Great Lakes Brewing Company:
Lake Erie Monster
Don’t let the name of this India pale ale fool you. The delicate balance of malt and grapefruit flavors makes this drink perfect for sipping on your porch — or the Great Lakes Brewing Company’s patio. At 9.1 percent, this ale has one of the higher alcohol contents, meaning one pint may be enough. Great Lakes offers this ale in the pub and sells bottles of it in its gift shop.
2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, 216-771-4404, greatlakesbrewing.com
Cellar Rats:
Ratsberry Plague Porter
Sometimes being a little different can be a good thing. Take, for example, the Cellar Rats’ version of a summer porter. Don’t let the black color fool you: While the front-end taste is all coffee and mocha, the finish is pure raspberry sweetness.
743 Doty Road, Madison, Ohio, 440-466-3485, ratbrew.com
Kelleys Island Brewery:
Anniversary Ale
If a clean finish is what you desire, check out this brewery’s take on summer ale. The fruity brew gives off a plum-clove aroma. The low alcohol content allows you to enjoy two or three glasses without making the room spin.
504 W. Lakeshore Drive, Kelleys Island, Ohio, 419-746-2314, kelleysislandbrewpub.com
The Cornerstone Brewing Company:
Erie Blue
Like a Lake Erie storm, this beer appears small but comes on strong. The wheat-based brew incorporates raspberries and blackberries, lending a sweet note. The 6.7 percent alcohol content makes it stronger than your average Bud, but hardly off the charts. This beer is only available at the brewery.
70 and 74 W. Main St., Madison, Ohio, 440-983-4520, cornerstonebrewing.com
Maumee Bay Brewing Company:
Hefeweizen
This glass of “liquid bread” really lives up to its name, which translates from German as “wheat yeast.” Concocted with wheat that creates a banana-clove aroma, this beer sticks to the ribs.
27 Broadway, Toledo, Ohio, 419-243-1302, oh-maumeebaybrewingco.com
Erie Brewing Company:
Derailed Black Cherry Ale
Nothing screams summer more than cherries — think pie, cobbler and ice cream. Now you can add cherry ale to that list. With an alcohol content of just 4 percent, it goes down as smooth as cherry cola. Available for purchase in bottles from the brewery and stores around the Great Lakes.
1213 Veshecco Drive, Erie, Pa., 814-459-7741, eriebrewingco.com
The Brewerie at Union Station:
Three Berry Wheat
This American wheat beer rates high on the drinkable scale with blends of blueberry, blackberry and raspberry. The berries’ fruitiness is balanced with a touch of tartness. Served only on draft at the restaurant.
123 W. 14th St., Erie, Pa., 814-454-2200, brewerie.com
Atwater Block Brewery:
Dirty Blond
The perfect name for a perfect hot-weather beer, Dirty Blond is offered all year long at the brewery, but it’s only bottled during the summer. Orange peels accompany wheat to provide sweetness similar to Blue Moon. Don’t worry about the wheat taste being too heavy: the brewers craft the ale to avoid that full feeling wheat can give. Available in bottles at various stores around the Great Lakes, as well as the brewery.
237 Joseph Campau St., Detroit, Mich., 313-877-9205, atwaterbeer.com
Motor City Brewing Works:
Orange Honey Blossom Brew
Try this American wheat beer for your fill of malt flavor. Made with a three-way blend of malts, this brew delivers a malty sweetness topped with a citrus aroma. But don’t be surprised if you find your glass empty shortly after you get it; it goes down as smooth as a summer day. Be warned, though: With an alcohol content of 7.2 percent, it’s stronger than your average beer. Bottled and sold at the brewery.
470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, Mich., 313-832-2700, motorcitybeer.com
Southern Tier Brewing Company:
Hop Sun
This isn’t a good summer beer, as the brewery staff likes to say; it’s a great one. A true summer wheat ale, it’s brewed with one variety of hops and three types of malts, resulting in a bright, clean taste. While it may have the lowest alcohol content of any beer the brewery serves (4.5 percent), it’s regarded as one of the best. Available for purchase at the brewery or through distributors in each state.
2072 Stoneman Circle, Lakewood, N.Y., 716-763-5479, southerntierbrewing.com
Pearl Street Grill & Brewery:
Lune’ d’bleu
The brewing process for this Belgian white beer combines orange peel, coriander and ginger. The resulting aroma is intriguing but not overpowering. The alcohol content is 4.8 percent. Bottled and sold only at the brewery.
76 Pearl St., Buffalo, N.Y., 716-856-2337, pearlstreetgrill.com
