Lions change concession prices, including $5 beer

Allen Park — Few things go together with football better than cheap beer. This year, you'll be able to get both before and during Detroit Lions games at Ford Field.

Cheap is an admittedly relative term when talking about stadium concession prices, but starting this season, the Lions will be matching the wildly successful $5 beer pricing introduced by the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. 

Levy, the Lions' official concession provider, also manages the Falcons concessions. 

"We were looking at it with Levy and trying to learn what we could from what worked in Atlanta, they are obviously the concessionaire there too, and adapt it to the best we could at Ford Field," team president Rod Wood said. 

The reduced cost of beer is part of a revamped concession pricing package announced by the team on Tuesday.

The $5 beer will be in specific locations, near sections 105 and 128, for Bud Light and Miller Lite. Additionally, the team will have two hot dog combo meal options. You will be able to get a hot dog, chips and a soda for $10, a savings of $5.50, or a hot dog, chips and a beer for $12. 

The team also will continue with its DTE Energy Power Hour, with further reduced concession, the first hour after the stadium gates open. The deals include $2 sodas and hot dogs and $3 beers at select locations inside the stadium. 

“These fan-friendly, value-added food and beverage options are another example of us taking feedback from fans and using it to improve our game day experience,” Wood said in a release. “Over the past year we have spent considerable time working with Levy to get something in place that makes sense for our fans without hurting the quality or speed of service. We’re thrilled to be able to introduce these value options in time for the 2018 season.”

The Lions regular season begins with a Monday game on Sept.10 at 7:10 p.m. against the New York Jets. Ford Field gates will open at 4 p.m. and an extended Power Hour will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The team also will run an extended Power Hour before a Week 3 matchup against the New England Patriots. Gates open at 5:30 for the 8:30 kickoff. 

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New Ford Field food items

Each offseason, the Lions add several items to the stadium menu. Executive chef Lamar Nolden unveiled this year's slate to local media Tuesday afternoon. 

The highlights include smoke buffalo chicken totchos — served over tater tots instead of tortilla chips — a bacon wrapped hot dog, a custom-grind burger and a plant-based "Impossible" burger. 

The annual "wow item" are the Michigan Cherry Chocolate Nachos. The homemade flour tortilla chips are tossed in sugar and cinnamon and topped with a chocolate-covered Michigan cherries and chocolate ganache, containing Nutella, marshmallow fluff and graham cracker crumble. 

Stadium giveaways announced

The Lions also announced this season's pre-game giveaways. 

Fri. Aug. 17, vs. Giants: Stretch canvas photo

Thurs. Aug. 30 vs. Browns: License plate cover

Mon. Sept 10 vs. Jets: 4x6-inch photo frame

Sun. Sept. 23 vs. Patriots: Set of four coasters

Sun. Oct. 7, vs Packers: Car flag

Sun. Oct. 28 vs. Seahawks: Travel beverage thermos

Sun. Nov. 10 vs. Panthers: Camo hat

Thurs. Nov. 22 vs. Bears: Rally towel

Sun. Dec. 2 vs. Rams: Darius Slay bobblehead

Sun. Dec. 23 vs. Vikings : Winter scarf

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

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