On Thursday, President Barack Obama, Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates and Cambridge Sgt. James Crowley will attempt to talk things out over a beer. According to reports, Gates prefers Beck’s or Red Stripe, Crowley seems to be a Blue Moon man, and the president likes a Budweiser.
But what brand should they drink? We scoured the lists of American beers to find a brew with that perfect message. How about a Democracy Pale Ale by Jefferson State Brewery in California? Or a Populist Porter by Free State Brewing Co. in Kansas?
But what about the emotion of the moment? Love Stout by Yards Brewing Co. in Pennsylvania could be just the pour, as could White Buffalo Peace Ale by Crested Butte Brewery in Colorado.
All those good feelings are sure to create some camaraderie, so a Friends Nut Brown Ale by Georgia’s Peckerhead Brewing Co. ought to go down easy. Or better yet, an Auld Acquaintance by Pike Brewing Co. In a nod to the occasion, they could end with the Three Philosophers Belgian Blend from Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Of course, things could go poorly. In that case, Melt Down Double IPA from Midnight Sun Brewing in Alaska might be in order. If Gates accuses Crowley of being heavy-handed with his badge, he could serve up an Eliot Ness Lager from Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Hopefully the situation won’t require a pint of Arrogant Bastard Ale from Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido, Calif., or the Rogue Brutal Bitter from Oregon.
Unfortunately, the most aptly named brew is a hard-to-find beer out of Singapore. Its name: Progress.
