Your Ultimate Summertime Beer?

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

Tell us your ultimate summertime beer! Could be a specific beer, from a specific brewer, or a particular style ...

So what beer gets you through the "dog days"?

[Shawn, the Beer Philosopher]

My friend Brent Stewart, a Lifestyles Reporter for the regional newspaper here in So. IL, just wrote a nice little plug for craft beer in today's edition. In an area with virtually no beer coverage, it's nice to see this kind of thing from time to time.

Feel free to comment on the article using the comment form at the bottom of the story! The article also features a nice plug for beerphilosopher.com, The Aleuminati and a couple of quotes from our own Bobby Beerman. Nice!

[Alexandre Enkerli]

I'll add my vote to Deuane's on Berliner Weisse and Saison as nice summer styles. Though I've only had a few BWs, I recently brewed one to be a nice summer session beer. Today, I racked it to secondary and mixed a portion with hibiscus mead must. If it ferments properly, this one should be a tasty brew.
One beer I tend to like year-round, in terms of locally available beer, but which certainly works especially well in the summer is RJ's Coup de grisou, a buckwheat saison. Nice and crisp with just enough residual sweetness.
Montreal's beer scene is dominated by wits, during the summer. Some brewpubs and micros (including Unibroue) do fruit beers with a wit base. I like to brew wheat beers with some spice additions.
Of course, there are many more beers and beer styles which work quite well for the summer. A nice, crisp Pilsner, for instance. I quite like Live Oak Pils, in Austin, TX. Or a fruity cream ale, like McAuslan's Cream Ale. Even some apricot-flavoured beers like Magic Hat's #9, McAuslan's St. Ambroise Apricot Wheat Ale, or even Pyramid Apricot Weizen.
I don't tend to be a big fan of Kölsch- and Alt-style beers but they can fit in the summer session mode.
I also think Belgian Sour Ales (Lambic, Gueuze, Oud Bruin, Flemish Red) have a place in some summer beer drinking sessions. Or a well-made Trippel. Even Orval can work quite well.
Basically, any beer which is not cloyingly sweet or too full-bodied can work during the summer. Just depends if you're sipping it on a summer night or quaffing it after mowing the lawn.

[Kat]

Magic Hat's Circus Boy, hands down. With Rodenbach coming in a delicious second.

[Mike Koch]

Well, my personal favorite is, of course, a hefewiessen...most notably, a Hacker-Pschorr. Most German hefes are good, but Hacker seems to have a better mouth feel and finish.
Haven't found a domestic hefe I've liked yet.

[Jinja]

I like a good, crisp, hoppy IPA - most "summer" beers are too sweet for me. I've been enjoying Firestone Walker's Union Jack IPA, and Sierra's Southern Harvest.

Occasionally a hefeweizen hits the spot, and my favorite local version is a 2 mile walk down the road to the original Gordon Biersch.

Jinja Out

[the beer wench]

Bell's Oberon Ale
Brewed by: Bell's Brewery, Inc.
Michigan, United States

Style: American Pale Wheat Ale, 5.80% ABV

[the beer wench]

Recently, I have fallen into a whirlwind love affair with everything Belgian.

The perfect summer Belgian ale is a no brainer! SAISON!!!

Personally. I happen to enjoy Saison Dupont. But there are many other great Belgian saisons as well as American farmhouse-style beers. Mmmm. Hits the spot.

[the beer wench]

I completely agree with drinking IPAs in the summer. In fact, the IPA is my year round go-to style of beer. My favorites include Bell's Two-Hearted Ale, Stone Ruination, and Dogfish Head 60 min IPA. PERFECTO!

Jinja said:

I like a good, crisp, hoppy IPA - most "summer" beers are too sweet for me. I've been enjoying Firestone Walker's Union Jack IPA, and Sierra's Southern Harvest.

Occasionally a hefeweizen hits the spot, and my favorite local version is a 2 mile walk down the road to the original Gordon Biersch.

Jinja Out

[Mike Koch]

I have to concurr...IPAs are awesome in the summer! After all weren't they brewed to endure the heat of an Indian journey?
Ms. Beer Wench...I haven't seen "Saison" locally (Albany, NY), if I can find it somewhere on a "business" trip, I'll report back.
My most recent beer fling has been with Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. Just tastes right.

the beer wench said:

I completely agree with drinking IPAs in the summer. In fact, the IPA is my year round go-to style of beer. My favorites include Bell's Two-Hearted Ale, Stone Ruination, and Dogfish Head 60 min IPA. PERFECTO!

Jinja said:

I like a good, crisp, hoppy IPA - most "summer" beers are too sweet for me. I've been enjoying Firestone Walker's Union Jack IPA, and Sierra's Southern Harvest.

Occasionally a hefeweizen hits the spot, and my favorite local version is a 2 mile walk down the road to the original Gordon Biersch.

Jinja Out

[William Brand]

Personally, when I can get it, I love Hopback Summer Thunderstorm, a strong wheat from the British brewer. It gets imported here from time to time and worth the hunt. Failing that, I'll stick to Pliny.

[Beerbuddha]

I agree with the Beer Wench. Saision Dupont is an incredible summer beer. Is it also completely pathetic that I enjoy Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat? What can I say other than I love the Fruity Pebbles taste. I know. I'm pathetic. I'm sorry if I've let everyone down.

the beer wench said:

Recently, I have fallen into a whirlwind love affair with everything Belgian.

The perfect summer Belgian ale is a no brainer! SAISON!!!

Personally. I happen to enjoy Saison Dupont. But there are many other great Belgian saisons as well as American farmhouse-style beers. Mmmm. Hits the spot.

[Rob DeNunzio]

Have any of you tried Dupont's Avril, their table-strength saison? I've got a bottle of it on standby for an extra-hot outdoor labor day, but haven't tried it yet. Because while I love a saison in the summer (or anytime, really), the promise of a 3.8% version definitely peaked my interest as a way to ward off a thirst born of painful yard work.