Days of the Beer, November 21

The beer for today is Oliver Biere de Garde.

On November 21, 1986, National Security Council member Oliver North and his secretary started to shred documents that implicated them in the sale of weapons to Iran and then sending the proceeds to Nicaragua to fund the Contras. This happened as part of the Iran-Contra affair.

Originally, the U.S. had tried to sell weapons to some Iranians through Israel, and that the people who eventually bought the weapons would work to free six U.S. hostages. Eventually, it turned into an arms for hostages trade. Later, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North modified the plan and used a portion of the money to help fund the Contras, who were anti-Sandinista and anti-communist rebels.

An investigation took place but it was made more difficult by North's document shredding, that started on November 21.

Ultimately, 14 administration officials were charged with crimes, eleven were convicted, but all were pardoned by George H.W. Bush.

As to the beer:

The Wharf Rat is a restaurant and brewpub, located in downtown Baltimore. Their house beers are called Oliver Ales.

Oliver Biere de Garde is one of their house ales available on draught.

There isn't much info available about the beer itself, so here's a beer lesson on Biere de Garde, from Beer Advocate.

The Biere de Garde is golden to deep copper or light brown in color. They are moderate to medium in body. This style of beer is characterized by a toasted malt aroma, slight malt sweetness in flavor, and medium hop bitterness. Noble-type hop aromas and flavors should be low to medium. Fruity esters can be light to medium in intensity. Flavor of alcohol is evident. Earthy, cellar-like, musty aromas and flavors are okay. Diacetyl should not be perceived but chill haze is okay. Often bottle conditioned with some yeast character.

Biere de Garde, literally means "Keeping Beer".

So, for the Oliver who didn't keep his papers, have an Oliver beer for keeping.