Nothing says “Independence Day” like a backyard barbecue.  But although all men are created equal, all hot dogs and beer are not. 

Consumer Reports recently tested 23 brands of hot dogs and several brands of light beer.  The top dogs for taste were Hebrew National Kosher Beef Franks, Nathan’s Skinless Beef Franks and Boar’s Head Skinless Beef Franks. Hebrew National Reduced Fat Beef Franks and Boar’s Head’s Lite Skinless Franks were given extra props for being lower in fat and good-tasting.

The magazine noted that hot dogs, because of their high fat and nitrite content, should not be a regular part of anyone’s diet.  But it also found that the fat-free hot dogs on the market had a “spongy or rubbery texture.”  Yikes. Pass the fat dog, please.

Among light beers, three Michelob brands – Michelob Ultra Amber, Michelob Light, and Michelob Ultra – were top-rated, followed by Coors Light, Sam Adams Light and Budweiser Select. Any one would be a great choice to wash down the holiday hot dog.