The very nature of beer has always been seasonal. The cycles of brewing were once dictated by environmental factors and availability of ingredients and without much change, we have leaned hard into these traditions even as modern farming and equipment make those notions obsolete. Saisons, dark beers and all the other styles and variations have their place on the timeline of brewing and while today we have available to us year round most IPAs, lagers and assorted ales, including porters and stouts, the summer seems particularly made for the low ABV or session beer. Call them crushable, patio pints or gone before you know it, these low alcohol beers have transformed from flavourless light lagers to a dazzling array of craft beer options in almost limitless styles and possibilities. It seems every brewery is tossing their hat into the ring as the temp goes up and people spend more time socializing outdoors with friends and family for our all to brief summer here north of the 49th parallel.
While the term "crushable" is detested by many, toss "hoppy" and "crispy-boi" on that pile too, it is, to me, a proper term of endearment for these easy drinking pints of summer. Lighter in body, but not in flavour is the goal as craft beer has an opportunity outside of the traditional light lager style, although many release pilsners that are spot on technically and have that much desired lower alcohol content. Suffice it to say that if you have a style you love, you can generally find a version that will have a lower ABV without sacrificing any of the taste you've come to love from your favourite craft beer.
There are a myriad of options available now at your local craft brewery, with many more already in stock at the LCBO and Beer Store. Wanting to be able to enjoy 3 or 4 pints on a hot summer night should mean enjoying it all, not getting hammered and I am all for this lovely low ABV option. Sometimes you want a slow sipper to contemplate or celebrate and other times you just want to crush a few and have a good time.
I used to be a big consumer of light beer, Brava Light in fact. Barely registering on the scale of flavour, it was so light as to resemble barley water and I could down a six pack in minutes each day upon returning home from work. That is part in parcel due to not wanting them to warm up in the summer heat, macro lagers do not do well if not ice cold, and also because you only drank them with one purpose, to get drunk quickly and cheaply. And while times have changed and I no longer down beer like I need it to survive, in the humid summer nights, a low ABV beer can be a godsend as you still don't want to drink a warm pale ale or pilsner. Not so much chugging as consuming a little faster than when drinking in winter, the availability of so many styles makes it an easy choice any day.
The presence of so many craft breweries means that there is a local option available to almost everyone when it comes to finding your patio pint and while I would love to get into every one of them, I'll stick to recommending a few that I know are a little more accessible through the LCBO or Grocery store options. Depending on your own palate, sours or wild ale beers may not work as a summer crusher and perhaps a pale ale or pilsner would do the trick for that weekend BBQ or family party.
I'll undoubtedly miss a few, there are just so many options and even I can't keep track of them all. Under 5.0%, ready for the patio and available right now!
Nickel Brook Brewing Raspberry Uber has been a staple for many of us in Ontario for the last few years. Tart and full of berry deliciousness, it gives rise to the term dessert beer but is oh so good when poolside too. 4.0% ABV, 500ml Bottle, $5.95
Great Lakes Brewing Sunnyside Session IPA will surprise you with just how tropical this low ABV treat can be. Grapefruit and pineapple with a light pine and lemon finish. BBQ? Yep. Swimming? Hell yeah! 3.9%, 473ml Tall Boy, $2.90
Collective Arts Brewing Lunch Money Blonde Ale is a pretty much straight up, easy drinking Dad beer. I like it, my dad likes it and they sell copious amounts of it at the taproom to the blue collar folks here in The Hammer. Simple yet elegant. 4.8%, 473ml Tall Boy, $2.95
Great Lakes Brewery Over my Dad Body Pilsner continues the tradition of great and accessible styles of beer from GLB. Dry with a grassy, citrus hit of hops with a touch of noble spice. Made for hanging out all night, singing the songs we remember so well by the firepit. 5.0%, 473ml Tall Boy, $2.90
Henderson Brewing's Food Truck Blonde Ale is a maltier take that lends itself well to meal time. Light citrus with a biscuit malt body is spot on for a little more flavour without getting boozier.
4.8%, 473ml Tall Boy, $2.95
Lake of Bays Beach Break Lager with Lime will not blow the socks off anyone looking for a big beer but it is designed to be ready for the day long pool party and family BBQ. A simple lager with citrus punch, it's fine to drink out of the can and just enjoy. 3.5%, 473ml Tall Boy, $2.95
Nickel Brook Brewing Cause & Effect Blonde Ale is a long standing fave here. Floral and citrusy orange and lemon with a touch of pine, its got a cracker malt and is a conversation beer that is there but doesn't take you down the garden path. 4.7%, 473ml Tall Boy, $2.95
Bench Brewing Strawberry Grove Sour Ale hits the tart note and delivers a strawberry knockout punch for that sunny, humid day spent outside with nothing to do but relax. 5.0%, 500ml Bottle, $7.50
Muddy York Brewing Switchboard Session IPA arrives in a shortie can that delivers a big citrus pineapple and grapefruit in droves. Cooler filling, patio livin'. 4.9%, 355ml Shortie can, $3.00
Amsterdam Brewery 3 Speed Lager is a bready but light floral and spice lager that comes in a big old can of beer that is the post work, swimming pool BBQ one you need. 4.2%, 568ml Super Tall Boy, $3.00
Sawdust City Brewing Little Norway Pale Lager is a bright citrus and lightly malty lager that means you don't have to do anything but sit on the deck and let the world go by. 4.5%, 473ml Tall Boy, $3.10
Skeleton Crew Brewing Evil Genius Session IPA is the new kid on the block and it brings a west coast IPA vibe with a toasty malt body and citrus pith. New friends are summers greatest joy. 4.5%, 473ml Tall Boy, $3.10
Muskoka Brewery Ebb & Flow Sour Ale is a lime and grapefruit intro sour that will be an easy choice on a sunny afternoon or as the waves crash on the beach and your life is resplendent in relaxation. 2.4%, 473ml Tall Boy, $3.15
Black Oak Brewing Nut Brown Ale is an Ontario classic and delivers caramel, toffee and chocolate in an easily crushable body. Change of pace and that is a good thing. 5.0%, 473ml Tall Boy, $3.15
Spearhead Brewing Summer Ale brings a unique blend of simple ale and wine together for a stone fruit and bright citrus patio pleaser. 4.3%, 473ml Tall Boy, $3.15
Muskoka Brewery Detour Session IPA is a legendary crushable all season IPA that delivers pine and grapefruit to your glass as the sun shines and the pool beckons. 4.3%, 473ml Tall Boy, $3.35
Wellington Brewery Helles Lager has become a patio go-to the last year or so. Crisp and toasty with a nice pinch of citrus, drink it from the can as you float around the pool if you like, it's a beauty either way. 4.5%, 473ml Tall Boy, $3.15
If nothing else, this gives you a good start and hopefully you will find your cooler filled with great beer that lets you enjoy the memories you are making in the Crushable Summer of 2019.
Cheers!
Polk
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