Over the last couple of days I’ve heard a lot of people complaining about Summer. They are sick of it. They want cool weather, and dark beer. Well to them I just have one thing to say…Why don’t you go the the fridge and draw yourself a big frosty glass of shutthehellup! I live in Idaho, as many of you know, and summer just got here! I’m serious, yesterday was the first time we broke 90 (actually we broke 100 too) and it was glorious. My son and I had to go over to a friend’s house to pick up a load of fire wood for next year, and we had to carry big rounds of logs about 20 yards to my pickup. It was hot, sweaty, grimey work and I loved it! When we got home I poped the top on a refreshing Dale’s Pale Ale and drank it straight from the can! Man it was wonderful. That piney refreshing flavor. I loved it. Now imagine that all I had was a big dark brew, doesn’t really hit the spot.
This year has been cold, and I feel like I haven’t even had a chance to really enjoy the flavors of the season because the weather just hasn’t cooperated. Now I know for some of you back east the summer is beginning to be something of a grind. I get it. All I have to say is relax. Come home, put on some Jimmy Buffet and your shorts and flipflops and enjoy the summer that has been given. Really when you think about it, summer is a gift, the gift of warmth, the gift of light and the gift of flavorful golden brews. Think of the pilsners the lagers and the IPAs that are truly flavorful. What a joy they are. Light, crisp, and refreshing they give you a different perspective on the world of craft beer. An appreciation of different styles and contrasts that are subtle and delicious.
Winter will be here soon enough. With all its snow, cold, and holiday stress. The dark beers have their time, and so do the pales. So to summer I say keep it coming. The cavalcade of golden ales and lagers and IPAs with a nice cigar on the patio is a time to treasure. I’m not saying you can’t enjoy a dark beer in the summer, if you want one have one. But the summer should be reveled in and enjoyed to its fullest. Sleep outside this weekend, not all night, although you could do that too, but just take a nap in a chaise lounge and let the sun warm your soul. Have a lighter beer and think about not having to shovel 2 feet of snow. Summer’s great, don’t rush it.
-Don
Beer & Whiskey Brothers 
I say balderdash! Expect my retort soon. *glove slaps face*
You’re probably reading too many posts of us down south…it hasn’t cracked 80 degrees overnight, or been less than 102 heat index here in SoFL for a month… 🙂
But I do love me some summer brews – plenty of time for the stouts in that one week of cold weather (<40 degrees) in February! 😉
Exactly! Now that is a great attitude Vanessa. In florida, you all have pools and those outdoor patios to keep the gators out of them, screen em up and relax in the cool pool waters. Sip your brews on a raft, or right on the side of the pool! Evenings are nice too, and just live in your swimsuit. Way to have a good perspective! Now all you whiners in New Jersey, don’t you feel small?
Wow, Don, be sure to keep that mangina warm in a few months. Or come visit me down in SC. To me, “summer brew” means “don’t drink this.” A new craft beer store (http://www.thecommunitytap.com/) is opening up 2 blocks from my house Thursday, with Bells Oberon, Stone Russian Imperial Stout, New Holland Imperial Mad Hatter, The Bruery Orchard White, Foothills Seeing Double IPA, and Terrapin Boom Shakalager all on the growler station. I’m having trouble deciding between the Stone and Mad Hatter. I agree with you on the IPA front and Seeing Double is awesome, but if I get a 64 oz. imperial stout and offer it to “summer beer” drinker friends, that means I get at least 60 oz. to myself.
I’d go Stone Russian Imperial, then Oberon, then Mad Hatter. Russian Imperial is great from the bottle, it’s probably sublime on tap.
And don’t worry about Don, his wife is knitting him a mangina cozy.
Oops, looks like I forgot the little checkbox.
Stone RIS is amazing on tap. I’m not a big fan of Oberon unless you count that free shirt I got from Bell’s that one time. They make many other beers that are better suited for my palate. You probably don’t know Foothills, but I have an inclination to go side-by-side with the Seeing Double and the Imp Mad Hatter for a DIPA-liver challenge. Sweated out a nice Avery Hog Heaven last night. Bring on the heavy.
Amen on the heavy.
First off, the cat picture is disturbing.
Second, kudos for appreciating the golden lagers and pilsners. Often derided, these beers are difficult to make and can really sport a brewers knowledge. Just because they are the style of choice for the macro brewers doesn’t mean they should be a neglected style. (baby…bathwater…you get it).
Last night I enjoyed a pilsner out on patio….yes, keep the summer weather coming.
Ha ha, Nate. I told Don the same thing about the cat pictures. You’d think it’s cute, but no. Creepy.
I vacillate on this point. I love a good summer beer but I can drink a nice Imperial Stout on the hottest day of the year. Vice versa, I can enjoy a nice hazy wheat in the darkest winter (not that it matters in southern CA). However, I get the sentiment and sometimes only a pilsner fits the grain bill.
I just want beer. Period. IPA in the kegorator. Porter in primary fermentation.
Additionally, I want summer, dangit! It’s only cracked 70 a few days this year thus far. I want to turn my heater off! I want to wear shorts and sandals (without freezing). Don, I’m envious of your 90/100 over there in Idaho.
Hooray for beer!
Personally, I like the summer seasonal beers although I do not like the summer. I’d rather sit outside in a parka than feel like my skin is melting off all the time!
You like lighter flavors, Scott. But I’m a dark beer guy, and most of the summer stuff just doesn’t curl my toes.
On a related note, did you try the Hairy Eyeball?
I’m with you, Don. The weather in Idaho this year certainly has not cooperated with my desire to drink more saisons. But things are warming up. Plus, by new Weber grill just showed up yesterday. I’ll be grillin’ and chillin’ with BBQ chicken and saison this weekend. Whooohooo!
Sounds like a great time, Chad. Have fun. And check back in a few weeks to let us know if you pine for the smoky embrace of a rich stout or porter.
Jim, I’d certainly classify myself as a ‘dark beer guy’ as well, but I do enjoy the seasonal beers too. Summer seasonals just tend to be of the lighter fare. Its all good! I didn’t get to try The Hairy Eyeball yet, but its in the fridge on-deck!
Didn’t mean to challenge you’re love of dark beers. I just have the notion that you shy away from big flavored beers and prefer ones that are more subtle and balanced. Might just be from the reviews I’ve read on The Brew Club. The Eyeball will be a good acid test.
I’m with Don. I’m enjoying every bit of summer this year and the lighter beer especially wheats. If it’s hot and I want to complain, I just think of all of the blizzards and the snowicane we had this year and I’m cured. Keep cool!
Nate’s right. The cat picture is disturbing.
I’ll go on record as liking the cat picture. Its the pink flamingo that bothers me.
Scott…that’s awesome! Very funny.
Don, I’m 100% with you on this, all about the switch to summer beers, the Sierra Summerfest is on a regular rotation as is the Flying Dog Tire Bite Golden Ale, not a summer beer per say, but as the name says, a nice crisp Golden Ale.
Have to take issue with one thing though, Jimmy Buffet? DUDE, really?
I said the same thing about Buffett when we were talking about music on our roadtrip to Victory Brewing Co. I didn’t see Don as a parrothead, but apparently there’s a Hawaiian shirt tucked away under that flannel!