The Best Beers Of Summer 2023

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The sun is shining. Maybe there's the jingle of an ice cream truck in the distance as you pack your cooler for the beach. It's summer, and nothing beats the heat quite like a cold beer.

But what makes a beer a summer beer? When we think of summer beers, we typically think of light, refreshing, and crisp brews that aren't too heavy or high in alcohol—something you want to sip in the heat or while playing a game of beach volleyball. A stout sounds good when curled up by the fireplace, but not so much when lounging by the pool.

No beer is off-limits; if you enjoy stouts on the beach, so be it! But here are our picks for the summer beers, whether you're looking for a typical lager or pilsner or an easy-drinking IPA. So grab your cooler and fill it up with any of these bright, summer beers (or canned cocktails if that's more your speed).

And if you need help deciphering beer styles, check out our guide to types of beer.

Bell's Oberon Ale

Hailing from Michigan, the seasonal Oberon Ale is synonymous with welcoming summer after a long, cold winter. The refreshing wheat ale is citrusy, with a hint of spice and is often garnished with an orange slice.

It's celebrated annually at the end of March on Oberon Day, the unofficial start of summer for Michiganders and beer lovers (me) across the country. Yes, in the Midwest, we skip right past spring.

Kona Big Wave Golden Ale

The Kona Big Wave Golden Ale is perfect for drinking on the beach. It's brewed with Citra and Galaxy hops giving it a bright, fruity, and juicy taste and aroma, while remaining light and easy to drink.

Montauk Summer Ale

Montauk Summer Ale is a seasonal beer I wish was available year-round. It's well-balanced with caramel malt and wheat and has the flavor and body to stand on its own with a 5.6% ABV.

Corona Extra

If there's one beer you think of when you hear summer, it's Corona. From its birth in Mexico City in 1925 to its 1979 release in the U.S. to now, there might not be any other beer more internationally associated with warm weather, the beach, and a general good time. The Mexican lager is light and crisp, with notes of citrus and honey and can be found in 120 countries across the globe. Drink it with or without a lime—it's pure summer.

Pacifico Clara Lager Mexican Beer

This pilsner-style lager was created in 1900 by German brewers in Mazatlán, Mexico, resting on the Pacific coast. Then in the 1970s, it's said that California surfers discovered the refreshing, crisp beer and brought it to the states.

It has a "touch of grass-citrus and ocean mist" and overall a well-rounded beer—not overly citrusy, light, yet flavorful. Whether you're a surfer or not, this beer is a summer essential.

Sunday Beer Light & Tight

Perfect for any day of the week, Sunday Beer is a light lager that doesn't sacrifice flavor. The founders created it to fit in a healthy and active lifestyle, without being "watered down." The carbon neutral certified beer is brewed with Hallertau hops and fine pilsner malt for a balanced beer that still has all the flavor.

The brand also makes a Sunday Beer & Juice, which is a beer crafted with lime juice.

Founders All Day IPA

While lagers and pilsners are most-often associated with summer, that's not to say IPAs have no place at the picnic table. Unlike many IPAs that have a rich taste and high ABV, Founders All Day IPA was designed to keep you going through your summer activities—just look at its name. It has a 4.7% ABV and maintains a clean finish that's not overly hoppy.

Bell’s Light Hearted Ale Lo-Cal IPA

Whether or not I was born and bred in Michigan, Bell's Two Hearted Ale is probably one of the best IPAs you can find nationally. Even IPA haters love it. But at 7%, it's not exactly what you might be pounding under the sun (hats off to you, if you do). Enter! Light Hearted Ale, a session IPA that's flavorful, easy, and only 3.7% ABV and 100 calories.

Old Nation M-43

Okay, so hazy New England-Style IPAs aren't exactly light, but like I said, that doesn't mean it can't be a summer beer. When the struggling Old Nation Brewing launched M-43 in 2017, it immediately took the business to new heights and created a craze surrounding the often sold out beer.

When I first took a sip of this years ago, my brain immediately went to orange juice and mimosas. The sunshine in a can is brewed with Calpso, Simcoe, Citra, and Amarillo hops and is full of tropical flavors and aromas. And while New England IPAs aren't always for the faint of heart, this creamy, juicy one will change any non-believer.

Montauk Watermelon Session Ale

Nothing says summer like juicy watermelon and what better way to quench your thirst than with a watermelon beer? Many fruit-flavored beers are just too much—too sweet, sticky, and not refreshing—but the seasonal Montauk Watermelon Session Ale is the exact opposite. This 4.9% ABV beer has very subtle watermelon notes and will absolutely quench your thirst on a hot summer day by the pool.

Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale Session Sour Beer

I'm not a regular sour beer drinker (mostly because they can leave a sticky mouthfeel), but the Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale is actually refreshing. It's a mix of Gose, Kölsch, and Berliner Weiss, with a touch of lime juice and sea salt, which makes for a crisp, tart, yet refreshing libation. It has a similar flavor to a margarita, but not as sweet (and without the tequila).

Brooklyn Summer Ale

This balanced American Pale Ale is a go-to for the summer season. Its smooth with a touch of citrus and is perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day. Just looking at the can makes me want to lounge by the pool.

Threes Brewing Vliet Pilsner

The award-winning Vliet Pilsner is one of the best pilsners (outside of the OG Pilsner Urquell) that I've ever had. It's so crisp and smooth, I always misread its name as 'velvet.' It's brewed with Saaz and Spalter Select hops and German Pilsner Malt, and is so complex in taste and body. It's difficult to do a pilsner right, and Vliet gets it done.

Alaskan Kölsch Ale

When you think summer, you might not think of Alaska, but you should definitely be thinking of a kölsch. A mix between an ale and lager, the German-style beer is crisp, smooth, and refreshing. It's made with glacier-fed water from the Juneau Ice Field and a combination of hops and malts.

Samuel Adams Porch Rocker

What could be more refreshing than lemonade and beer? German for "cyclist," the radler, a mix of beer and lemon-flavored soda, is said to have originated in Germany as a drink for cyclists. The Samuel Adams Porch Rocker is a blend of Helles lager and lemons for a tangy, refreshing drink that's low in ABV.

Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy

Shandy is another name for a radler and Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy has been a popular citrusy drink for years. It's a weiss beer with natural lemon flavor that's ideal for drinking by the lake (or anywhere).

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