The Game Day Cooler: The Beers of Summer, Part 1

The Boys of Summer, Roger Kahn’s 1972 book about the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1950s, instantly resonates with baseball fans. On a list of “The Top 100 Sports Books of All Time,” Sports Illustrated magazine placed The Boys of Summer at number two.

And, for better or worse (a debate for another essay), Eagles drummer Don Henley indelibly etched the phrase into the pop culture craw with his 1984 hit of the same name.

Here at Whopperjaw, we love baseball and we can talk passionately about music all night long, but both pastimes are often accompanied by a cold one. So we decided to ask people in the beer world for their three all-time summer favorites.

Think of it as a combination of Nick Hornby’s list-making protagonist, Rob, in High Fidelity, a fantasy baseball draft, and a late-night after-party. Beer enthusiasts share some great brews for the season in part one of The Beers of Summer:

Adem Tepedelen, blogger at Brewtal Truth, and author of the upcoming book, Brewtal Truth Guide to Extreme Beers (due November 2013), recommends these three thirst quenchers:

•  Pretty Things American Darling  “They call this strong lager the ‘unlawnmower’ beer due to its higher ABV (5.8%),” says Tepedelen. “But it’s still damn drinkable on a hot day.”
• Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier  “Effervescent, fruity/spicy German hefeweizen is made for summer and this is the undisputed champ.” You heard it from the expert.
• Central City Red Racer IPA  “When it comes to hoppy beers, it’s always best to drink local,” writes Tepedelen. ”Plus, the can makes for better portability.”

Kris Ketcham, Brewing Manager at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station in San Diego, California certainly has a lot of options to choose from. When it’s a “guest beer” he’s pouring, his all-time favorite would have been Oceanside Ale Works “White Water Wit,” but they don’t make it any more. Next at bat? Ketcham suggest these all-stars:

• Unibroue Blanche De Chambly
• Craftsman Heavenly Hefe or Paulaner Hefe
• Victory Prima Pils or Oskar Blues Mamma’s Little Yella Pils

Teri Fahrendorf, President of the Pink Boots Society, an organization created to empower women beer professionals to advance their careers in the beer industry through education, says she “almost hates to choose favorite children that way” so she provided her favorite three summertime styles instead.

• Belgian saison
• Czech pilsner
• German hefeweizen

Jeremy Marshall, Head Brewer at Lagunitas in Petaluma, California offers great ways to beat the heat:

• Lagunitas Daytime – “Of course I have to pick one in our litter,” says Marshall.
• Russian River’s Little White Lie  – “Good on a hot day,” he acknowledges.
• Coors Banquet “Good on a hotter day or at Burning Man.”