Mass. Congressman: Obama Should Drink American

ABC News’ Rick Klein reports: With some beer diplomacy on tap at the White House, a Massachusetts congressman is urging President Obama to go with an all-American beverage. Rep. Richard Neal, a Massachusetts Democrat, sent a letter to the president today asking that the White House serve Samuel Adams beer when his visitors from Cambridge, Mass., visit tomorrow evening.  “Not knowing the preferences of those invited, I would like to suggest you serve a beer from the largest American-owned brewing company; that being Sam Adams,” Neal wrote. “We both share a common interest in fostering the success of American-headquartered companies,” he added, noting that Anheuser-Busch is owned by a Belgian company, while Miller is controlled by a British conglomerate. Samuel Adams is owned by the Boston Beer Co., now the largest American-owned brewery despite an American market share Neal pegs in his letter at less than 1 percent. President Obama — a Harvard Law graduate — will host Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley and Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. at 6 pm ET Thursday, near the swing set on the White House lawn, weather-permitting. “This is a Massachusetts issue, so why not a Massachusetts beer?” Neal told ABC News. He said he was circulating the letter to the president among his Bay State colleagues, joking that beer is “something that we know something about.” The White House indicated today that the president plans to drink Bud Light — an Anheuser-Busch product. But an aide tells ABC’s Ann Compton, somewhat cryptically, “Who knows what will happen when they get here?” As for the other participants, Crowley has indicated that he likes Blue Moon beer, brewed by Molson Coors, while Gates has said he likes Beck’s and Red Stripe — both foreign brands. “If the president wants light beer, there’s always Sam Adams Light,” Neal said. His letter also plugs other Massachusetts products, including Berkshire Brewing and Harpoon. “As distribution is one of the highest hurdles craft brewers must contend with, I stand ready if you need any assistance obtaining and of these high-quality Massachusetts-owned and brewed beers,” Neal writes. UPDATE: At today's White House press briefing, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the president is going to have Bud Light, Gates will have Red Stripe, and Crowley, Blue Moon.