Five Craft Beer and Food Pairings for Summer

Jordhan Woods, Craft Beer Contributor

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What makes the perfect summer craft beer? Maybe it’s something crisp and refreshing. Perhaps even something light that you can drink all day. Or what might be most important to you is finding a craft beer that pairs well with a variety of delicious foods served at the summer cookout. We’re talking about the traditional hot dog and burgers, fish served in various ways, BBQ fan favorites, and much more. This summer, try one of these 5 recommended craft beer and food pairings for your next outdoor event. 


Pale Lager 

A pale lager is a very pale to golden-colored brew with low levels of hops. These beers have a relatively low ABV and are often described as crispy and piney. Some popular varieties of pale lager include the classic German-style pilsners and the oh-so-refreshing traditional lager. All of these beers are best served around 38 degrees and should taste relatively dry, with a splash of sweetness. Due to the lighter body of a pale lager, consider pairing this brew with a bold, flavorful summer dish like the seasonal lobster roll or with a seafood boil.


Hazy Pale Ale and Hazy IPA 

The first indication that a brew is a hazy pale ale or hazy IPA is the cloudiness. While there are several brewing factors as to why you can’t look through this brew, it can simply be chalked up to grain protein. In a blind taste test, you’ll instantly recognize a hazy beer due to its inherent juiciness and ripe citrus flavors dancing on your tongue. As for the main difference between a Hazy Pale Ale and a Hazy IPA — a hazy pale has a lower ABV and slightly fewer hops. Both pack a floral punch that we highly recommend be paired with Baja-style fish tacos or a colorful summer salad! 

A picnic is laid out with brats and beers

Blonde Ale

Perhaps the most inviting and quintessential summer beer in existence is the blonde ale. This easy-drinking American classic is a simple and straightforward beer that is pale in color, has a low ABV, and contains medium-low hops. Upon first taste, you’ll get malty sweetness, and it finishes with a bready, biscuit flavor. Due to the light and crispy flavor of a blonde ale, this beer pairs well in a traditional BBQ, corn on the cob, cole slaw, and deviled eggs. If you’re serving something savory, you need to stock the cooler with blonde ales! 


Session IPA 

The name of the beer-drinking game during the summer is longevity. While the traditional IPA is delicious, it often has a high ABV that is not conducive to day-drinking with your family and friends. Not to worry, that is where the Session IPA comes into play. This style of beer has the same hoppiness as an IPA but with a lower alcohol content — generally under 4-5% ABV. This incredibly hoppy (Session IPAs often contain 5 different hops!) yet refreshing brew can be paired well with classic cookout food; burgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, and grilled chicken thighs.

Image of Athletic Brewing Co.'s Run Wild being poured into a pint glass

Non-Alcoholic Beer 

Do you enjoy tossing back a couple of cold brews but not necessarily having the after-effects? Non-Alcoholic beers have entered the chat! Non-Alcoholic (NA) beers have come a long way since their inception during the Prohibition era. Not only do they taste like a true craft beer, but they give you the freedom to socialize without feeling the impact of a traditional brew. Brands like Athletic Brewing and even Heineken offer great NA options like IPAs, golden ales, stouts, and lagers to keep you hydrated all summer long. As for what to snack on? We recommend your favorite sushi rolls, pasta with plenty of roasted summer vegetables, or a beautiful charcuterie board. 

On average, the summer season lasts a mere 93.6 days. That means you have three quick months to enjoy summer’s best treats; watermelon, ice cream, hot dogs, and craft beer, of course! If you’re interested in trying one of the brews above this season, visit GetStocked to browse our craft beer selection and make this summer a refreshing and tasty time!

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