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My roommate, co-host, and best friend gave you a rundown of 6 beers you should have in your fridge this summer. So, naturally, I’m going to make a competing (and maybe better!!) one. Here are my Summer 2020 Craft Beer Selections to brighten up what has been a pretty wild & weird summer so far.
Like what you see? Have a suggestion to add? Leave a comment below.
Storm Blueberry – Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. (Newport, RI) Photo courtesy of Newport Craft
Style: Kölsch Ale
ABV: 4.6%
Canned and distributed regionally
I mean no disrespect to Wachusett Blueberry (I even gave it an honorable mention), but there is a better blueberry beer in New England…look no further than Newport Craft. An explosion of blueberry & graham cracker, it’s the perfect light beer for those that like a little fruit in their summer libations.
Very Green – Treehouse Brewing Company (Charlton, MA)
Photo courtesy of MyBeerCollectibles.com
Style: Double IPA
ABV: 8.3%
Canned in limited quantities, poured on-site @ Treehouse
As Will and I both know, I will die on the hill that Very Green is the best beer Treehouse makes. Pineapple, citrus, and what Treehouse calls “dank saturated hops.” If a tequila sunrise or vodka pineapple met a hazy IPA, you’d get Very Green. A+ selection.
I have given 5.0 ratings (the highest possible on Untappd) to only 3 beers, and this is one of them.
Camp Wannamango – Harpoon (Boston, MA)
Photo courtesy of Harpoon Brewing Company
Style: American Pale Ale
ABV: 5%
Canned and distributed nationally
After I just gassed up Very Green, you must wonder – how can I follow up the best beer in the region with something from Harpoon?! If you haven't picked up the theme by now, there is nothing better than an ice-cold fruit-infused beer during the summer. I first had Camp Wannamango 2 years ago at an event in the Seaport district of Boston, and as such, completed my initiation rites to become a full New England resident. Crisp, light bodied, and what Harpoon calls a "kiss of mango." You can find these at pretty much any variety liquor store.
Oh-J – Lone Pine Brewing Company (Portland, ME)
Photo courtesy of Reddit
Style: Double IPA
ABV: 8.1%
Canned and distributed regionally
What if I told you a beer that tasted like orange juice didn't use a single ounce of fruit in its brewing process? "Fresh, never frozen...not from concentrate," as the Lone Pine website lists in a playfully witty way. They rely 100% on the hops for the flavor...no preservatives, no sweeteners. Oh-J pretty much tastes like a cold glass of Tropicana meeting a creamsicle. This is not a light-bodied beer by any means, so save it for a craft beer day rather than your desperate attempt to find a beer for those last couple of games of Flip Cup before it gets too dark.
Voodoo Ranger – New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, CO)
Photo courtesy of Drizly
Style: American IPA
ABV: 7%
Bottled and distributed nationally
Let's be clear...we are a New Belgium podcast & blog. They've come a long way from their humble beginnings in 1991; they've distributed one of the best-selling beers in the US (Fat Tire), donated $26 million to charity since their founding, and have consistently been ranked in the Top-10 craft breweries in the nation. While Fat Tire is clearly the more popular, don't sleep on Voodoo Ranger. This is, without question, the most traditional IPA on this list. For those of you that don't like your beer bursting with flavor (shame on you), this is a really subtle way to get your craft on.
Lil' Heaven Crushable IPA - Two Roads Brewing Company (Stratford, CT)
Photo courtesy of chadzbeerreviews.com
Style: Session IPA
ABV: 4.8%
Canned, bottled, and distributed nationally
The "road less traveled" is to Connecticut, where you'll find one of the most peculiar IPA's in the region. At 4.8% ABV, you can "crush" a ton of these (as the name suggests) without feeling gross afterwards. Great beer to drink poolside, aboard a boat, or at your cousin's picnic paired with a steak & country potatoes.
Honorable Mentions
Blueberry Ale - Wachusett Brewing
We must respect the "original" best blueberry beer in New England. My personal favorite selection when I'm at The Cove in Fall River.
Torque Wrench - Industrial Arts Brewing
Anything from Industrial Arts is worth trying...they pour all over New England due to their growing popularity. Next time you're at restaurant with Torque Wrench, you know what you're getting.
Summer Ale – Montauk Brewing Company
Bold, refreshing light beer. Perfect for a day at the beach, or if you really want to get frisky, you can put this in your Pong cup with no one judging you.