Raise a glass of American craft beer for Independence Day

The American craft-beer movement is brewing, and it's time to declare independence from imported beers — at least on July 4.

Host a "Froth of July" party and ask guests to bring beers from across the country. It's a chance to celebrate the individual states that make up the nation and to have the ultimate potluck. Here's how:

Assign guests a state. This can be the state where the guest was born or one to which he feels a strong connection. The guest should bring beer from that state or a dish that pays homage to the region.

Home-entertaining author and television personality Katie Brown has a few suggestions. "Along with the beer, guests could bring Philly cheesesteaks, Lake Michigan whitefish or Texas cake. They can get creative."

Before assigning states, check grocery stores, specialty shops and liquor stores to see what is available. Unfortunately, breweries from all 50 states don't distribute nationwide.

Don't forget to include local beers at your Froth of July party.

Guests who want to bring a nonalcoholic beverage can bring root beer or other craft sodas. For example, Jones Soda Co. and Dry Soda are based in this state. Thomas Kemper, makers of black cherry, orange cream, root beer and other soda flavors, is based in Oregon.

Decorate in a stately fashion. In addition to red, white and blue, you can deck your pad with state fare. State flags can be found online at www.allkingsflags.com.

There's also plenty of vintage-inspired state tableware to go around. Check thrift stores, shops specializing in vintage wares and yard sales for tablecloths, aprons, plates and even ashtrays.

The jackpot of state stuff is the Geography Collection from California-based Catstudio. Frosted glass tumblers, place mats and napkins feature maps, major cities and landmarks of the states and can be purchased at catstudio.com.

Have fun with the froth. Give each guest a mini pilsner ($1.99 at www.worldmarket.com) as a take-home gift.

If you want to go the extra mile, get Chalk Talk glasses ($11.96 for a set of four, www.worldmarket.com) and write the person's name and assigned state on the glass. The glasses will come in handy for sampling the ales.

Brown suggests holding a taste test and a bottle-label beauty pageant among the different brews.

When the bottles are empty, she says, they can be used as vases for herbs, flowers or the state flags.

If guests dare to bring a British beer, they have to sit in the corner and drink tea.

Seattle Times desk editor Judy Averill contributed to this feature