In This Article
Why Choosing the Right Beer Matters in Summer
It’s hot, humid, and the sun is intent on cooking you faster than the grill. The last thing you need is a malty stout or intensely hopped IPA. You’re looking for flavor and refreshment. Luckily, craft brewers have come up with concoctions that bring the best of both worlds. Whether you’re having a BBQ or packing a cooler for the beach, you can now rely on low-ABV beer that brings the flavor with a crisp finish.
Here’s a guide for picking the best summer beer for any occasion:
RELATED ARTICLES:
Best Beers for Beginners: Easy-Drinking Brews You’ll Love
Best Beers for Women: Popular Beers Ladies Will Love
Lowest Calorie IPAs: Best Tasting Beers Under 100 Calories
Factors That Make a Beer Refreshing
The right summer beer usually has a few key characteristics. Lower alcohol content (generally between ABV 3–5%) is absolutely key, especially if you’re planning on drinking outdoors throughout the day. A light body makes the beer more drinkable and less filling, while beers with lower carbonation can be easier to drink, especially when you’re drinking straight from the can or bottle.
Beers with citrus and fruit-forward flavor profiles are ideal as they provide a flavor boost without needing a fuller body. And finally, a crisp finish is absolutely necessary. Anything too sweet or bitter won’t give you the refreshment your body craves during warm weather.
Common Summer Beer Styles
- Lagers: This should come as no surprise, but lagers (especially lighter ones) offer some flavor without the added heft typically found in an IPA. Craft brewers are starting to create their own versions of American Light Lager to provide their fans with a refreshing option during beach season.
- Pilsners: If you want something crushable but need flavor, the original hoppy beer style absolutely covers all your bases. Craft brewers have always been obsessed with the Pilsner style, and now you’re starting to see these brews prominently placed on the shelf or on tap.
- Wheat beers: With soft sweetness and a citrus kick, wheat beers offer a lovely flavor without being too heavy. Keep an eye out for summer seasonal wheat beers with fruit added!
- Session IPAs: If you’re a hop-head and you find yourself on a patio in the sweltering heat, fret not! Breweries often produce a quaffable, low-ABV IPA for summer sipping that provides the hops without the heft.
- Fruit-infused ales: Plenty of beers are often brewed or flavored with citrus fruits like grapefruit or lime to create the ultimate summer beer. These can be sour ales, wheat beers, IPAs, or even lagers.
Our Top 10 Best Beers for Summer
Stiegl Radler
Fruit Lager | Available internationally | 2% ABV
With super low alcohol content and a citrusy kick, this traditional Austrian Radler is the true summer GOAT. A Radler is essentially a mix between Stiegl Goldbrau (itself a perfectly refreshing summer beer) and the fruit juice of your choice. You can drink more than a few of them without feeling overly full or intoxicated, and these can even function as a mixer if you’re looking to make a Radler cocktail. Even better, you can find these basically anywhere and in a few different flavors.
Sierra Nevada Summerfest
Sour Ale | Available nationally | 5% ABV | 28 IBU
America’s OG hoppy beer, the iconic Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, has a summer running buddy in this traditional lager. Summerfest takes German hops and Pilsner malt to create a wonderfully flavorful and refreshing lager ideal for camping or grilling out—this one’s aptly named.
Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale
Sour Ale | Available nationally | 4.9% ABV | 10 IBU
The zany, iconic Delaware brewery known for its culinary beers has created one of summer’s most dependable sours. Taking aspects of German styles like Kölsch, Gose, and Berliner Weisse, SeaQuench (see what they did there?) is brewed with black limes for a sharp and citrusy sipper.
Firestone Walker – 805
Golden Ale | Available nationally | 4.0% ABV | 15 IBU
Go anywhere in California, and you’ll find locals drinking this underrated crusher. With a slight hop bite, there’s plenty of flavor to go with the light body and crisp finish 805 provides. While it was originally meant for the home state market, you can find cans and even the Cerveza version in coolers across the country.
Saison DuPont
Farmhouse Ale | Available internationally | 6.5% ABV | 30 IBU
Talk to anyone who’s into Belgian beer, and they’re bound to point you in the direction of this unassuming but iconic farmhouse ale. While there’s plenty of hops and a spicy aroma from the Belgian yeast strain, Saison DuPont maintains a drinkability that’s truly rare for a beer with this much flavor. The low alcohol and approachable flavor profile make it the ideal entry point for exploring the vibrant world of Belgian ales.
Bell’s Oberon
Wheat Ale | Midwest | 5.8% ABV | 25 IBU
If you’re from the Midwest and have had the pleasure of a weekend at the lake, there’s a good chance you’ve sipped on this delicious wheat ale. The bright orange and citrus Oberon brings has made it a summer go-to for more than a decade, and the (underrated) Bell’s Brewery footprint is expanding out to new markets. Keep an eye out for these bright orange and blue sun-themed cans!
New Glarus Spotted Cow
Farmhouse Ale | Available in Wisconsin | 4.8% ABV
If you’ve been to Wisconsin, you’ve doubtless heard about this delightful beer. This farmhouse ale drinks more like a golden ale or Kölsch, making it an ideal choice for summer. The folks at New Glarus have been keeping this sippable icon for the state of Wisconsin for years, but visitors often leave with cases of Spotted Cow to bring home. Is this beer worth a trip up to the Dairy State? We’d say so.
Brooklyn Bel-Air Sour
Sour Ale | Available nationally | 5.8% ABV | 10 IBU
The popular Brooklyn brewery is most known for its Lager, but Bel Air Sour is its deeply underrated kicker. Tart but drinkable, you won’t be able to notice its 5.8% ABV.
21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon
Pale Ale | Available nationally | 4.9% ABV | 17 IBU
Due to its intense watermelon flavor, this California brew is a divisive choice. But Hell or High Watermelon is more refreshing than any other hoppy beer on the market. And when it’s ice cold right out of the cooler? Your thirst doesn’t stand a chance.
Schlafly Kölsch
German-Style Ale | Midwest | 4.8% ABV | 25 IBU
While it’s technically an ale, Kölsch (the beer that made Cologne famous) is one of the most drinkable beer styles you’ll find anywhere. It’s cold-conditioned for a smooth finish, featuring soft, biscuity malts and a modest hop bite. St. Louis stalwart Schlafly put out one of the best examples, with the hot Midwestern summers requiring a crisp beer with plenty of flavor. There’s a reason the true heads swear by this style of beer.
How to Enjoy Summer Beers
Best Serving Tips
- Keep it chill: Maintain a temperature between 38–45°F (3–7°C) so your beer remains crisp and refreshing.
- Serve in proper glassware (or not): If you have access to it, pour your beer into the proper (chilled) glass for optimum drinking. If you’re on a beach or boat, ignore this advice because it doesn’t matter as long as the beer is refreshing and delicious!
- Protect from sunlight: Keep beers out of direct sunlight, especially if they’re in a bottle.
Food Pairings
| Food | Beer Pairing | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ meats, burgers & hot dogs | Lagers or pale ales | Crisp and refreshing, they cut through the smoky, meaty flavors. |
| Salads & seafood | Wheat beers or citrusy sours | Light and delicate, they complement fresh, zesty dishes. |
| Spicy foods | Hoppy session IPAs | The hops balance the heat without getting lost. |
| Fruits & cheeses | Fruit-infused Belgian ales | Fruity notes play perfectly with sweet and savory bites. |
Summer Beer Drinking Safety Tips
- ALWAYS drink responsibly.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! You’re out in the sun and can easily get dehydrated even without the alcohol.
- Know your alcohol limits in hot weather, and pace yourself.
- Consider alternating with water or a nonalcoholic beverage to keep the party going longer.
- Eat! Food slows alcohol absorption.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the best beers to try at your next summer BBQ, but we want to know your favorites! Share your go-to summer beer with us on social media, tag us @craftbeermenow to be featured. And you can discover more seasonal beer recommendations by signing up for our newsletter below!
Sign Up for Our Newsletter!
