Drink here: Hittin' up the Flagon

At this point, it is safe to say that Boston sports fans are spoiled. Unfortunately, most of us are unable to drop a semester's worth of tuition on World Series tickets. Luckily, the second-best place to watch a Red Sox game lies within the reach of a well-placed Manny Ramirez monster home run. Located at the corner of Brookline Avenue and Lansdowne Street, the Cask 'n Flagon, a sports bar on steroids, is the greatest bar on a block of great bars. Upon entering this ultimate man cave, sports fans will first notice the seemingly endless amount of flat-screen TVs. This gives viewers the chance to watch the game from just about anywhere in the building, including the bathrooms. A large, oddly shaped bar occupies the center of the relatively open floor making it easy for patrons to approach the multiple bartenders. In fact, even when the bar was at capacity during Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, there was always a bartender within reach. It doesn't stop there. Once past the front bar, the back room will appear much darker, but with ample standing space and nearly a dozen large-projection screens it is impossible not to find a comfortable spot to enjoy a Bud Lite and watch Josh Beckett throw some heat. The back bar is just as efficient as the front bar, while multiple satellite bars help to keep the beer flowing.

Though it is not Fenway Park, getting into the Cask on game night is truly the only downside. There is no torture worse than standing sober on Brookline Avenue waiting to get in while looking through the windows to see the great party inside. But don't fret: With a little bit of patience and some well-placed skill you will find yourself inside sipping on a 16-ounce aluminum Red Sox-labeled Bud Light bottle in no time. On a Thursday night with a home game, it's in your best interest to get in at least three hours before game time. When you have secured a couch and downed a few pitchers, the sacrifice will be well worth it, especially when you look out the window to see the line growing towards Kenmore. There is also a back door with some surprisingly lenient bouncers. (The same cannot be said for the rest of Lansdowne.) If you are an attractive girl or can manage to keep a low profile while slipping the doorman some cash, chances are you may beat the line. Either way, this treacherous journey will be but a distant memory once you are living and dying with the boisterous crowd inside.

Though the Cask offers a full variety of spirits, only beer can go hand-in-hand with America's pasttime. Fortunately, the most economical approach at the Cask is to go with a pitcher of your favorite macrobrewed domestic beer. Before tip, it will only set you back about $14 and yield about three and a half pints. Remember to follow the golden rule - he who buys the pitcher, gets the last fill. To have a good time at the Cask 'n Flagon on game night, you will need at least $60 to $100. This is a small price to pay when people can be seen selling their souls to see the game on the other side of the Green Monster. A