This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ian Ferdock. Find him on Instagram at @ianferdock. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
What’s one to do under the scorching heat of the summer sun? The best medicine to beat the heat is undoubtedly cracking open a crisp, ice-cold beer. But not all beers are created equal. One does not simply drink a stout mid-summer. Instead, summer ought to be filled with lagers, pilsners, and pale ales. With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of some good summer beers.
Now I’ll be the first to admit that variety is the spice of life, but when it comes to good summer beers it’s best to stay on the lighter side of the spectrum. That said, you can still find a solid mix of beers to meet your needs without getting too boring. Generally, I am a big proponent of sticking to local microbreweries and craft beer, but since I want this list to be accessible, I’m going to stick to some bigger brands that can be found all over the US. However, keep in mind that most of these beers are available in comparable styles locally. If you want the freshest summer beer possible, head down to your local brewery instead.
Lagers
Arguably the most basic beer ever is a trusty lager. They are simple and plain, but that’s what makes them so great in the heat of summer. When all you want is to quench your thirst and cool down from the inside out, you never want to get bogged down by intense flavors.
My personal, post-grass-cutting favorite will always be Coors Light. To me, it’s not too far off from water but when you are genuinely hot as hell there’s nothing better.
If you want to have a bit more fun, then perhaps opt for a Corona. It’s another big-name lager that is quite popular for good reason. They always pair well with sitting on a patio on a warm evening while gorging yourself on chips and salsa. A second great beer for this vibe is Dos Equis. The more traditional Lager Especial is fantastic, but in my humble opinion, the Ambar Especial is even better.
Now if you want to branch out to some less stereotypical options, I recommend Red Stripe. This wonderful brew hails from Jamacia, and it’s widely available. The taste is a bit simple, but the advantage of that is it pairs well with everything.
Pilsners
If lagers are a bit too boring for you but you don’t want something quite as hoppy as an IPA, then pilsners may be your best bet. Pilsners are some of my favorite beers because they definitely have more flavor than a basic lager, but they are never too overwhelming. Technically, pilsners are a sub-type of lagers as they use the same fermentation techniques, but they still have a distinct taste and enhanced crispiness.
My all-time favorite mass-produced beer is Stella Artois. Quite frankly it hits well in every season, but it is always extra refreshing during summer. There is a bit of a debate over whether it is just a lager, or a pilsner-style lager, or a straight-up pilsner. However, who cares because it’s delicious either way?
A close second and incredibly similar beer is Czechvar. I only recently tried this beer, but it just about knocked my socks off because of how refreshing and crisp it is. It can be a bit more difficult to find, but if you do come across it, I highly recommend picking up a 6 pack.
The best American pilsner I have ever tried is North Coast’s Scrimshaw. It is 10/10 perfection. Similar to Czechvar, it is not the easiest to find and it is technically a craft beer. However, North Coast has a large distribution network so it shouldn’t be too hard to locate.
If you want to talk about pilsners, you can’t ignore the one that started it all. Pilsner Urquell is the original pilsner, from which all that came after can draw their routes. It is certifiably iconic and is one of the best summer beers.
Pale Ales/IPAs
When pilsners still aren’t doing the job, it’s time to move on to a pale ale or an IPA. These beers pack in a ton more flavor, so if you aren’t a fan of a more basic taste then these may be good summer beers for you.
One of my favorite pale ales that are super easy to find is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It’s not too complex but it has quite a bit of flavor to keep you coming back for more. It’s citrusy, piney, and great with a backyard BBQ. Founder’s also makes an impressive pale ale. Lagunitas Pale Ale is also admirable, but I would argue that it is closer to a true IPA with its aggressive hoppiness.
To go one step further on your quest for complex flavors you need to enter the realm of IPAs. I couldn’t possibly list all the different subtypes, but I will discuss a few top options for summer.
Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing is certainly a terrific choice and is one of my favorite hazy IPAs. But if you want to avoid the intimidating ABV of some IPAs maybe go for a Harpoon IPA. Harpoon makes a great American IPA that is quite distinct as it incorporates the expected hop flavor with some well-balanced fruity notes as well.
There are also Juicy IPAs. I was torn on whether I should even discuss them. They tend to make me want to gag, but if you like fruity beers I can understand their desirability and potential to be a good summer beer if that’s your thing. However, I cannot recommend a specific beer in good faith because I just can’t stand them. When it comes to the best IPAs for summer, I think piney and floral notes prevail but to each their own.
Wheat Ales
I love wheat ales. Genuinely, I really do. But I only tend to like them when I’m sweating. I couldn’t tell you why, it’s just the way it is. For that very reason, they fit well in the good summer beer category.
The most generic option is Blue Moon, a Belgian-style wheat ale traditionally served with a slice of orange. This will probably be the easiest to find in the US.
However, if you want a more authentic flavor profile, you’ll need to upgrade to Hoegaarden. It has hints of both orange and banana as well as a classic haze because it is unfiltered. Paulaner Hefe-Weizen and Weihenstephaner Hefe Weissbier are both fantastic options as well. When it comes to wheat ales, nobody does it as well as Germany and Belgium.
One honorable mention that doesn’t quite fit into any of the broader categories we’ve discussed is a beer I have a complicated relationship with. I don’t love it, but I also don’t hate it. It does undoubtedly taste like summer though. To get a tad bit tropical, perhaps you’ll fancy a Kona Big Wave. It is a golden ale from Hawaii that is a little too fruity for me, but overall, it’s pretty mild with a slight pineapple taste. To balance out its fruity nature, I think it pairs well with spicy food.
Go Try Some Good Summer Beers!
What are you still reading for? Go get out there and enjoy the summer by cracking open a cold one with friends. I know our generation has a complicated relationship with alcohol, so it is worth noting that there are more low-ABV or alcohol-free options out there than ever before if that’s more your thing. Nonetheless, put down your phone and enjoy some nature with a great drink in hand!
Let us know what you think makes a good summer beer! What are your recommendations? Comment below!
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