Independence Day Beer!

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Today is my Friday! Such is the case for many hard-working beer lovers ... tomorrow is the 4th of July and we celebrate our nation's independence with a day off work!
I'll take it, I don't know about you!

Thinking about having a three day weekend and realizing that it will surely be hot and very likely a little rainy for the duration I am contemplating my beer choices for the festivities that will ensue ... soggy or not. The rain is not so much the factor; it's the heat. Oh, the heat. I'm every bit the beer geek that the next guy is (arguably more so), but 90 degree + weather does not put me in the mood for high gravity and/or heavy beers. I don't want the extra alcohol and I definitely don't want something that is going to weigh on the palate like a bowling ball.

Call me carzy.

So, I ask myself, "self? What beers do you plan to drink over the Independence Day holiday?" Here is my short list of beers I plan to drink, or will hope to drink assuming I can find them:

Anchor Liberty Ale (in honor of the occasion, of course)
O'Fallon Wheach
Brewery Ommegang Hennepin
New Belgium Mothership Wit
Unibroue Ephemere (probably the apple)

So, what am I missing? What are your choice Independence Day beers?

[Mike Sweeney]

Hmmmm, this seems so familiar. ;)

* Bell’s Two Hearte
* O’Fallon Wheach
* Unibroue Apple Éphémère
* Hitachino Nest White Ale

It looks like great minds thing alike.

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Hi Mike ... wow! I promise I didn't rip off your idea! This is funny. Great minds do indeed drink alike, it seems. Even a common beer on our lists!

Hey, congrats on the success of your blog, by the way. I have enjoyed keeping up with it for STL news and info. For a while there, I think I was about the closest thing to a STL beer blog and I'm 100 miles away! Keep up the great work.

Are you brewing for the 4th?

Shawn

[Mike Sweeney]

Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, no I'm not brewing, I'll be working on my brother's house this weekend. Though, if I can make a little time tomorrow and may start up a cider.

[Bryce Eddings]

Schlafly APA - Can't get enough of this stuff!
Ciders are nice too; just wish I had a wider selection than Woodchuck or Draft Woodchuck!

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

I got a sample of an Irish cider, Magners a while back ... can't say I cared for it too much, really. Occasionally I'll enjoy a Strongbow, but I have yet to find a cider I can really get behind.

[Mark Johnson]

You're talking about the 2 worst most bland rotten apple ciders from over here Mr Philosopher. They're like the Budweiser and Miller of Cider. You need some Westons Organic Cider from SW England and a drop of Aspinalls from East Anglia

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Sign me up! My cider ignorance is well-documented.

[Bryce Eddings]

I had a can of Strongbow at the one and only Nascar event I ever attended. (It was a long and disturbing affair that left me questioning the nature of the universe for weeks later.) The day was hot and I was thirsty so I don't remember the quality of the stuff. But I haven't been led to seek it out again.

I have had some very nice French ciders though the names escape me.

[theBryon]

"It was a long and disturbing affair that left me questioning the nature of the universe for weeks later."

LOL! Now that's funny...

[Mark Johnson]

There's some big yankee celebration at the White Horse Pub in Parsons Green, London tomorrow. Food n Drink with fellow Aleuminati Glenn Payne. If I cant get me some satisfaction with Full Sail IPA and some Goose Island Honkers Ale to wash down my beef jerky I'll be well disappointed

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Excellent! We US-based Aleuminati would be remiss to forget about our Aleuminati brethren across the pond ... cheers!

[Da OD]

This year the plan is to load up some growlers to take to the parties. I intend to stop by Schlafly Bottleworks and get their Cider (I feel cider is a must for this holiday.), Hefeweizen, and Dry-Hopped APA. I also plan to stop by Square one and pick up Spicy Blond and Festival Lager. There will likely be the usual suspects available as well such as Sam Adams BL or Budwieser products for those who are not Aleuminated.