(CNN) - The upcoming White House meeting with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and the Cambridge police officer who arrested him earlier this month appears to have touched off a fresh debate all on its own: what kind of beer should be served?
Earlier this week the White House indicated each man would drink the beer of their choice - Bud Light for President Obama, Blue Moon for the police officer, and perhaps Red Stripe or Beck's for Gates.
But one Massachusetts congressman thinks another beer entirely should be served: Boston's own Sam Adams.
In a letter to Obama dated Wednesday, Massachusetts Rep. Richard Neal strongly urges the president not to drink Budweiser, now owned by a Belgian company. Nor should the White House consider serving Miller or Coors, Neal writes, both owned by a United Kingdom conglomerate.
Instead, the White House should serve the three men - all with ties to Massachusetts - the local favorite, not only because of its popularity in the region but also because it remains the largest American-owned and brewed beer, Neal says.
But Sam Adams founder and brewer Jim Koch told NPR if it was up to him he would make a special beer just for the event.
"I'd make a blend of ingredients from all over the world. Which is certainly what's represented there with the three participants," he said. "I would blend those ingredients together artfully and harmoniously, because that's really what we all hope for."
Meanwhile, the Boston Globe reports other Massachusetts-based beer companies are also hoping to get their product a space at the high-profile meeting.
Dan Kenary, president of Harpoon Brewery, told the paper they are working every "back-door channel" the company has.
"We'd love to be the beer at this event," Kenary said.
Read Rep. Neal's letter (PDF) here.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Why does the President have to meet with the police officer and the suspect. You would think he would have something better to do then to micro manage between those two. Just a thought
They should called the beer "Reconciliation Ale".
OK, got to admit, I do love some Sam Adams. A nice crisp SA, on tap, is truly a wonderful thing.
And SA Light is actually an amazing light beer, if there really is such a thing.
Sam Adams and Harpoon both make excellent brews!
Does everything need to be politicized? Give me a break!!!!
I like it when the conversation lightens up. makes us all seem more human somehow
Who cares what they drink? The point is to rise above differences, not create a marketing stunt for breweries. Red Stripe and Blue Moon are both great choices. Bud was an American tradition, regardless of who owns it now. Relax, people...
The owner of Sam Adams makes since. The other guy just had his 15 seconds.
CNN – the cable channel that brings you Lou Dobbs and more NeoCon lies...
I think I need a beer after listening to "The Most Trusted Name in News" spreads lies, fear & paranoia through Lou Dobbs...
CNN is a disgrace... I can get more REAL news from the National Enquirer!
Rep. Neal needs to get a life.
Doesn't Obama have bigger things to worry about like whatthe government can take control of next?
It was bound to happen with this superficial president and the superficial media. I listened to the news conference given by the woman who gave the 911 call and someone asked her if she wanted to go to the White House for beer and she said she didn't like beer. I would have said Perrier please.
All people complaining that CNN is making a big deal about this, need to wipe the sand out!! Please it's the "Ticker" it's an anectdotal story... kinda like the ones that appear on CBS This Morning, oh but you probably don't watch that because you are too busy complaining about whether or not Obama is a citizen of the US... Get over yourselves!! And take interest in the historical nature of this story!! When has the ANY president taken a step like this... to not only take responsibility for his actions but also to try and heal a controversial confrontation between two strangers?? And to do it over a cold beer, all the better!!
this is getting quite ridiculous. No matter what Obama does someone always criticizes him.
Who is running the Country while this kind of stuff is going on?
Geez already! Bush Sr spoke out on the Rodney King beating and found it disturbing. Noone critiqued that!
This is ridiculous!
What next? Does the President use Charmin on Scott toilet paper? Geez o man already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a ridiculous discussion! The President needs to focus on the economy!
Yuengling
Shiner
Dos Equis Lager
Miller High Life (surpisingly a nice beer)
All nice beers.
But my personal fave is English:
Sam Smith Organic Ale
Actually, I haven't had a bad bottle of ANYTHING from Sam Smith.
I can't believe this "story" is taking up space online...really??!!
The brand of beer really concerns this congressman? He needs to spend more time on health care and the economy. Some people will say no to the president no matter what he says. This guy needs to get a grip, or better yet, join Palin and quit you office, it's obviously offer his head just like her office was over her head.
The reason the Prez is drinking Bud is because it's the King of Beers, always has been, always will be. Sam Adams is sewer water.
really people your up in arms about the choice of beer. come on this issue so far more important than the choice of beer, can the rep who wrote the letter to president obama, been reviewing the healthe care bill or maybe some research on racial profiling in their district. Im so sick of these people harping on the non-issues and ignoring the real ones. that why nothing can get done in this country
Definitely, it should be an American made beer from an American-owned company. And local would be good – keep down the carbon footprint!
The President should be a real man and brew his own beer in the White House cellar.
It is stories like these that make CNN and NPR irreverent as news organizations.