And a confession here. I didn’t take to American beer when I first visited the country back when I was 17.
Probably because I was below the legal drinking age, although it helps when your Auntie runs a bar, and a Queens institution at that.
And your cousin is a wild one.
But it’s just that Bud Lite or Miller Lite didn’t do it for me, too Lite, really.
But when I returned a few years later, for a summer working in Boston after university I discovered Sam Adams and that was it.
Now since I’ve become a regular visitor, and observer of America and all things American in recent years, I’ve made it a personal mission to sample more beer.
So here are my United Tastes of America.
Virginia blonde
This year’s blonde: in Virginia
Virginia: Now I love a beautiful blonde as much as the next man, I married one after all who is gooder than any.
So who was I to turn down a tour which incorporated two of my favourite things, Beer and Battlefields?
Happen the Union and the Confederate soldiers partook of some corn beer themselves before or after they took to the Manassas battlefield.
They deserved it.
And here am I at an old schoolhouse in Ben Lomond doing a tasting. Every day is a schoolday!
Mississippi sippy
And something worth singing about: Mississippi
Deep South; I swear I enjoyed an Ole Miss but maybe that’s just the beer talking.
Although there was a Sinister Minister (insert gag here).
This being the Deep South you want a good ole ranch-type bar where you can grab something (everything) deep fried with grits.
And whether it was just our party (or a thing) but cash in your vouchers for your beers… surely the answer in our Covid times.
Anyhoos in Memphis, Tennessee, Cleveland and Jackson, Mississippi I partook…. and I still think I’ve got a couple vouchers left in a drawer.
Beers to make you goofy
Anaheim, California: And there’s always one… and usually two, three, four or five who take up the invitation to ask a question.
I mean do you really want to know about the mashing process when you could be drinking the best pale ale?
If you’re from the Orange County you’ve probably just be coming off the Socially Distanced Anaheim Oktoberfest.
But you will be interested in Anaheim Brewery‘s Beer to Go offers, Tuesdays through to Sundays.
In bottles (by the six-pack or case) with Anaheim 1888, Anaheim Gold, Anaheim Red, Anaheim Hefeweizen, Coast to Coast IPA and Oktoberfest IPA.
Or in growlers which are demi-packs – 150th Anniversary Ale, Fruity Wheat Anaheim 1888, Anaheim Gold, Anaheim Red, Anaheim Hefeweizen, Oktoberfest Lager and Coast to Coast IPA.
Colorado, the Golden Nirvana
And the Rockies water is the secret
Colorado: You’ve got to be able to back it up if you claim to be the beer capital of the States, but Denver can.
While Colorado boasts more than 425 breweries and counting.
The Denver Milk Market is a misnomer… it’s in the old milk district.
While all beer lovers will feel the pull of Golden, in the apron of the Rockies.
It is, of course, the home of Coors, but so much more,
As Travis Rupp, Classics professor at the University of Colorado and beer archaeologist at Avery Brewery will tell you.
Now which to pick from? Well because I love a blonde! A Belgian Blue Moon.
And if you love a beer then here’s how some of my favourite fellow boozists do it.,. in Belgium and the Czech Republic.
So where’s your favourite drinking spot in America and what beer should I drink.
Let me know and we’ll share.
MEET YOU IN THE BAR
