As discussed in last week’s The Beer Guy blog posts, I was planning on doing something special for the 4th of July. I couldn’t just review one beer, so I reviewed 6 beers! Ok, maybe it wasn’t just me. I involved my family as well.
So what was the plan of attack this Independence Day? Well, after getting hyped up for the day by listening to former President Thomas J. Whitmore’s speech from 1996 (remember when the US led the world in preventing aliens from conquering and annihilating us?) about a dozen times…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l31UUl5SyXk
…it was time.
Time to celebrate Liberty and Victory of the good ol’ Red, White and Blue. Heck, let’s celebrate a Patriot (twice). So the lineup was set and we gave our very brief, quick descriptions (reviews) of the beers. For you Chicago Bulls fans out there think of famed public address announcer, Ray Clay, when I say “Aannnnnnnnnnnnd now, the starting lineup…” for this 4th of July Life of Dad reviews by The Beer Guy, and family:
LIBERTY
Anchor Brewing Co. (San Francisco, CA) Liberty Ale
American IPA (5.9% ABV / 30 IBU)
“Wheat…pale ale…bitter…European”
VICTORY
Victory Brewing Company (Downington, PA) Golden Monkey
Tripel Ale (9.5% ABV / 25 IBU)
“Deceivingly alcoholic…spice, fruit, spice, fruit…hazily golden”
RED
Bear Republic Brewery (Healdsburg, CA) Red Rocket Ale
American Amber Ale (6.8% ABV / 67 IBU)
“Amber…heavier…malty…caramel”
WHITE
Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA) Samuel Adams Imperial White
Witbier (10.3% ABV / 15 IBU)
“Banana…Syrupy creamy feel…potent”
BLUE
Sea Dog Brewing Company (Bangor, ME) Bluepaw Wild Blueberry
Wheat Ale- Fruit Ale (4.6% ABV / 8 IBU)
“Subtly blueberry…muffin…light…quick carbonation…feels like a Pop Rock, tastes like a Pop Tart”
A PATRIOT – SAM ADAMS
Boston Beer Company (Boston, MA) Samuel Adams Cinder Bock
Rauchbier or Smoke Beer (9.4% ABV / 25 IBU)
“Nothing says 4th of July than a beer that tastes like a BBQ”
So there you have it, folks…your quick take on some great 4th of July beers. I had a blast pouring the beers into tasting glasses and hearing everyone’s opinion. It’s amazing the social aspect beer can have, and I urge you to try it out yourself. Get your friends and/or family around, pick a theme, get some beers you wouldn’t normally try, pour each a taste, swirl, smell, taste, discuss, debate, conclude, have fun. It’s as easy as that. So you’re trying 6 different beers, but really it only comes to drinking between 1 and 2 beers at the end of it all. And what a better way to cap off the night than with fireworks. Hope you enjoyed what The Beer Guy brought you this week and that you all had a great 4th. Back to the normal beer reviews next week.
So, what do you think? Have you had these beers? Do you like them? Do you not like them? Send me a note at The Beer Guy’s mailbag, TheBeerGuy@lifeofdad.com. You can follow me on Twitter (@TheBeerGuyLOD), Facebook and LinkedIn as well. Take care, happy (and safe) drinking, and enjoy your weekend.
About The Beer Guy – A dad, husband, friend and drinker of beer. I review & blog about it all on LifeOfDad.com, the premiere social networking website for Dads. The Beer Guy enjoys IPA’s and Pilsner’s, but will really try any kind of beer. You may disagree on some of his opinions. Let The Beer Guy know. Reviews are published on Thursdays. Blogging is done on Tuesdays. Read more here to learn about The Beer Guy, who he is and his beer rating methodology.
The Beer Guy, and Life of Dad, promote responsible drinking. Never drink and drive.