The 15 Best Beers for the Summer

Maybe you’re looking for something new and refreshing, or perhaps you know nothing about beer at all. Whatever your reason, for lingering the isles at the Beer Store, you’re going to want to try one of these delicious beers. 

Many will agree any cold beer tastes amazing under the blazing hot sun. But there’s something to be said about a seasonal beer that was made for the summer months. From funky sour ales to big and bold IPA’s, here are our favourite top 10 beers to sip on for this summer.

Mad Jack Premium Hard Root Beer 
Your childhood favourite just got a hard kick up! This adult-style root beer contains 5% alcohol but you can hardly even tell – it tastes that much like the real stuff. Just add ice cream and you’ve got a boozy float! Right now, it’s available at select beer stores across the province. Find the nearest store here.

Mad Jack Premium Ginger Lager
Oh, don’t worry ginger ale fans. Mad Jack has you covered as well! Much like their hard root beer, their Ginger Lager is pretty hard to decipher from the real stuff and is extra delicious. Unfortunately, it can’t be purchased on its own but it is available in a menage a trois which includes Mad Jack Premium Hard Root Beer and Apple Lager.

Strongbow Apple Cider Ginger
Here’s another good pick if you’re a fan of ginger! While not technically a beer, we couldn’t resist adding this cider to the list. Not too sweet and not too dry, this drink combines all the fruitiness of a medium-dry cider with the soft spiciness of ginger.

Molson Canadian Cider
And while we’re on the topic of ciders, another favourite of ours is by Molson Canadian. Made with 100% Canadian grown apples, Molson offers their ciders in a variety of thirst-quenching flavours which include classic apple, pear, white cranberry, and stone fruit (peach and apricot flavour).

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Strongbow Apple Cider Elderflower
For those who like their ciders a bit sweeter, try Strongbow Apple Cider Elderflower. We almost can’t imagine sitting out in the sun without one over the rocks in hand. This flavour is only available in Strongbow’s variety packs – the perfect pack for a long weekend.

Ayinger Brau-Weisse
This German beer has hints of banana spice, floral notes and is refreshingly tart with a hint of vanilla. This unfiltered wheat beer has that golden, fruity and thirst-quenching taste you crave.

Tree Mellow Moon Pineapple Hefeweizen
British Columbia’s own Tree Brewing Company has taken traditional citrus notes and cloves, the characteristics of a Hefeweizen brew and complimented it with sweet pineapple. This unfiltered brew has a dry, mild hop and pairs perfectly with a Hawaiian style pizza or a spicy dish.

Sixpoint The Crisp
This combination of new, clean and bold flavour makes this summer beer a refreshing retreat on a hot summer day.

Southern Tier Compass
This once a year pale-ale brew boasts a bright citrus and tropical fruit flavouring with a hint of floral and a slight peppery spice. Once it hits your palate, this brew is dry, with flavours of citrus fruit and bitter hops.

Phillips Amnesiac Double IPA
This is a beer that packs a lot of punch. With its hoppy flavour, you’ll experience a rush of flavour and aroma that isn’t for the weak. It’s boozy, citrusy and piney all wrapped up with a hint of mango, floral aromatics and malty backbone.

Founders Brewing Co. All Day IPA
Brewed with a long list of malts, grains and hops, this perfectly-tasting balanced brew offers prime aromatics and has that clean, crisp finish you crave.

Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca
Aged in oak casks with a secondary fermentation, this brew has flavours of coriander, citrus, and funky phenols from brettanomyces yeast.

Muskoka Brewery Detour
This local craft IPA-lite brew serves of delicate hints of mango, peach and florals all balanced by Cheerio-like malts. We recommend trying it with sweet tacos.

Junction Craft Brewery Conductor’s Craft Ale
Toronto’s own brewery has finally launched in the Junction and we couldn’t be any more excited. Conductor’s Craft Ale has that woodsy, pine and citrus hops taste that is balanced perfectly by a caramel-like centre for a smooth finish.

Mill Street Brewery 100th Meridian Organic Amber Lager
Made with citrusy-American hops and a superb mix of malts, it’s a beautiful all-day-on-the-dock sipper that strikes a perfect balance between honeyed digestive biscuit–like malts and pink grapefruit-like hops.

RELATED LINK: Where to Drink on the Toronto Islands 

Did we miss any of the best beers for the Summer? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.