Famous Death Row Last Meals
A Look Back On The Year In Food
Some brews, such as Guinness, shine in colder weather while others are more suited to the beachy crowd (ever seen a Corona commercial?). As per American craft beers, plenty of breweries have a summer seasonal in their arsenals, but these eight feature a whole slew of suds to keep you refreshed despite the heat waves (we listed our faves alphabetically).
8. Abita - Maybe it's the local swelter in which they were created, but Louisiana's Abita brews seem well-suited to any hot day, especially Purple Haze, Restoration and Strawberry Harvest -- as fruity as it sounds.
7. Bell's - Some say that spring isn't actually here until Bell's Oberon is released (a notion we far prefer to a neurotic groundhog) and their Two-Hearted Ale may be the best summer IPA in the biz.
6. Brooklyn - Sure, they offer a Summer Ale, but with year-rounds including a nice Weisse, a baseball-adorned Pennant Ale and a refreshing Pilsner, summer in Brooklyn is secure.
5. Harpoon - Harpoon has an aptly named Summer Beer made in the Kölsch style, but their UFO Hefeweizen garnished with a touch of citrus is one of the most drinkable American wheats on the market. The light, crisp Harpoon IPA is only mildly hoppy and is another winner.
The final four after the jump!4. Kona - Maybe Hawaii's largest brewery took the easy way out, but by naming beers like Longboard Island Lager, Big Wave Golden Ale and Fire Rock Pale Ale, it shows it sure knows its target audience.
3. Magic Hat - As always, Magic Hat offers a couple of bizarrely named summer seasonals like Wacko and Summer Odd Notion, but with its apricot-tinged flagship brew #9 and beloved year-rounds like Circus Boy, this Hat is best worn in the sunshine.
2. New Belgium - A brewery from Fort Collins might seem like an unlikely summer suspect, but with two fantastic year-round wheats (Sunshine and Mothership Wit) and a couple great warm weather seasonals, the Colorado brewer keeps it cool.
1. Pyramid - Curve Ball is their seasonal (and in fact Pyramid just threw us one) but the newly anointed Audacious Apricot Ale is possibly the best fruit beer out there, and their Hefe ain't too shabby either.
Honorable mentions to two New York breweries: Southern Tier and Southampton (who we wish we could add to the list based on their Double White alone, but that would be bending the rules).
We tried to focus on summer suds that are nationally availabile, but are there any breweries we neglected, especially local faves?
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4-29-2009 @8:37PM Kevin said... In no order:
*New Belfium - slice of orange and a freshly mowed lawn = perfection
*Widmer Hefe - summer, summer, summer
*Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - what every beer hopes to be
*Corona/Pacifica/Sol - slice of lime - instant vacation!
*Lindemans Framboise Lambic - raspberry beer!
*Pyramid Apricot Ale - I just can't use the new name.
*Guinness - sun setting and it's Guinness time!
(I could've given you Canadian version too!)
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4-29-2009 @9:32PM elenion said... Kona makes an awesome new summer beer, Wailua Wheat. So refreshing.
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4-29-2009 @10:48PM Carlson said... I'm down here in TX and we have a few
St Arnold Summer Pils is as close to great as you cant get.
Also on the National Scene, Sam Adams Summer was a gateway for me to seasonal craft brews
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4-29-2009 @11:39PM Mike Pomranz said... I seriously considered putting Sam Adams on the list thinking their Spring and Summer Ales were two great nationally-available, warm weather seasonals. Then I discovered they no longer make their Spring Ale and off the list they went!
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4-30-2009 @1:04AM Bus said... I feel bad for those of you that don't have Spotted Cow from the New Glarus Brewing Company in Wisconsin. You're missing out on one of the best summer ales out there, though around here we drink it year round.
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4-30-2009 @2:21AM Bernie B said... Bell's Oberon is the king of Summer. Often served up with a slice of Orange on the glass. Normally Fruit & Beer is awful, but it really works with Oberon.
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4-30-2009 @2:43AM lotifoazurri said... I don't know why everyone thinks Abita is from Nola. It will be much better when Dixie is back!
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4-30-2009 @6:14AM Paul O'Hara said... On consuming a number of different ales in Fort Collins' micro brewery I agree they have a good selection but for flavour (yes I have spelt this correctly), texture, temperature and all round quaffablilty you must try Harvey's Sussex ale; since 1790 they know how to turn out a pint! OK, they didn't have Fridgadaires (you can get me on the spelling here)then but taste wins it over brain freeze every time for me.
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4-30-2009 @11:46AM Ekey said... Kansas City's Boulevard Brewing has a brilliant Wheat that is perfect in the summer.
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4-30-2009 @3:32PM James at The Eaten Path said... Couldn't disagree more on the Curveball, but I am totally behind Pyramid's Apricot, audacious or not :)
My summer recs...
1. St. Arnold's Lawnmower Ale: The perfect Kolsch-style beer, available year round but only in parts of Texas. Every time I make it out to Austin I lug as much of this home as possible!
2. Shiner Helles: Another delicious thirst-quencher that makes me wish Spoetzl was a macrobrewer...
3. Shiner Bock: Because sometimes all you want is a nice bite.
4. Baltika 3: When ice cold, the most satisfying glass of liquid bread you will ever have.
5. Baltika 2: The perfect chaser to Baltika 3!
6. Hofbrau Helles: Can't go wrong with this sweet, smooth German classic.
7. Sam Adams Summer: When it's on tap, this beer can be amazing! I've never enjoyed it bottled, though.
8. Anderson Valley Cerveza Crema: This extremely malty copper ale entirely ignores the mold of a summer beer, but is strangely satisfying nonetheless. Probably my favorite of the summer seasonals.
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4-30-2009 @5:32PM bigkingken said... What do you mean Sam Adams stopped making their Spring Ale? I just had some a couple of weeks ago. Sure they shut down production once spring is gone, but that doesn't mean you can't still find it - or stock up on it.
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4-30-2009 @5:38PM Mike Pomranz said... Sam Adams Spring Ale is no longer listed in Sam Adams Beer Styles on their official website and is marked as "retired" on BeerAdvocate. I tried following up with the brewery but they are closed for the day. I'll contact them tomorrow and try to provide some more exact details.
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5-01-2009 @4:21PM Mike Pomranz said... Quick update on Sam Adams Spring Ale. According to a call to the company, Sam Adams hasn't made their Spring Ale in "seven years, give or take." White Ale is their current spring seasonal (which I have to admit I don't recall ever having tried). So, bigkingken, if you've had a beer labeled Spring Ale recently, you may want to talk to the person to gave it to you! (I'm guessing that stuff doesn't age well...)
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5-02-2009 @1:20AM joe said... Does that mean the Bigkingken drank 7 year old beer!?! Not sure that could be good at all? What liquor store did you buy the spring Sam Adams, Bigkingken? I think they are a little suspect. How often does everyone think that multiyear old beer gets past off as this years?
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