is a smart businessman. Rather than just serve any old beer at his chain of Margaritaville restaurants, Buffet partnered with Anheuser-Busch to producer Land Shark Lager to be the house lager for his establishments. To further link the beer with the restaurant, it's labeled as being brewed by Margaritaville Brewing Company.
The good news is that this is a beer you can actually drink without having to take a plane to Europe. The bad news is that the reviews on it are not so good. In one review we found, a parrothead described drinking it as "like drinking sparkling water."
If you'd rather try it yourself rather than believe a stranger on the internet there's a Margaritaville in New Orleans. You may be able to find it in stores locally, but due to state laws, the Land Shark Locator on the official Web site won't be able to direct you to a specific retailer.