When I sip a cool one it’s usually Bud Light or Bud Select, but when I rolled through The Loft last Friday for Ray Hill’s launch party for his namesake American Pilsner beer and its recent, historic partnership with beer giant Anheuser-Busch, I gave myself a few Ray Hill’s. This wasn’t the first time I’d poured a Ray Hill’s, so I knew I was in for a proper quench. And I wasn’t surprised when I heard a couple of brothers and sisters give it thumbs-up. And what beer drinker wouldn’t – after all A-B, the king of beers, tapped it with their stamp of approval. Cheers to A-B for that and for thinking responsibly when it comes to diversity. I also have to tip one to Ray. This enterprising brother really did his homework and research to craft a beerlicious product. And props to his partner, Mario J. E. Wayne, executive vice president of Hill Brewing Co. Mario has always handled his biz – whether he was slanging (legal) pharmaceuticals or marketing for the St. Louis Rams or holding down community relations for them. He’s also jammed on Hill Brewing Co.’s strategic direction. Last, but not least is my boy Stephen C. Bruce, the package design manager. He’s been down since he co-founded Schmoo Creative Services back in the day. Through Schmoo and his spin-off agency, Ego, he put his creative touch on the Black Rep, the Urban League, St. Louis Cardinals, Pfizer and World Wide Technology – just to name a few. I love what he did with Ray Hill’s. The debut celebration at The Loft was held in conjunction with the popular Stress-Free Fridays. If you missed it you missed a treat. But don’t trip, they’re doing it again during 1st Friday, April 6 at the Norman K. Probstein Golf Course Clubhouse in Forest Park. Holla and do try yourself some Ray Hill’s American Pilsner.