Being a patriot means something different to everyone. And although we don’t all agree about what the criteria for patriotism is and all of our politics are different, we can all agree that a party is in order to celebrate the birth of our nation!
So fire up the grill, put ice in the cooler, and get ready to light up the skies, because the 4th of July is upon us!
Now, if you’re looking to declare your independence from the hoi poloy of “30 bombs” and “tall boys” of SuperBowl beer, I found a beer cocktail that is equal to the task.
Aiding the cause of liberty AND libation is Damon Boelte, creator of The Sidewalker, a beer cocktail that will set you free from the shackles of traditional Independence Day beverages!
The colorful bits and the boom at the end of this firework are:
- 1 oz. Laird’s Apple Brandy
- ¾ oz. Lemon Juice
- ½ oz. Maple Syrup
- ¼ oz. Apple Cider Vinegar
- Cold Wheat Beer (I used Hacker-Pschorr Weisse: Traditional Wheat. If you want to switch it up to an American made beer, you could use beers such as Sierra Nevada Kellerweis Hefeweizen, Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat, New Glarus Dancing Man Wheat, or something similar.)
Pour the brandy, lemon juice, maple syrup, and vinegar into a cocktail shaker. Add some ice and shake it up! Strain the deliciousness into a tall glass and top with the beer!
Boom!
The roots of Laird’s AppleJack apple brandy stem from the tree of liberty itself. On the label of the bottle it reads, “Laird’s AppleJack was first made by William Laird in Monmouth, New Jersey in 1698. Around 1760, George Washington discovered this unique beverage, asked and received the Laird family recipe and soon introduced AppleJack to the Virginia colony.”
With its roots boring deeply into the soil of our history, Laird’s was the perfect choice for this cocktail!
The taste did not disappoint. With the ingredients mixed, the delicious amber waves of grain from the wheat beer are blended to create a flavor to be appreciated from sea to shining sea!
Refreshing, but with a bitterness from the apple cider vinegar, which is directly repealed by the sweetness of the maple syrup, the beverage finishes surprisingly smooth.
And what is more American than apple pie? The perfect pairing for the quintessential American Holiday!
Now, the British imparted on us the tradition of having apple pie with cheddar cheese on top; the idea being that hard cheese aids in digestion. And, not one to be a sore winner, I decided to include our friends from across the pond so that they know there are no hard feelings.
I made the pie with the help of my dad, the best pie maker I know. And, in yet another effort to not be a sore winner, I topped a piece of the pie off with a slice of Pilgrims Choice Londoner Cheddar Cheese!
(It should be noted that not only is this cheese amazing, but that the wrapper lists the Head Cheese Grader as a one Mr. Kevin Beer!) Bitchin’ last name and a great cheese!
So if you’re looking for something other than the usual “tea party” this 4th of July, light the fuse on this beer cocktail, and let me know if your taste buds experience the same fireworks as mine!
