With case counts declining and pandemic-related restrictions lifted, it's a sure bet that July 4th backyard cookouts are back. And that means beer.
Let's dive right in with the basics. You'll need a light sipper or two to carry you through the day and satisfy your non-craft friends and family. There are many more flavorful choices available than the typical mass-produced lager.
A Kölsch-style beer is a great place to start. And Skölsch from Utepils Brewing in Minneapolis is a great one. This German-style ale is light and delicate with a lovely balance of grainy malt sweetness and just enough bitterness. A gentle touch of German hops brings a spicy contrast. Faint, fermentation-derived pomme fruit notes fill in the background. At less than 5% alcohol, you can have a few without getting too tipsy to grill.
Summit has three different iterations of their Cabin Crusher Kölsch-style ale on the market — lime, lemon and a tangerine version called Lake Crusher. Each puts a fresh, citrusy twist on the basic beer. The fundamentals are there — grainy malt with light bitterness and spicy hops. The addition of fruit peel and purée lightens and brightens with slightly tart and slightly sweet fruity refreshment. A tasty treat for an afternoon in the sun.
For something with a sharper bite, go with a German-style pilsner. Crisp, clean and hop-forward, Veltins Pilsener defines the German-style pils. German hops display aromas of hay and herbs. The flavor is a delicate balance of light, grainy pilsner malt with the forward character of spicy German hops. Low hints of lemony citrus are also apparent. Bitterness is high and lingers into the finish, balanced by a light sweetness.
Pils from Fair State Brewing Cooperative in Minneapolis is another go-to. This beer is sharp, dry and bracingly bitter with a grassy hop character. Made from only one malt, one hop and a clean-fermenting, lager yeast strain, it is a seemingly simple beer. It's content to sit back in support of your festivities. But if you give it your attention, you will be rewarded with layers of complexity hidden behind that simple facade.
If you want to talk pairings, all of those beers will go well with almost anything you want to throw on the grill. But they will really sing with loaded hot dogs and sizzling brats. You can even use them to marinate the sausages before you grill.
On a bitter note
But the hopheads among us are going to want something with some bite. With pale ales and IPAs in abundance, there is no shortage of options to satisfy those bitter cravings.
I prefer pale ale over IPA for a day in the sun. Lighter body, lower alcohol and less bitterness mean they won't wreck your palate or make you woozy when things get hot. Two from Up North offer great options.
Kanū Session Pale Ale from Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth comes in at under 5% alcohol. Bright lemon, grapefruit and orange hops leap out of the glass and into your nose as you pour. The flavor is loaded with citrus — pith, peel and pulp. Some tropical mango slips in, as well, complemented by a subtle touch of toast and caramel malt. The bitterness is approachable, and won't tax your tongue or stick with you too long after you finish. Kanū is balanced, effervescent and possibly too easy to drink.
Superior Pale Ale from Earth Rider Brewery in Superior, Wis., is a classic American pale ale. The nose brings abundant grapefruit citrus and pine resin. The flavor follows suit with the addition of some almost acidic, lemony high notes. Malt brings hints of biscuit and a low but present sweetness to this very dry beer. I like a little more malt, but Superior Pale Ale is absolutely summer fresh and delicious as is.
If you want the fuller flavor and punch of an IPA, try Axe Dragger IPA from St. Cloud's Beaver Island Brewing Co. Axe Dragger is a malty, Midwestern-style IPA. Bitterness is high, but more than balanced by toasty malt sweetness. While the aroma leans more to squishy tropical fruits, the flavor brings tangerine citrus with mango taking a back seat. The finish is semisweet, but the bitterness comes back at the very end and lingers long after swallowing.
Pale ales and IPAs are great with grilled burgers. The fruity, spicy and resinous hops will find affinity with almost any topping, from barbecue sauce to mustard, ketchup and gooey American cheese. The bitterness scrapes the palate clean, leaving you ready for another bite or another beer.
The dark side
Fans of the dark will like a Schwarzbier. This black German lager-style beer has the coffee and chocolate roast of a porter, but the crisp, dry profile of a lager. Schwarzbier is one of my favorite styles to drink with ribs, whether they be sauced or dry-rubbed.
Köstritzer Schwarzbier is an excellent example from Germany. Bitter, roasted malt is the main event. But the roast is subdued enough to allow underlying sweetness, toasted bread and herbal notes to come through. The crisp, clean lager character and dry finish keep it light. It won't weigh you down during a day spent outside.
Stargrazer from Bauhaus Brew Labs in Minneapolis leans a little more on roasted malts, giving dark chocolate impressions balanced by moderate to medium-low bitterness. Spicy Saaz hops offer a counterpoint to the gentle sweetness. The finish is just off dry and lingers on malt with subtle bitterness.
Though not officially a Schwarzbier, Sapporo Premium Black Lager of La Crosse, Wis., has much in common with the style. This is a super-smooth beer with moderate coffee grounds and bitter chocolate flavors supported by a refined bitterness. The malty-sweet profile of a standard European lager is detectable underneath. It's like drinking a premium pale lager with a solid bit of added roast. And it's quite delicious.
Michael Agnew (michael@aperfectpint.net) is a certified cicerone (beer-world version of sommelier).
