Nothing says “summer is here” like hot, sticky, 90 degree days in Chicago. Am I right or am I right? And nothing cools down your sweaty palms like a nice cold beer. Presented below are my top five summer beers.
5. Fat Tire Amber Ale
Fat Tire is brewed by New Belgium Brewery in lovely Ft. Collins, CO. They are known almost as much for their innovative and eco-friendly brewing practices as they are for their beer. Fat Tire (as are the others) is spectacular year-round, but the nice hops/malt balance is perfect for hot summer days. It is way to easy to knock back a few of these after a day of hiking, biking, or doing nothing.
4. Old Style
The best place for an Old Style is the ballpark. More specifically, the best place is Wrigley Field. Whether you prefer the bleacher seats or something more refined, a nice cold Old Style is perfect to wash down a few hot dogs or a bag of peanuts. This classic American lager goes down smooth and easy. This is evident by the vast number of people that stagger out of Wrigley after every Cubs home game.
3. Straub Beer
Straub comes from beautiful St. Marys in the hills of west-central Pennsylvania. They don’t use any added sugars, salts, or preservatives. This is only beer. Straub Beer is another American lager that is light in color and taste but oh so tasty. Whenever we go back to visit my wife’s family, we always bring a few cases of Straub back with us. Definitely a much better alternative to another PA brew, Yuengling.
2. Alpha King Pale Ale
This beer is a hop-lover’s dream come true. This is a pale ale with a citrus aroma but is dominated by the hops flavors. Three Floyd’s brews a ton of great beers from their home in Munster, IN. I suggest sipping on an Alpha King while relaxing on your porch or deck and soaking up the sun.
1. Bell’s Oberon
Ahhh…the true taste of summer. Oberon is only available from April until September. It is a bit spicy with a fruity aroma that is perfect for hot summer days. Located in downtown Kalamazoo, MI, the Kalamazoo brewing Company brews a number of my favorite beers, Oberon included. If you are ever in the neighborhood you should definitely stop by and visit their awesome beer garden. We have made a few trips to Kalamazoo just to stop at Bell’s.
All that beer will wash these tasty MP3’s down right. Just listen. They are good. Instead of me telling you about them beforehand, how about you let me know what you think after listening. Okay?
MP3 | The Decemberists – 16 Military Wives Picaresque
MP3 | Caribou – Pelican Narrows The Milk Of Human Kindness
…pass me a straub…
I LOVE fat tire…when I first started bartending I had never even heard of it and I called it flat tire..that’s pretty common though I suppose
You said you would post Bloc Party!
Ok, here’s my top five (sans descriptions)!
5. Duvel…anytime of the year!
4. Stella Artois
3. Old Style’s on my list, too. Go CUBS!
2. Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale.
1. Bufallo Bill’s Orange Blossom Cream Ale.
SHit! I forgot the Yuengling! Can I have SIX?!
My Top 5
5. Harpoon Summer
4. Theakston’s Old Peculiar (I can drink this in any season)
3. Brooklyn Pennant ’55
2. Stella Artois
1. Blue Point Toasted Ale
Oh, I have another…Johnny Courage Pale Ale!!!
OK, you have to burn Caribou for me. Shhh. And that Wilco Bonus EP. I never got it. And while you’re at it…the book CD too!
Can you be my Best Buy?
I can be your Best Buy if you really want me to, but only if I can call you Al.
All – Good submissions on favorite summer brews! I don’t like Orange Cream Ale, sorry Mr. Be-Trusted. I also think that Stella is way overrated. It tastes like Budweiser to me, but to each his/her own.
i’m a teetotaler and have nothing significant to add to this conversation. yippie for lemonade.