4th of July Beer Selection
July 2, 2008 9:51 am Beer Musings
With the 4th of July Holiday fast approaching I’ve begun deliberating about what beer I want to take to our annual event. While this year it looks like we’re going to have mild (and maybe rainy) weather, you always need to consider the fact you’re going to be outside in the sun. So usually things like stouts, porters and a lot of imperial beers are out of the running for me.
For the most part I’m not a big fan of American-style wheat beers like Schlafly “Hefe” and Boulevard Wheat. Sure they make a fine lawnmower beer for some folks, but I still want a bit more flavor. I think Dave and I are the same wavelength about wheat beers. If I’m going for something cloudy and yellow, I want something with another depth of flavor, be it the spice of a Wit or clove/banana of a Weiss.
Fruit beers are another option. I think too many beer nerds are too quick to dismiss fruit beers. Sure when they’re bad, they’re usually really bad. But when they’re good, they can hold their own with some of the best beers out there. The one concern about some fruit beers is that they can fall into the upper tier of the alcohol range sometimes. Just something to consider.
What about the old stand-by beers, like Pale Ales, APAs or IPAs? Those are always decent choices, but I’ve never been a huge fan of bitter beers in the hot sun. Beer should be refreshing in that environment and shouldn’t weigh you down too much with flavor. That being said, I’ve become much more of a hophead in the past year so I may have to give them another go this year.
Well, enough babbling, what have I decided on? Well, I’m still trying to decide and maybe some of you can throw out some things I may have forgotten about. But at this point:
- Bell’s Two Hearte
- O’Fallon Wheach? (I love it with a hot dog)
- Unibroue Apple Éphémère
- Hitachino Nest White Ale
What are your choices for celebrating this holiday?
Tags: 4th of july, beer nerd, boulevard, holidays, o'fallon, schlafly
Spartan :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 9:57 am
I think I’m going with O’Fallon 5 Day IPA and Schafly’s APA.
scotty p :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 10:13 am
in my fridge i have sam adams summer ale and schlafly dry hopped apa for the guests, the apa is more for me actually and perfect for sitting outside.
im considering the following as extras-
brookyn lager
moosbacher kellerbier
DFH 60 min
lefthand ryebock
SN SH fresh hop ale
im not a fan of fruit beers. very few have remotely pleased me.
Joe B :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 10:16 am
For summer hops try the Clipper City Loose Cannon- heavy citrus-think pink grapefruit-it goes down way to easy for 7%
Its draft only but if you can find it Two Brothers American Bitter (aka Mild Pale) is a great summer brew
Sam H :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 10:26 am
Not sure what my beers will be. We are heading down to Live Off the Levee, so whatevers available downtown I guess.
But for Friday during the day, I’m thnking:
SN SH Fresh Hop
5 Day
Bud Select
I may catch heck for that last one, but its nice, crisp, and refreshing on a hot and muggy day. Granted there is little flavor, but it still cools me off.
dan george :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 10:33 am
“O’Fallon Wheach? (I love it with a hot dog)”
They should offer a t-shirt with that quote.
dan george :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 10:36 am
I’m gonna get some Lenny’s ryeIPA , ZoetZous (or whatever it’s called), and some 5 Day. Supplement with homebrew of course.
ericburnley :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 10:42 am
We’re expecting about 50 people at our house for a family reunion Fri/Sat, and I brewed a kolsch at Nat’l Homebrew Day at Worm’s Way this year. Also just kegged an APA that seemed to be ready enough.
We can’t afford commercial beer considering all the food we’re buying.
jeff :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 11:17 am
Three Floyds. Some Two Brothers saison. And some Lost Abbey Carnivale.
BMock :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 11:24 am
Spotted Cow is probably my current favorite summertime beer. Since I have just a small amount, I don’t think I’ll be sharing. Instead I’ll be serving both my dry-hopped American amber and English Pale Ale since they are basically free at this point. My friend is driving to WI this weekend, so maybe my supply will be better after the 4th.
Brian :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 11:24 am
This is tough, but will probably be a mixed bag of the following:
Victory Prima Pils
Clipper City Uber Pilsner
DFH Festina Peche
and Founders Rubaeus for the girlfriend.
Paul :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 11:40 am
I think I am going try to the new Avery Karma Belgian Ale that just arrived.
Southern Tier Uber Sun
Mikkeller IPA
Paul
cubby_swans :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
I guess my beer for the 4th party will be about the most boring one here. I bought a mini keg of Oberon to take to my uncle-in-laws. It’s something I’m hoping others will at least try. When I’m back home, I’ll stick with what’s aleady in the kegerator, and refrigerator.
Arcadia IPA (on tap)
DFH 60 and 90 minute
Founder’s Centennial IPA
And my wife has Sclafly raspberry Heffeweizen, which I tried and disliked. But maybe that’s because I tried it right after a swig of the Arcadia IPA.
Also have a big bottle of La Find du Monde that I’ll probably have this weekend.
Finally, and definitely least, we have Miller Lite in the fridge as well.
grtfulphan :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
I agree the spotted cow is a great summer beer. Speaking of it…….how are you getting New Glarus down here?? As for my 4th of July celebration I am picking up a keg of Schlafly Summer Kolsh and have some Dogfish Head Festina Peche to supplement.
BMock :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
Hey grtfulphan,
To get New Glarus down here follow these simple instructions.
1. I-55 to I-39.
2. Exit at Beloit.
The alternative is to find someone driving to WI and inspire them to make purchases on your behalf.
Crowl :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 1:43 pm
DFH 60 Min
Smuttynose Summer Weis
Southern Tier Hop Sun
Harpoon Summer Beer
Dan D. :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
I’ll be taking some Wheach to my in-laws, and supplementing it with Spotted Cow, Arcadia Whitsun, Schlafly 15, and Schlafly Raspberry Hefe.
Ian :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale
Schlafly Dry-Hopped APA
Maybe Weach, which my wife loves.
Derek Bean :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 9:01 pm
Mike, good call with the Hitachino Nest White Ale–I love that beer! I always get it at Wasabi when we go for sushi, and usually have to point to it on the menu so the server knows what I’m talking about!
My ideal Summer beers (this summer, anyways):
Boulevard Zon–great Witbier
O’Fallon Wheach
Bitburger Pilsner 16 oz. cans–perfect size of a beer in the perfect package to keep cold!
Any type of hoppy American ales, such as 5-Day or Dogfish 90 Minute, Stone, etc.
Mike :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
I think Hitachino Nest White Ale may be my all time favorite witbier.
James K :
Date: July 2, 2008 @ 10:35 pm
My new summer beers are
Nogne-O Saison, hard to find, but once to get it you’re hooked,
Also,
Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca
So Tier Unearthly IPA
Unibroue’s Blanche de Chambly
Bryce :
Date: July 3, 2008 @ 8:44 am
“For the most part I’m not a big fan of American-style wheat beers”
Amen, brother!
Schlafly APA for me. I love this stuff!
Jay :
Date: July 3, 2008 @ 8:58 am
Boulevard Saison, Flying Dog Woody Creek White and Breckenridge Agave Wheat this year.
PolarOpposites :
Date: July 3, 2008 @ 9:53 am
For those of you quinching your thirst with O’Fallon 5-Day this weekend, I saw Straub’s has it on sale for $5.99!
Duckbutter :
Date: July 3, 2008 @ 10:00 am
PolarOpposites: which Straub’s would that be? Last time I was at the Webster location, I don’t even think they had O’Fallon.
Z :
Date: July 3, 2008 @ 11:39 am
5Day and Wheach for me. $6.29 @ Dierbers this week.
Mattie T :
Date: July 3, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
If anyone’s still up for some drinkin after all that, The Royale opens at five. Come celebrate with a guy who works while y’all play.
Chuck S. :
Date: July 3, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
I just returned from a trip to Wisconsin, and have some New Glarus Spotted Cow, Uf-Da Bock, Unplugged Imperial Weizen, and some Central Waters Ouiconsin Red Ale.
Oh yeah, if that fails I have a 6er of Point Nude Beach Wheat.
Shep :
Date: July 3, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
Chuck S: Let me know how the Nude Beach Wheat is. It seems to be getting good reviews. I’ve been looking everywhere for it… Have you had the Horizon Wheat?
Chuck S. :
Date: July 4, 2008 @ 8:13 am
Shep-
The Nude beach is wonderful. I still have 3 left. IT is about the best of the style that I have ever had. All of the Horizon is gone, which is also great. I am going to take a spin up to Randall’s in Fairview, he carries several Point styles, and beg him for either Nude Beach, or Horizon.
Dave :
Date: July 4, 2008 @ 7:15 pm
I ended up with Mothership Wit while I was smoking and grilling, and O’Fallon Smoked Porter with the finished products.
scottyp :
Date: July 5, 2008 @ 7:47 am
i ended up with
schlafly kolsch
schlafly pilsner
moosbacher kellerbier
sam adams summer ale
night before was a stone ruination
PolarOpposites :
Date: July 7, 2008 @ 4:14 pm
Duckbutter -
Sorry for the delayed response, but I saw it at the Straub’s in Webster. They don’t have much shelve space, so you may have to ask someone about it. Their specials usually run for an entire month too.
Derek Bean :
Date: July 7, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
Hey Guys,
Thanks for all of the support on this thread mentioning O’Fallon IPA, Wheach and Smoked Porter.
In response to the quesions/ comments regarding our current price at local chain-stores, here’s the scoop:
All of our 6-pack beers should be on sale the entire month of July, and going through August 3. Here are the prices you should find out there:
Shop N Save-$5.89
Schnucks/ Straub’s-$5.99
*By the way, you can find our beer at all Straub’s stores except their Clayton (Forsyth) location. Clayton has the Pappy bottles only. Webster has 5-Day and Wheach both in the cooler and on an endcap display. Town & Country has 5-Day, “warm” only. And, Kingshighway, has our full line in the cooler. Plus, Webster & CWE still have some Pappy bottles, as well.
Dierbergs-$6.29.
Thanks again for the support!