Independence Day arrives next week, so what better time to celebrate America's amazing craft brewing industry? July is American Beer Month, the annual effort to showcase our magnificent variety of fresh, locally made brews.

        To start with the freshest of the fresh, these hot, muggy days practically beg for a visit to a comfortable brewpub. We're fortunate to have one of the best in the country on East 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine.

        BarrelHouse Brewing Co. enjoys wide fame for its flavorful and distinctive ales and lagers. It's worth mentioning there's no danger of losing this local treasure, as many had feared. In March, the courts firmly upheld the BarrelHouse's lease agreement, which had been challenged by the Art Academy in an attempt to force the brewery to relocate.

        Even if you can't get to the brewpub, try asking for a BarrelHouse beer at your favorite bars and restaurants. These brews are widely available and worth seeking out.

        Another local favorite, Watson Bros. in Blue Ash, is a place that many people visit for its first-class ambience, but often return to for the excellent beers made on the premises. If you're in that part of town, I recommend trying it.

        Beyond the brewpubs, our part of the country boasts a wealth of locally produced bottled beers that rank with the best available anywhere. The Samuel Adams Brewery on Central Parkway brews the entire line of Samuel Adams beers, so the ones you find in a Tristate store are likely to be as fresh as you'll find anywhere.

        Further afield, I've always been pleased with Great Lakes brand beers from Cleveland, or Goose Island beers from Chicago. Another small but excellent brewpub that offersits bottled beers in some local stores is Bluegrass Brewing Co. in Louisville.

        I'd like to ask people who normally drink imported beer, no matter what country it comes from, to take this opportunity to explore the world of American craft beers for a month. The United States has more breweries than any other country in the world, including Germany. Moreover, there is a wider array of beer styles available in the Tristate than in any of the traditional beer producing regions of Europe. Why not experiment? You might discover that there's an American ale or lager you like better than your regular brew. As a bonus, it will probably cost less and will certainly be fresher.

        Paul Gatza, director of the Institute for Brewing Studies, had this to say about American Beer Month: “It associates us with one of the things that allow us to feel good about America, namely that we have the best beer culture ever seen on this planet, we have a history and tradition that stands through the centuries, we have fun and our products are essential to social discussion, we are vital parts of the economy and, of course, we are the beverage of choice while watching the World Cup soccer tournament, no matter what hour of the day.”

        Find out more about American beer at www.americanbeermonth.org.

       Contact Ed Westemeier by e-mail: hopfen@malz.com.

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