It’s Independence Day Weekend, middle of summer, baseball season, all that jazz. Want to wish everyone a happy holiday, and offer some appropriate pairings:

 Morning:  Laura Chenel Chevre with The Bruery’s Orchard White, the new and the old, both from California. Add fresh strawberries. Subs: Humboldt Fog, Capriole Chevre, Prairie Fruits Chevre, Belle and the Bees, Allagash White,  Mothership Wit.

 Afternoon:  Liberty Ale with Tillamook Vintage White Extra Sharp Cheddar. West Coast Pioneers, with very approachable products. Share this with the picnic crowd.  Sierra Nevada Pale Ale with Cabot Clothbound Cheddar. Bi-costal marriage. American greats that also reflect (to some extent) British tradition. Subs: Bleu Mont Clothbound, Avondale Truckle, Beecher’s Flagship, Bitter End, Honkers Ale etc., etc., etc.  Or: Meantime IPA, in hopes that there are no hard feelings.

 Evening:  Jolly Pumpkin Luciernaga or BAM with Pleasant Ridge Reserve. Two greats from the Midwest.  Subs: Tarentaise, Eric’s Ale.   Lagunitas Hop Stoopid with Hooks old (6 year+ Cheddar). A second wind for the tastebuds!   Subs: Grafton Cheddar, SKA Modus Hoperandi, Sierra Nevada Torpedo, Racer 5.

 Late night: Rouge Creamery, Smoky Blue or Rogue River Blue, with Rogue Brewery  Shakespeare Stout or Old Crustacean Barleywine. Big, black and blue.  Lost Abbey 10 Commandments with Cowgirl Creamery’s Mount Tam.  Luscious flavors will sing you to sleep.