The Northeast is experiencing a heat wave that is causing D.C. and New York City hipsters to melt in their flannel shirts (who wears flannel shirts in the summer?). Lucky for most, Americans can take the intense, unrelenting rays from the sun, especially in remembrance of the day the Founding Fathers declared themselves independent of Great Britain.
Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson could withstand the heat. They knew a veritable shit storm was coming on July 4, 1776, when the brave men signed onto a document declaring the 13 colonies independent of a tyrannical British monarchy that was draining soon-to-be Americans dry of the fruits of their hard-earned labor (shout out to you, John Locke).
Sure enough, that document sparked what is now referred to as the American Revolution (we won, by the way).
Americans don’t take the Fourth of July lightly, holding it up as a day of national celebration that brings families and friends together for backyard barbecues and memory-making. Some serve hot dogs, others hamburgers, but nearly every gathering will have one ubiquitous provision: beer.
Americans spent over $7 billion alone on in 2017 meat and beer on July 4. (RELATED: Sam Adams Summer Beers To Beat The Heat)
With all that money getting thrown around, The Daily Caller News Foundation has a few recommendations for your patriotic imbibing pleasure. (RELATED: Meet The Scottish Brewer Behind The $1 Billion US Expansion)
1) Yuengling Lager
It seems a no-brainer to choose the nation’s oldest-operating brewery to ring in another year of American sovereignty under the red, white and blue. Not even prohibition could keep Yuengling down. It also is a perfect reminder for our friends and comrades overseas that we are doing just fine without their unfair taxation and funny-looking wigs.
Yuengling lager is revered for its amber body and authentic lager flavor. Whether sipped out of its trademark green bottle or fresh off the tap, this beer offers a pleasant experience until the final drop.
The one caveat is folks west of the Mississippi River won’t be able to find a Yuengling, as the brewery solely provides the East Coast its heavenly nectar.
One recommendation for those lucky enough to get their hands on this affordable, wonderful alcoholic beverage: do not let it get warm. Once above icy cold temperatures, Yuengling loses a bit of its luster. One should not fear, simply play a game of keep-up with your favorite freedom-loving compatriots.
2) Miller Lite
There are more than a few reasons to put Miller Lite on this list. My fellow beer snobs might just turn up their noses at this recommendation, but then I would seriously question their love of beer.
Hell, we are pretty sure The Daily Caller’s David Hookstead’s blood content is comprised of roughly 10 percent Miller Lite.
Weighing in at 4.6 percent ABV, under 100 calories and 4 carbs, Miller Lite is as fine a sipping beer as a person could want.
The story goes that a member of the Miller family wanted to create a beer that wasn’t too heavy but didn’t sacrifice on flavor. I’d say they didn’t do a bad job, given that Miller Lite is the most gold-medal awarded beer in memory, even winning the Gold medal at the 2016 World Beer Cup in the lite beer category.
Throw a few on ice and show up to your friend’s get-together. They won’t be upset when you show up with some iced-down suds. As the brewery says, “It’s Miller Time.”
3) DC Brau Corruption IPA
The Corruption is only for those living within the Beltway, but a day that celebrates the veritable beginnings of U.S. national politics should probably include a hat-tip to a great beer from our nation’s capital. The beer is DC Brau’s take on a Pacific Northwest IPA — a hopped-up style of beer known for its aggressive bitterness and assertive bite.
DC Brau used Pale 2 row, C-10, Honey and Victory malts to create a gorgeous dark orange body. To add bitterness, brewers threw in 40 lbs of Columbus hops to bring the brew to 80 whopping international bitterness units (IBUs). That is a lot of bitterness for a canned beer. Hop lovers, enjoy.
The can features also include a great factoid for your reading pleasure as you sip its contents: “In 1824, Speaker of the House Henry Clay forged a coalition that secured the White House for John Quincy Adams. In return, Adams named Clay as his secretary of state in what became known as ‘The Corrupt Bargain.’”
4) Founders All Day IPA
One conundrum beer lovers often come across is how to find an IPA — a variety of beer that traditionally, because of the brewing process, has a higher alcohol content than other types of beer — they can drink all day without overdoing it.
Founders Brewing Company is helping IPA lovers solve just that problem with its “All Day IPA,” a name meant to show a drinkable, hoppy beer that won’t knock you out after a few hours of day drinking.
All Day weighs in at 4.7 percent ABV and has only 42 IBUs (international bitterness units).
“The beer you’ve been waiting for. Keeps your taste satisfied while keeping your senses sharp,” Founders writes on its website describing the beer. “The perfect reward for an honest day’s work and the ultimate companion to celebrate life’s simple pleasures.”
5) 21st Amendment Brewery Hell Or High Watermelon
While it isn’t actually a sour beer, Hell Or High Watermelon gives a nice hat-tip to the variety, bringing a refreshing reprieve from the heat of the day. The genre of beer has become increasingly popular since 2013, garnering some serious national attention in 2017.
Hell Or High Watermelon is 21st Amendment’s summer season beer they roll out from April through the end of September.
The base is like any standard wheat beer you’ve ever ordered. When poured, it has a cloudy, golden color. Brewed with a watermelon puree (no additives but actually watermelon), 21st Amendment brewers did not skimp out on ingredients.
The beer also is just under 5 percent ABV, so you can get away with slowly sipping this one all day long.
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