While Memorial Day is first and foremost a holiday dedicated to remembering those lost while serving, it also signals a change in seasonal mindset. Sure, it’s not officially summer yet, but as far as we’re concerned, it’s time to say goodbye to cold air and jackets, and hello to swimming pools and patio drinking.
If you spent all winter and early spring drinking big beers during marathon Netflix sessions, it’s time to change what’s in your glass as you head outdoors. Summer sees the resurgence of lighter more sessionable styles like Pilsener, Kolsch and light lagers. Check out CraftBeer.com’s brand new list of 2016 summer seasonals for the latest and greatest summer offerings.
The Cans of Summer
The use of cans by craft brewers is here to stay, and we’re seeing more and more of our favorite breweries embrace the packaging — especially for summer styles. They’re lightweight, opaque, recyclable and often allowed in outdoor areas where glass isn’t.
As you head outside this weekend, grab a sixer of one of these classic summer beers below. They’ll pair quite nicely with your Memorial Day plans whether you’re grilling out or taking a float down your favorite lazy river.
Cheers to our military veterans, cheers to three-day weekends and cheers to America’s small and independent breweries!
Brooklyn Summer Ale | Brooklyn Brewery | Brooklyn, NY
Summer in Brooklyn is all about following your impulses, winging it from beaches and barbecues to stoops and rooftops. Brooklyn Summer Ale is a refreshing, flavorful pale ale made to accompany you on all your warm weather adventures. One hundred percent British 2-row barley brings its famed bready flavors, capped off with German and American hops to provide a snappy, clean bitterness and a bright, floral aroma. It’s a sunny pale ale, Brooklyn style.
Schlafly Summer Lager | Schlafly Beer | Saint Louis, MO
Our Helles-Style Summer Lager is a bright, golden beer, perfect for summertime. The malts we use impart a wonderful, fresh grain character, reminiscent of European lagers. The German Noble hop, Mittelfrüh, lends a mild lemony, spicy flavor.
Laurelwood Golden Ale | Laurelwood Brewing Co. | Portland, OR
Though our lightest ale, this is actually one that takes great deal of precision on the brewers’ part. This subtle, easy drinker showcases the thought and care that goes into each beer we brew. Crisp, dry, and refreshing.
Day Hike Session Ale | Two Beers Brewing Co. | Seattle, WA
Kicking things off with an effervescent aroma of lemon zest, this summer session ale is light and crisp, perfect for a summer day. With hints of grass and lemon on a palate, this well- balanced beer is extremely refreshing, leaving flavors of citrus and grass after every sip before finishing clean.
Anchor Summer Wheat | Anchor Brewing Co. | San Francisco, CA
The crisp, clean flavors of Anchor Summer® Wheat are refreshingly light, a thirst-quenching American-style filtered wheat beer. Anchor Summer® Wheat is an all-malt craft beer, with over 50 percent of its malt derived from malted wheat. It is fermented with a traditional top-fermenting ale yeast, yielding a clean, balanced flavor that highlights the refreshingly light flavor of malted wheat.
Westbrook Gose | Westbrook Brewing Co. | Mt. Pleasant, SC
This is our interpretation of Gose, a traditional German-style sour wheat beer brewed with coriander and salt. Once nearly extinct, this very refreshing style is making a comeback.
Sam Adams Summer Ale | Samuel Adams | Boston, MA
Crisp and tangy with refreshing lemon peel and a hint of pepper from rare Grains of Paradise. Golden, hazy, and thirst quenching, this American wheat ale balances bright citrus, Noble hops and spice for a lively brew that’s perfect on any summer day.
Summer Love Ale | Victory Brewing Co. | Downingtown, PA
German hops and pale malt blend beautifully to create this refreshing taste of summer. This light-bodied ale casts a golden hue reminiscent of the summer sun shining high above the City of Philadelphia. It was commissioned to us by Visit Philadelphia in order to capture the essence of a city that is rich in history and in flavor.
Liliko’i Kepolo | Avery Brewing Co. | Boulder, CO
Adding a tropical island flair to a spicy traditional witbier, Liliko’i erupts with monumental passionfruit aroma and acidity along with a sublimely succulent finish.
CraftBeer.com is fully dedicated to small and independent U.S. breweries. We are published by the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade group dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s small and independent craft brewers. Stories and opinions shared on CraftBeer.com do not imply endorsement by or positions taken by the Brewers Association or its members.
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