Summer time is in full swing, and we all want a refreshing craft beer to quench our thirsts and cool us down. Join us as we learn what makes a great summer time beer from some local San Diego craft beer brewers and resident beer lovers.

 
In San Diego summer has been raging which means backyard bbqs, beach days that turn into bonfire nights, and of course the heat. When it comes to quenching your thirst, what beer is best for beating that summer San Diego heat? It can be a daunting task when searching for that perfect summer time brew. Corporate beer makers want to jam photographs of people partying poolside, while pouring shiny cans filled with bubbly, skunk water into their air brushed faces. If we know one thing about our fellow residents of America’s Finest City, it is that we love our craft beer. Another thing we know is that even under the blistering summer sky not only do we want a crisp and refreshing beer but one that is also full in flavor. We set out to talk with some of San Diego’s beer brewers and local beer lovers to find out what really makes for a great summer time beer.

When asked about what key elements go into a great summer beer, Clinton Smith of Coronado Brewing Co. shared with us, “Smooth, crisp and flavorful attributes. Some hints of spice or fruit are always welcome!” What are some of the styles that are best for a summer day?

A lighter beer with a lower alcohol content – or a session beer – is often preferred for its drinkability. Session beers contain low alcohol percentages (5.0 or lower) while maintaining a balance between malts and hops to have a crisp, clean finish. Thus resulting in the ability to drink multiple brews without becoming overly drunk. Dont be fooled by session ales and the lower alcohol content, these beers are still full in flavor and attitude. Clinton Smith of Coronado Brewing Co. tells us, “a great summertime beer is one that I can session. Meaning, beers that are on the lighter side and refreshing that I can enjoy, without being too full and dont leave me overly ‘buzzed’. The reason being is in the summer, we like to spend time in the great outdoors, and therefore dont want to be too full or weighed down in the hot sun during physical activity. Plus they are absolutely refreshing!” Plenty of beers are created each year with low percentages, but still come full flavored and full bodied. Session beers can be craft pilsners, pale or extra pale ales and light lager style brews.

Another good summer beer style is a Saison. Saisons – French for “season” – were once brewed in the winter months to be consumed during the summer. Also called farmhouse ales, Saisons have grown in popularity in the US craft beer world. Most times they have a very aromatic nose accompanied by a tasty spice note. Often times hints of citrus and fruit come in along with the hop notes. The spiced yet citrus flavors within Saisons make it a summer time favorite for many beer drinkers. Mike Hinkley Co Founder and CEO of Green Flash Brewing Co. is a lover of Saisons in the summer. When asked about his preferred summer beverage he told us, “When I think of summer I think of warmth, light clothes, easy conversation, and flavorful but lighter foods.” Says Hinkley. He continues “In the summer, I love Saison. Saison DuPont and our Saison Diego are my favorites. Saison, easy open-air pub, friends, fresh fish over salad. The day is young!”

Other beer styles include Witbier – a Belgian style wheat ale that is often times brewed with coriander and different types of orange flavors. Typically a crisp and refreshing brew. You may also find some summer time beer lovers with a blonde ale, California Commons, even a light brown ale and some IPA’s. Like most things, there is no wrong answer to what you decide to sip on during the summer months.

Mike Hinkley from Green Flash also mentioned, “For me, beer is great when it enhances the occasion.” Just like pairing beer with the perfect food, in the summer months its great to let your beverage enhance your activity. Oceanside resident Brad Donahue had this to say. “I think a perfect summer time beer is something lighter on the pallet. Sort of how drinking coffee in the heat is kinda rough? Same with anything too heavy beer wise. Anything crisp. I’m a fan of Belgian’s most of the time in general and I dig the lighter ones in the summer. Maybe later in an evening at a solid BBQ or bonfire I’ll dive into something heavier. I look for something that really matches what I have going on.” He continues to say “An all around perfect summer beer can play just about any time. Hot afternoon’s, cool evenings, heavy grill action or a quick lunch break. It has to be balanced. Not too hoppy, not too fruity, not real heavy and not super dark… but I still want a real beer at the same time with a little substance to it.”

We asked Yiga Miyashiro, head brewer of Pizza Port about what makes a great summer time beer and what he looks for when drinking through the summer months. “A great beer is so subjective.” He says. “However, for myself I look at a few criteria. I like having something that is clean, refreshing and flavor full. During the summer there is so much fresh produce that summer time meals are a real treat. An even bigger treat is to pair a beer with that meal. So also the perfect beer can change depending on what you are eating.” He continues to say “Some of my favorite beers are a nice clean English Dark Mild or Brown Ale. A dry, low alcohol hoppy Pale Ale. A crisp Pilsner or a great Belgian Saison.”

We also caught up with Claudia Faulk of Aztec Brewing Company in Vista to chat with her about the perfect summer time beer. “During the summer time people are looking for a beer that is lighter, cool and refreshing. Maybe one they can sip on all afternoon and still be able to function… a session beer. Or in some instances I have heard them called a lawnmower beer.” Says Claudia. “But the important part is – they still want flavor. They don’t want a beer that has been watered down to make it lighter.” We continued to ask her what the key elements are in creating a summer brew. “The key element – is adding ingredients that add flavor. Right now Rob has made a beer we are calling Poco Gigante Session IPA. It’s a little beer with a BIG flavor.”

“I LOVE the Hef from Mother Earth Brew Co. when I can go grab a growler. Alesmith’s Horny Devil pretty much hits the nail on the head too.” Says Brad Donahue of Oceanside. He continues, “If I’m in enemy territory and can’t get my paws on real deal local product and I have to dive into the macro world I can dig a Hoegaarden. It’s not local – but I SWEAR by Dale’s Pale cause you can get it in cans and when I’m fishing Mexican waters with Dad it keeps the glass off the boat and I can crush those all day without feeling like I had a meal. It’s refreshing when it’s warm out on the water.”

When asked about his favorite summer beers, Clinton Smith from Coronado Brewing Co told us he loves “Coronado Brewing Company’s Orange Ave Wit (of course!), Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Trumer Pilsner, Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale! And lets be honest, there’s nothing wrong with a Corona or Pacifico in the hot summer sun!”

 Thank you to Clinton Smith of Coronado Brewing Co. Mike Hinkley of Green Flash Brewing Co. Yiga Miyashiro of Pizza Port Brewing Co. Claudia Faulk of Aztec Brewing Co. and Brad Donahue of Oceanside. Photo by Haven Page Design. Stay cool out there, friends!