Seven Suggested Summer Suds

After three days of 90+ degree heat, Beervana is ready to cool down. Here’s a few suggestions as to beers  that you might find pleasantly refreshing during the dog days of summer.

Kona Wailua Wheat: Grab a little slice of Hawaii by the base of a waterfall with a rainbow overhead.  Or, just imagine that you are there with this passionfruit-infused 5.4% ABV quencher. 100 percent seedless passion fruit purée – not extract or concentrate-is used to produce this distinctly fruity sessionable wheat ale. Since 2003, through special agreement with the Craft Brewers Alliance, Wailua has been brewed in Portland, Oregon and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, as well as still at its original spot on Hawaii’s Big Island. You may not be in Hawaii, but during the summer months, you sure can drink like it.

Newcastle Summer Ale: You might be unaware that Newcastle has any other beer than its quintessential Nut Brown Ale. However, we recently enjoyed a bottle of this proper English golden ale. In an attractive baby blue bottle , this summer brew poured an orange-tinted straw hue with chubby white head. Well carbonated with hints of honey and some bready malts similar to the Nut Brown. A piquant lemony earthy zest resonated with some subtle English hops character. This beer fresh is as good as any summer session. A dry, prickly finish carried waves of the bready zest that quelled our need for summer quenching.

Boneyard Bone-a-Fide Pale: A resinously floral and boldly hopped American style pale ale, these new cats from the Bend brew scene are killing it out the gates with some of the best beers we’ve had from a start up brewery (the Girl Beer, a cherry wheat ale is also a great summer pick!). Citrus, pine, resinous without any cloyingness, the Bone-a-Fide Pale Ale is brewer Tony Lawrence‘s idea to produce a low ABV (around 5% ABV) with a big aroma hop appeal. Somewhere between Three Floyds Gumball Head and Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA, this is a summer surprise . Be on of the first in Portland to try Boneyard’s beers at The BeerMongers July 10, Belmont Station July 24, and The Hop & Vine July 31 (the latter two events will have the Boneyard brew crew in house).

Walking Man Flip-Flop Pilsner: We can’t say enough good things about Walking Man. From the biggest darkest, boldest, boozy brews to light and refreshing brews like this year-round straw colored 4.5% ABV brew, these guys do it right. Brewed with imported German malt and spiced with copious amounts of Noble hops, the name says it all. Whether you’re kicking it on the Columbia Gorge, by the Pacific Ocean, or just enjoying a shady spot in the Valley, Flip-Flop is an immaculate American brewer’s interpretation of a lovely traditional Bavarian brew.

Pelican Heiferweizen: Pelican can brew no wrong. This invigorating witbier is a Tillamook County classic. Yellow in color and a little hazy in appearance because it is unfiltered, this wheat brew has a snappy but mellow flavor, and a a smooth, dry finish. Heiferweizen is fermented with Belgian-type yeast and lightly spiced with orange peel, coriander and cardamom for a light, delicious fruity-spicy character. Using organic 2-row malt, wheat malt,flaked barley, flaked wheat with dual purpose Sterling hops, this you might want to grab a 22-ounce bottle today. Also check out Pelican’s Surfer’s Summer Ale.

Vertigo Cyclone Cream Ale: This beer was our go-to brew last summer when the mercury was reading 100. Go to the brewery in Hillsboro, Oregon and get a keg or a growler fill of this or the Apricot version. Cyclone features Pale and Crystal malts that carry this light 4.6% ABV brew, and is spices with Mt. Hood and Saaz hops, knocks back easily, and pairs great with most barbecued grub.

Laurelwood Altenberg Smoked Lager: Don’t be afraid of the rauchbier. This Laurelwood specialty would make our day if it would be a perennial release. A subtle and quenching Pilsner brewed with German beechwood smoked malt-not a campfire or liquid smoke in a bottle. Soft sweet upfront with delicate smoke and a dry, grassily hopped finish. That’s it, we’re going to find this one right now…

Got any picks for a nice summer ale or lager, feel free to let us know!