4 Summer Beers that’ll Put a Smile on Your Mug

By Michael A. Chang

Sorry to bring the bad news, but summer is half way over. Bummer. But there’s still plenty of time to do things you’ll regret later on in life.

To help you along this path of poor decisions, we offer a choice selection of microbrews to begin the night, or if you’re ambitious . . . the early afternoon.  

Fair warning though, for those living their heydays right now (college, recently graduated, and recently unemployed), these might cost slightly more than the 36 value pack of Bud from Costco.  
 

Long Trail IPA:

This is my normal go-to brew at the local dive bar when I’m craving a nice ale to start the night. It’s easy on the palette with a light touch of citrus and goes great on hot evenings when preparing for the night. Brewed in Vermont, those guys up there apparently do more than milk sap out of trees and make icy moguls on ski resorts.

Victory Hopdevil IPA:

If you’re into Hops, then this is a great warm-up. It’s floral beginnings and hoppy end will give you a worth while appreciation of what an IPA can be. Victory mostly comes out with great tap beers but this one is a nice bottle selection.  

Dogfish Head 60 Min IPA:

So here’s a little tidbit if you didn’t know, the longer a brewer brews the malt/hops, the stronger the resulting fermented beverage. DFH has mastered this science into a start-up business. They have 3 kinds of IPA’s: the 60, the 90 and the 120. Because we’re talking about starting your night and not ending it, I’ll recommend the 60. It’s another citrus flavor but slightly darker than the above mentioned beers and goes great with beers, hotdogs, and other pre-festive dinings.  

Legacy Hedonism:

If those other beers are the way to ease you into the night, this one . . . this one is a 10 meter belly flop into a hot tub full of fine frisky ladies. Hedonism has a sweet hoppyness that is very easy to drink. But like that stranger who offers you candy, this one has an ulterior motive with ~ 8% ABV. Drink this and yes, hedonistic tendencies may arise . . . just keep the farm animals locked up.