American Craft Beer Celebrates the Red, White & Brew

The Fourth of July is the one day every year when America stops what it’s doing to commemorate our Independence from Great Britain. It’s also a time for friends, family and food, fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, political speeches and ceremonies…and, oh yeah, beer.

And since we’ve no doubt that all of American Craft Beer’s Regional Correspondents are going to be out and about celebrating, we thought we’d hit them up to see what they’ll be eating and drinking on their Independence Day.

Tom Bobak, Editor In Chief

When you live in DC as I do, the biggest consideration for locals involves finding an undiscovered hide-away where you’ll have the best view of the National fireworks display without actually having to go downtown and fight the massive out-of-town hordes that will be flooding the mall. I’ll be drinking summer seasonals because the 4th is the classic summer holiday. And when I’m thinking summer, I’m drinking favorites like Schlafly’sHelles Style Summer Lager or Dominion’s unfairly overlooked Beach House Golden Pilsner – and I’m drinking a lot of them.

, American Craft Beer Celebrates the Red, White & BrewLindsay Snyder, Wisconsin Correspondent

This Independence Day, I’ll be hitting Lake Michigan with New Belgium Rolle Bolle by my side. This brewery from my home state never disappoints when it comes to summer seasonals. It’s light and refreshing but still tasty, the perfect companion for a long day of boating. My night will round off with the world’s largest music festival – Milwaukee’s Summerfest. Thousands of people singing along together and Milwaukee’s finest brews on tap – these are the things that make me happy to be American.

Dave Stratton, LA Correspondent

There’s no better way to celebrate our independence from the Red Coats then tipping back Eagle Rock’s Revolution XPA. Nothing screams ‘Merica more than sipping a refreshing American Pale Ale. On the Fourth, I like to drink mine out of a colonial tricorn hat or a powder horn while playing a snare drum. U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

, American Craft Beer Celebrates the Red, White & BrewWarren Wills, Portland Correspondent

In celebrating Deschutes Brewing’s 25th anniversary and their recent entry into Philadelphia, the home of our Declaration of Independence, I’ll be enjoying a bomber of their seasonal Fresh Squeezed IPA. If I’m still standing and safely able to set off some fireworks, Hopworks Totally Radler will serve as a fine dessert, with its refreshing mix of 60% lager and 40% lemonade. Enjoy your 4th and please return to work on the 5th with all your fingers.

MIchelle Young, Dallas Correspondent

Every Texan enjoys an ice-cold tea on a hot summer day, so in honor of the 4th, I will enjoy Dogfish Head’s Sah’tea. This brew, flavored with black tea and brewed over white-hot river rocks, will pair perfectly with a good old-fashioned Texas backyard BBQ. To keep the party going all day in the Texas heat, we will also serve up some “All Day Ales” from Four Corners Brewing Co. I know my newly converted family members will enjoy some Local Buzz wheat beer over their old-school favorites. They have no choice though because I will not let the dirty three enter my backyard.

Matt Lyman, Supervising Editor

What is better on a hot summer day in Seattle than an ice-cold can of IPA? Only one thing: an ice cold can of ISA. That’s why this week, I am going to be sitting around in a pair of hideous board shorts, barefoot in a lounge chair at arm’s length from the BBQ, flipping blue cheese burgers and quenching my dramatic thirst with a Two Beers Trailhead ISA. Hoppy and bitter, but with a lower ABV than its stronger cousins, ISAs will let you keep drinking well into the night, and Two Beers has the king. Hopefully, this ISA will help my night end in bed and not face down in a dud firework-filled ditch.

, American Craft Beer Celebrates the Red, White & BrewBailey Wiggle, Pittsburgh/Eastern Great Lakes Correspondent

I am lucky enough to be traveling to the gorgeous Chautauqua Lake on New York’s southern tier for the Fourth of July. I will be spending most of my time on this incredible lake, but when I’m not there, you’ll be able to find me right up the street at Southern Tier Brewing’s newly expanded brewery! My favorite summer elixir from these brewing geniuses is Hop Sun. This light-bodied brew is light and refreshing but still very full of flavor!

Juliana Casale, Boston Correspondent

I recently had a Midwesterner visit me from Iowa, and she was horrified to learn that I am leaving town for the long weekend (her: “Seriously, who leaves BOSTON for the 4th? Isn’t that THE destination for the holiday?”). In my defense, throwing elbows on the Esplanade = not my cup of tea. Anyway… I will be celebrating my increased personal space with canned beer on the Cape; most likely Anderson Valley Summer Solstice (a delightful Cream Ale perfect for warm summer nights) or 5.6% ABV Whale’s Tale Pale Ale from Cisco Brewers, straight outta Nantucket. I dare you to drink four and say the name five times fast.

DC Steve, Washington, DC

I’ll be celebrating the 4th in Rehoboth Beach. After spending the day at the beach body-surfing and soaking up some rays, I’ll be at Dogfish Head‘s pub that night, so I’ll quite likely be drinking 90 minute IPA straight from the tap, hopefully Homer Simpson-style.

, American Craft Beer Celebrates the Red, White & BrewJeanna Malines, Florida Correspondent

I will be celebrating Independence Day floating down the Weeki Wachee River with my family. And in the true spirit of a Florida cracker vacation…what better beer to drink than Cigar City’s Florida Cracker? And because you know I love a themed floating cooler, we’re going to stock Swamp Head Brewery’sSaison du Swamp, and Florida Beer Company’s Swamp Ape DIPA. I’ll also have a 6-pack of Budweiser because I’ve heard that it repels gators… and if it doesn’t, at least I’ll have something I’m willing to throw at them.

Sara Simonsen, Nebraska Correspondent

My family and I are currently spending our Fourth of July holiday in beautiful Summit County, Colorado, for our annual weeklong beercation. In honor of my love for a good Colorado beercation, and good Colorado brew, one of the beers that I hope to be drinking to celebrate America is Wynkoop’sRocky Mountain Oyster Stout – because what is more American than drinking a beer brewed with Rocky Mountain Oysters (bull testicles, for those of you who don’t know)?! Also, we may not be partying it up too hard here in Colorado – who knows what the firework situation will be with all of the fires out here – but I know there will be a party in my mouth when I crack open Dogfish Head’sChateau Jiahu. This beer is a family favorite, and one worth drinking while celebrating Independence Day.

Dan Varricchio, Boston Correspondent

On July 4th, there is no better way to celebrate the birthday of this nation then to spend time with family and friends while drinking serious American craft beer. And all the beers that I’ll be drinking will have a patriotic feel to them. I’ll begin celebrating with Clown Shoes Crunkle Sam, an 11% ABV American Barleywine that leaves you seeing fireworks! I’ll be following that up with a classic from the nation’s oldest brewery – Yuengling Lager. And finally, there’s no better way to end the 4th than with a Slumbrew Flagraiser IPA in hand and fireworks bursting in the sky above me.

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