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?

[Virgil G]

As a kid, I'd spend my fourth of July sitting on the hill at Highland Crest Baptist Church watching those fireworks... Even though the tix were free at shopko (weren't they).

There was no beer in that parking, lot, that's for sure.

[Rev. Bobby Beerman]

Having not made a trip in a while I would have to rely on local stock (as sad as it is). Sam Adams, I think I saw some Liberty Ale at Pinch, if I can get it here some O'Fallon Weach. If I tap into my stocks I still have some Pyramid Apricot Weizen Ale.

But, besides beer, there is the other big B - Barbeque!! I plan on having those beers with some smoked brisket and pork loin. The joys of having two smokers going at the same time!!

[Chipper Dave]

I'm going to be trying two Quadrupels for the Fourth (how fitting!). Avery's The Reverend and Ommegang's Three Philosophers. My first dive into Quads. The first one was eye opening (The Reverend) - decent but felt it needed to be better. Hoping the Ommegang will be even better.

[Bryce Eddings]

I haven't had the Avery but Three Philosophers is a lovely thing indeed.

[dave]

You are carzy. ... Make mine Sam Adams.

[theBryon]

I really wanted to brew something up this weekend, but the "Alewife" has a list of house work scheduled for the two of us, and with the baby on the way, there's no talking myself out of it.

We're heading out to a BBQ tonight though at the house of some brand new friends... They're friends from church, and I have not broach "the subject" with them yet. Not sure if they drink at all, and I don't want to be "THAT GUY" and tote along a case of brew to a potential group of tea-totalers...

I have high hopes that I'm completely off base and I may find some Allagash White, Anchor Liberty, Sam Adam's Boston Lager, and some locally brewed 10 Penny Ale on ice... But only time will tell, wish me luck!

Happy Independence Day, and remember the men and women fighting over seas... Keep them in your thoughts and prayers when you see the fireworks this weekend.

Cheers!

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Great post, thebryon ... best of luck with the new friends. Remember, you can 'educate' through your responsible example of moderation ...

Great point about our service men and women over seas ... as we celebrate our freedom and independence as a nation, let's remember who it is that keeps it that way!

Cheers to one and all!

[theBryon]

Thanks,

The new friends did in fact have "adult beverages", but sadly no beer. Apparently they're not beer drinkers. Their other guests were actually asking for beer. I should have brought some home brew... Live and learn...

[Freya the Wanderer]

What beer could possibly be more all-American than Samuel Adams?

Right now I'm in Denver so I'll be sampling some of the local brews.

[Rob DeNunzio]

I can't believe I'm saying this, but... I have no idea. Total mystery. I'll probably post in retrograde after the weekend's over so you can all scoff at the sub-par choices I managed to wrangle up...

[Rob DeNunzio]

And in the end, it was.... [drumroll] ..... Stone's Oaked Arrogant Bastard. Pairs quite nicely with Rock Band, I might add.

[theBryon]

Now that I think of it... If we were to jump in a time machine and ask George Washington... He's probably say have an American Porter, or perhaps a Small Beer...