Eight Craft Beers to Try This Summer
Image:
Description:
Dogfish Head (above) is well-known for its excellent craft beer, including the award-winning 90 Minute Imperial IPA. (Photos above courtesy of WikiMedia Commons)
As the temperature begins to rise at tracks around the country, I’ve compiled a list of eight craft beers that are sure to combat the balmy weather, while also tingling the taste buds.
It’s time to let the hefty beers collect a little dust in favor of these summery flavors. I’ve gone coast to coast in search of these brews — just kidding, most of them are available at your nearest adult beverage specialty store.
1. Jai Alai IPA – Cigar City Brewing, Tampa Bay, Fla.
Named after the once-glorious, fast-paced game, this IPA touts a citrus finish in a copper hue. After a sip, your mouth will pick up the likes of mango, pineapple, and grapefruit. Grilling up some blackened fish or jerk chicken after a day at the track? This would be the ultimate pairing.
2. Brooklyn Lager – Brooklyn Brewing, New York, N.Y.
The Brooklyn Brewing team put a twist on a classic, Vienna-style lager recipe by dry-hopping the beverage. The result is a subtle, hoppy flavor, that features an aroma that can be described slightly as hay-like. That should be a kicker for this readership. This is the most versatile beverage on the list—perfect for a barbeque on a warm day or served alongside a hearty soup on a chilly night.
3. Schnickelfritz – Urban Chestnut Brewing Company, St. Louis, Mo.
I may be biased here because this is brewed right around the corner from where I completed my undergrad studies, but there’s little doubting this is a Grade 1 beer. The traditional Bavarian hefeweizen style exudes notes of banana, florals, and clove. There’s a lot going on to compliment the bold, traditional Bavarian trademark flavors of a hefeweizen. The beer gets extra tasty if matched up with a smoked cheese and summer sausage platter.
4. Pale Ale (Formerly Yellowfin) – Ballast Point Brewing Company, San Diego, Calif.
For anyone out there who has yet to venture into the land of craft brews, this is an excellent starting point — it’s light, yet extremely flavorful. There’s no need to analyze the complexities here as it has a fairly straight-forward taste. It’s buttery, it’s bready and it’s delicious beer.
5. 90 Minute IPA – Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Del.
Dogfish Head put the double “Imperial” IPA trend on the map with this concoction. The “90 Minute” part of the name is drawn from the timeframe during which hops are continuously added to the boiling wort. Translation: it’s more robust and hoppy than your standard IPA, but that’s what makes it unique. The pungent flavor comes with a steep ABV (9.0), so proceed with extreme caution when imbibing. I’d recommend using it to wash down a pork chop with sautéed apples.
6. Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ – Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, Calif.
The Lagunita’s name is becoming more and more mainstream in the craft beer world and for good reason. Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ is their best effort to date, and as an added bonus it pleases both fans of wheat beers and IPAs. It goes down smooth, yet a bold, hoppy flavor resonates, making it prime choice for craft beer novices.
7. Victory Lager – Victory Brewing Company, Downington, Pa.
Who here doesn’t like winners? Even if you are skunked at the track, this beer will make you feel like a champion. This is a complete 180° from the beer above, in the sense that it starts strong and finishes smooth. Perfect compliment to some pulled pork or BBQ ribs.
8. Old Dominion Oak Barrel Stout – Fordham & Dominion Brewing Co., Dover, Del.
Heavier than every beer on this list, I invite you to think outside the boundaries with this one. Pour over a few scoops of vanilla ice cream and enjoy the meshing of the espresso, oaky flavor, and nuttiness of this brew.