Summer is the perfect time to kick back and relax, and we know that nothing makes a hot summer day quite so good as a nice, cold beer or hard cider in hand! Summertime brews are about as good as it gets, with light ales and refreshing flavors of tart and sweet fruits that perfectly complement barbecues and beach days. Here are some of the best seasonal summer beers and ciders you can find right now!
Summer Love | Victory Brewing Company
ABV: 5.2%
Style: Golden Ale
If you’ve ordered drinks anywhere in Philly in recent months, you’ve definitely noticed that Victory’s Summer Love is offered everywhere you turn. A golden-hued ale with bursts of lemon and earthy hops, Summer Love is excellent with pizza, chicken, and salads – it’s practically made for summertime picnics and light fare!
Summer Time | Woodchuck Hard Cider
ABV: 5.0%
Style: Hard Cider
It’s not quite summer without the sweet crispness of a hard cider, and Woodchuck’s Summer Time cider definitely hits the spot. It’s light and very sweet, but offers a twist on what would otherwise be a classic apple finish. Blueberry juice rounds out this drink with just enough tartness to set this cider apart as unique and super flavorful.
Downtime Pilsner | Samuel Adams
ABV: 5.0%
Style: Golden German Pilsner
This golden German pilsner blends together heritage and new hops to create a light-bodied beer that’s easily drinkable, but has no shortage of intense flavors. The combination of floral spiciness from the floral Bavarian hops, and the delicate tangerine and citrus flavors from the new hop varieties create a light, elegant brew that still packs a flavorful punch.
Summer Honey | Angry Orchard
ABV: 5.0%
Style: Hard Cider
Angry Orchard does one thing, and they do it really well – their ciders are so refreshing with different variations of sweet or tart concoctions that are sure to please anyone. Their seasonal Summer Honey cider is a lighter brew, with the addition of subtle wildflower honey notes for a sweet, juicy feel that’s perfectly suited for warm weather and sunshine.
Festina Peche | Dogfish Head
ABV: 4.5%
Style: Neo-Berliner Weisse
A typical Berliner Weisse style beer is characterized by intense tartness or sourness, but this brew’s secret ingredient is the juicy peach, which balances out those flavors. Dry and delicately hopped, it’s perfect for drinking before light grilled fare like chicken or fish.
Gregarious Ginger | Commonwealth Ciders
ABV: 5.0%
Style: Hard Cider
If you’re looking for a hard cider that boasts unique flavors without a sugary, syrupy finish, look no further than the Gregarious Ginger. Brewed right here in Philly, it has the trademark Commonwealth Ciders dry finish, and is devoid of any cloying sweetness or added sweeteners. What really sets this cider apart, though, is the earthy, spicy taste and aroma of fresh ginger. It gives this beverage an incredible bite that you absolutely need to try!
Have you tried any of these summer beers or ciders?
Think we missed something great? Let us know in the comments!
