The 10 Best Beers of the Summer

We spent a suds-soaked session taste-testing all the summer brews we could lay our hands on. Three days later we woke up and wrote our reviews.

We spent a suds-soaked session taste-testing all the summer brews we could lay our hands on. Three days later we woke up and wrote our reviews.

1.  Anchor Brewing Summer Beer  (San Francisco), 4.5% Alcohol by Volume


Given its bright, refreshing flavor, you wouldn’t know this was a wheat beer, but the thick, frothy head is a dead giveaway.

Tester’s take: “This would be the perfect beer to drink at the ballpark while screaming horrible things at the visiting team.”

2.  Newcastle Summer Ale (Newcastle, UK), 4.4% ABV


Grassier than a ball field and more floral than a lei, this English offering is positively smashing, we say.

Tester’s take: “This delicious ale gives me a Big Ben–size beer boner.”

3.  Bohemia  (Monterrey, Mexico), 4.7% ABV


Every sip of this staff favorite is a Bohe¬mian rhapsody. And while it may hail from Mexico, you’ll want to skip the lime.

Tester’s take: “ I want it with sausages and barbecue. Now.”

4.  Brooklyn Brewery Summer Ale  (Brooklyn, NY)  5.0% ABV


A light English-style ale made from American and German hops. It’s like World War II never happened!

Tester’s take: “Light, smooth, and tasty. I’d drink this all day, then call my Dad and yell about the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn.”

5.  Bud Light Platinum (St. Louis),  6.0% ABV


When typical 4.2% Bud Light won’t do the trick, hit the platinum.

Tester’s take: “Perfect pregamer. More, please!”

6. Chimay Tripel (Belgium), 8.0% ABV


Now celebrating their 150th anniversary, the venerable Belgian brothers at Chimay offer up this heavyweight white ale.

Tester’s take: “Awesome! Great head on it, great flavor. The monks bring the funk!”

7. Goose Island Summertime (Chicago), 4.7% ABV


A traditional German-style Kölsch beer tweaked for the summer months.

Tester’s take: “Frothy, clean, and sweet. It’s light enough to drink all day but has fun complexities that make my tongue happy.”

8.  Shock Top Lemon Shandy (St. Louis), 4.2% ABV


Is a shandy a beer? Sure, why the hell not? The reimagined beer-citrus hybrid makes for an excellent summer refresher.

Tester’s take: “Surprisingly good! Not too sweet.”

9.  Tröegs Sunshine Pils (Hershey, PA),  4.5% ABV


Hoppier than Bugs Bunny on Ritalin, this award-winning pilsner pairs up perfectly with seafood.

Tester’s take: “A little bit bitter and dry, much like my wife. Please don’t print that—she reads this.”

10.  Victory Brewing Summer Love Ale (Downington, PA), 5.2% ABV


The summer of love was filled with the pungent aromas of Miss Mary Jane. No wonder this seasonal offering is so herbalicious.

Tester’s take: “I liked this, although it tasted a bit like weed (not that I know what weed tastes like).”