Updated for 2024
Long summer days offer a world of possibilities. How about grilling in the backyard or swinging in a hammock, fishing, or taking a trip to the beach, or just relaxing with friends? Whatever you get up to, you’ll need the perfect drink to pair with your many hours of daylight and fun. Read on for a list of 25 lighter-bodied yet full-flavored brews that you can session from sunup to sundown and beyond.
Beers:
Alaskan Pilsner
alaskanbeer.com/our-beers/pilsner/
4.8% ABV
Brewed with glacier-fed waters, this pilsner is extremely clean and crisp, with a subtle sweetness balanced by moderate bitterness that will keep you coming back for more all summer long.
Altstadt Light German-style Lager
3.5% ABV
altstadtbeer.com/beers/altstadt-light/
The smooth, light body on this low-cal Germany-style lager will have you sessioning deliciously this summer, especially with its clean, dry finish that keeps you coming back for another sip.
Avery Little Rascal
4.5% ABV
averybrewing.com/brews/little-rascal
This sessioning Belgian-style White Ale, a lighter off-shoot of their White Rascal, uses Citron Limon, Meyer lemon, and Lemondrop hops to make the brew especially bright and refreshing for those hot summer days.
Brooklyn Pilsner
5.0% ABV
brooklynbrewery.com/brooklyn-beers/year-round/brooklyn-pilsner/
Take a sip on the bright side with this pilsner made for good times with good people, a perfect complement to all your summer get-togethers.
Community Texas Lager
4% ABV
communitybeer.com/beers/texas-lager/
At just under 100 calories, this uniquely Texas brew is perfect for enjoying the beautiful outdoors, celebrating with friends and family, or relaxing after a long day’s work.
Deep Ellum Blonde
5.2% ABV
deepellumbrewing.com/beer/dallas-blonde/
A shimmering, golden ale that’s citrusy and floral, this beautifully balanced, sessionable brew is guaranteed to deliver more fun in the sun this summer
Deschutes King Crispy Pilsner
4.9% ABV
deschutesbrewery.com/beer/king-crispy-pilsner/
With its well-deserved crown, this light and refreshing winner of the Pilsner Fest Bitburger Challenge in Portland, Oregon, is perfectly crushable and, you guessed it, wonderfully crisp.
Dogfish SeaQuench Ale
4.9% ABV
dogfish.com/brewery/beer/seaquench-ale
A touch of salt on the tongue, a bit of malt sweetness in the finish – this ale is a summer-ready, citrusy-tart mash-up of Kölsch, Gose and Berliner Weiss, sure to win over margarita lovers, as well.
Founders All Day IPA
4.7% ABV
foundersbrewing.com/our-beer/all-day-ipa/
Celebrate the simple pleasures of summer with this IPA, boasting a complex array of malts, grains and hops, made for sessioning.
Independence Redbud Berliner Weisse
4.9% ABV
independencebrewing.com/beers/redbud/
Dubbed the Champagne of the North by Napoleon’s troops, this delightfully refreshing brew is spritzy with a lemony tartness to balance the sweetness of the malted wheat.
Lagunitas Daytime IPA
4% ABV
Like bright rays of hops shining down on a gentle landscape of malts and oats, this low-cal, low-carb session IPA is ideal for sipping anytime.
Martin House Salty Lady
5.0% ABV
As refreshing as a sports drink at the end of a sweltering summer day, this tart and salty Gose is finished with coriander for a citrus and earthy touch.
Odell Sippin’ Pretty Fruited Sour
4% ABV
odellbrewing.com/beer/sippin-pretty/
Summer goals: Sippin’ pretty in the sun! Balancing acai, guava and elderberry with a pinch of Himalayan sea salt, this fruited sour ale pops with a bright ruby color and a refreshing tart finish.
Real Ale Firemans Light
4% ABV
realalebrewing.com/beers/firemans-light/
This easy-drinking lager is light beer for craft beer drinkers – a perfect combination of a crisp, light body with a clean, malt-driven finish.
Saint Arnold Lawnmower German-style Kölsch
4.9% ABV
saintarnold.com/year-round-beers/
This slightly fruity Kölsch-style brew is particularly refreshing when paired with your favorite summer outdoor activities like fishing, golf, BBQ or backyard games, or to pick you up after a bike ride or hike.
Schöfferhofer Grapefruit
2.5% ABV
schofferhofer.us/wheat-beerbeer
We wouldn’t blame you for having a few of these in a go – an irresistibly tangy and sweet grapefruit-flavored wheat beer with low ABV so you can keep on sippin’.
Stone Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager
4.7% ABV
stonebrewing.com/beer/year-round-releases/stone-buenaveza-salt-lime-lager
Bring a little SoCal to Texas. This Baja-inspired Mexican lager brewed with sea salt and lime is the perfect chaser for a hard day’s work or the ideal companion for a day of fun in the sun.
Tupps Salted Lime Mexican Lager
4.2% ABV
Beer – TUPPS Brewery & Taproom in McKinney, TX
Elevate your summer Taco Tuesdays by serving this tart and refreshing Mexican lager alongside your favorite Tex-Mex fare.
Wild Acre Sundance Wheat
5.2% ABV
As bold and charismatic as its outlaw namesake, this wheat is locked and loaded with citrus flavor, perfect for getting up to a little summer mischief.
Ciders:
Ace Guava Craft Cider
5% ABV
With a generous pour of Brazilian guava juice in the mix with semi-dry apple cider, this one will give you tropical vacation vibes in a can.
Bishop Cider
5%
bishopcider.com/pineapple-paradise
This juicy cider is a tropical getaway staycaytion – one sip and you’ll be off to your own personal pineapple paradise, travel not required.
Blakes Hard Cider
5.5%
Original – Blake’s Hard Cider (blakeshardcider.com)
You can’t beat the refreshment of this light, crisp, and uncomplicated hard cider, made for sippin’ in the sun.
Woodchuck 100 Cider Variety Pack
4.2% ABV
woodchuck.com/cider/woodchuck-100-variety-pack/
A variety pack dedicated to sessionable ciders, these four fruity options – not a one being apple – will brighten up any summer day. Go ahead and have one of each (or two, or three).
Seltzers:
Big Country Organic Hard Seltzer Variety Pack
4.5% ABV
Satisfy your summery fruit cravings with the creative combinations in this seltzer mix pack, ready to cater to everyone’s tastes at the pool party.
Lone River Ranch Water Variety Pack
4% ABV
Brewed to slake the thirst of a hard-working cowpoke, these seltzers are sweetened with agave nectar and made tart with a squirt of lime – wrangle some friends and enjoy!
