Filed under: Beer, Cocktails, Slashfood Ate, America, Spirits, Non-alcoholic, Holidays, Summer

It's only July 3rd and my foodie forefathers have already dished out plenty of Independence Day eats in such posts as American Flag Cakes and Delicious Foods for July 4th. But let's be honest: There is no food or cake that can rival the great American tradition of getting rip-roaring drunk. Even Uncle Sam's cheeks wear a warm flush!

But tradition aside, I do not condone drinking to excess, so I have devised a list of patriotic cocktails that are too lovely to chug. In the words of the great George Washington as he crossed the Delaware: Take it slow, kids, take it slow.

1. Starfruit and Stripes Daiquiri - The fine folks at MaisonBisson came up with this capital idea: Take a traditional strawberry daiquiri, top it with whipped cream and blueberries, then garnish with a slice of starfruit. Ta da! Liquid flag!
2. Red, White and Blue Sangria - Punctuate some white sangria with blueberries and raspberries for that good ol' U.S. of A. color scheme.
3. Boston Pops Martini - This Massachusetts-made martini celebrates the famed Boston Pops' national independence day broadcast. The true fireworks begin with the rim that's dipped in - what else? - Pop Rocks!
4. Red, White and Blue Shot - Although there are a number of variations on this popular Fourth of July shooter, the key is a careful pour to ensure those colors don't run.
5. Patriotic Margarita - The arbiters of blue vodka put their hued booze to good use with this layered margarita: HPNOTIQ 'rita, topped with strawberry 'rita, dressed up with a coconut rim.
6. Red, White and Blue beers - According to the results of this poll, beer is the bev of choice for cookouts. So if you want to keep with the patriotic theme, stock up on PBR (in the unmistakable red, white, and blue can) or for something a bit classier, invest in an assortment of Chimay Red, Chimay White, and Chimay Blue.

If you are declaring an independence from alcohol, whip up one of these constitutions:

1. Patriotic Tea Punch - Try out this tart punch that boasts an iced tea base, pomegranate juice, and gobs of fresh fruit.
2. Bomb Pop Mocktail - This red, white, and blue pousse-cafe layers cranberry juice, blue Gatorade, and diet 7-up to mimic everyone's favorite patriotic popsicle.

Have a festive Fourth, everyone!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Beer, Business

Apparently, the European mega beer company, InBev, really, really, really wants to buy Anheuser-Busch. After being firmly rejected last Thursday, InBev is preparing to make a hostile takeover bid.

The European beer giant is maneuvering either to remove the AB Board of Directors, or to be able to take its proposal straight to the shareholders. Though Ab came up with some cost cutting plans that would save the company more than $1 billion over the next four years and eventually raise share prices, many analysts believe that shareholders would go with cold hard cash now rather than the possible share price increase in the future.

One commenter on the St. Louis Business Journal article raised the concern that InBev isn't likely to spend the money on being environmentally responsible that AB does. That commenter goes on to ask where the environmentalists are. Does anyone have any more information on that aspect of this that they'd like to share?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Beer, Business

You knew it had to happen. Late last week, the Anheuser-Busch board of directors politely yet firmly told InBev that they were fine, thanks.

As reported in Beer Advocate, the response to InBev's offer to buy AB at $65 a share was a polite thanks but no thanks. The board if directors for the beer giant said that even though the $65 per share was over current share price, the offer really undervalued the earnings potential of the brand, as well as other assets the company has and plans they've made to make more money . So basically, InBev's offer wasn't enough.

Not that I can blame them. I don't think any company that's doing as well as Anheuser-Busch wants to be taken over. I personally like the decision. I don't like the thought of mega global companies all buying each other up to form one massive corporation, but that's just me. What do you think?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Beer, Slashfood Ate

I had a pretty hectic day yesterday. Once I got home, all I wanted to do was sit on the back porch, enjoy the beautiful weather, and relax with a beer. These are some of my favorite beers to drink while winding down from a busy day. What are some of yours?

1. Woodchuck Draft Cider has such a sweet, crisp taste.
2. Woodchuck Pear Cider is also light and refreshing.
3. Stella Artois: one of my favorites any time, but especially nice to sip on a lovely afternoon.
4. Hefeweizen is simply delicious. I don't have a favorite, but Paulaner and Sam Adams are both good and easy to find.
5. Dogfish Head Black and Blue: a recently discovered treat that (apparently) is only occasionally brewed.
6. Honey Brown Ale is easy to drink and has a lot of nostalgic pull for me.
7. A nice Pilsner, like Reality Czeck, is great for an easy afternoon.
8. I could drink Lindeman's Framboise Lambic all day, every day: it's like drinking carbonated, lightly alcoholic raspberry juice.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Beer, East Coast, Recipes, Cocktails, Newspapers, How To, America, Spirits, Soda, Summer

Special summer drinks guide: blender drinks. Do you know what goes into a 'Missionary's Downfall?'

Wine critic Eric Asimov goes virgin with a root beer review.

The Minimalist talks modern mixed drinks. Kamikaze, anyone?

The Croque-Monsiur, France's answer to the ham and cheese, is the perfect bar food.

Forget the kegerator. Real brewski lovers have beer cellars.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Beer, Midwest Cities, On the Blogs

Here's something for all of you who love all things large and beer. As fans of So Good and Fast Food Critic already know, the world's largest six pack of beer can be found in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

The statistics on this six pack are amazing: 688,200 gallons of beer, enough for 7,340,796 cans, "would provide one person a six pack per day for 3,351 years." The six pack was created by the City Brewing Company in LaCrosse.

My only question is did they drink all that beer before it went bad?

[originally via LiveMore.SeeMore.DoMore]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Beer, Business, Newspapers

Have you heard of "falsies"? They're the latest news in the beer drinking world. Falsies are pint glasses that have an extra thick bottom, so they look like a pint but actually only hold about 14 ounces (rather than the 16 ounces that a pint should have).

The Wall Street Journal did a piece on deceptive beer pours last week about this issue, and a lot of people are up in arms about it. I can't say that I blame them. If a restaurant or bar needs to raise prices, that's fair: most of us know by now about the hops shortage and fuel prices that are driving up the cost of beer. However, I draw the line at trying to cheat people out of beer.

Some establishments have unapologetically switched to 14 ounce glasses. That's also fine, as long as you inform your customers of that practice. I'm all for turning a profit, but businesses that cheat their customers are the lowest of the low in my book. Next time you're ordering a pint, make sure you're getting what you paid for.

View Poll

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Wine, Beer

Scrolling through my daily Thrillist email blast, I found a tout for "Sommelier Wine Glasses." Ever feigning an earnest and legitimate interest/knowledge of wine, I clicked through, only to find this truly stellar stemware.

These kegger-cups-cum-wine-glasses are ideally suited for people like me who pretend to care about Viticulture, but are actually throwin' back jugs of Carlo Rossi.

Just remember, these are hand-blown glass, so try and refrain from playing Wine Pong. (Or worse, Flip Cup.)

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Beer, East Coast, On the Blogs

Do you love craft beer? Are you going to be in Boston this weekend? If I were, I'd go to the American Craft Beer Festival.

It's taking place at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, and it's gonna be big. There'll be about 75 breweries represented, and they'll be offering up somewhere around 300 different brews. Plus there'll be plenty of guest speakers and events.

Everything is happening Friday June 20 and Saturday June 21. Tickets are $40. Friday's events start at 6pm and there are two sessions on Saturday at 1pm and 6pm. If you get to go, tell me all about it and how great it was.

[Via Beer Advocate]

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Beer, Business

Well, it's official. I've been hearing rumors about this for a week or so, but now I know it's real. Belgian beer giant InBev has made an offer to buy American beer giant Anheuser-Busch.

InBev is offering $65 per share in their unsolicited bid. RealBeer.com reports that the Anheuser-Busch board of directors is carefully weighing all the options.

It's no secret that I'm a beer snob. While I would drink Budweiser if it were the only beverage being served, it's not my first, second, third, or fourth choice. However, it is an American institution. I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, being taken over by a Belgian company could do wonders for the quality of the beer. On the other hand, Anheuser-Busch has played historically significant roles in American beer culture. Then again, InBev may decide to take a hands-off approach and simply own the company from a distance. How do you feel about InBev's offer to buy Anheuser-Busch?

Permalink | Email this | Comments