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?

Today is my girlfriend Irene’s birthday, so I want to wish a very happy birthday to a woman that puts up with all of my beer discussion, dinners, ramblings, travel, purchases and general insanity. If you’re still shopping for that beer nerd in your life, be sure to check out my choices for 10 beer gifts in St. Louis. Onto the Round-Up:

Stuff from around the web

• Keith Shank at A Visual Roundup gives his thoughts on Schlafly Oatmeal Stout.
• Granite City Food and Brewery looks to be opening in January 2008 in Creve Coeur. According to the article, that looks like the first of many locations in the area.
• Sara White over at Sauce has a nice write-up of local breweries and their bourbon barrel beers. (Say that three times fast.)
• The PD has a very interesting interview with a future brewer working at Anheuser-Busch’s pilot brewery.

Beer Releases and News

• Andrew from Bon Vivant Wines informs me to some new beers he has in his stock:
  • Jolly Pumpkin - Noel de Calabaza
  • Avery - Old Jubilation
  • Great Divide - Samurai Ale
  • Anchor Brewing - Christmas (’06 also available)
  • Brasserie de Blaugies - La Monsuse Winter Saison/li>
  • Brouwerij Het Anker - Gouden Carolus Cuvee Vander Keizer
  • Brasserie St. Feuillien - St. Feuillien Cuvee de Noel
  • Brauerei Weihenstephan - Weihenstephaner Vitus
  • Brauerei Weihenstephan - Weihenstephaner Korbinian
  • Mahrs Bräu - Mahr’s Christmas Bock
  • St. Peter’s Brewery Co - St. Peter’s Winter
  • Greene King / Morland Brewery - Ruddles County Ale
  • Dogfish Head - 90min IPA
  • Dogfish Head - Chateau Jiahu
  • Lagunitas - Lumpy Gravy
  • Duvel (3L Bottle)
• Paul at The Wine and Cheese Place in Clayton alerts me to some new beers he has in stock:
  • Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter (4 pk)
  • Flying Dog Double Dog Double Pale Ale (4 pk)
  • Charleville Vineyards And Microbrewery - Half Wit Wheat
  • Beamish and Crawford Plc - Beamish Irish Stout (4 pk)
  • Carlsberg Danmark A/S - Carlsberg Elephant Beer
• Chris at Randall’s Wine & Spirits in St. Louis alerts me to some new beers sets he has in stock, just in time for the holiday season:
  • Beamish and Crawford Plc - Beamish Irish Stout (4 pk)
  • Carlsberg Danmark A/S - Carlsberg Elephant Beer
• Chris is also expecting these beers in today at the Fairview Heights Randall’s:
  • Lagunitas - Lumpy Gravy
  • Dogfish Head - Chateau Jiahu
  • Brasserie d’Achouffe - N’Ice Chouffe
  • Pivzavod Baltika / Baltic Beverages Holding - Baltika #4 Original (Dark)
  • Pivzavod Baltika / Baltic Beverages HoldingBaltika #6 Porter
  • Mikkeller - Santa’s Little Helper

Here’s a list of upcoming beer events:

• Dec 19 - Holiday Beer Tasting at Whole Foods
• Dec 26 - Schlafly 16th Anniversary Party

Oh man, I totally dropped the ball on this. A few of us local St. Louis food bloggers were asked to put a list together of our top ten local holiday gifts. I was supposed to be one of those people to post my list yesterday, but as you can see I forgot. These people did not forget though, so please be sure to check out their choices for gifts this holiday season:

• Anne Cori - Kitchen Conservatory
• Ann Lemons - St. Louis Food & Drink
• Alanna Kellogg - A Veggie Venture
• Stephanie - Iron Stef
• Stefani - Cupcake Project
• Bill Burge - stlbites.com

As for my choices, follow after the jump. Read the rest…