I'm partial to free beer, but I have some respect left so I won't take swill.Here's a couple of options for the summer when it's hot and some cool and crisp is needed without being too heavy.
First, for all you Yankees up there enjoying your clam bakes, here's something to try.
http://www.usatoday.com/experience/...ything-dead-rise-old-bay-summer-ale/11397301/
Recently, a PR firm promoting Baltimore's craft beer scene sent us a sample of beer seasoned with Old Bay, brewed by Flying Dog. Our office tasters were skeptical of this concoction of barley, hops, celery salt, white and black pepper, and garlic salt, but then they tasted it.
"Backyard crab feast in a bottle," said one taster. "This beer screams summer picnic," said another. "Further proves the point that a sprinkle of Old Bay enhances just about anything." A third taster, who deemed the beer "AMAZING," said, "This is what I will be drinking all summer.
Secondly, a cider for those who enjoy them.
http://www.pnj.com/story/entertainm...n-try-cider-worthy-johnny-appleseed/11353533/
Ace Cider out of Sebastopol, Calif., has a beauty for us. Joker is palest gold, with pretty jet-streams of bubbles racing to the top. Vinous notes of traditional French Chardonnay here, along with fresh green apple and a touch of pear in the nose and on the palate. I’m guessing its crisp, effervescent texture is owed to Champagne yeast. It all comes together for a mouth-wateringly satisfying beverage.
might need to taste that one!Not sure if this qualifies as a summer beer, but been drinking a lot of "Surly Cynic" lately. Kind of fits my overall disposition, and doesnn't taste like total dogcrap.
Curious Traveler. Its a lemon shandy type thing. I love it for summer. Just tried it the other day.
Porch Rocker by Sam Adams. Another lemon one but less sweet. Delicious.
Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy -Leinenkugel Brewing Company. This is between the two above in terms of flavor.
A summer beer that doesn't belong in the juice aisle. So so good.Founder's All Day IPA. Stuff is fantastic.
Amstel Radler is more lemony than Sam Adams Porch Rocker (which they describe on the neck label as Sam's version of a radler). The Amstel should really hit the spot on a hot day this summer. However, I have been hoping to find something between Porch Rocker and the Amstel. Because of your description of the Leinenkugel I'll try that one. I wish a couple of breweries from Bavaria would export their Radlers - they are always great in the beer tents at the summer fests.
Last week I tried Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen-Mix Grapefruit, sort of a Radler with wheat beer, but with a decidedly grapefruit flavor.
Summer Shandy was good until I tried the Porch Rocker.
I recently heard about the Del's. Forgot to look for it.That German grapefruit beer is the worst beer I have ever bought.
Not that it tasted that bad but it was only has 2.5% alcohol but it comes in a 11.2 oz bottle. WTF? If I really want grapefruit I’ll just get grapefruit juice. There another grapefruit beer by UFO that is equally as good. F the Germans (except for Giffey of course). As for the shandy I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Narragansett Del’s Shandy. Very hard to find but I recommend it. Only come sin 16oz cans but it’s better than Porch Rocker and Leinenkugels.
If you like fruity beers (not that there's anything wrong with that) Hooker has some good summer beers, Hooker Blonde and Hooker Watermelon. Blue Point Blueberry and Summer Ale are also good.Went to a Vibes concert two summers ago and fell in love with the L'kugel shandy. Then discovered Curious Traveler and liked it better. And then...discoverd the Porch Rocker and love love love that . I see the Traveler has a grapefruit concoction, the Illusive Traveler. Will have to try it.
So Dove's summer brews are: Porch Rocker while supplies last, Modelo Especial, Landsharks and the occasional experimental 6-pack.
Ha, thought you were going to say it was good until the next day. My nephew swore off it after a really hot day of golf.Summer Shandy was good until I tried the Porch Rocker.
Went to a Vibes concert two summers ago and fell in love with the L'kugel shandy. Then discovered Curious Traveler and liked it better. And then...discoverd the Porch Rocker and love love love that . I see the Traveler has a grapefruit concoction, the Illusive Traveler. Will have to try it.
So Dove's summer brews are: Porch Rocker while supplies last, Modelo Especial, Landsharks and the occasional experimental 6-pack.