If you ask us, there are few things more American than a delicious, refreshing pint of beer on a hot, humid summer day. It’s on par with warm apple pie, 24-hour grocery stores, wonder bread, and most importantly, over-the-top, American flag-waving patriotism. It only makes sense to combine the two on the Fourth of July.
Sure, when the Fourth of July comes around, you can crack open whatever beers you happen to have hiding in the back of your fridge and call it good. But if you truly want to do the day justice (it’s our Independence Day for crying out loud), you’ll grab a patriotic beer or two. Is there any better way to celebrate our freedom from our English overlords than stars and stripes-covered clothing, quoting our forefathers whenever possible, Bruce Springsteen songs on a loop, vibrant fireworks rocketing across the dark skies, and all of the frosty, delicious, crisp beer we can possibly drink? We don’t think so.
Regardless of what beer style you prefer, there’s a patriotic beer waiting to be poured into an American flag-adorned pint glass while you crank up “American Pie” followed directly by Katy Perry “Firework”. IPAs, blonde ales, lagers, pilsners, and all of your favorite summer beers fall under the patriotic beer umbrella.
This brings us to one final question. What exactly is a patriotic beer? Well, there are two variations and both are totally acceptable for Fourth of July imbibing. The first is the classic, historical, ageless beer that simply reminds you of the tireless American brewers that came before the craft beer boom.
We’re talking about Samuel Adams, Budweiser, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Yuengling, and others. The second iteration of patriotic beers is the over-the-top, flag-covered, stars and stripes, patriotic-named beers. Keep scrolling to see ten of our favorite beers that fit both of that criteria. Get a pad and paper and write down these beers because you’re going to want to fill your coolers with these patriotic brews while you celebrate our Independence Day just like President Bill Pullman.
Union Anthem Golden Ale
This 5 percent, “All American Classic” was brewed with 2-row and 6-row malts as well as red wheat, flaked corn, flaked oats, American ale yeast, and Columbus and Mosaic hops. This cream ale was crafted to pay homage to the 200th anniversary of the writing of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ by Francis Scott Key. It’s known for its malty, sweet, slightly hoppy flavor that’s well-suited for warm weather drinking. Especially on the Fourth of July.
- Origin: Maryland
- ABV: 5%
- Price Range: $8.99-9.99 for a six-pack
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
When it comes to patriotic beers, it’s difficult to beat Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Named for Samuel Adams, a statesman and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, it’s the flagship beer from the iconic Boston brewery and the first one brewed by founder Jim Koch. This 5 percent lager is known for its complex flavor profile and balance between caramel, sweet malts, and floral, Noble hops.
- Origin: Massachusetts
- ABV: 5%
- Price Range: $8.99-10.99 for a six-pack
Budweiser American-style Lager
There’s a reason they refer to Budweiser as the “King of Beers”. One of the most popular beers in history is like drinking America in a bottle or can. From the iconic red, white, and blue can to the light, crisp, slightly malty, highly refreshing flavor profile, it’s the kind of beer you’ll want to stock up on to have plenty on hand on the Fourth of July. Simple ingredients, cheap price, and availability everywhere aren’t such bad things.
- Origin: Missouri
- ABV: 5%
- Price Range: $6.99-9.99 for a six-pack
Pabst Blue Ribbon Lager
Another classic American beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon has been available since 1844. Throughout the years, the recipe has remained mostly the same with water, barley, corn syrup, hops, extract, and other ingredients. And while that might sound a bit generic and simple, that’s exactly what you expect when you crack open a PBR. It’s crisp, light, crushable, and always easy to drink.
- Origin: Wisconsin
- ABV: 4.8%
- Price Range: $5.99-7.99 for a six-pack
21st Amendment Brew Free! or Die IPA
21st Amendment’s popular Brew Free! Or Die IPA features an image of Abraham Lincoln and was brewed (and named) because of the San Francisco brewery’s belief in the freedom of brewing flavorful beer. This IPA is brewed with 2-row Pale and Munich malts, as well as CTZ, Centennial, and Cascade Kettle hops. It’s dry-hopped with Comet, El Dorado, and Simcoe hops. The result is an explosion of flavor with a balance of sweet malts, citrus, and slightly bitter, resinous hops.
- Origin: California
- ABV: 6.8%
- Price Range: $9.99-11.99 for a six-pack
Anchor Liberty Ale
First brewed in 1975, this OG American craft beer was brewed to pay homage to the bicentennial of Paul Revere’s historic ride through Boston. This year-round American classic is brewed with 2-row Pale malts and kettle hopped with Cascade hops before being dry-hopped with even more floral, piney Cascade hops. Even all these decades later, it’s still known as one of the best, most balanced, citrus and pine-filled IPAs on the market.
- Origin: California
- ABV: 5.9%
- Price Range: $9.99-11.99
Yuengling Traditional Lager
While other American brands are much more well-known, you might be surprised to learn that Yuengling is the oldest operating brewery in America. It was founded way back in 1829. Its flagship beer, its Yuengling Traditional Lager, is known for its easy-drinking flavor and mix of caramel malts and floral, slightly bitter, resinous Cascade hops. It’s a true American classic that belongs on your Fourth of July dinner table.
- Origin: Pennsylvania
- ABV: 4.5%
- Price Range: $7.99-11.99 for a six-pack
Revolution Rev Pils
With a name like Revolution Brewing, there are a ton of patriotic beers to choose from at this Chicago brewery. We prefer to keep it simple and sip on a crisp, classic pilsner on the Fourth of July like Revolution Rev Pils. Made in the American style, using German ingredients, it’s a refreshing, easy-drinker refresher that bridges the gap between the old world and the new.
- Origin: Illinois
- ABV: 5.5%
- Price Range: $10.99-11.99 for a six-pack
Yards Jefferson’s Golden Ale
Paying tribute to Thomas Jefferson, Yards Jefferson’s Golden Ale is a throwback beer to a bygone era. This year-round 8 percent strong golden ale is brewed with flaked oats, rye, wheat, as well as locally-sourced honey from nearby Fruitwood Orchards. This bold, sweet, potent beer was crafted to taste just like the beer brewed at Monticello when Thomas Jefferson was alive. Is there a better beer to celebrate the Fourth of July with?
- Origin: Pennsylvania
- ABV: 8%
- Price Range: $11.99-13.99 for a six-pack
Wachusett Glory American IPA
One of the harder-to-find beers on this list, Wachusett Glory American IPA is a 5.5 percent IPA known for its mix of citrus and tropical fruits as well as light, piney, slightly bitter hops. As a bonus, when you drink a Glory American IPA you can be happy that you’re doing it for a good cause. That’s because Wachusett and Atlas Distributing teamed up to release this year-round beer to help raise money for the United Way of Central Massachusetts Stand United Fund.
- Origin: Massachusetts
- ABV: 5.5%
- Price Range: $10.99-11.99 for a six-pack
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