The Perfect Fourth Of July

For many Americans, the Fourth of July represents a day of celebration filled with fireworks and outdoor fun.  Until this year, I tended to spend my Fourths indoors as my neighborhood proved to be a little crazy when it came to the fireworks celebrations.  Since I was a kid, I would go out for a bit in the morning and early afternoon before returning home to hole up in the air conditioning while watching the Twilight Zone marathon and munching on a variety of snacks.  This year, though, I had reason to mix it up a bit: I was celebrating the holiday in my very own home.

The best way to spend the Fourth!

Outside of getting married and becoming a parent, there are few occasions as momentous as purchasing a home.  For me, the natural question once we were all settled in was: what beer should I have to celebrate?  Since we closed in June and I didn't want to wait until the Fourth to toast our big purchase, I opened a bottle of §ucaba that I had picked up earlier in the year.  After the move was complete, I popped the cork on a very special bottle of Lost Abbey's Cuvee de Tomme...but still it didn't feel like the celebration was appropriate enough.

Then came the Fourth.

As is typical of July in the Northeast, the day was filled with sunshine and heat.  It was also filled with something else, however: anticipation.  I realized that, for the first time, I could live one of the American dreams by grilling and drinking beer in my own yard.  I fired up the beast and slapped down some burgers and hot dogs all the while contemplating just what I should drink to complete the scene.  I eyed a number of great beers but all of them seemed to be too much.  Some were too heavy, some too rare.  Then my eyes alit upon the perfect brew for the occasion: 21st Amendment's Live Free Or Die IPA.

In a moment of inspiration, I realized that this beer was tailor-made for my purposes that day.  For one, a sweet, deliciously hoppy IPA would certainly quench my summer thirst and would prove to be a great culinary accompaniment to the spicy cheeses I was using with my burgers.  For another, it embodied the spirit of the holiday.  After all, the Fourth of July commemorates both the birth and declaration of independence of the United States.  The imperative of "Brew Free Or Die!" seemed to be the perfect thematic exclamation, enhanced further by the awesome artwork on the can.

Lincoln

layin' down the law!

All in all, the food was great, the beer was even better, and the location and company I was keeping just couldn't be beat.  Hands down, it was the perfect Fourth of July!