There'll be good beer at New Albany's Riverfront Independence Day Celebration on Sunday, July 3.

In a tradition started by former mayor Doug England, the city of New Albany celebrates Independence Day on July 3, not July 4, with a concert and fireworks at the Riverfront Amphitheater.

I mention this not because I'm particularly patriotic in any conventional sense, but because you deserve to know what sort of beer to expect.

The news is good.

All of New Albany's breweries will be present and pouring (Donum Dei, Floyd County Brewing Company and NABC). Big Four Burgers + Beer (the beer garden permittee) has the mass market concession, and wine will be served by River City Winery.

Here's the link.

Riverfront Independence Day Celebration

The Riverfront Independence Day Celebration will be on Sunday, July 3 at the scenic Riverfront Amphitheater. The event begins at 6pm. This year's lineup includes the local favorite country music act Wildwood and the always entertaining Louisville Crashers. So grab a lawn chair or a blanket and come join us for a wonderful night of family-fun along the Ohio River.

Now that I'm no longer involved with NABC, perhaps city employees will switch back to real beer from their preferred Bud Light.

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Tonight's 2012 Independence Festival at the Riverfront Amphitheater in New Albany is a go, and NABC will be there.

The city's annual fireworks and music show is today. Follow this link for the city's prospectus:

"The City of New Albany and The Horseshoe Foundation proudly present the 2012 Independence Festival" Tuesday July 3rd 2012 at the scenic Riverfront Amphitheater.

For those so inclined, adult refreshments will begin around 4:00 p.m., and last call will be no later than 10:45 p.m.

The inner "beer garden" dispensing area is restricted to those 21 years of age or older, although drinks can be carried into the all-ages area, but not outside the perimeter of the venue's fencing.

I know that the city has a vendor for ice cream, and there'll be a truck with potable water on hand. There may be other food vendors present. Know that there's nothing  illegal about bringing food to the event; all this talk of fencing is necessary because of state law governing temporary alcohol permits. Unfortunately, the state alcohol regs are not European, and that's regrettable.

NABC hopes to see you there tonight. We'll be selling Progressive Pints of Black & Blue Grass, Tafel, Yakima and Extra Ordinary Bitter. Wick's will be on hand with domestic beers, and River City Winery's there, too.