Men's Journal: The Beers of Summer

Beer Luvvas,

The July '08 issue of Men's Journal posted their list of The Beers of Summer. I thought I'd pass the list along since I got some great comments from my previous posts on MJ's Best Beers of the World.

The Island Queen: Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy

• MJ: heavy on the lemon flavor but without wine-cooler Sweetness. Pair with putting off yard work.
• ASG: I've never had the Summer Shandy, but I do recall a great Lemon Lager from Saxer Brewing (which absorb'd Nor'Wester Beer Company, and is now run by Portland Brewing). According to Beeradvocate, this beer is no longer brewed. Bummer. It would go well in the AZ heat.

The Standby: Sam Adams Summer Ale

• MJ: After all these years even we were surpirsed by its fresh blend of honey, spice, and nuts. It'll put out the fire for everything from a pig roast to a masala. Pair with tarring and feathering.
• ASG: Hogwash! Sam Adams makes some decent beers, but there's no reason to go lighter than their standard Boston Lager, or their less available where I live, Boston Ale. Those are two easy quaffs that go well with any meat off the grill!

The Lumberjack: Rogue American Amber Ale

• MJ: Rogue's dingy brewery in Newport, Oregon, churns out its heady American Amber Ale in honor of Independence Day. What says "Happy Birthday America" more than the hints of mulch, bark, molasses, and coriander? Pair with rafting Hells Canyon.
• ASG: Outisde of the "dingy" comment regarding the brewery, I can't agree more with MJ's summary of this great ale!

The Banjo Player: SweetWater Road Trip

• MJ: Road Trip is one to swill straight out of the cooler, with few words between gulps (like a true southern gentleman). Ice-cold, this Georgia beer has a citrus flavor that provides a crisp, if slightly bitter, kick in the teeth. Pair with front porch sittin'.
• ASG: I shouldn't badmouth a beer I haven't tried, but I've only enjoyed one beer brewed south of Mason-Dixie, and that happens to be Dixie's Blackened Voodoo Lager. Or maybe I just liked the T-shirt.

The Masseuse: Sierra Nevada Summerfest

• MJ: Slightly lemony with hints of sourdough (from the bitterness that comes with an abundance of Czech hops), Summerfest is the beer you yearn for after a long day of surfing. Pair with rubbing on aloe.
• ASG: Similar to my comments on Sam Adams above, why deviate from the standard? Stick with their Amber, and be happy you had all day to surf!

The Dinner Partner: New Belgium Skinny Dip

• MJ: Skinny Dip goes well with heavy foods, like a well dressed burger. It's smoky with some hop, ut for some reason (maybe we didn't drink enough), no one shed threads. Pair with backyard BBQ.
• ASG: Skinny Dip has been a standard at the Oregon Cancer Ski Out for years. So I've had my fair shair of this particular brew. I can't say I like it. Like Fat Tire & 1554, these New Belgium favs just work too hard with the Belgian Yeast aftertaste. I'll only pick Skinny Dip if it's free, or the threads have already been shed, and the view is worth sticking around for.

The Granola: 'Otter Creek 'Otter Summer

• MJ: has a reliable but not overwhelming bitterness, giving it a nice, bready flavor that makes up for the state's other export, Phish. Well, almost. Pair with building a tree house.
• ASG: Never had it, but sounds nice - kinda like Phish!

The Brunch Date: Boulevard Zon

• MJ: Boulevard's riff on Belgian witbier, is part of any complete breakfast, be it huevos rancheros or creamed chipped beef. (And no, we don't ahve a problem with drinking before noon.) Pair with fetching the paper.
• ASG: Another beer that I've never tried, but A Beer Sort of Girl from KC has nothing but great things to say about Boulevard beers.

The Thru-Hiker: Anchor Summer Beer

• MJ: With hints of honeysuckle and berry but heartier than the slimmed-down bods of most summer brews. Pair with a romp in the woods with your best girl.
• ASG: My best girl, Freebird, loves this beer. Next time it's in the fridge, I'll have to suggest that we romp!

The Interloper: Goose Island Summertime

• MJ: Summertime is a Cologne-style brew. But this beer's from Chicago, not quite Rhineland, and the slightly watery flavor makes for a better thirst quencher than main course. Pair with a slow lap around the bases.
• ASG: Goose Island has not yet passed through these lips, but MCO (rare hops & barley blogger) is a big fan.

Well beer luvvas, that's the list.

Prost to those who leave comments on their favorite summer beers!