Seven Beers of Summer

Seven Beers of Summer



Renzo said it best: The heat came strong and fearless this year and we all need

something refreshing in our cups and koozies. Beer it is… but not too bitter,

certainly not too sweet. Perhaps something sour could satisfy our soif. Voilà, the

seven hottest beers to keep you cool during the dreaded dog days.

7. BROOKLYN SUMMER ALE ~ This wellbalanced

English Pale Ale is even cooler than Williamsburg itself. Using English pale malts and both German and American hops, Brooklyn Summer is a thirst quenching quaff coming in cans for those beach and backyard gatherings… Go Vibes!

6. TWO ROADS OL' FACTORY ~ On the subject of

backyards, there's a new brewery just in ours. Take the

road less traveled by taking Exit 31 Honeyspot Road

and take a tour of Two Roads. A favorite of ours at

Harry's in Fairfield, this reliable Pilsner is dry-hopped,

again using a variety of German and American hops.

Thanks Phil, for retuning this traditional German

classic!

5. HARVISTOUN SCHIEHALLION ~ Perhaps a wee

lighter than we might expect from Scotland, let alone from the producer of Ola Dubh, this is perhaps the most well balanced beer on the list. Using lager yeast, at warmer than typical temperatures, this <<Scottish India Pale Lager>> is very clean, slightly malty, just hoppy enough, and fruity for sure… the brewery claims grapefruit, but we'll leave it up to you. Have no predispositions…

4. MAINE BEER COMPANY MO ~ For a long time we

have awaited this liquid to trickle down to Connecticut. Mo

is an American Pale Ale made of three different barley malts

with the interesting addition of red wheat yielding a refreshing mouthfeel balanced by good old American Hops. Peep Peeper Ale and lookout for Lunch! By the way,

Maine Beer Company is a proud member of 1% for the

Planet, giving back a portion of our sales to environmental groups around the world. Learn more at
www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

3. SOUTHERN TIER COMPASS ~ For those hot

summer nights when you want to cool down and kick up

the ABV, grab a Compass. An American Sparkling

Golden Ale inspired by the Belgian Tripel, the Compass

points towards rose-hips to soften its inner-animal, and

so-called citrusy hops for invigorating equilibrium. Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee; soft and effervescent, weighing in at 9% ABV.

2. BFM

√225 ~ Another mysterious beer from Brasserie Franches Montagnes.

This <<Historical Saison>> comes to us celebrating the 15th anniversary of the brewery, From the village of Jura near Genève in Switzerland, this Belgian Style

Farmhouse has been matured in barrels which once held BFM's Bière de Garde, l'Abbaye de Saint Bon Chien. The time spent in the Saint Good Dog barrels imparts a delicate and playful tartness in taste and acidity in scent. An excellent replacement for whites or rosés, and overall a beautiful interpretation of the summer style, Saison.

1. BAYERISCHER BAHNHOF ~ One of our favorite styles, this Berliner Style Weiss coming from Leipzig slakes the craving craze of the even the sourest

of beers… Made from 52% wheat and 48% pilsner malt, the Bayerischer Bahnhof uses a form of open fermentation and lactobacillus cultures to deliver a delightfully puckering lactic acidity. In Berlin, it is customary to add a shot of raspberry or woodruff syrup, but we'll take this one straight up…