What beers and ales are best for filling hot Summer days and nights?

Although we can drink any beer we want, certain beers and ales are especially suited for hot weather and as such are often seasonal in nature. In fact, because they are considered Summer beers, some are only available in late Spring and early Summer.

Summer beers fall into several different Categories. Each category features a different style or range of beers or ales. We’ll review the major types of Summer beers and then offer some suggestions under each kind that you may want to try. Most are available at The Beer Trap.

Fruit styles - Fruit beers are considered perfect for Summer fun. They tend to be light, crisp and flavorful. A Shandy is an example of a type of fruit beer. Shandys typically feature lemon as an added ingredient to enhance their flavor. Other fruits, such as orange or grapefruit etc. are also favored as a special ingredient for Summer beers and ales.

Shiner Ruby Redbird - Sweetwater Radler Blood Orange- Breckenridge Summer Pils Shandy

Wheat Beers – Summer days and wheat beers go hand-in-hand. Sipping a cold, crisp wheat beer on a hot Summer afternoon while grilling out is pure pleasure. Witbiers, weissbiers and hefewezens each have a distinct character, featuring combinations of creamy lemon, orange peel, coriander, nutmeg or other spices or fruits to the beer.

Bells Oberon – Sam Adams Summer Ale – Founders All Day Vacay  

Pilsners – Classic pilsners are especially light and as such make great Summer beers. They tend to be crisp and refreshing and less hoppy. They taste best when served ice cold. Golden and light in color, pilsners tend to be lighter in alcohol too, so it’s much easier to drink two or three without risking over doing it at a cookout or party.

Victory Brewing Prima Pils – Juicy Pils Warwick Farm Brewing

Hazy IPAs – India Pale ales become hazy when made from wheat or oats and packed with fruit. Their fruity or citrusy taste makes them ideal for summer festivities. They tend to be brighter shades of yellow or orange because of the types of fruit added to them.

Troegs Hazy Perpetual – Sierra Nevado Summer break – Flying Dog Pool Hopping

Pale Ales – Summer Pale Ales and India Pale Ales tend to be hoppy, yet lighter in color and taste. Craft breweries continue to experiment, looking to create the perfect Summer version of this most popular ale. This is a category in which there are plenty of great options to choose from.

Brooklyn Summer Ale – Brooklyn Bodega Run  

There are so many Summer beer varieties. Craft breweries have done a great job in recent years, creating some incredible beers for us to enjoy. Be sure to try a few of the newer selections. You just might find a new favorite.