Our Favorite Beers of Summer 2020

Our Favorite Beers of Summer 2020!

By Annemarie D'Alessandro

If you’re a committed beer drinker, I’m sure you’ve noticed how many brands come out with seasonal, limited time brews. In the summertime, a lot of brands come out with brews heavy with citrus to give the beer an overall more refreshing taste during the dog days of summer. But among the masses, which seasonal beers are the best to try? We’ve picked a few of our favorites, so follow along to learn more about our top five!

#5: Stella Artois Solstice Lager

Stella Artois doesn’t usually make seasonal beers, but this year they have made an exception. The Solstice Lager is a European Pale Lager from Belgium, which allows it to maintain lower levels of calories and carbs; averaging 105 calories and 4.5 grams of carbs per standard bottle. Stella’s Solstice Lager contains 4.5% alcohol by volume, which is the lowest ABV out of our selections. The golden lager is triple filtered which allows the lager to maintain a very clear appearance, making the bubbles from the carbonation and the mild foamy head stand out. Overall, it has a mild and smooth flavor that features flavors of citrus, honey, lemongrass, and cracker, giving you a crisp, clean finish that is perfect served ice cold on a hot summer day.

#4: Blue Point Brewing – Blueberry Ale

Blue Point Brewing makes this Blueberry Ale year-round, so if it’s one of your favorites there is no need to worry about waiting all winter to get your hands on it again! The fruit and field style ale brings 4.6% alcohol by volume to the table, while featuring flavors of light caramel, blueberry, earth, and hops. The lower ABV also helps it maintain a clean finish despite a slightly dry aftertaste. BeerAdvocate also gave this beer an overall rating of 80, meaning it is a good option anytime you want to try something new.

#3: Slack Tide Brewing – Shore Break

Slack Tide Brewing is located right here in New Jersey and it has maintained a 4+ star rating on BeerAdvocate, so you know the beers they craft are fantastic. Shore Break is one of their summer seasonal brews and it is a twist on the traditional Belgian Style Saison. Made with sweet orange peels and Belgian yeast, the beer puts a spotlight on the citrus flavors to create an experience that is crisp yet subtly sweet at the same time. The beer is also dry hopped, which gives it a livelier aroma and citrus flavor. At 6.3% ABV, this beer remains refreshing and very drinkable!

#2: Conshohocken Brewing Company – Blood Money

Blood Money is a seasonal American Style IPA created in Pennsylvania with an ABV of 6.7%. BeerAdvocate gave this IPA a rating of 87, which brings it into the “very good” range. It surely earned its spot in the higher ratings as it maintains a delicate balance of citrus and hops. When drinking the beer, caramel, lemon, and blood orange flavors will first fill the palate, which will then develop to a bitter hop aftertaste. It’s also lightly carbonated, which will make it more fun to drink and enjoy during the summer!

#1: Victory Brewing Company – Summer Love

While Victory Brewing is more well known for the high ABV Golden Monkey brew it produces, this seasonal is another brew that is worth trying out. Summer Love is an American Blonde Ale with 5.2% alcohol by volume made in Pennsylvania. It is made with imported German malts, whole flower Tettnang, Simcoe, and Citra hop varietals. The European hops they use give this brew a nice earthy flavor that blends well with the fresh, clean German malts. The American whole flower hops also give the aftertaste a refreshing citrus flavor! BeerAdvocate gave this brew a score of 84, so for the price, this beer is definitely worth a trip to your local liquor store!

Did you like the sound of any of these beers? If so, be sure to stop in and visit us here at Passion Vines! We carry all of the beers mentioned above and can even give you recommendations for other products based off of what you like to taste in your brews! I hope you give some of these beers a chance as they’re sure to enhance the remainder of the summer!