Tailgating Goods for the Committed Partier

Samuel Adams Octoberfest (about $8 for a six-pack, available at various retailers): Just as you can always improve upon what you grill at your next tailgate, you can always improve upon what you drink. And as it turns out, football season coincides with one of the best times of the year for lovers of craft beers. This fall favorite from Samuel Adams (SAM Quote) is a seasonal amber-colored beer that nicely balances sweetness and bitterness. The brand says it's a perfect "transition" brew between the lighter beers of summer and the heavier ones of winter. We'd be hard-pressed to disagree.

Rubbermaid Dura Chill Coolers

Rubbermaid DuraChiller Wheeled Cooler ($42.99, available at various retailers): Of course, there's no point in bringing beer to the game if you can't keep it icy cold. (And you definitely want to make sure your meats remain chilled before you start grilling.) That's where this Rubbermaid(NWL Quote) model comes in handy. What distinguishes it is its 75-quart size, which means it can hold 130 12-ounce cans. (Kinda gives new meaning to the idea of the "big chill.") Other nice features are heavy-duty wheels and an ergonomic grip --just in case you want to take your beer over to your tailgating friend at the other end of the parking lot. Oh, and it promises it can keep your items cold for up to five days in 90-degree heat -- perfect if you're tailgating in Florida!

JerseyNaps ($2.99 for a package of eight, available at various retailers or online): Why wipe your face with any ol' napkin when you can make a statement about your favorite college team instead? That's the premise behind JerseyNaps -- napkins in the shape of football jerseys, with the appropriate colors and logos of more than 40 college teams, from the Alabama Crimson Tide to Wisconsin Badgers. NFL teams aren't part of the line, but there are baseball and hockey-themed JerseyNaps.