By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor
It is hot on Long Island this week -- really hot -- and has been for a few weeks not. Couple that with my wife Nena being pregnant and you get where I am today -- more beer filling my glass, both at home and at restaurants.
I'm an extremely seasonal drinker -- whether we're talking beer or wine. In the winter, I drink far more red wines than white. The opposite is true in the summer. There are exceptions of course (these are personal guidelines rather than rules), including riesling and cabernet franc. I drink those year round.
My beer tastes change seasonally too (with hoppy ales the constant). During the warmer months, I tend to lighters, less-sweet beers, including these five New York beers -- ones that are available outside of growler fills -- that I've been enjoying so far this spring and summer:
Brooklyn Brewery Summer Ale: This is likely the most easily found (aka most widely distributed) beer on this list, but it's a go-to beer fro me -- especially because you can find it on bar and restaurant tap lists this time of year. Thought technically an English Pale Ale, I find it just a bit citrusy along with notes of grain and subtle, herbal hops.
Best of all, especially if I were a camper or had a boat, it's now available in cans as well as the standard bottles. I dig good beer in cans -- for so many reasons.
Brewery Ommegang Hennepin: Those who know me well, or at least my beer tastes, know that I love saisons and this is a perennial favorite. It may not be as funky and earthy as some beers of this style, but that's why I like it in the summer. It's decidedly Belgian up front with fruity esters, but finishes dry with subtle coriander seed and citrus zest notes.
Ithaca Beer Company Partly Sunny: I first had this beer last July on a trip to Ithaca with my wife, Nena. We had just finished hiking Buttermilk Falls on a steamy 90+ degree day and stopped in at the brewery almost on a whim. We tasted through the whole lineup, but this wit was the beer that best quenched our thirst and reinvigorated us. Very easy drinking and a real crowd-pleaser.
Sixpoint Craft Ales "The Crisp": Something strange has happened with my palate over the last couple of years. Either that or I just wasn't drinking the right pilseners. I didn't think that I liked them, but I've had this one on a handful of occasions (both from a growler and now from the brewery's new 16 oz. "nano-kegs") and I plan to pick up some more this weekend.
It's what pilsener is supposed to be -- clean and refreshing -- with just a bit of hop character at the end. Maybe that's why I like it so much.
Southampton Publick House Double White: Wheat-grain, banana and spice flavors combine here to create a beer that never lasts long when I serve it at a summer bbq. It's a bit creamy on the mid-palate, but never cloying, finishing crisp and subtly spicy. Most importantly -- in my house anyway -- it's as popular with the beer geeks as it is with the macro-brew drinkers that so often find themselves at our parties. I hold out hope that this beer will serve as a gateway beer to craft ales for at least some of them.
These are just some of my favorites from what is a wide-open category. What are some of your favorite New York beers for summer?
I haven't had the pleasure of trying the Southampton Double White but it sounds fantastic and I want it. No sours on this list; for my money summer doesn't start until Ithaca Brute is out. In the meantime I've been staying cool with Brooklyn Sorachi Ace, Three Heads The Kind, and believe it or not Southern Tier EuroTrash lately. And I know I'm weird, but I would drink Flying Bison Blackbird Stout on the beach. Had it with burgers the other night and it hit the spot on a hot summer night. Would love to hear what readers are sipping on the porch this summer!
Posted by: Julia Burke | July 13, 2011 at 01:30 PM
You are weird, but that's why you fit in around here.
I really need to try Sorachi again. Aaron and I had it once and it just didn't blow us away. I think we may have even left some in the bottle (doesn't happen often).
Southampton is pretty widely distributed down here. We'll get you some once too-hot-for-shipping season ends.
Posted by: Lenn Thompson | July 13, 2011 at 01:33 PM
Timing could not be any better. With Gabe's first B-Day in a few weeks, I was looking for some beer options for the guests.
I will defiantly seek out the Six Point and the Brooklyn Beer.
Lenn, as you know I struggle with my beer selections. Hefeweizen is my go to beer with Saison a close second. Still on the look out for some sour beer..I always forget to look for.
Thanks for this!
Posted by: Michael Gorton, Jr. | July 13, 2011 at 03:09 PM
Yeah, not a fan of the Sorachi but would definitely give it another shot.
I have to admit that the Kölsch I tried the other day really inspired me to get more acquainted with this style.
Posted by: Aaron Estes | July 13, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Brooklyn Summer is my go-to NY summer beer. Greenport's is awesome, but not as portable.
Posted by: Bill Faulk | July 13, 2011 at 03:26 PM
I know I'm looking forward to drinking very local cans of Great South Bay next summer.
Posted by: Sean | July 13, 2011 at 04:54 PM
You know, I didn't like Sorachi Ace at first either. I've been finding lately that I really dig it in the evenings in hot weather though, with blue cheese and also with Chinese food. It's a damn good food beer.
That said, it will fade from my heart and mind completely as soon as Ithaca Brute gets released.
Posted by: Julia Burke | July 13, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Sean: Their Blonde Ambition is the reason I almost including growler/tap beers in this post.
Along with Kelso Pilsner.
Posted by: Lenn Thompson | July 13, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Lets see...Ommengang Witte, Flower Power, Firestone walker Union Jack, Ballast Point Sculpin, Greenflash Summer Saison, Southampton Keller Pils and Double White, Southern Tier 2 x IPA, Three Floyds Gumball Head, Trader Joes Hefe, The Bruery Saison, Hill Farmstead Saison Clara, Avery White Rascal, and some local Rye IPA homebrew that a friend made:) Plus a bunch more
Posted by: Dan | July 13, 2011 at 05:50 PM
Never had a Six Point beer I didn't like, so I look forward to trying a pilsner from that brewery. Thanks for the heads-up.
Posted by: Cyclist | July 13, 2011 at 09:56 PM
Hey Dan, I think you missed the "New York" part of the question ;) At least with some of those West Coast choices.
Cyclist: I'm in the same boat with Sixpoint. Even the beers that aren't my favorite styles always impress.
Posted by: Lenn Thompson | July 13, 2011 at 09:59 PM
Strangely enough, I went into a restaurant a couple days ago and saw a can of Sixpoint Crisp peeking out of the cooler. Distinctive and well made, but I wouldn't say it is a classic pilsner in style. Seemed too dark and malty. As points of reference, I'd say that Pilsner Urquell or Budvar among imports and Victory Prima or Stoudt's (in the US style) would be 'classic'.
Posted by: Cyclist | July 16, 2011 at 03:56 PM