The Lexington Minute Men and Jim Koch of Samuel Adams Band Together to Urge Americans to Celebrate Patriots' Day

LEXINGTON, Mass., April 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Samuel Adams Founder and Brewer, Jim Koch and The Lexington Minute Men, Inc. the original group of re-enactors dedicated to preserving the memory of the men who fought in the first battle of the American Revolution, are calling for all Americans to honor Patriots' Day as a national holiday. As Patriots' Day marks the start of the Revolutionary War, Jim and The Lexington Minute Men are urging the country to join them in celebrating the spirit of independence and remembrance of the forefathers who founded our nation.  Currently, Patriots' Day is recognized as a state holiday only in Massachusetts and Maine.  Americans are encouraged to show their support by joining the "Making Patriots' Day a National Holiday" Facebook page. With 25,000 fans, Jim and The Lexington Minute Men will present a petition to Congress.

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100419/NY88336 )

Jim Koch has always been passionate about the significance of Patriots' Day and the forefathers it honors. He named his beer after Samuel Adams, the independent thinker, who pushed the other Founding Fathers to move toward political independence from Great Britain.  Samuel Adams was also a brewer who loved great beer and fomented the American Revolution in the taverns of Boston with the other Sons of Liberty. In fact, he was such an integral figure in our country's pursuit for freedom that Paul Revere set out on his famed "Midnight Ride" not only to alert the Minute Men of the impending march of the Redcoats, but also to ride to Lexington and warn Samuel Adams, who was evading British attempts at capture there, that the Redcoats planned to arrest him and John Hancock.

"When I first started brewing, I believed that beer lovers would appreciate a rich, full-flavored, high-quality American brew that was unlike other beers available in 1985.  I wanted to give my beer a name that sparked that feeling of independence," Koch said. "I had always admired Samuel Adam's role in the revolutionary war; as the rabble rouser, he was the most independent minded of the founding fathers.  Early on, he pushed for independence from England.  Twenty-five years ago, I introduced Samuel Adams Boston Lager on Patriots' Day, and I'm excited to be joining the Lexington Minute Men in their pursuit to make today a nationally recognized holiday."

The Lexington Minute Men are dedicated to honoring the brave patriots who defended America's freedom.  For the past 235 years they have paid tribute to these heroes by reenacting and celebrating the skirmish that took place on the Common of Lexington.  Thousands of Americans gather at the Common each Patriots' Day to honor our country's heritage and to remind all citizens of the history which brought the freedoms of the United States to where it is today.  

"We hope that our partnership with Jim Koch and Samuel Adams will help make our fellow Americans aware of the importance of celebrating April 19^th, Patriots' Day—a holiday that has always been of the utmost importance to The Lexington Minute Men," said Bill Delay, Lexington Minute Men Captain. "This day is one that we think about and plan for year round, and pay tribute to year after year as we celebrate our country's history and the birthplace of American independence."

THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY BACKGROUND:

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father's attic. After bringing the recipe to life in his kitchen, Jim brought it to bars in Boston with the belief that drinkers would appreciate a complex, full-flavored beer, brewed fresh in America. That beer was Samuel Adams Boston Lager®, and it helped catalyze what became known as the American craft beer revolution.  

Today, the Company brews more than 21 styles of beer.  The Company uses the traditional four vessel brewing process and often takes extra steps like dry-hopping and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. It passionately pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of its classic beers by constantly searching for the world's finest ingredients. While resurrecting traditional brewing methods, the Company has earned a reputation as a pioneer in another revolution, the "extreme beer" movement, where it seeks to challenge drinkers' perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company strives to elevate the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions the world over, and in the past five years it has won more awards in international beer competitions than any other brewery in the world. The Company remains independent, and brewing quality beer remains its single focus. While Samuel Adams is the country's largest-selling craft beer, it accounts for less than one percent of the U.S. beer market. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

THE LEXINGTON MINUTE MEN BACKGROUND:

The Lexington Minute Men is a civic reenactment organization dedicated to honoring all the brave Patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation's freedom. The Minute Men have a long proud history, from the militia that fought on the Green in 1775, to providing men to fight throughout the American Revolution. The Minute Men gained attention again during the Centennial Celebration of 1876, when President U.S. Grant saluted the 77 men who stood on the Green. In the past 125 years, the Minute Men have been involved in a number of ceremonial, educational, and civic functions. During the Bicentennial, the Minute Men served as honor guards for President Ford and Queen Elizabeth. The Lexington Minute Men are under the command of Captain Bill Delay. The re-enactment of the 'Battle of Lexington' will take place on Patriots' Day – April 19, 2010 and starts at 5:45 a.m. on the Lexington Green. For more information on the Lexington Minute Men visit http://www.lexingtonminutemen.com.

SOURCE Samuel Adams