Refreshing beers for summer

It’s not long now. Soon enough, we will talk endlessly about the sunny weather and our blossoming gardens, bring out the barbeques and get going with the steaks, grilled veggies and potato salads, and no doubt flock to the bar terraces for some people-watching. Let’s dive in and take a look at what beers to drink when the sun has come back into our lives.

In my view, you can’t go wrong with a good old lager, but fresh, if you know what I mean. If you like a bit more character, you can go for a more flavoursome style. I love amber lager and dark lager, they carry lots of flavour but are still fresh and crisp. Not long ago, I had an absolutely delicious Märzen, smooth and malty but finishing dry – this beer sits nicely anytime.

If you’re into German beers and happen to spot a Kölsch somewhere, go for it. This is a highly quenchable hybrid between lager and ale. I find this beer delicate, light and quite irresistible, as do the locals in Cologne where this beer style originates.

There’s plenty more. I had a West Coast Pilsner recently and really enjoyed it. This is another hybrid kind of beer, a mix of a hoppy West Coast IPA and a crisp German Pilsner. Nice and hoppy but with lower alcohol than an IPA, it suits me perfectly and I had one more just because it made me happy.

A Belgian Wit is always a hit, a lovely beer spiced with coriander and orange peel. This is possibly my favourite beer style of them all, it works anytime. And of course let’s not forget Golden Ale, a well-hopped and yet very drinkable beer originally intended as a refreshing summer beer. This delight is also called Golden Bitter, British Blond Ale, and yes you got it, Summer Ale.