Beat-the-Heat Beers

In 1922, a Bavarian innkeeper added lemon soda to stretch his beer supply and a parched pack of cyclists dubbed the drink radler or “cyclist.” The English-speaking world calls it a shandy.

Boulevard Ginger-Lemon Radler
Bright lemon and ginger spice—and a long mouthwatering finish—make this the ultimate beach-day beer.

Widmer Brothers Brewing Hefe Shandy
Made with shandy-ready Lemon Drop hops, this restrained and complex hefeweizen is a refreshing swirl of lemon, lime and wet grass.

Harpoon UFO Big Squeeze Shandy
Gobs of grapefruit juice give this unfiltered wheat beer sharp but nuanced citrus zest atop the beer’s baseline of yeast and sourdough.

Hot peppers increase blood circulation and kick-start your internal air conditioner (a k a head sweats). Hey, not all science is pretty, but it sure can be tasty.

Ballast Point Habanero Sculpin IPA
The habanero-spiked IPA, named after a venomous fish, is awash in tropical flavors and floral notes—and hooks you with a pleasing pepper sting.

Twisted Pine Brewing Co. Ghost Face Killah
The Wu-Tang vet’s eponymous brew is surprisingly smooth despite the bhut jolokias (ghost peppers). There’s a flash of bread and orange flavors until the heat bomb drops. Protect ya neck, it’s not for the timid.

Perennial Artisan Ales Abraxas
Ancho chile spice, chocolate, vanilla bean and cinnamon make this an ideal pairing for ice cream.

A German sour ale made with salt and coriander, the gose (“goes-uh”) was brewed specifically to replenish. The lip-puckering ancient  Gatorade is experiencing  a revival here in America.

Off Color Brewing Troublesome
To create Troublesome, this Chicago brewer blends coriander-spiced wheat ale with sharply acidic sour beer and salt, creating a pleasing, lemon-spiked punch.

Victory Brewing Company Kirsch Gose
This fruity, invigorating ale has a tart underpinning of cherry juice and restrained salinity on the finish.

Anderson Valley Brewing Company Blood Orange Gose
Sea salt, coriander and souring Lactobacillus bacteria, along with a grove’s worth of blood oranges, make this tangy, bubble-packed gose a great mimosa alternative.