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George Washington was a home brewer. Jefferson wrote the Declaration, quill in one hand, pint of Philadelphia-made porter in the other. Franklin was a sot. Even Obama makes his own beer. We're a nation of beer drinkers, and this Fourth of July, 'round the grill's red glare and the fireworks bursting, you needn't another reason to raise a pint. But still: it's a damn good time to be a drinker in the USA. Here's why:

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IPAs Mellow Out

Call it the normcore-ing of beer. After years of double, triple, and imperial IPAs -- tongue-numbing boozers more fit to power the lawnmower than refresh after an hour behind it -- American pales are finally lightening up. Brewers like Stone, Sierra Nevada, and Lagunitas known for slinging pine and citrus hops with a heavy hand all have new beers out that keep the flavor but mellow the sting. Look for Lagunitas's apricot and white-pear tangy DayTime or the snappy iced-tea-like Odell Loose Leaf.