Grab a beer and head for the laptop, it's time for Beer Diplomacy @beerdiplomacy

Wouldn't it be great if you could just sit down with a beer at your computer and have a great political discussion with a few friends? Sort of like the 2009 "beer summit" President Obama had with Henry Gates, James Crowley and Vice President Biden, except online (and, most likely, without the president)?

[Catch Stuart Tracte on "HEY with Dane Golden" talking about the 2011 State of the Union address.]

Well, that's just what happens on the live Web show/podcast "Beer Diplomacy." Each Monday, host Stuart Tracte and guests grab a beer in their respective locations around the country and chat on the topics of the day. Panelists appear via Skype video and the conversation is broadcast live on Ustream. An active chat room enhances the conversation by responding to the panelists and asking questions.

Tracte said he started the show in Aug. 2009 because while he loved tech podcasts and live-streaming technology, he wanted to hear what his favorite tech people thought about politics.

"It's this amazing gathering of tech people who we hope talk about things other than tech," Tracte said. "And we drink so we kind of try and keep it light."

The rotating guest list has included tech notables such as Leo Laporte, Tom Merritt, Dick DeBartolo, Shira Lazar, Baratunde Thurston, Brian Brushwood, Justin Robert Young, Dan Patterson and others.

"If you want to hear about stuff outside of the tech realm, but from people who are in the tech realm - and just have some laughs - come and see us," Tracte said.

Beer Diplomacy records live Monday nights at 6 p.m. PST and 9 p.m. EST at BeerDiplomacyTV.com. After taping the show can be found on iTunes, Blip.tv and elsewhere.