Washington, July 30 - When President Barack Obama sits down Thursday with a Harvard professor and the police sergeant who arrested him in an attempt to douse a racial firestorm, each of them will have different brands of beer.

The president will drink Bud Light, White House Press Secretary Gibbs told reporters Wednesday. Prof. Henry Louis Gates has said he likes Red Stripe, while Sgt. James Crowley mentioned to the president that he prefers Blue Moon.

'So we'll have the gamut covered tomorrow afternoon,' Gibbs added. Weather permitting, the three will hoist a cold one on the picnic table next to the White House's new swing set around 6 p.m.

Obama, who first said the white police officer in arresting the African American professor acted 'stupidly' but then backed off that comment, called the meeting in the hope that the incident could provide a 'teachable moment' on race relations.

For days, people have been speculating about what the president would choose for Thursday's gathering? A lager? A porter? Maybe a wheat beer? Does he pick something light to help the men with Washington's summer heat?

Gibbs's announcement aboard Air Force One Wednesday now clears the way for the Red, Lite and Blue summit.