Sour Beers Are Everywhere This Summer. Here’s a Guide

It’s brewmaster Tony Rehagen here to tell you that, while I have great respect for my Top Shelf Society colleagues—and profound affection for the spirituous libations they write about, such as cocktail trends, bourbon-rye blends and Napa wine—summer is beer’s time to shine.

In general, beer is the go-to beverage when record-high temps set in. It tends to be lighter than its fellow drinks in terms of taste, feel and alcohol content; more effervescent; and, at least in the US, usually served ice-cold (probably too cold, but that’s a story for another edition). A light American lager at a ballgame or on a float trip or a citrusy IPA at the beach are summertime institutions.