There is a lot of marketing and advertising for Summer beers out there these days. Most of the beers are lighter summer ales, many infused with lemon or other citrus juices. Shandys have become increasingly popular too, with lots of  different flavor profiles out there in addition to the traditional lemonade-based concoctions.

When I look for summer time refreshment i tend to start with something a little more traditonal and historic: German Kolsch Ales and Weissbeirs. These brews have been made for centuries spcifically for the purpose of providing a fresher and lighter option for Germany's beer drinking public during the summer months.

I've also included a couple of innvoative and extremely tasty domestic craft beers in this review along with a very tradtional English beer. Overall, when I look for summer beers refreshment is number one on my list of priorties and I believe each of these beers delivers that in its own way. 

Some of these are available in your local grocery store and others you'll need to do a little more searching to find them. Here's a look at my five summer beer picks:

Sunner Kolsch - Cologne Germany

Clean, crisp and fresh. Listed ingredients: water, barley, malt and hops.

Rogue Farms Honey Kolsch - Oregon

A slightly more modern take on the German tradition with honey from their farm added.

Weihenstephaner Kristall Weissbier - Freising, Germany

A classic and delciious Weissbier from the world's oldest brewery. Simply delcicious!

Samual Smith's Organic Pale Ale - Tadcaster, UK

A traditional English Pale that is not overly hopped and beautifully blalanced

Fat Heads Brewing Company Bumble Berry - Middleburgh Heights, OH

A great way to cap of a night of fun or to revitalize your palate half way through the night