Summer Beer: Exploring the Best Styles for Hot Days

Posted on May 24th, 2024

As the days grow longer, nothing beats the satisfaction of sipping a cold beer on a hot summer day.

Choosing the right summer beer can elevate your seasonal enjoyment, complementing the flavors of your favorite summer dishes and providing a refreshing escape from the heat.

In this blog post, we will explore the best beer styles for summer, providing you with insights into their characteristics, tasting notes, and ideal food pairings.

Importance of Enjoying the Right Beer During Summer

The right summer beer can make all the difference in your warm-weather experience.

Summer beers are typically lighter, crisper, and more refreshing than their winter counterparts.

They are designed to be enjoyed in the sunshine, often with lower alcohol content to keep you hydrated and alert during those long, lazy days.

Understanding the different styles available can help you select the perfect brew for any summer occasion, from barbecues to beach trips.

Overview of Popular Summer Beer Styles

There are several beer styles that are particularly well-suited for summer. These include wheat beers, pilsners, pale ales and IPAs, sours and goses, lagers, fruit beers, and sessionable beers.

Wheat Beers

Definition and Characteristics of Wheat Beers

Wheat has a distinctive, hazy appearance and a light, refreshing taste. They are often unfiltered and feature a smooth, creamy mouthfeel.

Examples of Popular Wheat Beer Styles

1. Hefeweizen: A German-style wheat beer known for its cloudy appearance and flavors of banana and clove.
2. Witbier: A Belgian-style wheat beer brewed with spices such as coriander and orange peel, offering a zesty, citrusy flavor.

Wheat beers are typically light and refreshing, with flavors ranging from fruity and spicy to slightly tart. They pair well with light summer dishes such as salads, seafood, and grilled chicken.

Pilsners

Pilsners are a type of pale lager that originated in the Czech Republic. They are known for their clear, golden color, crisp taste, and floral hop aroma.

Examples of Popular Pilsner Styles

1. Czech Pilsner: Known for its balanced malt sweetness and bitter hop finish.
2. German Pilsner: Typically drier and more hop-forward than its Czech counterpart.

Pilsners are characterized by their crisp, clean taste and moderate bitterness. They pair well with a variety of foods, including sausages, pretzels, and grilled vegetables.

Pale Ales and IPAs

Pale ales and IPAs (India Pale Ales) are known for their hop-forward flavors and aromas. Pale ales are generally balanced, with moderate hop bitterness, while IPAs are more intense, with higher hop levels and alcohol content.

Examples of Popular Styles

1. American Pale Ale: Balanced with a mild hop flavor and a caramel malt backbone.
2. West Coast IPA: Highly hopped with a strong pine and citrus aroma.
3. New England IPA: Known for its hazy appearance and juicy, tropical fruit flavors.

Pale ales and IPAs offer a wide range of hop flavors, from citrusy and fruity to piney and resinous. They pair well with bold, flavorful foods such as burgers, spicy dishes, and sharp cheeses.

Sours and Goses

Sours and goses are beers that are intentionally brewed to have a tart, acidic taste. Sours can vary widely in their flavor profiles, while goses are a specific type of sour beer that includes salt and coriander.

Examples of Popular Styles

1. Berliner Weisse: A light, tart wheat beer often served with flavored syrups.
2. Flanders Red Ale: A complex, fruity sour beer aged in oak barrels.
3. Gose: A salty, slightly sour beer with a hint of coriander.

Sours and goses are known for their refreshing tartness and can range from mildly tangy to intensely sour. They pair well with fresh fruit, salads, and tangy cheeses.

Lagers

Lagers are a diverse category of beers that are fermented at lower temperatures, resulting in a clean, crisp taste. They can range from light and refreshing to rich and malty.

Examples of Popular Lager Styles

1. American Lager: Light-bodied and highly carbonated, with a mild flavor.
2. Vienna Lager: Amber-colored with a malty sweetness.
3. Dortmunder Export: A balanced, slightly malty lager with a smooth finish.

Lagers are typically smooth and easy-drinking, making them a versatile choice for summer. They pair well with a wide range of foods, including pizza, sandwiches, and grilled meats.

Fruit Beers

Fruit beers are brewed with the addition of real fruit or fruit extracts, giving them a fruity aroma and flavor. They can be sweet, tart, or somewhere in between.

Examples of Popular Styles

1. Fruit Lambic: A Belgian-style sour beer brewed with fruit such as cherries or raspberries.
2. Fruit Wheat Beer: A wheat beer brewed with fruit for added flavor.
3. Fruit Sour: A sour beer brewed with fruit for a tart, fruity taste.

Fruit beers offer a refreshing burst of fruity flavor, making them a great choice for summer. They pair well with light desserts, salads, and soft cheeses.

Sessionable Beers

Sessionable beers are low-alcohol beers that are designed for easy drinking over an extended period. They are typically light and refreshing, with moderate flavors.

Examples of Popular Styles

1. Session IPA: A lower-alcohol IPA with a hop-forward flavor.
2. Session Pale Ale: A lighter version of a pale ale, with balanced flavors.
3. Session Lager: A light, crisp lager with a low alcohol content.

Sessionable beers are perfect for long summer days, offering refreshing flavors without the heaviness of higher-alcohol beers. They pair well with snacks, appetizers, and grilled foods.

Discover Mojave Brewing Company's Finest Brews

At Mojave Brewing Company, we craft high-quality summer beers using the freshest ingredients for an incomparable taste.

Each beer is tailored to provide the perfect flavor profile, making our brews the best in Henderson, Nevada.

We’re passionate about beer, and this dedication shines through in every sip. Visit Mojave Brewing Company to experience the craftsmanship and superior quality of our summer beers.

There's no substitute for quality, and you’ll taste the difference with Mojave Brewing Company!

Recap of Summer Beer Styles

As the days grow longer, nothing beats the satisfaction of sipping a cold beer on a hot summer day.

Choosing the right summer beer can elevate your enjoyment, complementing the flavors of your favorite dishes and providing a refreshing escape from the heat.

At Mojave Brewing Company, we craft high-quality summer beers using the freshest ingredients for an incomparable taste.

Each beer is tailored to provide the perfect flavor profile, making our brews the best in Henderson, Nevada.

Reach out to us at (725) 204-1387 or [email protected] and discover your new favorite summer beer!