Starting Summer Right

Here we are: the first official day of summer. The time when we think about hot, sunny days, hanging out on the beach, and relaxing on a patio with a cool beer to quench our thirst.

And I've found the perfect beer to help ring in this hot season.

Hawaiian Style American Pale Ale (6% ABV)
Spearhead Brewing Company
Toronto, ON
Beer O'Clock rating: 4

Appearance: a pale orange, semi-clear liquid with a whitish head that settles to a thin cap and eventually to a fine lace.

Nose: orange and lime citrus with a hint of pineapple.

Palate: grapefruit rind and bold hops that culminate in an orange-peel finish.

Overall impression: this is a great, easy-drinking APA. It's a refreshing ale that I've enjoyed with steak and potatoes, with pizza, and on its own, and it goes down beautifully any way you sip it.

I first tried Hawaiian Style at this year's WinterBrewed Festival, and while I could taste the crisp hops, the weather was far too cold to understand the complexities of this beer (I detected no pineapple, nor any fruit, on that frigid day). This is not a beer to serve cold: don't store it in your refrigerator. Keep it in a cool place, like a cellar, or put it in the fridge for only a half an hour or so before enjoying it.

While it's the perfect beer for a hot summer's day, it is not something that you want to chill.

Just chill out with some.

Cheers!