New Beer Friday, Independence Day Edition (July 3)

Ben "Beer is Proof" Franklin

Preamble by Steve Siciliano

The war between Great Britain and its American colonies had been going on for over a year when members of the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia to debate whether the colonies should declare themselves to be free and independent states. After the motion for independence passed, John Hancock allegedly told the assemblage that they had no choice now but to all hang together.

“Yes, we must indeed all hang together,” Benjamin Franklin supposedly replied. “Or most assuredly we will hang separately.”

While the story may be apocryphal, there’s certainly no doubt that Hancock, Franklin and the other fifty-four signees of the Declaration of Independence knew what their fate would be if the revolution failed.

Up to that point, the conflict was essentially an armed argument between Parliament and the colonies and most colonists were hopeful that King George would eventually intercede on their behalf. The document that was signed by the Founding Fathers on July 4th, 1776 was an announcement that they now believed that the corruption within the English government extended all the way up to the king. Since they were now considered to be English subjects waging war against the crown, they were guilty of high treason and in eighteenth century English law the penalty for high treason was death.

The signing of the Declaration of Independence marked the point of no return. It was a remarkable display of courage by a remarkable group of men. Ultimately it was the defining moment in the birth of a remarkable nation.

New and Returning Beer

• Smuttynose Imperial Stout, $6.99/22oz - "Originally brewed in the early 19th century for export from Britain to the imperial court of Russia’s Catherine the Great, imperial stouts are characterized by their dark color & full body. This style features a rich, malty sweetness coupled with aggressive hopping (especially in American interpretations). Notes of dried fruit as well as roasted malt flavors are typically present" (source).
• Arbor Brewing Mackinac Island Fudge Stout, $2.29/12oz - "A roasty, dry stout made with real fudge for a subtle chocolate-fudge character without being sweet or heavy" (source).
• Thirsty Dog Siberian Night, $6.89/12oz (2 per) - "Creamy and full-bodied, with a complex character from generous amounts of roasted, toasted, and caramel malts. For those who demand flavor, this is the perfect libation. Bronze Medal winner 2003 GABF, Gold Medal winner 2005 GABF" (source).
• Thirsty Dog Rise of Mayan Dog, $3.59/12oz (1 per) - "Celebrate the new rise of civilization with this bittersweet, big, bold, black beer filled with old world and traditional Mayan spices, including honey and cocoa nibs" (source).
• Short's Strawberry Shortscake, $2.39/12oz (6 per) - "Strawberry Short’s Cake is a golden ale. The addition of strawberries and milk sugar transform this beer into a rose colored nectar that has hints of cream and is pleasingly sweet. Biscuit flavors and aromas arise from the great amounts of Victory malt used in the brewing process" (source).
• Atwater Blueberry Cobbler, $2.99/12oz (4 per) - "Ale brewed with blueberries" (source).
• Weyerbacher 20th Anniversary, $4.29/12oz - "Our 20th Anniversary brew is a Belgian-Style Dark Ale weighing in at 11% ABV. It’s malty with notes of caramel, raisins and berries, as well as subtle hints of coriander and star anise" (source).

Happy 4th, Everyone!

Cheers!