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Go Home The Great Beer Debate (not "tastes Great!" Vs....

THE PLANK JULY 29, 2009

The Great Beer Debate (not "tastes Great!" Vs. "less Filling!")

Okay, I know this is frivolous and yuppie and that there are much more important things to be paying attention to, but can I just say I'm disappointed that Obama's going to be drinking Bud Light tomorrow night during his Gates-Crowley sit-down? The Boston Globe had an article today--before news of the Bud Light selection leaked--about how Massachusetts brewers were angling to have their beers served at the get-together, with the idea being that since Gates is a Red Stripe or Bass man and Crowley prefers Blue Moon, maybe Obama could find common ground between the two of them by pouring a beer from their neighborhood. That made sense to me. And, while the local beer I was pulling for was a real long shot (Pretty Things Jack D'Or if you're an inquiring beer snob), you'd think that Sam Adams, or even Harpoon, are big enough national, mainstream brands that Obama could have served them without looking like someone with elite tastes. But I guess Bud Light is a safer call. Still, if Obama is intent on using this whole episode as a "teachable moment," you'd think he could teach Americans to drink something better than Bud Light.

--Jason Zengerle

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12 comments

If he wants to really stoke the rage of angry white men, maybe order a Guiness.  I can see it on Fox and Friends now, "Of course, he ordered a black beer.  What a racist."

- mghogwild

July 29, 2009 at 3:34pm

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Bud Light? Really? I guess Obama is not perfect after all. How is it even possible that the White House doesn't serve Sam Adams, solely on the basis of the historical name? Even a Yuengling would be a step up from Bud Light, and several passable beers from Hawaii's Kona Brewing Co have been widely available in Washington since winter.

And if racial reconciliation really is on the agenda, why not go local with an Old Dominion? Or honor the police/fire crowd with a Hook & Ladder brew, made by a Maryland brewery that donates a penny for every pint sold to a firefighter's burn foundation? With Hook & Ladder, you can choose between the Ember Amber, the best black-and-tan I've ever had, or the above-average Pipe & Drum Irish Ale to play up the shared Irish ancestry of all three men.

President Obama, I can forgive you your thing for dijon mustard and lunch salad, and I'm cool with your cheap gifts to foreign heads of state. But serving crap beer in the White House? That's a national disgrace.

- rhubarbs

July 29, 2009 at 3:48pm

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Berkshire Brewing Company Steel Rail Ale.  www.berkshirebrewingcompany.com/products.html  Order with Honey BarBQ wings.  

- dylanposer

July 29, 2009 at 3:58pm

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As long as Jason is recommending boutique brews for the Gates-Crowley sit-down, I thought I'd suggest

- Anonymous

July 29, 2009 at 4:02pm

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I wonder if the problem is that the WH is worried that the puritan/prohibition camp (which is still around) would start making a fuss about the prez giving a bad example by drinking actual beer.

But, agree with Rhubs -- national disgrace of the first order.

- ironyroad

July 29, 2009 at 4:17pm

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Uh, hello, Jason, what about PBR? Sure, the last time it won a blue ribbon was the 1880s, but everybody drank it in college. Well, all of us public school types, Smurf Town excluded. At least he didn't pick Coors Light. That would have cost him my vote and his manhood.

- mpatrickhendri

July 29, 2009 at 4:43pm

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Let's see --  Gates orders Red Stripe, and Crowley orders Blue Moon.  POTUS should order this:

findarticles.com/.../ai_n17162942

- tarfon

July 29, 2009 at 4:48pm

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What if Obama *actually likes* Bud Light, fer' chr----ake?!? Millions *actually do!*

- tomeg

July 29, 2009 at 6:33pm

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the only way this is acceptable is if they're playing beer pong.  but they need a fourth player.  glenn beck?

- Maxblum13

July 29, 2009 at 8:17pm

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Lots of choices out there.

I always enjoy a Black & Tan, but it's a little hot for that.  I've been drinking Bud Light with Lime and it goes down pretty easy.

Sam Adams and Yeungling are great beers and a little more presentable at the WH.

With Red Stripe and Blue Moon, you could add a White Wheat from Sam Adams and have a patriotic beer fest.

But really in this teaching moment it would probably be best to go cheap.  Old Milwaukee is probably the best bet.

- CRS9TNR

July 30, 2009 at 9:36am

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Always preferred Pete's Wicked to Sam Adams--Koch was rumored to be very dismissive towards homebrewers on rec.crafts.brewing. When I worked in D.C. Blue Ridge was my choice but I see they're defunct now. Nothing wrong with Bud Light, though, so long as Obama doesn't smush the can against his forehead while power-belching.

- cleavet

July 30, 2009 at 1:29pm

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My favorite is Mirror Pond Pale Ale from Deschutes Brewery in Oregon.  Since I live in Arkansas, I can only get it when out west.  Overall though, I think Sam Adams Boston Lager is the best American beer.

- mghogwild

July 30, 2009 at 2:45pm

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