Craft Beverages I’m Looking Forward to Drinking More of This Summer
Fortunately for me, the summers in Minnesota are incredible. Unfortunately for me, they only last so long. Like 3 months. Tops. That means I need to make the most out of it, and that includes what I choose to drink. Every beer, seltzer, and cocktail counts as I am quenching my thirst after mowing the lawn, watching the Twinkies, or relaxing on the water.
I know, I know — It’s not as high stakes as I’m making it sound, but before we know it, it’ll be -20 below and blizzarding, and I’m going to be snowblowing instead of mowing, so I need to savor every sip this summer.
Now that I accurately raised the stakes, and (over)stated the gravity of it all, what am I looking to make my go-to’s this summer? You are in the right place my friend, because I am going to do just that. Let’s dive in!
Schlapp’s American Lager | Haggard Barrel Brewing Co.
Schlapp’s is a fantasticly clean, light, crisp lager, with the perfect amount of malt and hop character to give it some depth. This is the single flagship beer that Haggard has, because it’s exactly what they all like to drink. I like to drink it too, and have definitely had my fair share, but I can always drink more of it. It’s true what they say, “Nothing Hits Like a Shlapp’s”. This will serve as the perfect crusher. And How!
Ecstatic Static West Coast IPA | Luce Line Brewery
This one has been right under my nose the whole time, and I only recently tried it, coming to the conclusion that it is one of my favorite local beers. It only makes sense that it should be my go-to IPA this summer, and what is better than a West Coast? That’s right, nothing.
This one nails every checkbox for me — Crisp, Light Body, lean pilsner-like malt bill to let the hops sing, and a solid bitterness with plenty of fruity hop character. It is the perfect example of the “modern” West Coast IPA that we are seeing take hold of the craft beer market. As an added bonus, this is a flagship for Luce Line as well, meaning it will be around for me to enjoy well past the summer — I just know it will be especially tasty on hot days, which I am particularly eager for.
Photo Courtesy of Luce Line Brewing
WaveRacer West Coast IPA | Dual Citizen Brewing Company
Another modernized West Coast IPA? You know it. This is a newer offering from Dual Citizen that I tried immediately, and it doesn’t fall short in any sense. I plan to mix this one in every so often to toss up my IPA consumption over the course of the summer. It is super clean, crispy, and the ABV is right in the goldilocks zone. This one is ever so slightly malty, so that sweetness will help change up the palate a bit.
Honestly this may be the perfect boat beer. Refreshing, thirst quenching, and the name is right on cue — maybe just don’t drink it while riding a WaveRacer…
Mister Surly’s Orange Whip Cream Ale | Surly Brewing Company
Ready to get weird? I am.
This beer got teased at the Winter Beer Dabbler, where I had the chance to taste it, and I was transported back to when I was just a tyke, enjoying an Orange Julius, or a Flintstones push pop, or a simple orange Fanta float. I have honestly been thinking about it ever since that day.
It is a cream ale first and foremost, which is the aspect I admire the most. It comes across like a light beer, then on the back end you get slight vanilla sweetness, and some citrusy candied orange, however those flavors are pretty subdued. What you get is a light summer crusher, with a slight kiss of creamsicle, and it is glorious.
If it hit that hard on a cold winter day in February, I can only imagine how good it will be on a hot summer day in July.
Haha Pils & Tokki Korean Rice Lager | Arbeiter Brewing Company
I need a variety of lagers in my rotation, and these two are some of the best, which is no surprise considering who makes them.
Haha Pils has been cleaning up at the national level, including a 2024 GABF Gold and a 2025 World Beer Cup Gold. Must be some pretty good stuff, huh? It is a perfect German style pils - crackery, biscuity, floral and earthy noble hop characteristics - It is literally perfect.
I also just have to include Tokki, because not many breweries are making rice lagers these days, and especially not this well. It has been making some waves locally as well itself, taking home some hardware from the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. This one is really light, with a sparkling effervescence, and a slight floral hop character to it. Any chance I have to get it on tap, I take!
You can’t have an award winning summer without award winning beers, right?
“Grape Ape” & “The Bomb” Flavored Malt Beverages | Lift Bridge Brewing Co.
These days, I don’t drink many sours, but I do enjoy a fruity treat here and there. This should do just the trick. Part of Lift Bridge’s new(ish) line of ready to drink, malt based, cocktail seltzers, “Grape Ape” has consistently been a go to for me. It nails that nostalgic grape pop flavor, and has a nice kick to it too at 7%. Not too sweet either, so it is quite easy to drink.
A new offering - “The Bomb” - was recently added to this series, and for those of you living under a rock, it is meant to mimic everyone’s favorite summer treat, the “Bomb Pop”. Blue Razz, lime, and cherry make this one up, and though I haven’t tried it yet, based on the others in this series, I know it will be good. Anything blue razz for me is an automatic. This summer, I’ll be going Ape, and getting Bombed!
So here is to the summer beers, and drinking more of what we think tastes good. After all, that’s the beauty of it all - just drink what you like. What are you looking forward to enjoying more of this summer? Anything on my list you will join me in drinking? As always, you can let me know, and I will be happy to sit down and listen with a beer in hand.
