White House Beer Analysis

The beer orders are in for the Should Have Not Blown My Top summit tomorrow at the White House. Can their beer tell us something about the mindset of the attendees? Let’s take a look.

Sgt. James Crowley – Blue Moon: A most sensible choice. Blue Moon is a white beer that’s perfect on a summer day with a little lemon squeezed in. He’s obviously not trying to score any points with the GOP by projecting a Joe-The-Plumber image. I’m sure Rep. McCotter would prefer he ordered Miller Lite delivered by their populist mascot. But while Blue Moon is an American brew, it’s one that tries to pass itself off as a Belgian witbier. Crowley doesn’t care. He just goes for what tastes good to him.

Henry Louis Gates – Red Stripe: A little bolder. Picking the most recognizable Jamaican brew is obviously going to bring up Bob Marley and Rastafarian comments. But Gates is saying bring ‘em on. Go on. Tell him he’s un-American because he doesn’t drink beer brewed in this country! My only complaint is that it’s a little too obvious. Gates could have thrown everyone a curve ball by drinking a Lambic or a Trapist Ale. Better yet, in the spirit of reconciliation he could have ordered a real Belgian White and given a taste to Sgt. Crowley.

President Obama – Bud: I have the feeling Rahm is to blame for this. I mean Bud? It’s the beer for people who don’t like beer and have no idea what it’s supposed to taste like. It’s what you order right after you reach legal age. It’s really just Zima with two hops and Yellow Dye No. 7 added. It’s the beer that started all the jokes about American Beer (My favorite; a man sent a sample of Bud to a lab. The results came back “Your horse has diabetes.”) It’s a choice that says “No controversy please!” written all over it. Oh what a wasted opportunity. He could have made such a statement by choosing a great American micro-brew like an Anchor Steam or a Craftsman. It could have been about the small guy over the corporate juggernaut, green shoots, or local sourcing. Instead we got Bud, safe, dull, tailor made not to offend anyone, the choice of American business as usual. Maybe the president’s beer choice will serve as a reminder. Budweiser is now owned by a foreign company as a result of “business as usual.”

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