Examiners' Summer Beer Challenge

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June 15, 4:02 PM

by Mark Burlet, Baltimore Drink Examiner

 

 

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

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