Monday, March 28 began summer for many beer lovers. Though it is a mere 8 days after the first day of Spring, and temperatures were well below the freezing mark, Monday was the release date for Summer’s most beloved Michigan Beer; Bell’s Oberon.  Oberon is a lightly hopped wheat ale, with notes of orange peel and spice.  The alcohol is 5.8% so I don’t recommend having a couple before cutting the grass, but on a lazy summer day by the pool, it fits the bill.  You can buy it by the 6 or by the “designer” Mini Keg!

Though Oberon, followed closely by Leinenkugle’s Summer Shandy – a Weiss beer blended with Lemonade – are the most anticipated beers of the season, many of the craft brewers across the country release light bodied,  refreshing, but still flavorful Summer beers. Here are my picks for tasty summer beers:

Founders Cerise

Bright tart Michigan cherries are blended in to this malty beer five times to get the right balance between tart and sweet.

New Holland Golden Cap Saison

One of my favorite summer beers, medium weight, with light touches of citrus and spice.  This beer has a fruity, wheaty, quality while it still has a dry finish, kind of like Champagne; maybe that’s why I like it so much!

Flying Dog Woody Creek White

A traditional wheat beer, the Woody Creek White has notes of coriander, citrus and banana. Light in alcohol (4.8% abv) this is a nice beer for hot summer days and cold summer salads.

Dogfish Head Festina Peche

This is not your average “fruit” beer. Made in the almost lost Berliner Weisse style, the Festina Peche has a defiantly tart quality to it.  The peach is prevalent on the nose and palate, making it light, fruity, and summery without being sweet.

Summer does not technically start until June 21 this year, but who wants to wait that long? Pick up some summer beers, Brats, and watermelon and give your summer a jump start!

Enjoy!

– Jennifer Laurie