Some of the Best Beers to Drink in the Summer May Surprise You

We're not going mainstream with these.

BY: John Krochune
PUBLISHED: August 5, 2024

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Outside of bourbon, the editors of Brostrick love all things beer related. So it only made sense to debut our newest franchise “Bros & Brews” where we cover some of our favorite beers, beer pairings and everything in between. Got a beer recommendation or question for our editors? Ask us at feedback@brostrick.com

Summer is here (finally!), and you know what that means – it’s time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the sunny vibes with an ice-cold beer in hand! Whether you’re chilling by the pool, firing up the grill, or lounging on the beach, the perfect beer can make those golden moments even better. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best brew for those sizzling summer days and nights?

Fear not, fellow beer lover! The editors here at Brostrick have put together the ultimate guide to some of their favorite summer beers, guaranteed to keep you refreshed and your taste buds tingling. From crisp lagers to zesty ales, and from fruity wheats to tangy sours, we’ve got something for everyone. Plus, we’ve paired each beer with a a little something to eat to bring your summer parties to a whole new level.

So, grab your shades, slather on that sunscreen, and get ready to dive into a world of frothy, flavorful fun.

1.

Bell’s Oberon Ale

Bell’s Oberon Ale is a classic summer wheat ale that’s synonymous with warm weather and drinking outdoors (our personal favorite).

It boasts a bright, citrusy aroma with hints of orange peel and coriander, which are classic characteristics of a well-crafted American wheat ale. The malt backbone is subtly sweet, providing a smooth and slightly creamy mouthfeel. What makes Oberon especially perfect for summer is its balance – it’s flavorful yet light, making it incredibly refreshing without being overwhelming. The moderate carbonation adds to its crisp finish, making it an ideal companion for sunny days.

GOES GREAT WITH

Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken – The citrus notes in the beer enhance the lemon and herbs in the chicken, creating a harmonious flavor profile that’s both refreshing and satisfying.

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Hoegaarden (Belgium) – Another excellent wheat beer, Hoegaarden has a slightly spicy, citrusy profile with coriander and orange peel notes that are refreshing and perfect for summer.

2.

Founders All Day IPA

Founders All Day IPA is really the perfect all-day drinking beer, hence its name. This session IPA has a lower alcohol content (4.7% ABV), which makes it perfect for extended outdoor activities without the risk of feeling too heavy or inebriated. If your goal is to get hammered (good on you!), this one won’t be for you.

It features a balanced hop bitterness with prominent citrus and pine notes, creating a flavor profile that is both invigorating and satisfying. The light malt body ensures that it’s not too filling, making it an ideal choice for hot summer days when you want something flavorful yet refreshing. The dry finish and moderate carbonation enhance its thirst-quenching properties.

GOES GREAT WITH

Fish Tacos – The citrus and pine notes in the beer enhance the flavors of the fish and fresh toppings, providing a light and refreshing complement that doesn’t overpower the delicate flavors of the dish.

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Lagunitas DayTime IPA – Another session IPA with a crisp, hoppy profile that’s perfect for day-long drinking (responsibly, that is!).

3.

Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Sierra Nevada Summerfest is a refreshing Czech-style lager that’s light on the palate but big on flavor. It features a light malt body with subtle floral and spicy hop aromas, making it incredibly refreshing. The clean, crisp finish is typical of well-crafted lagers, making it an ideal choice for cooling down during the heat of summer. The moderate bitterness from the hops balances the malt sweetness perfectly, ensuring that each sip is as refreshing as the last. The carbonation is lively, which adds to its overall refreshment factor.

GOES GREAT WITH

Caprese Salad – The light, crisp beer complements the fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, enhancing the salad’s flavors without overpowering them. The acidity of the tomatoes and the creaminess of the mozzarella are balanced beautifully by the beer’s clean finish.

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Pilsner Urquell – A classic Czech Pilsner with a similar light, crisp profile and a slightly more pronounced hop bitterness.

4.

Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale

Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale is a unique and innovative session sour that combines three different styles: Kolsch, Gose, and Berliner Weisse. This creates a tart, citrusy beer with a touch of salt, making it incredibly refreshing and perfect for hot summer days. The beer is brewed with black limes, sour lime juice, and sea salt, which gives it a complex and layered flavor profile. The tartness is balanced by a subtle malt sweetness, and the salt adds a pleasant savory note that enhances its drinkability. Its lower alcohol content makes it suitable for extended summer sessions.

GOES GREAT WITH

Ceviche – The tartness and citrus notes of the beer complement the fresh, tangy flavors of the ceviche, enhancing the overall refreshment. The acidity of the beer cuts through the richness of the seafood, making each bite more vibrant and flavorful.

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Anderson Valley Briney Melon Gose – A similarly tart, refreshing beer with watermelon notes and a touch of salt that enhances its summery appeal.

5.

Deschutes Twilight Summer Ale

Deschutes Twilight Summer Ale is a light and crisp ale that’s perfect for summer evenings. It features a subtle malt sweetness and a balanced hop bitterness, with hints of floral and citrus notes. The beer’s light body and refreshing finish make it an excellent choice for enjoying after a day of activities. The floral and citrus hop aromas add complexity without overwhelming the palate, making it a versatile beer that pairs well with a variety of summer foods. Its moderate carbonation adds to its refreshing quality, making it a go-to beer for warm weather.

GOES GREAT WITH

Grilled Shrimp Skewers – The light, crisp beer enhances the delicate flavors of the shrimp and the slight char from the grill. The citrus notes in the beer complement the seafood, creating a harmonious pairing that’s both refreshing and satisfying.

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New Belgium Sunshine Wheat – A similarly light and refreshing ale with citrus and spice notes that make it perfect for summer.

6.

Allagash White

Allagash White is a Belgian-style wheat beer that’s known for its cloudy appearance and complex flavor profile. It’s brewed with coriander and orange peel, which give it a distinctive citrusy and slightly spicy character. The beer has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel with a refreshing finish, making it perfect for summer. The balance of citrus, spice, and subtle sweetness creates a complex yet approachable beer that’s ideal for hot weather. Its moderate carbonation and light body make it incredibly drinkable, while the unique flavors make it stand out among summer beers.

GOES GREAT WITH

Seafood Paella – The citrus and spice notes in the beer complement the saffron and seafood flavors in the paella, creating a harmonious pairing that enhances the dish’s complexity. The beer’s refreshing finish helps to cleanse the palate, making each bite more enjoyable.

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Blue Moon Belgian White – Another Belgian-style wheat beer with similar citrus and spice characteristics, making it a refreshing choice for summer.

7.

Victory Summer Love

Victory Summer Love is a golden ale with a light malt body and a crisp, refreshing finish. It features a subtle hop bitterness with floral and citrus notes, making it ideal for enjoying in the sunshine. The beer’s light body and moderate carbonation enhance its drinkability, while the floral and citrus aromas add complexity without being overpowering. The balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness creates a well-rounded beer that’s perfect for summer. Its clean finish makes it an excellent companion for a variety of summer foods.

GOES GREAT WITH

Grilled Vegetable Skewers – The light, crisp beer complements the smoky, savory flavors of the grilled vegetables. The citrus notes in the beer enhance the natural sweetness of the vegetables, creating a refreshing and satisfying pairing.

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Samuel Adams Summer Ale – A similar golden ale with a light, refreshing profile and citrus notes that make it a great choice for those warm months.

Let's Call It a Day

All these beers we’ve reviewed and recommended are truly perfect picks for summer and all offer refreshing flavors, lighter bodies, and subtle complexities that make them enjoyable in the heat. Paired with the right foods, they can even bring any of your outdoor summer parties to the next level. As always, drink responsibly and have a great time!

JOHN KROCHUNE

John is our resident beer expert and has been home-brewing his own beer and blogging about it for more than 14 years and counting. He’s the co-owner of Brew-Dudes, you can follow his Brew Dudes YouTube channel and Insta too.

Outside of being a husband, dad, and beer lover he’s an all-around great guy, funny dude, and will be contributing some of his favorite beer content to Brostrick from time to time and reviewing some of our beer content to make sure what we’re saying is accurate, up-to-date, and can be trusted. It’s basically like when our dad checked our homework. We’re nervous.

Feel free to send him and his buddies endless beers (and questions).

Tagged: Bros & Brews

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Some of the Best Beers to Drink in the Summer May Surprise You

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