What We’re Drinking Now: Beer Recommendations Summer 2024

Are you a beer enthusiast looking for your next hoppy adventure? Look no further! We’ve scoured the United States to bring you the finest craft beers from all corners of the country. Whether you’re in New England, the Midwest, the Southeast, the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest or on the West Coast, we’ve got you covered. Let’s embark on a flavorful journey and savor the fresh brews that are the toast of the country during the early summer months.

Disclaimer: It’s impossible for our judges to review every single beer released by the nearly 10,000 breweries in the U.S. each week. As such, while this story serves as a peek at some of the best beers released recently that have scored highly in our Official Review, it also features beers that rank highly on other beer reviewing platforms, beer that have medaled in recent competitions or have been burning up message boards and forums with immense hype. If you’re in the regions where these beers are available, we hope they become What You’re Drinking Now!

Editor’s Favorite!

Pre-Pro Lager by East Brother Beer Co.

Mid-Atlantic Region – Stevensville, Maryland

Paul’s Perfect Pour by Cult Classic Brewing

Untappd score: ⭐3.38 out of 5

ABV: 5.2%

Paul Reed Smith (aka PRS) Guitars is a famous luthier, or guitar-maker, and his instruments have been played by a bevy of notable musicians over the years including Carlos Santana, John Mayer, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola and Mark Tremonti.

Now, the famed luthier has partnered with his neighborhood watering hole, Stevensville, Maryland’s Cult Classic Brewing, in order to craft a new collaboration brew called Paul’s Perfect Pour, which features the man himself, Paul Reed Smith, on the can. Beyond that, PRS actually made a Perfect Pour guitar to go along with the beer, which was given away via a raffle when the beer debuted in late June.

The beer itself is an intriguing combination of an Irish red ale and an easy-drinking German-style kölsch. While this unusual combination doesn’t sound like it would work overly well, the brewers at Cult Classic have ensured that this tasty brew goes down just as smoothly as the syrupy tone from a top-tier PRS Guitar.

This brew rocks, and anything with PRS Guitars’ stamp of approval is bound to be of the utmost quality. Seek this out where possible.

Southeast Region – Norcross, Georgia

In Between Times – Hibiscus Blood Orange by Social Fox Brewing

The Beer Connoisseur® score: 91

ABV: 5.0%

Fruited sour beers are always a hit among beer fans during the sweltering summertime, and this Berliner weisse offering from Social Fox Brewing in Norcross, Georgia is sure to hit the spot on that front.

Pouring a gorgeous light ruby color with a thin ring of foam, this brew looks absolutely stunning in the glass and its flavor does not disappoint after that first impression as its aroma is redolent of citrus with candy-like notes lingering throughout the entire pour.

Our judge Sal Mortillaro II was a notable fan of this beer, as his review states: “The combination of the tart citrus and acid makes the drinker salivate and perpetuates another sip. Overall, this is an Exceptional fruited Berliner weisse. It is well balanced and refreshing and hits the mark on drinkability.”

That certainly sounds an excellent summer sipper option, so if you’re in Georgia, be sure to grab a sixer of this tasty, lightly sour ale.

Midwest Region – Kalamazoo, Michigan

Oberon Ale by Bell’s Brewery

The Beer Connoisseur® score: 93

ABV: 5.8%

There’s always time for a classic! This famed seasonal beer from eminent craft brewer Bell’s in Kalamazoo, Michigan has long been a staple of barbecues and family gatherings all over the U.S. since its inception in 1992.

And with good reason. Per the brewery, “Oberon is a wheat ale that embodies everything we love about summer. Brewed with just wheat malt, hops, water and our signature house ale yeast, Oberon has a bright orange color and is citrusy, smooth and refreshing.”

The beer is so popular, in fact, that in recent years Bell’s has branched out and made multiple different versions of their famed summer seasonal including Mango Habanero Oberon, Cherry Oberon – which pours a striking deep red color – as well as Oberon Eclipse, which serves as the brewery’s winter seasonal answer to those Oberon fans who want their fix during the colder months.

A wonderful beer that has only gotten better with age.

New England Region – Thomaston, Connecticut

Thomaston Lager by Clocktown Brewing Co.

The Beer Connoisseur® score: 91

ABV: 5.2%

Thomaston Lager from Clocktown Brewing Co. shares a name with the city that its located in: Thomaston, Connecticut. However, the style itself is an easy-drinking and eminently summery German-style pilsner – a style that pairs perfectly with summertime.

This New England special is brewed with the zesty Saaz hop varietal and the earthy Hersbrucker hop, and its 5.2% ABV is just the right amount for outdoor activities or an enjoyable family barbecue.

Our judge Sean Coughlin clearly enjoyed this beer, as his review indicates: “This beer’s flavor strikes a good balance between cracker-like malt, floral hop flavor and crisp hop bitterness. All three elements work well together with a slight shift of balance towards hop flavor. Overall, this is a very nice pils that has all the crucial components and has them balanced within the beer’s style. Connoisseurs who understand European pilsner will appreciate how well-crafted this lager is.”

A yummy brew from an underrated New England provider.

Editor’s Favorite!

West Coast Region – Richmond, California

Pre-Pro Lager by East Brother Beer Co.

The Beer Connoisseur® score: 92

ABV: 5.2%

Pre-Prohibition lagers are not quite as famous (or popular) as their standard, only-hops-and-malt lager and light lager counterparts, but that doesn’t make them any less quenching or delightful on a hot summer’s day.

Brewed with standard beer ingredients augmented by 20-30% corn or rice as an adjunct, this beer provides a fascinating grainy flavor that is quite unlike the rather neutral palates delivered by standard lagers.

East Brother Beer Co. in Richmond, California offers up their version of a Pre-Pro lager every summer, and it goes down just as smoothly as it must have when the style debuted in the U.S. before all alcohol was (stupidly) outlawed in the country.

According to the brewery, “Pre-Pro Lager is the true embodiment of brewing at East Brother. It’s a nod to classic styles but with a twist. Pre-Pro, which stands for ‘Pre-Prohibition,’ attempts to imagine what beer tasted like before the Prohibition Era in the United States over a hundred years ago.”

Southwest Region – Shiner, Texas

Shiner Lemonade Shandy by Shiner Beer

Untappd score: ⭐3.79 out of 5

ABV: 4.2%

Clocking in at an impressively quaffable 4.2% ABV with only 7 IBUs, Shiner Lemonade Shandy from Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas is a top choice as perhaps the most thirst-quenching summer brew.

Why, you ask? Well because this is the craft beer world’s equivalent to a tall glass of actual (non-boozy) lemonade, which we all know is among the most satisfying of beverages during thermostat-shattering summer heat waves.

It also helps that this beer is actually blended with Shiner’s very own lemonade that they make on-site, making it a sweet, lightly alcoholic beer that is sure to quench your thirst and have you coming back for more. Pairs well with hot dogs, beach volleyball or watermelon salad, per Shiner’s website, but would honestly go well with almost any feel-good summertime foodstuffs you want to enjoy alongside this lightly tart, lightly sweet and fully delightful brew.

Enjoy poolside or sprinkler-side!