Got blue skies, friends in the yard and lamb on the grill? Just one other thing's needed to complete this pleasant picture: a crisp, refreshing summer ale. While many craft breweries state the obvious by listing "Summer Ale" on the label, it also helps to have a sense what makes a great warm-weather brew, so you don’t miss any tasty choices. Labeled "Summer Ale" or otherwise, here are five low-alcohol, lightly-hopped contenders.
Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale, Lyons, Colorado
http://www.oskarblues.com/the-brews/dales-pale-ale
"One of the quintessential American hoppy pale ales of our time," says BeerAdvocate.com, of this Rocky Mountain gem. Clocking in at 6.5% ABV, this pale ale is a little hoppier than most summer-ready suds, but it's very well balanced. Full of malt and citrus, it's delightful with grilled lamb chops and burgers. Another reason why Dale’s belongs high on our summer beer list: it comes in a can. Bring on the easy party cleanup! 6.5% ABV.
Hoegaarden Original White Ale, Brouwerij van Hoegaarden, Belgium
http://www.hoegaarden.com/en-be/products/original_white.html
Nobody does refreshing wheat ales like the Belgians (for the record, they're not bad with fries, chocolate and waffles, either). Anyway, while you'll see this fine brew everywhere, Hoegaarden is no ordinary mass-market offering. Generally regarded as the classic example of its style, this "witbier" has been crafted since 1445 (kudos to the monks who made it first). Pale gold in color with cool coriander and orange notes, it's a quintessential summer ale. 4.9% ABV.
Stone Levitation Ale, Escondido, California
http://www.stonebrew.com/levitation/
Generously malted and hoppy but with a lower summer-appropriate alcohol content, this ale goes down easy with all-natural, additive-free Australian lamb. Also worth mentioning: the brewery's mission sounds awfully familiar: "We avoid dumbed-down flavor profiles and the vigorous pursuit of the lowest common denominator… we avoid additives, cheap adjuncts, stabilizers and chemical preservatives." Well put, mates! Sip in a tall, frosty glass. 4.4% ABV.
Bell's Oberon Ale, Kalamazoo, Michigan
http://www.bellsbeer.com/brands/8-Oberon Ale
Ask any fan of this cult favorite summer sipper, or simply read the label: this American wheat ale offers the color and scent of a sunny afternoon. Crafted with Bell's signature house ale yeast, it combines a spicy hop character with mildly fruity aromas. A touch of wheat malt adds smooth-yet-crisp texture. With its medium body and mix of savory and fruity flavors, this is one to try with this month's featured recipe.
New Belgium Somersault American Blonde Ale, Fort Collins, Colorado
http://www.newbelgium.com/beer/detail.aspx?id=84ea39a5-9587-4ff9-b178-28ee10cb5c0f
Who doesn't love an all-American blonde? Crisp, light-bodied, very lightly carbonated, and on the lower end of the calorie spectrum, this blonde ale from America's third largest craft brewery is quite a catch. Icing on the cake: it received a whopping 100 points on BeerAdvocate.com. Designed to be "a fun roll around on the tongue," it combines notes of apricot, citrus, ginger and oats. 5.2% ABV.