Happy Independence Day*

Celebrating the 4th and continued independence from crappy, dumbed-down beer … Budweiser the king of beers? Nay, the beer equivalent of George III, our improvident former overlord who was overthrown.

Now is also a good time to renew a shout-out to Rick Reed’s Campaign for New Jersey Beer, his call to muster pride and support for Jersey-brewed beer.

From Rick: "New Jersey breweries make some of the finest beers on earth and if you are a New Jersey bar then you should serve at least one New Jersey beer. Have some pride in our state, it doesn't matter which brewery from NJ but have at least one!!!"

Small-batch beer is a thread that runs through the origins of this country. Everyone who’s really into beer knows that Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence, turned to brewing in retirement from public life. (TRIVIA: Jefferson is among three US presidents who checked out on July 4th, the other two being his rival, John Adams, and James Monroe.)

Jefferson, of course, wasn't alone as a homebrewer. As prominent people of their day, the Founding Fathers were of the means to maintain personal breweries at their estates. If you’re a homebrewer, celebrate your connection to them. It's all about freedom and independence.

*Fireworks display shot July 4, 2009, at Lake Pohatcong in Tuckerton, NJ.