From pale ale perfection to ginger beer with kick, these are the best craft brews for summer drinking

Whether you’re looking for a pale ale with punch or low-alcohol options that are high in flavour, these craft brews are worth a try.

While there’s undoubtedly a beer for all seasons, there is something truly special about a cold beer on a hot summer’s day.

And whether you’re baking on the beach or bunging on a backyard barbie with buddies, there’s a bevvie for all occasions thanks to the ingenuity of the burgeoning craft beer business in Australia.

From the ever-popular pale ales (hazy or otherwise), to beers with a serious kick (or ones that will let you drive home without any worries), or even a ginger beer with a difference, our resident expert Ben Malouf from Craft Cartel has you covered. Cheers!

Sea Legs Pale Ale.

1. Sea Legs Pale Ale (RRP $6.50)

Any list of beers for summer is not complete if it doesn’t include the 2021 Champion Pale Ale at the Indies, an award given out by the Independent Brewers Association. This brew is a reverent ‘tip of the hat’ and ‘raising of the glass’ to the hero of modern beer.

Burleigh Mid-Tide.

2. Burleigh Mid-Tide (RRP $4.95)

Hello good times. Delicate with subtle fruit characters, this beer earnt itself a Silver medal at the World Beer Championships. Just like optimal mid-tide conditions for perfect waves at the beach, this ale sits in the sweet spot no matter the occasion. If we hadn’t told you that it’s 3% strength, you wouldn’t have believed it. It’s beer magic. Great with tacos, or dishes with lime and coriander.

Colonial South West Sour.

3. Colonial South West Sour (RRP $6)

South West Sour is a refreshing modern sour. At 4.6%, it strikes the delicate balance between sweet and sessionable. Deliciously refreshing.

Brick Lane Sidewinder Hazy Pale Ale.

4. Brick Lane Sidewinder Hazy Pale Ale (RRP $4.95)

A low-alcohol beer with a fresh golden haze, a full body and smooth mouth feel that hits every spot. Fruity esters and juicy tropical notes of peach, apricot, mango and lychee burst through, giving ultimate flavour without compromise. Super tasty, super juicy.

Bright That’s Fresh Hazy Pale.

5. Bright That’s Fresh Hazy Pale (RRP $5.95)

A sure-fire summer hit with big juicy, tropical notes, and at 5.4%, a solid beer to enjoy as the good times roll.

Young Henry’s Beer’a’dise Tropical Pale.

6. Young Henry’s Beer’a’dise Tropical Pale (RRP $6.80)

A crispy, sessionable body, this beer leaves you wanting more. Best enjoyed in the shade of a palm tree on a hot day, this summer smasher has been the summer fling we’re telling all our mates about!

Deeds Gravitas Hazy TIPA.

7. Deeds Gravitas Hazy TIPA (RRP $21)

A certain level of gravitas is required to handle this big number. A large, bold 10% triple hazy IPA is a perfect treat to raise and say, cheers!

Garage Project Four Good Legs Table Beer.

8. Garage Project Four Good Legs Table Beer (RRP $5.90)

Every table needs four good legs to maintain balance, and this beer is no exception. Traditionally a table beer is brewed to be lighter in alcohol, and delivers a dry and crisp, and totally refreshing beer. Perfect with food, at 2.5% this beer is highly recommended around the BBQ.

One Drop Golden Bae West Coast IPA.

9. One Drop Golden Bae West Coast IPA (RRP $14.90)

West Coast IPAs, a style typical to the northwest coast of the US, are known for their hop aroma with citrus and piney flavours. A rugged beer evocative of national parks, lumberjacks, campfires and the outdoors, this Golden Bae delivers hefty hits of citrus, pine and tropical fruit. It is delightfully balanced and sits in at 7.4%.

Revel Margarita Gose.

10. Revel Margarita Gose (RRP $8)

Fun fact: A Gose is a style of beer that originated in Goslar, Germany, and traditionally had a slight saltiness to the beer due to the saltiness of local water sources. A Gose sour therefore brings the right natural salty balance to the added agave and lime to make the ultimate Margarita Gose. A 5% drink to be enjoyed con amigos y muchas revelry with every single sip!

Hawkers Hazy IPA.

11. Hawkers Hazy IPA (RRP $8)

Tropical. Juicy. Hazy. Three words that both encapsulate an Australian summer and this beer. Punchy hop vibes take the front seat, defining the dominant character of this 6.2% beer.

Bentspoke Fixie Brewed Ginger Beer.

12. Bentspoke Fixie Brewed Ginger Beer (RRP $6.95)

A traditional, all-grain brewed ginger beer from the brewery that had another one of their brews voted as the best in the country just last year in the “GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers”. A strong hit of ginger, a nice balance of sweetness and at 3.5%, incredibly refreshing.

Pirate Life Chardonnay Barrel-Aged Belgian Blonde Ale.

13. Pirate Life Chardonnay Barrel-Aged Belgian Blonde Ale (RRP $11)

Pirate Life hails from the wine haven of Adelaide, so it’s unsurprising it has delivered a brightly carbonated 7.8% beer that sings of oaked chardonnay due to the barrel-ageing process.

Glebe Brewing Co The Immortal Pale Ale.

14. Glebe Brewing Co The Immortal Pale Ale (RRP $5.95)

The ultimate easy-drinking pale ale. With a sweet, malty character, fruity hop aroma and a dry, slightly bitter finish, it is the right beer for the hill at the footy, watching local cricket, a craft beer bar or wherever thirst strikes.

Staves Brewery Pale Ale.

15. Staves Brewery Pale Ale (RRP $6.40)

The Best in Show and Champion Draught Beer at the 2019 Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show, this classic is hop-forward with a generous hit of citrus and pine. Bright gold in colour, it pairs perfectly with summer.

Yulli’s Brews Mum’s Mango Pale Ale.

16. Yulli’s Brews Mum’s Mango Pale Ale (RRP $6)

Cold-pressed mango juice was added to the beer during fermentation, making this a great summer treat. Drinks best as fresh as possible, and pairs well with chutneys and relishes.

Freshwater Brewing Co Freshie Pils.

17. Freshwater Brewing Co Freshie Pils (RRP $5.95)

Delivering great body, clean and crisp carbonation at 4.4%, with mellow hints of citrus and stone fruits, this is a great beer to reach for after going for a dip in the ocean.

Bondi Beer.

18. Bondi Brewing XPA (RRP $5.60)

It’s impossible to think of summer and not think of Bondi. Floral, fruity, stony goodness are the trademarks of a delicious Extra Pale Ale, and this number is no different.

Ocean Reach Pineapple Hazy IPA.

19. Ocean Reach Pineapple Hazy IPA (RRP $8.50)

This 6% full flavoured, Hazy IPA has a massive tropical hit that will have you dreaming of mellow days, listening to Jimi Hendrix.

Burleigh Fig Jam IPA.

20. Burleigh Fig Jam IPA (RRP $5.95)

This beer is certainly as good as it thinks it is. A classic IPA with punch with stone fruit aromas and characters of caramel malt and mandarin. An excellent food beer that pairs well with pre-dinner courses.

SPECIAL OFFER

Visit smartcraftbeer.com.au to join the SMART Craft Beer Club and access the following offers.

● Offer 1: Access to buy exclusive Summer Sampler Pack, curated from the beers highlighted here.

● Offer 2: Join any membership tier of the SMART Craft Beer Club and receive a $50 voucher.

● Offer 3: Buy our Top Ten Tinnies Mixed Pack, featuring a carefully curated selection of the best craft beers for $79 and receive a $20 voucher to go towards your next purchase.

Originally published as From pale ale perfection to ginger beer with kick, these are the best craft brews for summer drinking