Warm, Sunny Days Signal Crushable Summer Beers from Local Brewhouses
So many breweries. So many tasty beers. So little time.
For so many here in NEPA, summer is all about soakin’ up as much of that sweet vitamin D as possible. Bring on waterparks and weekends at the lake. Let’s hike like a thousand trails and paddle up and down the Susquehanna. We can camp under the stars or waste a day beneath a shady tree with a fishing pole in our hands and not a worry in our heads. When our tummies get to rumblin’, let’s grab a late lunch on the patio or a sunset dinner on the deck.
Sometimes, there’s just too much to do and too little summer. Whether you’re mowing the lawn, washing the car, tending the garden or finding new and unique ways to avoid chores altogether, odds are, you’re gonna’ be outside. And you’re gonna’ be thirsty. Luckily, there’s about 40 craft breweries right here in NEPA, and they’re all waiting for you to pop in for a cold pint.
Of course, we’ve taken it one step further and rounded up a convenient list of NEPA’s most crushable summer beers. Check it out.
Dog Daze of Summer IPA
American IPA / ABV: 6.5%
A classic, slightly hoppy IPA with notes of stone fruit and just enough punch to keep you smilin’ in the sunshine.
Bouza
Weissbier / ABV: 3.5%
“Wheat based, fermented w/ sourdough cultures, infused w/ mixed berries – it’s purple!”
Grandad’s Cream Ale
Cream Ale / ABV: 4.6%
“Is it an Ale? Is it a Lager? You be the judge. Brewed in the tradition of Cream Ales with a proprietary blend of ale and lager yeast strains. Kicked up a notch with some Simcoe Hops. Crisp and refreshing.”
Mango Saison
Saison / ABV: 6.1%
“Light-bodied and delightfully tropical, this clean-tasting saison is conditioned with 160 pounds of mango and guava puree.”
Orange Summer Crusher
Fruited Ale / ABV: 4.2%
“Super light and refreshing! Clean, crisp, and thirst-quenching ale rested on orange puree and light vanilla.” * Look for it at their can releases or on tap in select locations.
Pineapple Jamsicle
Sour IPA / ABV: 6%
Kettle-soured double IPA with Pineapple. “This IPA is so good it will have you swingin’!… I mean singing. (wink)”
Zwickel Pilsner
German Pilsner / ABV: 5.0%
“This light-colored pilsner brewed with 100% German Pilsner malt and Spalter Select hops. Light bread notes with an assertive hop profile. Crisp and zippy.”
5150 IPA
IPA / 7.6%
“IPA brewed with Canadian Pilsen, malted oats, and wheat. Kettle and dry hopped with a 5-piece hop band, playing all the hits. Apollo, Amarillo, Azacca, Idaho 7, and Mosaic. Bright, Juicy Notes of tangerine marmalade, ripe mango, and sugar topped lemongrass sorbet.”
Whistle Wheat Ale w/ Watermelon
American Pale Wheat beer / ABV: 4.2%
“Our 5 Whistle Wheat Ale rested on watermelon puree.”
Mexican Lager w/Lime
Mexican Style Lager / ABV: 4%
“This easy drinking lager is brewed with fresh lime juice and zest. It has a nice smooth taste with a hint of lime.”
Jalapeno Gose
Gose Style Ale / ABV 5%
“Brewed with Salt, Limes, and of course Jalapeños then aged in Tequila Barrels!”
Ozzy Man’s Sparkling Ale
Australian Sparkling Ale / ABV: 4.7%
“Golden yellow, medium-bodied, and a little hazy with flavors of English yeast and hopped with everyone’s favorite Australian hop- Galaxy! A little malty sweetness is paired with the mild fruitiness and the crisp carbonation makes for a little extra refreshment. It’s similar to an English ale but has similarities to American pale ales. Cheers mate!”
Curran Wheat Beer
Wheat Ale / ABV: 5%
“This light and crisp wheat is brewed with mint, which makes it the perfect summer beer!”
You Can Do Wit
Witbier / ABV: 5.5%
“You Can Do It! is an unfiltered Belgian White Brew made with modest amounts of coriander, lemon and sweet orange peel. These spices are then complimented by the addition of Southern Passion hops which feature notes of tropical fruits such as passion fruit and guava. (Served with an orange slice)”
Jefe the Wise
Hefeweizen / ABV: 5.5%
A delightfully golden and crisp hefeweizen with distinct notes of banana bread and a touch of clove.
Vignette Saison
Farmhouse Ale / ABV: 6.7%
“This is a classic Saison brewed with El Dorodo and Lemondrop hops.”
Red Plague
Irish Red Ale / ABV: 5.2%
“Low AbV with a hearty body painted by strong strokes of Malta and toffee with a small peck of roastiness. Nothing is more romantic than a prince running away from death.”
Merit Badge #14
New England IPA / ABV: 8.5%
“#14 is a double NEIPA dry hopped with Simcoe and Galaxy. We used Mosaic and Simcoe hops in the boil and then double dry hopped with Galaxy and Simcoe. Notes of citrus zest, pineapple, stone fruit, and pine.”
Smoked Chocolate S’more Stout
Stout / ABV: TBD
“Double smoked chocolate, burnt marshmallows, graham crackers, & a boatload of caramel malts/ chocolate malts, fluffy Oats. Yes a stout in the middle of nice weather, but everything you want from a summer night bonfire.” Stay tuned for release date.
Saber Blue Berry Blonde Ale
Blonde Ale / ABV: 4.9%
“A smooth and extremely drinkable ale lightly hopped with mild pine and spice undertones. Infused with mild blueberry flavor to which locally sourced honey is added to counteract the tartness of the berries.”
Long Play IPA
American IPA / ABV: 6.5%
A superbly balanced IPA with distinct notes of citrus and a mildly hoppy aroma.
Last Minute Brewing Company
Pilsner Italiana Dell’ultimo Minuto (Last Minute Italian Pilsner)
Italian Style Pilsner / ABV: 4.8%
“Crushable unfiltered Italian Pilsner, noble hops on the hot side, and dry hopped with Saphir hops, to give you a pleasant bouquet of spice, flowers, and a subtle fruitiness.”
Knob Trail Pale Ale
Pale Ale / ABV: 5.4%
“Hoppy west coast style pale ale with lemon zest added.”
German Pilsner
German-Style Pilsner / ABV: 5.9%
“A classic German-style pilsner that is straw to pale in color with a malty sweetness that can be perceived in aroma and flavor. Perception of hop bitterness is medium to high. Noble-type hop aroma and flavor are moderate and quite obvious.”
Randy’s Shandy
Shandy / ABV: 9%
“A crisp, lemony and refreshing blend of our Belgian Ale and our La Crescent sparkling wine.”
Orange Cream Lager
Lager / ABV: 4.5%
“The latest version of our Creamsicle flavored beer is now using a lager yeast to lighten the body and add a creamier flavor.”
My Little Tony
Farmhouse Saison / ABV: 3.8%
My Little Tony is a Petite Farmhouse Saison made with Deer Creek Malt, malted buckwheat and elderflower. Clocking in at only 3.8% this beer features a light dry body with an ester spice and tropical fruit notes along with pear.”
Wally C137
Sour IPA / ABV: 4.12%
“Discover the perfect blend of tropical vibes and tart refreshment! Prepare to be enchanted by Wally Wilson from dimension C-137, reimagined as a Kettle Sour infused with Hibiscus tea leaves.”
Jalapeno Mango
Ale / ABV: 5%
A crisp ale that delivers on a perfect balance between sweet and spice.
Lakes and Rivers Imperial Pilsner
Imperial Pilsner / ABV: 9%
“This brew is part of limited release beer collaboration series between ShawneeCraft Brewing Company and Wallenpaupack Brewing Company. Weighing in at a hefty 9% ABV, this beer is as smooth, dry, and drinkable as its session counterparts. Enjoy this one while it lasts, and sip carefully!”
Mauch Chunk Street Rauchbier
Rauchbier (Smoke Beer) / ABV: 5.4%
“Traditional German-style lager with a smooth malt backbone, and a mild and pleasant, smoky aroma and flavor, derived from malt that has been kilned directly over an open flame beechwood log fire. Like sitting around a campfire with good friends. The perfect beer for summertime barbecues!”
Stegmaier IPA
American IPA / ABV: 7%
“Pale golden in color, dry finishing, pleasantly bitter, and oozing with luscious American hop flavor and aroma: Stegmaier IPA is the product of modern brewing techniques, a quest for drinkability, a love for hops, and a family calling to brew great beer.”
Inflategate NEIPA
New England IPA / ABV: 7.1%
“Vermont Ale Yeast, vigorously hopped, juicy, fresh, citrus hop forward bursts, hazy appearance, hops on hops on hops.”
American Blonde
Blonde Ale / ABV: 4.8%
“This refreshing Blonde Ale was brewed for drinkability. A simple grain bill keeps the beer light while American hops add just a hint of floral citrus.”
June Gloom
Bavarian Style Hefeweizen / ABV: 5.7%
“June Gloom is our traditional Bavarian style Hefeweizen brewed with imported German Pilsner malt and German wheat and in accordance with the Reinheitsgebot. Brewed in reference of the classics consumed on the beaches of San Diego!”
Traditional Lager
American Lager / ABV: 4.5%
“Famous for its rich amber color and medium-bodied flavor, with roasted caramel malt for a subtle sweetness and a combination of cluster and cascade hops, this true original delivers a well-balanced taste with very distinct character.”
There are currently 40 local, craft breweries on the DiscoverNEPA Brewer’s Loop. No matter where you live, you’re bound to find one close by. And, if not, well there’s no better reason for a little road trip. Check out our comprehensive list of local breweries and start planning your next summer beer adventure.
