Which craft beers should you choose for the summer?
Sunny terrace, sizzling barbecue, first fresh sip going down. Summer calls for beers that quench your thirst without being heavy, with crisp and fruity profiles that suit the heat. But "drinking cold" doesn't mean grabbing the first can you find at the back of the fridge. Some craft beer styles have been designed, sometimes for centuries, to shine exactly in these moments.
What Makes a Beer Perfect for Summer
Not all styles are created equal when the mercury rises. Summer beers share a trio of characteristics: a moderate alcohol content (generally between 3% and 5.5%), a light body that doesn't weigh down the palate, and a lively carbonation that provides that thirst-quenching sensation from the first sip. In terms of aromas, citrus, spicy, or light cereal profiles work better than the roasted or resinous notes of winter beers.
It's a matter of physiology as much as taste: in hot weather, the body seeks hydration and lightness. An 8% ABV beer with 60 IBU bitterness, however excellent, tires the palate faster in 30-degree heat. Craft brewers have understood this, and the global trend confirms this shift towards "drinkability": craft lagers, session beers, and light sour ales are gaining ground against powerful IPAs, especially during the summer.
Five Craft Styles Made for Hot Days
Witbier refreshes with its blend of wheat and citrus
Witbier (or Belgian White) is probably the most instinctively summery style. Brewed with a blend of malted barley and unmalted wheat, it gets its character from the addition of coriander and orange peel. The result: a cloudy, smooth, slightly spicy beer, around 4.5 to 5% ABV. La Nébuleuse's Moonshine perfectly illustrates this profile, with its silky texture and citrus freshness. If you want to delve deeper into this style, our article on white beer, between tradition and freshness tells you its complete history.
Session IPA keeps the hops without the heavy hit
Do you love IPAs but want to be able to drink two without dropping out of the conversation? Session IPA is your answer. It retains the aromatic punch of hops (citrus, tropical fruits, pine) while staying around 4% ABV. The brewer's challenge: maintaining aromatic intensity with less malt to carry the flavors. La Nébuleuse's Speakeasy succeeds in this exercise with its grapefruit and mango notes, at only 4% ABV.
Craft Lager focuses on thirst-quenching simplicity
Long associated with large industrial brands, lager is experiencing a craft renaissance. Craft lagers are distinguished by their brewing precision: controlled bottom fermentation, noble hops that provide a fine bitterness, and a clean, dry, unadorned profile. The Italian-Style Pilsener, recognized as a new official style by the Brewers Association in 2024, pushes the concept further with a dry hopping of noble hops that brings a floral dimension. La Nébuleuse's Zepp', a Bavarian-inspired craft lager at 4.7% ABV, embodies this approach: simple in appearance, demanding in brewing.
Saison, literally invented to survive the summer
It's the style that bears the season in its name, and for good reason. Saison was born on Walloon farms in the 18th century, brewed in winter with ingredients available on the farm, then stored until summer to quench the thirst of agricultural workers during harvests. Its alcohol content remained deliberately low (around 4.5%) so that workers could drink without getting intoxicated. Today, the style has evolved, but it retains its markers: peppery and fruity notes, dryness on the palate, and that characteristic liveliness of saison yeasts. It's the beer with the best historical argument to claim the title of "summer beer."
Gose and sour ales bring thirst-quenching tartness
If you're looking for something truly different, sour beers are a summer revelation. Gose, originating from Goslar in Germany, combines lactic acidity, a hint of salt, and coriander notes. Berliner Weisse, nicknamed "the Champagne of the North" by Napoleon, goes even lower in alcohol (2 to 3%) with a crisp, dry profile. These styles, long niche, are exploding in the craft world: fruity sour ales are among the fastest-growing categories, as they attract an audience far beyond IPA lovers.
Serving your summer beer at the right temperature makes all the difference
The most common mistake in summer: taking all your beers from the back of the fridge and serving them at 2°C. At this temperature, your palate is numbed, and you miss out on everything that makes a craft beer interesting. Industrial beers are drunk ice-cold precisely because there's nothing to reveal, but a craft beer deserves better.
The ideal range for light summer beers (witbiers, lagers, session IPAs) is between 4 and 8°C. A simple trick to get it right: take the alcohol percentage of your beer and add one or two degrees. A Speakeasy at 4%? Serve it around 5 to 6°C. A Moonshine at 5%? Aim for 6 to 7°C. If your beer comes out of the fridge too cold, two to three minutes at room temperature are enough to bring it into the right zone.
Four summer occasions, four beers to open
BBQ with friends. Grilling calls for a beer that stands up to smoky flavors without overpowering them. The Zepp', with its dryness and crisp carbonation, cleanses the palate between each bite.
Picnic by the lake. Relaxed atmosphere, hot sun: this is Moonshine's playground. Light, fruity, it goes as well with a sandwich as with a summer salad.
Outdoor festival. You'll be walking, dancing, getting thirsty. The 4% Speakeasy allows you to enjoy hoppy aromas for longer without losing track of the concert.
Terrace aperitif at sunset. The ideal time for a Stirling, whose grapefruit and lychee notes blossom as the temperature drops a notch. For more aperitif ideas, check out our guide to light craft beers for aperitifs.
Summer is the season when craft beer shows its best: styles designed for the heat, aromas that shine in the sun, and occasions perfect for sharing. Explore the entire summer range on our e-shop (free delivery from CHF 100), or even better, come and taste them directly at La Tap, our bar in Renens.
Cheers! 🍻
