# If you were Obama, what would you be drinking at today's "beer summit"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** beer\ **Created:** [July 30, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770 "2009-07-30T13:16:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/1 "2009-07-30T13:16:51Z")
NPR reports that he’s drinking Bud Light, while the other two will be sipping Red Stripe and Blue Moon. This says to me that he went of his way to pick a safely declasse brew to avoid appearing “elitist.” Personally I would choose a Sam Adams Wheat or Summer Ale, good refreshing craft brews that have some cache in the beer world but are reasonably enough priced and widely enough available to not be tagged with the “elitist” label. Sam Adams is also made in the Boston area, where Gates and Crowley are from, and unlike Budweiser it’s an American-owned company. As an added bonus Obama would be able to say he’s supporting a small business (or at least smaller than the major breweries anyway). ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/2 "2009-07-30T14:20:28Z")
Personally, I’d drink Old Speckled Hen. But if I were the prez, I couldn’t do that of course. Your Sam’s Summer is an excellent suggestion. Barak is not much of a beer drinker\*, so the BL is probably the closest he can get to not drinking beer while drinking something that is labeled “beer.” - Or anything else containing alcohol, as far as I have heard. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/3 "2009-07-30T14:27:22Z")
Billy Beer, duh. Or [Presidente Beer](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.united-nations-of-beer.com/images/el-presidente-beer-10191.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.united-nations-of-beer.com/el-presidente-beer.html&usg=__LB6mp3L1t7Veya3_XnLnupB_QrM=&h=347&w=260&sz=92&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=7HM4YuP2Tkh4rM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=90&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpresidente%2Bbeer%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26um%3D1). ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/4 "2009-07-30T14:28:29Z")
Crown Royal. You can use the purple bag to keep the nuclear codes in. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/5 "2009-07-30T14:29:51Z")
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, or possible Lagunitas IPA. But for some reason I don’t picture Obama being a hops man. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/6 "2009-07-30T14:35:29Z")
> [@NoCoolUserName](#): > > …the BL is probably the closest he can get to not drinking beer while drinking something that is labeled “beer.” He’d be impeached if he tried O’Doul’s, huh? While I like Sam Adams, I’d pick a Western-region microbrewery. I had the most awesomest “Cerveza Chilibeso” at the Great Basin Brewery (better known for their Ichthyosaur IPA) in Sparks, NV recently. It’s made with jalapenos. I could drink that all day. Tasted like liquid nachos. Now that I think about it, if the pres were to pick such a small outfit, he could cause supply problems for them. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/7 "2009-07-30T14:39:31Z")
Sierra Nevada Pale. Or maybe Stone IPA. At the very least Sam Adams. If the press gave me any flack about not drinking a “working-man’s beer like Budweiser,” I’d reply “Fuck that! Bud is pisswater made by fucking Belgians!” and then throw my empty bottle at the reporters head. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/8 "2009-07-30T14:40:30Z")
[Colt 45](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pK5HmuCMBM). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/9 "2009-07-30T14:42:37Z")
Upon seeing the thread title, I thought it would be fun to pick a selection of Massachsetts microbrews. But I find your suggestion of Sam inspired. It really would be neat to be a beer drinking president, and be able to proudly and publicly serve microbrews from across the nation! Maybe not at the absolute TOP of his list, but . . . 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/10 "2009-07-30T14:45:19Z")
If I were Obama, I’d bring a 30-pack of Old Style to the sit-down. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/11 "2009-07-30T14:48:35Z")
A Massachusetts congressman has been complaining that Obama didn’t choose Sam Adams, by the way. In fact he gave precisely the reason **joebuck20** gave, so maybe we have a ringer here. 😉 I’m not much for beer, but I guess the harder stuff is out in this setting. In Obama’s shoes I’d be tempted to get a Tusker. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/12 "2009-07-30T14:50:52Z")
If I were Obama I’d be drinking a Bud Light, obviously; since that’s what he’s drinking! 😛 Personally, I’m fond of Guinness. But for for this occasion I’d have to take into account that the American President should be seen drinking an American beer. Also, it doesn’t seem like a Guinness kind of occasion; so I’d get a lager. My go-to lager is Kona’s Longboard Lager. Light, and it has a nice flavour with a good aftertaste. Given the situation tough, I’d have to have a Sam Adams. Good beer, it makes points in the area of the incident, it’s an American beer, and it might get people to try something other than the piss Budweiser makes. ---
**Author:** ![Rib\_Eye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Rib\_Eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rib_Eye)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/13 "2009-07-30T14:51:34Z")
I think the Sam’s Summer Ale is a fine suggestion (it’s hot and humid today in D.C.), but most SA is contract brewed at various locations around the country. A great deal of it comes from Cincinnatti, very little comes out of Mass. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/14 "2009-07-30T14:53:22Z")
Kaliber. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/15 "2009-07-30T14:57:29Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > …My go-to lager is Kona’s Longboard Lager… Good choice, and Obama is from Hawaii, too. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/16 "2009-07-30T14:59:33Z")
Summit Ale, of course (Extra Pale). ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/17 "2009-07-30T15:00:18Z")
See, I heard it was Gates who was a teetotaler. Just stay away from the Miller Lite. Crowley: Tastes great! Gates: Less filling! Crowley: _Tastes great!_ Gates: _ **Less filling!** _ Obama::rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/18 "2009-07-30T15:01:48Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > > [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > > > …My go-to lager is Kona’s Longboard Lager… > > Good choice, and Obama is from Hawaii, too. Can you prove it? He was born in Kenya! 😛😃 d&r quickly ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/19 "2009-07-30T15:05:45Z")
I was kind of disappointed to see that Obama has such apparently shitty taste in beer, but I guess, as President, he wants to make sure to retain all his faculties, so he’s choosing something non-alcoholic. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770/20 "2009-07-30T15:08:12Z")
I think Gates left himself in a lurch by choosing the short-neck Red Stripe. Crowley picked a Blue Moon, which, as a long neck, will give him a better hold when broken and used as a weapon. However, like most US beer bottles, it’s made as thin as possible to save on manufacuting and freight-weight. Therefore Obama should select an imported Corona, which is in a thicker-walled bottle and also has the long neck for gripping. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-obama-what-would-you-be-drinking-at-todays-beer-summit/504770.md?page=2)