According to CNN’s politicalticker blog, President Obama will meet this week with Officer James Crowley and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. over a beer to discuss the false home invasion arrest fiasco in Boston from last week. The beers chosen by each man? Budweiser for Obama, Blue Moon for Crowley, and undetermined for Gates (Gates may not even drink beer, as it turns out). Maybe Bud is Obama’s beer of choice, but being the president, it’s probably safe to say that he had to pick 1) an American beer and 2) something most people have tried. Remember what happened when he told Iowa voters what arugula cost at the store? Right.

But let’s say the White House steward wanted to use the opportunity to show some love to some smaller breweries around the country. What sort of beers might be appropriate to make available to the guests?

• Great Divide Samurai Ale – much like Budweiser, the Samurai is a “rice beer” with a crisp taste and light sweetness. A clean finish with a hint of fruit to the malt and slightly over carbonated, it’s the perfect recipe for overcoming differences.
• Allagash White – one of the best American versions of a Belgian wheat, it’s fruity like a Blue Moon, but more lemon, less orange, and more complex spice. Great for the summer with a lemon wedge. Though then again, maybe these guys would be better off not drinking a beer with the word “white” in it.
• Sprecher Root Beer – Just in case Gates turns out not to be a beer man, this small batch root beer stands out by combining a bit of honey and vanilla. Not too sweet, not too carbonated, nice on a hot day.

If you were suggesting beers for the meeting later this week, what would you offer?