For the Love of Beer: Seasonal Releases

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!

Blue Pants Brewery

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!

Brew Stooges

Witless Wheat
Hefeweizen
ABV: 5.2%
Availability: Now – August on draft in the Brew Stooges taproom (and a few select bars/restaurants)

Rocket Republic

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

Straight to Ale

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.

Salty Nut Brewery

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!

Yellowhammer Brewing

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!