Beer With All Minnesota Ingredients Set to Become Summit’s Summer Staple

It’s been a long, cold and snowy wint er here in Minnesota, but if you reach back in your memory — way back to a couple of short, sunny weeks at the end of summer — you may remember wandering the state fairgrounds with a pile of deep-fried pickles in one hand and a light, refreshing Summit blonde ale in the other. That beer you’re remembering, Folks, is Summit Lazy Sipper. And this year it’s back in a big way.

Homegrown in Minnesota with all local hops, malts and strawberries — just like last year’s brew — Summit Lazy Sipper features complex malt notes of light toast, bread crumb and graham cracker, plus gentle hop characteristics of lemon, green tea and grapefruit. Balanced by a hint of fresh strawberry in the aroma and finish, Summit Lazy Sipper clocks in at a sessionable 4.8% ABV, meaning you can enjoy a few beers on the patio without needing a nap. (We totally encourage those naps, though. This is Lazy Sipper, after all.)

Originally brewed as a one-time-only, limited-release beer exclusively for the draft lines at the 2017 Minnesota State Fair, we listened to your overwhelmingly positive feedback by the cheese curd booth and made enough Lazy Sipper this year to keep your fridges, coolers and pint glasses full throughout your carefree northern summer. And that makes Summit Brewing Co. Head Brewer Damian McConn proud.

“This ale is truly a terrific reflection of the importance of Minnesota growers, maltsters, academia and brewers in the production of great beer,” says McConn. “Featuring Lacey Barley from Rahr Malting, a sixth-generation family maltster in Shakopee; Cascade and Crystal hops from Mighty Axe Hops in Ham Lake; and strawberry varieties developed by the University of Minnesota, the end result is a low-bitterness and low-alcohol beer with thirst-quenching drinkability.”

Summit Lazy Sipper will debut at the Summit Beer Hall Thursday, April 12, 2018. Immediately following the release, get ready to stretch out in your hammock with a cold beer, as Summit Lazy Sipper will be available right away on draft and in 6-packs and 12-packs of 12-oz. bottles, as well as 12-packs of 12-oz. cans. It will also be available in the Boundary Waters Box variety pack, coming in early May.

Summit Lazy Sipper

ABV: 4.8%

IBU: 19

Color: Strawberry Blonde (6 L)

Malts: Minnesota-grown Lacey barley supplied by Rahr Malting

Hops: Minnesota-grown Crystal and Cascade supplied by Mighty Axe Hops

Yeast: American Ale

Serving Tips: Serve at 38–42º F in a fluted pils glass

Suggested Pairings: Pear and prosciutto pizza, strawberry and spinach salad, chicken and apple sausages, brie, shortbread, and/or lemon custard tart, depending on how hungry you’re feeling.