Summer is upon us and that means it’s time for some of your favorite summer seasonal beers (and time to try some new ones)!

This year, before you grab your go-to summer beer to throw in your beach bag or picnic basket, consider supporting a local brewery by trying one of these great brews instead. Some are only available on draft in brewery taprooms, but that’s just a great excuse to spend a summer night or weekend afternoon at one of these fun hangouts before these great beers are gone until next year.

I have highlighted a few of my personal favorites, but I love every one of these fabulous local beers and I know all of you will find at least one that you love as well!

Slip Rose

Fruit Ale

ABV: 5%

Availability: Now until its gone, in the Blue Pants taproom

Dortmunder Adambier

Historical German Style fermented with Brettanomyces

ABV: 13.7%

Availability: Now until its gone, in 750mL bottles in craft beer stores

Candy Bar Pinstrip

Export Stout with Caramel and Peanut Butter

ABV: 8%

Availability: Now until it’s gone, in Craft Beer Stores in 22 Oz Bottles and limited draft

– LESLIE’S PICK –

Wheat With Peach

Berlinner Weisse brewed with fresh peach puree

ABV: 5.25%

Availability: Now – end of July, can be found everywhere Blue Pants is sold, on draft and in bottled 6-packs

For the love of sours: This is NOT a “fruity wheat beer” (like Straight to Ale’s Watermelon Wheat or Rocket Republic’s Pomegranate Planet). A Berlinner Weisse is a German Style Sour, and this peach version is true to style.

If you like sour beers (or even if you like to make your beverages more “tart” by adding lemon or lime), this one is well done, and one of the only packaged sour beers created by our local breweries.

It’s not too tart, so its also a great starting place for anyone looking to explore the exciting world of sours!

Witless Wheat

Hefeweizen

ABV: 5.2%

Availability: Now – August on draft in the Brew Stooges taproom (and a few select bars/restaurants)

Quantum Wheat

ABV: 5.2%

Availability: Now and throughout the summer in the Rocket Republic taproom

Pomegranate Planet

Wheat Ale with real pomegranate juice

ABV: 5.2%

Availability: Now and throughout the summer in the Rocket Republic taproom

He Ain’t Hefe

German Style Hefeweizen

ABV: 5%

Availability: Now – August, on draft in the Straight to Ale taproom (and a few select bars/restaurants).

– LESLIE’S PICK –

Watermelon Wheat

Refreshing wheat beer made with real watermelon!

ABV: 4.5%

Availability: Starting mid-July, on draft in the Straight to Ale taproom (and a few select bars/restaurants).

My advice to you: This is my absolute favorite “summer beer”!

It goes quickly, so make sure you try it when you find it! It’s also the perfect pool/lake/picnic beer, with its refreshing flavor and low ABV, so if you see it in a bottle shop on draft (Liquor Express, Old Town Beer Exchange, Wish You Were Beer, Wagon Wheel, etc.) fill up a growler and sip on it all weekend long!

Gorillanaut

Imperial IPA

ABV: 9%

Availability: Now until they’re gone, on draft at the STA taproom throughout the summer, and a limited number of 22 oz. bombers can be found in craft beer stores throughout the state.

Dark Planet

Bourbon Barrel Aged English Style Ale

ABV: 9%

Availability: now until they’re gone, on draft at the STA taproom throughout the summer, and a limited number of 22 oz. bombers can be found in craft beer stores throughout the state.

Hawt Blonde

American Blonde

ABV: 4.7%

Availability: Now throughout the year (new year-round release), on draft at the Salty Nut taproom and widely distributed to bars/restaurants.

Vern’s Rauchbier

ABV: 7.0%

Available: Now until it’s gone, on draft in the Salty Nut taproom.

2nd Anniversary

Belgian Strong Pale Ale

ABV: 7.1%

Availability: Will be released in late July, draft at the Salty Nut taproom and select craft beer locations.

Old Town Beer Exchange & Salty Nut Collaboration

Miss Scarlett

Hop Burst American Red Ale

ABV: 7%

Available: Now at Salty Nut Taproom and OTBX on draft, until it’s gone

– INSIDER INFO –

Old Town Beer Exchange plans to do a collaboration with each of the local breweries, and this is the first one. Keep your eye out for the next collaboration later in 2015!

Imperial Pilsner Summer Seasonal

ABV: 8.4%

Availability: Now and throughout the summer, all over Alabama in 22 oz bottles, where finer beers are sold, and on draft in the Yellowhammer Tasting Room.

Miracle Worker

Belgian Style Tripel

ABV: 9%

Availability: Nw and throughout the summer, all over Alabama in 12oz 4-packs, where finer beers are sold, and on draft in the Yellowhammer Tasting Room.

Kolsch

ABV: 5%

Availability: now and throughout the summer, on draft in Yellowhammer tap room and at The Ledges.

– LESLIE’S PICK –

Saison

ABV: 7%

Availability: now and throughout the summer, on draft in Yellowhammer Tap Room

Expand your beer knowledge: Saison’s originated in Belgium and the word “Saison” means “Season” in French. This style of beer was brewed for farm workers during the summer. Therefore, they are usually light in color and ABV (wouldn’t want your farmhands getting drunk/sick on the job!) and refreshing.

One interesting thing to me, is the fact that they vary from almost sweet to moderately sour to fruity and spicy to somewhat hoppy (but not bitter) depending on the flavor profile the brewer is seeking, so saisons from different breweries may taste very different, but still be true to style!