American Patriot Beer’s official St. Louis launch brings an end to three years of prep for Maryland Heights resident John Beal.

“Our beer is bad to the bone,” Beal told Maryland Heights Patch.

While the beer is good, Beal said what most excites him about the beverage’s launch is getting the beer’s message out: that it’s important to buy American products.

Everything in American Patriot Beer is from the United States. Wisconsin brewers concoct the liquid from hops and barley from the Pacific Northwest, Beal said.

Beal said his goal is to eventually brew American Patriot in St. Louis. But that doesn’t mean the beer’s launch won’t bring new jobs to St. Louis. Beal said American Patriot will create distribution jobs like truck driving opportunities.

He’s also looking for people who know the beer industry to join the team, he said.

The beer debuts in two flavors: American Patriot and American Patriot Light. They are available at Schnucks, Dierberg’s and Shop ‘n Save. The beer is on store shelves now, Beal said.