Today is the start (for most of us) to the Fourth of July weekend. What better way to show your support for the framers of the Constitution then blowing up mailboxes, and buying illegal fireworks from a nearby reservation? Or, or you could take a bus or cab down to the Seattle Center to The Seattle International Beer Festival. Starting today at noon and running throughout the weekend, the Seattle International Beer Festival is the beer equivalent of an international buffet. more ›

We spent five quality hours at the Seattle International Beer Festival yesterday, and if you're not doing anything right now, we suggest you hotfoot it down to the Seattle Center before 7 p.m. The beer selection is phenomenal, you get a four-oz. glass with a Franziskaner monk on it, and there's Port Townsend cheese, pretzels, and bratwurst to be had. If you have a folding chair, you might bring one with for extra comfort. We sampled the Great Divide Chocolate Oaked Aged Yeti, Scotch Silly, Ninkasi Vanilla Oatis Stout and Total Domination IPA, Allagash FOUR, and St. Bernardus Abt 12. They were all terrific beers in their own way, and it's hard to pick just one...but we'd have drunk a whole pint of the Scotch Silly without complaint. more ›