Baseball season is in full swing, and America’s favorite pastime has always gone hand-in-hand with beer.

But what if beer actually played baseball?

Before you call someone to have me committed, hear me out: Beer styles have various aspects which make them suitable for different purposes – just like ball players. So I thought it would be fun to imagine which styles would play various positions on the diamond.

While I had to limit the number of styles to a starting nine, I tried to choose a wide breadth of styles, just like a good baseball team would have a lineup that showcased an array of talents needed to win.

So let’s start with the catcher position: I think a stout would be the perfect fit for the backstop position. Stouts are one of the most classic styles in beer history, and there’s a certain solidity to them that often makes for slower drinking. And just like some catchers have some pop in their bats, stouts (the imperial kind) can sometimes be power hitters.

Porters are my choice for first base. Just as some catchers move to first base later in their careers, porters are historically linked to stouts. But in this thought experiment, I switched the order, because stouts grew out of the porter style. But just as a catcher and first baseman both have to be good with their gloves, both stouts and porters have to have good roasted malt backbones, which keep them sturdy and well-grounded. And these days, some porters can be as powerful as stouts.

Second base belongs to a wheat beer. There are different types of wheat beers, but I think they all fit at second base. They’re mostly light-hitting and sweet and usually not in the spotlight. But no team is complete without one.

Pilsners get my nod for shortstop. It’s a crucial position and a great one can make all the difference in the world. You’re not looking for a lot power from the slot, but it needs to be sleek and smooth (either in fielding or flavor).

Third base is represented by an Oktoberfest. This position secures one end of the infield, much like how Oktoberfest beers secure the autumn season in the beer calendar. This style is another type of fall classic.

In the left field, we find a barleywine. With plenty of heft in its swing (or swig), it doesn’t need to be particularly agile or defensive. Besides, after you’ve had a few barleywines, you’d probably find yourself moving a bit slower and feeling less inclined to defend yourself, either physically or mentally.

The center field is definitely the place for a saison. It’s light, highly carbonated, and often adds a hint of spice to the mix. Saisons are great for kick-starting the lineup, especially when they’re infused with some zest (either orange or lemon). They are also generally quite appealing to look at, much like an impressive catch by the star center fielder.

A bock beer has dibs on the right field. Both right fielders and bocks come in various types, but both generally need a good dose of strength. Right fielders can have strong arms and/or big bats, while bocks can pack a punch in terms of both taste and alcohol level.

On the mound, of course, is our pitcher, the IPA. Along with its battery-mate the stout, the IPA is the most important position (at least these days when looking at popularity) on the diamond. And IPAs have an arsenal of pitches, just like an ace: fastballs (double IPAs), change-ups (session IPAs), curve balls (black IPAs), and knuckleballs (New England IPAs).

Which beers make your starting lineup?

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