Instead of one Beer of the Week and considering that some craft beer shops may be closed for July 4’s firework holiday (and rightly so, beer mongers need days off too!), here is a list of great beers to buy for the long weekend.

These brews will be perfect to toast our craft beer independence and I will group them as Light, Medium and Dark because major holidays also mean major explanations of craft beer to people new to our great sub-culture of artisan brews and eager to try something new. In addition, I will throw the highlight to a local beer that you should also try.

LIGHT

Samuel Adams long resisted canning their flagship Boston Lager but now they have embraced it and what better patriotic way to ring in the Fourth than with one of the standard bearers for better beer. It also is a great way to warm the palate for the rest of the beer independence day.

On the local side, get a growler of Dat Moi from Monkish.  Or if that is not available their fine Oblate, with a hint of chamomile tea in a Belgian golden style ale.

MEDIUM

We stay on the East Coast and in Massachusetts for our medium beer.  But you only have to travel to Sunset Beer for Tripel Threat from Cambridge Brewing.  Tripels are a classic Belgian style that have a deceiving light look that belies their strength of flavor.  The spices will add to your traditional American hamburger without overpowering it.

On the local side, a growler of any West Coast IPA crafted by Julian Shrago at Beachwood Brewing will go great with some spicy BBQ fare.  If Hopular Mechanics is still around, grab it!  Amalgamator is another fine choice.

DARK

To cap off the night, grab some snifters and a bottle of Firestone Walker’s Parabola and settle in to watch the fireworks.  This would go perfectly with some extra chocolatey brownies or a molten lava cake.

On the local side, fill up your Ladyface growler with Picture City Porter a solid porter from the Agoura Hills brewery

One place to get some beers is the newly re-opened Provisions Market in Old Towne Orange resurrected and now operated by the Haven Collective.  And a visit there will afford you a chance to try some of the new Haven beers from brewmaster Brian Thorson. That should do as your Homework assignment for the week.  And maybe you will get there before I have a chance to review it later this month.

Find more of Sean Inman’s writing on his blog, Beer Search Party.