It’s Independence Day, a day of reflection, of appreciation and, of course, of beer drinking. So despite my having to work while most are outside firing up grills and gobbling down hot dogs, I’ll celebrate as well with a beer.

But it’s the Fourth of July, so it’s got to be a little special, right? OK, here is a beer I had to go to Pepperell, Mass., to get: Orlio Organic Seasonal IPA from Vermont. But really, this one is worth it, and worthy as well of honoring the Founding Fathers.

First, IPA, or India Pale Ale, is arguably the best suited to summer heat and humidity. Just take a look at its history: It was brewed with more hops and higher alcohol content in the mid-1700s to withstand the long journeys from England to India, where the British East India Company had set up shop and attracted troops and employees thirsty for suds. So if it could hold up in the hold, it could in that Igloo cooler next to your cousin Frank.

Second, this is no ordinary IPA. It’s a healthy, copper pour with a fragrant, but not perfumy, nose. As with all IPAs, this one is hoppy, but the secret here is balance. We’re not talking drama here. Orlio’s brewing process includes dry hopping, which means more hops are added to casked, unfiltered beer. The result is a full-flavored beer with a floral, slightly nutty bitterness, finishing with echoes of tangy citrus.

It is truly one of the freshest tasting beers I’ve tried, though whether this is “organic” – meaning the grains are grown without chemicals or pesticides – speaking, no one can be sure.

“The advantage to using organic ingredients in beer is a simple matter of creating continuity from farm to glass,” wrote Susan Evans, spokeswoman for the Orlio Organic Brewing Company in South Burlington, Vt.

Well, I like what’s in the glass.

Third, it’s from Vermont, which means it’s probably more American, and thus more appropriate for July 4 than that made-in-China flag on your stoop or those illegal fireworks you’ll shoot off later tonight.

There is one drawback: It’s not easy to find. There’s Ray’s Package Store in Pepperell center and Harrington Wine & Liquor in Chelmsford. Supposedly, Hannaford’s in Nashua and Hudson have the Orlio Common Ale, but I have yet to see it. If you want to taste it from the tap, try TJ Finley’s in Bayshore, N.Y.

One more thing: It’s not around for long. Being seasonal, once the leaves start falling, it goes into hibernation until next spring.

Evans says the company is trying to get people talking about Orlio as part of its plans to expand.

So find some Orlio IPA and celebrate our independence. Oh, and start talking because I want to see it at Peddler’s Daughter before next year’s fireworks.

This entry was posted on Friday, July 4th, 2008 at 6:22 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.