Thursday, June 26, 2008
How to throw a 'Froth of July' party
Here's to the red, white and brew: Good old American craft beers
The American craft beer movement is brewing, and it's time to declare independence from imported beers -- at least on July 4.
Host a "Froth of July" party and ask guests to bring beers from across the country. It's a chance to celebrate the individual states that make up the nation and to have the ultimate potluck. Here's how:
Assign guests a state. This can be the state where the guest was born or one to which he feels a strong connection. The guest should bring beer from that state and a dish that recognizes the region.
Home entertaining author and television personality Katie Brown has a few suggestions. "Along with the beer, guests could bring Philly cheesesteaks, Lake Michigan whitefish or Texas cake. They can get creative."
Before assigning states, check liquor stores to see what is available. Unfortunately, breweries from all 50 states don't distribute nationwide.
There's a bounty of unique flavors out there, notably anything from Bell's Brewery in Michigan and the Orange Blossom Cream Ale by Buffalo Bill's Brewery in Hayward, Calif. (It's rare to find beer that includes orange flavoring beyond orange peels.) And don't forget to include local beers at your Froth of July party.
Guests who want to bring a non-alcoholic beverage can bring root beer or other craft sodas. For example, Jones Soda Co. is based in Washington state.
Decorate in a stately fashion. In addition to red, white and blue, you can deck your pad with state fare. Limiting the decorations to the states your party features will keep down costs.
You can find flags from all 50 states at All Nations Flag Co. (kcflag.com). There's also plenty of vintage-inspired state tableware to go around. Retro chic tablecloths can be purchased for about $40 on eBay.
But the jackpot of state stuff is the Geography Collection from California-based Catstudio. Frosted glass tumblers, place mats and napkins feature maps, major cities and landmarks of the states and can be purchased at catstudio.com.
Have fun with the froth. Give each guest an inexpensive glass beer mug as a take-home gift.
If you want to go the extra mile, write the person's name and assigned state on the glass. The mugs will come in handy for sampling the ales from the wide-ranging states.
Brown suggests holding a taste test and a bottle-label beauty pageant among the different brews.
When the bottles are empty, she says, they can be used as vases for herbs, flowers or the state flags.
If guests dare to bring a British beer, they have to sit in the corner and drink tea.
