In the summer, I want beer that highlights the flavors of the season, but won’t be too thick or syrupy. A lower ABV is also nice to feel like I can have a couple while I’m sitting outside in the sun. Think crisp lagers, summer Raddlers, Goses that make you think of the sea, lots of tropical fruit and one or two that you would want to pair with a pie at a summer barbecue.
Make some room in the fridge or ice up a cooler, and grab these to drink as the temperatures rise.
Mai Time Wheat Ale, Kona Brewing Co.
Travel might be a tad limited at the moment, so if you are yearning for island vibez, try this wheat ale that’s inspired by a Mai Tai cocktail with orange, pineapple and lime. The fruit notes are there, but not overpowering, so you won’t get bogged down with sugary sweetness and can definitely crush more than one. Or nerd out and garnish it with all three fruit slices and a mini umbrella and pair it with a grilled dinner. It is part of the Aloha Series, which brings flavors of Hawaii to the mainland. It’s only around until September, when it will be replaced with a hibiscus brut IPA.
Surf Casting, Oxbow Brewing Co.
This Portland, Maine brewery wanted to create the “perfect summer beer to be enjoyed by the shoreline,” said director of sales Greg Jasgur, and this farmhouse ale with sea salt and lime does the trick. You may be tempted to hear that description and think oh, fancy Bud Light Lime or Chelada, but this beer is something different. The salt is less salted rim and more sea air, and the funk of the beer is enhanced by the tang of the lime rather than having a fruit-forward flavor. It’s a grisette-style beer, so is lighter (4.5% ABV) and easier drinking than some other farmhouse styles and begging to be kept ice cold in a cooler while you’re fishing or hitting the beach.
Key Lime Pie Gose, Westbrook Brewing Co.
This gose from Westbrook Brewing Co in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, has more in-your-face lime flavor. And while the beer is inspired by dessert and has notes of coriander, cinnamon, vanilla, it’s not a desserty beer — it’s plenty tangy and refreshing, with a touch of salt that’s typical in a gose. At 4% ABV, it’s a good option for drinking on a hot day.
Grapefruit Radler, Paulaner
Radlers, which are usually beers mixed with lemonade or fruit juice, have long been summer favorites in Austria and Germany, and Paulaner USA now is adding its Grapefruit Radler to it’s U.S. offerings. It’s half of the flagship Münchner Lager mixed with a hazy natural grapefruit infusion. It’s mildly tangy and not too sweet. At only 2.5% alcohol it’s a good choice for outside summer drinking if you don’t want to get too buzzed. It comes in 4-packs of large 16.9-ounce cans.
Swill, 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
If you want a Radler that is a bit more tart and packs a bit more punch (but is still only 4.5% ABV), try Swill, an American Radler from 10 Barrel. It’s got both tart lemon and grapefruit notes, and then a bit of honeysuckle sweetness to balance it all out. If you’re looking to make something a bit more high octane, use it as a mixer — the brand has launched a series of instructional YouTube videos that are part of the Swill Cocktail Series that provide a step-by-step guide of how to make a variety of cocktails using Swill as an ingredient.
Coolcumber, Wicked Weed Brewing
I cracked open a can of this beer and my first thought was “wow, this reminds me of Hendrick’s Gin,” and then this video confirmed that a Hendrick’s Gin Cooler, a cocktail which plays up the cucumber notes of the gin, was an inspiration for this beer, which was a test product before the brewery even opened its doors. It’s brewed using locally-grown basil, juniper, and a whole lot of cucumbers. It’s a nice summer option that highlights the flavors of seasonal produce.
Raspberry Blush, Mikkeller
Not going to tell you how to live this summer, except for you should wear a mask when you’re in public, and to have an occasional breakfast beer on your days off. This beer Raspberry sour fits the bill — it’s a beautiful pink, and tastes tart and jammy, with a light touch of cocao and coffee. The San Diego brewery describes the finish as similar to a toaster pastry. Make it a part of your complete breakfast.
Blueberry Ale, Blue Point Brewing
This has become a summer classic and with good reason — it’s really good. It’s a hint of blueberry without slapping you in the face with fruit flavor. And when I want to impress someone with the world’s easiest addition, toss a few blueberries in the pint glass and you look like an amazing summer hostess.
Mountain Beach, Breckenridge Brewery
This Colorado beer is made in the spirit that (especially in 2020) your beach can be anywhere. This transporting session sour combines pineapple and lime with some guava sweetness. The tropical new brew is now available year-around nationwide.
Solstice Lager, Stella Artois
The Belgian beer brand has launched its first-ever limited edition golden lager that’s meant for sunny days and summer drinking. It’s crisp and refreshing with the faintest hint of lemon and grapefruit citrus. It’s a deep gold color, but at 4.5% ABV, it’s lighter in alcohol than regular Stella (5.2%). It’ll be on store shelves until Labor Day.
Mango Starfish Ale, Great South Bay
Mango is my favorite fruit, so I would love for this seasonal offering to be available year-around. It’s made with mango puree, and is refreshing but has a slight creaminess to it that makes it craveable.
Peroni Limone, Peroni
While this summer option requires a bit of effort to pull together, this riff on a supercharged lemonade is worth it. The crispness of the Italian beer balances out the limoncello and lemonade. Lots of fresh mint makes the drink feel like a summer indulgence. Here’s video of how to make it, or follow the instructions below.
Ingredients:
1.5 ounces of Limoncello
4 ounces of lemonade
5.5 ounces Peroni
Directions:
Pour all ingredients into a tall glass.
Fill with ice.
Garnish with lemon slice and mint.
