Obama got a special honor from the American Homebrewers Association

He's already won a Nobel Peace Prize and those two presidential elections, but on Thursday Barack Obama got perhaps his most impressive honor yet: a lifetime membership in the American Homebrewers Association. The group extended memberships to both Obama and White House chef Sam Kass in recognition for brewing the executive mansion's first beer, which turned out a little better than your first homebrewing attempt.

Gary Glass, the director of the American Homebrewers Association, had this to say about the distinction: "Homebrewing is a model example of a bipartisan, pro-community, and pro-business activity that all kinds of people can be passionate about and enjoy. President Obama and chef Kass are among the nation’s 1.2 million homebrewers, which include both Republicans and Democrats."

Obama got his first homebrewing kit in 2011 and, after developing a recipe with Kass, began serving White House brews to special guests. (For instance, Medal of Honor winner Dakota Meyer, shown above.) The maiden brew was a honey brown ale, but they later expanded the lineup with a honey porter and honey blonde, all made with honey from the White House's private beehive reserve. Kass released the recipes for the porter and the blonde in 2012 after thirsty brewers started an online petition for them, so you can enjoy them in your own, non-Oval home office. Except you probably don't have your own bees. Or a lifetime membership in the American Homebrewers Association. Suck it.

Kristin Hunt is a Food/Drink staff writer for Thrillist, and would kill to drink some of that beer with the Obamas in the White House bowling alley. Follow her to aspirations at @kristin_hunt.