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Now we know.
President Barack Obama's exclusive "backyard bash" for family and staff at the White House this Fourth of July featured a sudsy sampling of Lancaster County: Stoudt's beer.
To wash down an all-American menu of hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon, potato salad, corn on the cob, ice cream and garden salad with walnuts and cheese were bottles of the Adamstown microbrewery's American Pale Ale.
"We just found out about it — after the fact," said Carol Stoudt, president and so-called queen of hops at the 22-year-old brewery.
So why did the commander in chief pick the crisp, citrusy, medium-bodied amber that Stoudt's recommends pairing with beef and spicy dishes?
"I think they probably like to look at the labels," said Stoudt.
As Baltimore Sun and White House pool reporter Paul West pointed out in his briefing to the national media later Saturday evening, the bottle is the one "with a big American flag on the label."
Stoudt's beer is distributed in 16 states and Washington, D.C.
For the weight-conscious, the White House also served the 124-calorie Sam Adams Light, brewed by the Boston Beer Co.
The guest list was limited to staffers and their families, as well as those who have served in the armed services. Also among those attending were Attorney General Eric Holder, White House adviser Valerie Jarrett and press secretary Robert Gibbs, according to the pool report.
Stoudt said Obama isn't the first president to serve American Pale Ale.
"Ronald Reagan served it because it was one of his favorite beers," she said. "It was not served by the last administration because Mr. Bush didn't drink, but it was served on two other occasions."
Both Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush offered the ale at White House events, Stoudt said.
E-mail: tmurse@lnpnews.com
