IMAGE GALLERY: Redhook Celebrates Exeter-Inspired Beer

Redhook on Sunday celebrated the release of its new Exeter-inspired beer.

"American Independence Ale," named after the , was earlier this month. And Redhook and representatives of the museum promoted the new beer during a 5K race held at Redhook's Portsmouth brewery on Sunday.

The beer is another in Redhook's "Brewery Backyard" series. Redhook was inspired to create the beer based on colonial history. Leading up to the American Revolution, colonists were frustrated over the high taxes placed on imported ale, so they began brewing beer in their homes.

American Independence Ale is a pale ale brewed in the spirit of the colonial era – when brewers discovered using coal to cook hops made for a cleaner-looking beer that could be imbibed in clear glasses. Redhook used its own hops grown near its brewery in Portsmouth.

The ale will soon be available to the public at bars all around New England. It will also be served at several events in the Seacoast area during the summer and fall – including the in Exeter next month.

“Beer was a critical ingredient to local 18th century political debates and we’re excited to celebrate the region’s patriots who launched the American Revolution with an American home brew in hand,” said Randall Hammond, president of the Board of Governors of the American Independence Museum. “Redhook was the perfect partner for the American Independence Museum. As an American beer revolutionary, Redhook would have been a true patriot raising his tankard of beer and not only helping to sharpen the edges of an argument, but his bayonet as well.”