Summer Quaffs

Every now and again, some beer-lover will put in a list of top beers you must try--here is someone suggesting 10 "summer" beers. I can't say I agree with this list--they included PBR, which I find to be rather headache inducing--but what I do like about lists like this is they invariable include a beer or two I haven't tried and will make me notice them when I see them in the store or in a bar.

Good summer beers tend to be lighter and smoother (or even fruitier) than cold-weather quaffs, which is why hefe-weissens are popular at this time. Think of a hot day on a patio or in a park, with burgers or sandwiches and cracking open a cold refreshing brew--that's a summer beer! Of course it's also acceptable to go low-rent with something like a Miller Lite (or PBR, if that's your bag, baby) at times like this. My own suggestions:

1) Corona. Corona is just so associated with warm weather--part of it's their marketing, part of it the fact that it's a Mexican beer, and tends to be light and goes well with a slice of lime.

2) Red Stripe. This Jamaican beer always goes well with vacation.

3) The light stuff. Coors Light is one of the wateriest beers out there, and the silver bullet can (ha, yes, can! We're talking low rent here, friends) even reflects sunlight so can stay colder longer. After mowing a lawn on a hot day, this goes well when on a hammock.

4) Light ales and summer wheat beers. Breweries like Sam Adams, Saranac, Dominion and Sierra Nevada (not to mention smaller breweries around the country) will often produce seasonal beers worth trying, and the summer beers will go great here.

5) Belgian fruity ales. Many of these tend to be a bit sweet, and might be an acquired taste for someone who is used to the more bitter taste of beer, but can be worth a try.