Fireball Whisky, the iconic cinnamon-flavored whisky brand, is adding a unique twist to football season with a limited-edition release: Crierball. This special whisky will be crafted with actual human tears—specifically, the tears of football fans who are left heartbroken by tough rivalry game losses. Fireball is bringing a whole new level to the tradition of celebrating football victories and rivalries by blending defeat's bitter taste with its signature spicy-sweet cinnamon flavor, creating a drink that’s both symbolic and tongue-in-cheek.
Introducing Crierball: Where Football and Fireball Meet in a Tear-Infused Drink
Dubbed Crierball, this release aims to “capture the true spirit of game day,” according to Danny Suich, Fireball's Global Brand Director. Suich explains that the brand’s goal is to channel the raw emotion of rivalries—especially the heartbreak of losing—to enhance the celebration of victory. “Few things—aside from Fireball, of course—are better than the sweet taste of victory, especially when it comes at the expense of your biggest rivals,” Suich noted in a recent press release. Crierball offers a novel way for fans to hold on to those intense rivalry moments for longer, transforming the emotions of the game into an actual drink.
How Crierball Will Be Made: Collecting Tears from Football Fans
To create Crierball, Fireball is going directly to the source: dedicated football fans who will experience the ups and downs of the biggest rivalry games of the season. Throughout November, Fireball’s team will be on-site at several highly anticipated NFL and college football rivalry games. Fans might see Fireball workers outfitted in “Fireball Tear Collector” uniforms, set up to collect tears from fans whose teams just didn’t make the cut. This tear collection method may sound unusual, but Fireball has reassured fans that each tear will be collected hygienically. Fans who participate will have their tears collected in sealed, sterile jars that are designed for single use, ensuring cleanliness and safety.
Rivalry Games on Fireball’s Crierball Schedule
Fireball is making appearances at key rivalry games throughout the football season. The company’s Tear Collector team will be stationed outside stadiums immediately after the games, ready to meet the fans who may be feeling the sting of a tough loss. The collection schedule includes:
- November 2: Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, GA
- November 10: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys in Dallas, TX
- November 17: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears in Chicago, IL
- November 17: Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, PA
- November 30: Auburn Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, AL
- November 30: Michigan Wolverines vs. Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, OH
Fireball will announce precise locations near each stadium on its social media channels as game days approach. This move not only builds excitement but allows fans to anticipate where they might encounter Fireball's team.
From Collection to Creation: The Process of Making Crierball
Once collected, the tears are not immediately ready for bottling. Fireball plans to go through a strict, months-long process of sterilization and distillation to ensure that Crierball is safe and drinkable. These collected tears will be transformed into a liquid that, once combined with Fireball’s iconic cinnamon whisky, will create a uniquely salty, cinnamon-spiced drink. Suich added, “We’re on a mission to capture the soul of rivalries—the tears of losers—and bring that to the next season as a one-of-a-kind whisky.”
Fireball anticipates that Crierball will be ready for sale by the 2025-2026 football season, allowing fans to toast the victories and rivalries of seasons past with a whisky that represents the passion of game day.
Building on Rivalry Spirit: Crierball as a Marketing Innovation
Fireball’s Crierball fits right in with the brand’s recent marketing strategies. Earlier in the year, Fireball launched a campaign called “Ignite Your Rivalry,” featuring comedians and diehard football fans. The ads playfully explored how far fans will go to show team loyalty, and Fireball’s new tear-infused whisky further taps into this rivalry-based energy. Through clever campaigns and product innovations like Crierball, Fireball is building a brand identity that thrives on the passion of fandom.
About Fireball: Igniting Moments with Cinnamon Flavor
Known for its intense cinnamon flavor, Fireball has built a reputation as a go-to spirit for parties and social gatherings. Fireball traces its origins to Canada and has become a staple for consumers who enjoy bold, spicy flavors. Fireball Whisky is popular not only for its flavor but also for the way it brings people together for celebratory moments, from casual gatherings to major events like football games.
What’s Next for Fans?
Fans interested in seeing Crierball become a reality can follow Fireball on Instagram and Facebook for announcements about tear collection events, as well as updates on the whisky’s development. As for those who might want to get their hands on a bottle, the 2025-2026 football season can’t come soon enough. Fireball has yet to release details about availability, so fans should stay tuned to the brand's social channels for more information.
Drink Responsibly
As with any of Fireball’s offerings, the brand encourages fans to drink responsibly. Fireball’s 33% ABV whisky with natural cinnamon flavor is produced by Sazerac Company in Louisville, KY, and is intended for those of legal drinking age.
With Crierball, Fireball has created a product that may be more than just a quirky idea. By blending rivalry with a bold, spicy flavor, Fireball is amplifying the highs and lows of football in a way that’s fun, innovative, and bound to keep fans talking. As Fireball prepares to roll out this tear-infused whisky, football season may never taste the same again.
