Beer on the beach? So crazy it just might work... 

Your favorite person in the world (that's me) has returned from a week-long exile at one of the nation's largest gatherings of geek-hood, held this year in Orlando. While I won't go into details about my time down there (to spare you from boredom... not because anything "What happens in Vegas"-like occurred down there), I did happen to notice a strange phenomenon...

It was H-O-T!

And looking at the Weather Channel's website, I noticed it wasn't only in the South. Seeing that Baltimore and Orlando each fired up to 99 degrees on the same day was enough for me to (briefly) think myself lucky for being stuck in the air-conditioned expanse of the Orange County Convention Center for 12 hours a day. This combination of over-working and ridiculous heat got me to thinking... or rather to drinking... about good summer beers. So in those rare moments I wasn't working, or attending work-related events, I managed to sample the occasional Blue Moon or Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat. These are two of many lighter, crisper beverages that help slake the estival thirst. What my parents would refer to... back on those steamy New Orleans Saturdays, standing in front of the family homebrew supply store, brewing up a hoppy golden lager for the customers... as a "lawnmower beer", i.e. a beer you'd enjoy drinking to cool off after (or while) mowing the lawn on a sunny day, in case you didn't make that connection.

But I was thirsting, quite literally, for something more. Something different. So when Men's Style Examiner, Stile E. Coyote, approached several fellow Examiners about posting a list of the finest summer brews, I was intrigued. His choices definitely make for a tasty collection of refreshing beers. And with his mouthwatering descriptions and the running commentary from National Beer Examiner and homebrewing celebrity Charlie Papazian, you can definitely get an idea of what you're drinking ahead of time. In response, I have concocted this selection of some of my personal faves. Feel free to rant and rave about those you hate, or complain loudly that your favorite was omitted. But if you haven't tried any of these, make an effort to do so... you may just be pleasantly surprised, and refreshed. Here we go...

The Drunken Intellectual's Summer Beer Recommendations

Heavy Seas Loose Cannon: A local favorite, made by the guys at Clipper City here in Baltimore, this is a great hoppy brew with a big, crisp, citrusy taste that really cools you off without boring the palate. Great in the bottle, but if you can find it on tap... never leave that bar.

Hoegaarden: This is a typical thirst-quenching witbier in the Belgian style, made by some good folks in Belgium, no less. Not as hoppy as it could be, but definitely a light, refreshing beer.  A great "first beer", for coming out of the sun, that won't overpower the senses as you gulp it down.

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA: This is one of an outstanding line of IPA's from the Dogfish Head brewery in nearby Delaware. I find there are hops-a-plenty in this one, but you hop-heads give the 90 Minute and 120 Minute (and the harder to find 75 Minute) IPA's a shot. Dangerous.

Blue Moon: Not my absolute favorite, but it's always a good summer default. Brewed (surreptitiously) by Coors, it is easy to find, even at the least craft-beer-friendly bars. Use a slice of orange to enhance the orange flavor (and color) that pervades this light wheat brew.

Saison de Brooklyn: Definitely my favorite of the many quality brews offered by the Brooklyn Brewery. Has that honey-banana-clove thing going on that many Belgian-style brews tend to overdo, but this one gets just right... Hard to find these days, so if you get your hands on some, let me know!

Abita Amber: I wouldn't be a good New Orleans boy if I didn't include an Abita on my list. That said, others may question my choice of a Märzen-style brew for the summer, instead preferring the Purple Haze, but this one is good anytime. And unlike my favorite winter Abita, Turbodog, it has a light mouthfeel (for the style) that belies its caramel coloring. Always have a few in my fridge.

Otter Creek ESB: I'm always up for a good pint of English bitters, even if it comes from Vermont. And I especially love them on tap in the summer months. Bottles are fine, but the flavor really seems to come out in the pour with a tall, fat glass. Some nice hops and a balanced bitterness makes this one Extra Special. (Sorry!)

Tröegs Hopback Amber Ale: This is another darker choice, but still with a clean, crisp texture and a nice hoppy bite at the finish. Definitely a smooth-drinking brew perfect for those with an aversion to the lighter beers. Whatever your preference, Tröegs just always seems to get it right...

Brewer's Art Ozzy Ale: So this is definitely a shout out to my Baltimore peeps. Not sure if this is available anywhere other than on tap at the Brewer's Art pub, but it's definitely a more summer-friendly brew than the more popular and widely available, yet still ridiculously good, Resurrection. With a smooth, dry feel, this beautiful golden beer goes down a bit too easily... although the Belgian Strong Ale characteristics (namely, the 7.25% abv) advise one to drink slowly.

Magic Hat Odd Notion: A well-known brewery, but not a very well-known beer, sadly. Discovered on tap at one of my favorite bars (JD's Smokehouse), it quickly became my pre- (and post-) softball favorite. As I do prefer a little darker beer at times, this reddish-brown ale is no surprise, but it definitely lives up to the name, not really fitting perfectly into any one category. It may be a little sweet for some, but the hoppiness balances it well in my mind... and more importantly, my mouth.

So thats where I'll draw the line for now.  There are surely more "traditional" summer ales, like the Sam Adams or Sierra Nevada offerings, that aren't on this list, but I like a little variety in my drinking, no matter the season. I can even pull off a Guinness every now and then on a cool-ish summer evening. But no matter if I'm drinking in a breezy palapa bar on the coast of Mexico or at a resort on the beach in 95 degree weather, I'll still be staying away from the Corona...

Thank you very much!

Mark Burlet
Drunken Intellectual

Earth Day is a day of awareness. Of acceptance of your fellow man and reverence for our Mother Earth. It is a day to celebrate and promote environmentalism, energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture. Basically it's a tree-hugger's wet dream.

That's not to say I'm not an environmentalist myself. I walk to work (and most everywhere else), shop at Whole Foods, contribute to the Sierra Club and even use those squiggly light bulbs. I understand the benefits of responsible farming and the threat of disappearing wetlands. But I'm not some holier-than-thou, bumper-sticker-flaunting activist. I feel there is a place and a time for beating people over the head with your beliefs, and it is not here and now.

Having gotten that out of the way, there is something to be said for supporting the Earth Day movement. My day job held a few Earth Day awareness activities on Tuesday (which were, unsurprisingly, not very well attended) and did a pretty good job of showing how things could be "greener". (And did I mention that I was the only one in the company who got all five Earth Day trivia questions right? I didn't mention that? How did that slip my mind?) One thing that didn't come up, sadly, was the latest trend in brewing... organic beer. You heard me right, but I'll say it again a little louder... organic beer! Examples of this have been around for a while now, but it's starting to sprout up (pun intended) right here in our backyard.
On April 9th, Clipper City... Hugh Sisson's Baltimore-based craft brewery... announced the launch of the all-organic line of beer under the banner of "Oxford Organic Ales". I have yet to locate said phantom brew, but I'd be more than happy to give either the Amber of Raspberry Wheat a healthy quaff. But don't take my word for it, here is the press release from Clipper City, which explains the "organic" label and their reasons for heading in that direction.

Enjoy... and stay green!

CLIPPER CITY BREWING COMPANY GOES ORGANIC

Baltimore Based Brewery Announces New Line – “Oxford Organic Ales”

Baltimore, MD - Clipper City Brewing Company, the Maryland-based brewer of quality craft beers, today announced the release of their new “Oxford Organic Ales” line of beers. Starting with two new beers - Oxford Class Organic Amber Ale and Oxford Organic Raspberry Wheat Beer – the products will become available at the beginning of April.

“There is a natural connection between craft brewers and organic farmers,” said Hugh Sisson, Clipper City’s managing partner. “We both make all natural products, in small batches by hand, to the highest possible quality standards. This new product line is our way of partnering with those farmers who are committed to the organic, sustainable production of natural foods.”

The Oxford Class Organic Amber Ale is a classic amber ale with biscuit and caramel malt flavors, and just enough hops for a crisp finish. The Oxford Organic Raspberry Wheat Beer is an organic wheat beer flavored with real raspberries. An American version of a Belgian classic.

“The Maryland Department of Agriculture is accredited by the USDA's National Organic Program to certify producers of organic products,” said Deanna Baldwin, program manager of Food Quality Assurance for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. “Prior to certification, operations must submit an organic system plan that is reviewed and inspected by MDA to ensure products are produced in compliance with the National Organic Program. Clipper City Brewing has met these requirements and is certified by MDA to produce organic beer.”

In order for a product to be labeled “organic” it must contain at least 95% certified organic raw materials. The balance can be non-certified if the ingredient is not commercially available in organic form. Anything under 95% and above 70% organic raw materials can be labeled “made with organic ingredients.”

Clipper City Brewing Company was founded in 1995 by Baltimore brewing pioneer, Hugh Sisson. The brewery is named for the famous Baltimore Clipper ship, a symbol that embodies Baltimore’s maritime heritage and a commitment to craftsmanship of the highest caliber. In addition to the “Oxford Organic Ales” line of beers, Clipper City’s portfolio of products includes the “Clipper City” and “Heavy Seas” brands. Clipper City has been in operation for more than a decade and markets fine beers in 18 states, as well as the District of Columbia.

--- www.ClipperCityBeer.com ---