Happy Birthday America! The Fourth of July is almost here and much of the country has already bailed on work and is in total holiday mode. Independence Day first and foremost commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. But it's also a time for friends and family, parades and barbecues, concerts, baseball games and parties.

And needless to say it's a great time for drinking beer. 

Hey the Fourth of July is almost upon us and most of you are already in total fun mode. Well good, because we're thinking the Nation's Capital is where you need to be this weekend and we've all kinds of things for you to do. From the nation's coolest beer festivals to new movies, music and cutting edge TV - we've got your back big-time. We've also a special Weekend Beer Pick for you too, because we know you'll be drinking this holiday.

So welcome to our awesome Fourth of July Weekend Picks...

So many beers- So little time... Summer defines this week's newbies and it's just in time for the upcoming 4th of July celebrations...Plus we've some new releases from Elevation and Bear Republic that sound serious as well.

We can't believe we're celebrating the 4th of July already...So much has happened this year and it doesn't appear that things will be slowing down any time soon. But no worries - Rumor Mill is always on the case, keeping you plugged in to all the craft beer news that matters. Plus we've an all-important update on what we've been drinking lately and a special 4th of July grilling recipe for you!

Would be fathers take note. It's time to start "power-pounding" beer if you're serious about increasing your chances of conceiving. And on top of last week's unfortunate news that hoppy beers could lead to "Man Boobs" we've got to admit that this "studly study" couldn't have come at a better time!

So here's the deal...

So many beers, So little time... Summer defines this week's newbies and just in time for the upcoming 4th of July celebrations...Plus we've some new releases from Terrapin and Hangar 24 that sound serious as well.

The setting is the 2015 South Beer Cup, 2015, Mar de Plata, Buenos Aires Argentina.  There are 85 breweries in attendance, all from Latin America's emerging craft beer scene, which has truly exploded in the last 5 years.  Many participants are new, but that's not limited their desire to make the best beer in the world.  Over 800 beers are being presented, in almost 50 beer categories, and the brewers are ready. There are 250 breweries from most nations in the region (with the majority from Argentina and Brazil).  Peru, the 4th largest country in Latin America, has delivered 6 breweries this year-- 2% of the total breweries attending. 

We blame the industry for this... It used to be that when we wrapped up our Weekend Picks on Friday, we could coast through the weekend. There was little need to check in for updates - things were pretty much done. But clearly all that's changed.

So here's some of what's happened in the world of craft beer while you were off enjoying yourselves.

Hey the work week is almost over... And it's time to start thinking fun. Well good, because we're all about it and we've got all kinds of ideas for you. From the nation's coolest beer festivals, movies and music to cutting edge TV - we've got your back big-time.  Plus we've a special weekend beer pick for you too, because we know you'll be drinking!

So welcome to our awesome Weekend Picks

Hey we get it.  You're busy and you can't possibly hang with us 24/7. But still, we don't want you to be missing all the good stuff. So as part of our ongoing commitment to bringing you the best craft beer and lifestyle coverage on the face of the planet - and to keep you plugged into our ongoing recklessness - we do a weekly compilation of our recent good, bad and ugly.

So welcome to another Friday Wrap-Up.