Summer time is special and you need a great beer that will hit the thirst perfectly. Here is our research to some of our favorites this summer. So we tracked down the others we know like the back of hand.
We don’t think it should matter too much if you’re trolling your beers as a reward after a good hard workout, or keeping ‘em on ice beside the campfire — that’s why we’ve compiled a list of a few of our favorite beers to drink as spring transitions to our favorite time of the year.
The Bruery Beret (9.0% ABV):
Beret is as artistic as those who wear its namesake cap. Our brewers developed a silky, full-bodied wheat ale which we began fermenting with a Belgian-style witbier yeast strain. To finish the fermentation, we added our collection of barnyard bacteria, intended to slowly sour the ale, bringing out a slight funk and refreshing piquancy. Finally, a small dose of pureed raspberries were added for just a hint of fruity tannins, putting the berry in Beret.
Our thoughts: Overall a great beer and we loved it, very complex and interesting. This strawberry blonde colored beer would be perfect on a cool summer night. A little to much beer for a hot day.
Our Notes: Strawberry blond with little head, tart cherry nose and also on the pallet, the finish has a sugary residue and charred bagel.
Rate Beer Overall Rating: 99
Founders All Day IPA (ABV: 4.7%)
Keeps your taste satisfied while keeping your senses sharp. An all-day IPA naturally brewed with a complex array of malts, grains and hops. Balanced for optimal aromatics and a clean finish. The perfect reward for an honest day’s work and the ultimate companion to celebrate life’s simple pleasures.
Our thoughts: The name says is all, lighter on the hops and well balanced, you could drink it all day. Especially at 4.7%
RateBeer Style Rating: 96
Ballast Point Grapefruit Sculpin (9.0% ABV):
The Grapefruit Sculpin is their latest take on our signature IPA. Some may say there are few ways to improve Sculpin’s unique flavor, but the tart freshness of grapefruit perfectly complements our IPA’s citrusy hop character. Grapefruit’s a winter fruit, but this easy-drinking ale tastes like summer.
Our Thoughts: This is a memorable beer that is great to just sit and sip. You won’t be disappointed.
Our notes: Golden orange, light cooper in color with a sweet nose of pine, hops and citrus. The taste is intense but not over whelming, very complex and every changing. Another one of our favorites.
Rate Beer Style Rating: 100
Duvel (9.0% ABV):
Four generations of the Moortgat family have brought together Pilsner malts, Bohemian hops, and a unique yeast strain to create this intense, aromatic and beguiling ale. This Belgian favourite is best enjoyed chilled (40 – 50 F) with discerning friends or good-looking strangers.
Out Thoughts: Quite possibly the nicest overall beer in our lineup. It is a world class beer, especially for as large as they are.
Our Notes: Super pale, cloudy and sporting a great head. Once poured the active carbonation is great. Slight hints of alcohol and yeast are present on the nose, while the mouth will experience a slight hoppiness and hints of white grape.
Rate Beer Style Rating: 98
Ayinger Bräu-Weisse (5.1% ABV):
Pale color, tart in palate, “brut” beer with a delicious, inviting wheat body and elegant aroma. Finishes with a subtle spicy note. Suggested pairings are weiss-wurst (veal sausage), pretzels, Dusseldorf mustard, mettwurst, vegetable pâté, crab Louis, sand dabs, fried smelts, Sunday brunch.
Out thoughts: Simply amazing, this Hefeweisen supports a lot of Belgian Wit qualities (in a good way), it offers great depth and range for a wheat. Definately a defining Hefeweisen.
Our Notes: This light and cloudy Hefeweisen supports a thick head that dissipates quickly. The nose offers cloves, bananas, yeast and bubble gum all of which are present on the pallet as well.
Rate Beer Style Rating: 100
Stone Saison IPA (6.0% ABV):
From the brewer: Lemon zest, grains of paradise, lemon thyme and lavender harvested in Southern California fields, including our own at Stone Farms, provide citrus and floral character along with a subtle, tantalizing spice. Thanks to the infusion of fresh West Coast ingredients, this isn’t your everyday saison. It’s our saison—100% Stone.
Our thoughts:
Rate Beer Overall Rating: 85
Oskar Blues Mamas Little Yella Pils (9.0% ABV):
From the brewer: Our first lager produced with the 20 bbl brewhouse. This pilsner is a clear golden color. Four additions of Saaz hops lend a spicy-floral hop component.
Our thoughts:
Rate Beer Style Rating: 89
