There is an old saying among winemakers: pour yourself a nice beer before you open that bottle of wine and see what happens. It is a cheerful reminder to sip widely, give good drinks their moment, and step outside your usual habit now and then. "I don't see beer and wine as rivals, nor do I think you must choose one over the other," says Anne Becerra.
Like wine, beer thrives on simple care: the right chill, the right glass, a gentle pour, and the warmth you pass along all add up to a much bigger moment in the glass.
Find your new top pick for the summer with these tips. Skilled brewers in wine spots or with strong links to wineries have begun to age stout beers in red wine barrels. This makes a beer led by the taste of dark coffee with hints of dark fruit and the taste of wood from the barrels. These are flavors that all red wine lovers know and enjoy in their favorite drinks.
With its tidy hit of sour and just enough bite, a Berliner Weisse acts like a kettle-soured refresher poured straight from the brew kettle. That makes it a go-to option for anyone after something bright, tangy, and bruisingly hot-day thirst. Heritage brewers still toss in a shot of raspberry or classic woodruff syrup to smooth the edge, creating an easy-drinking mix that begs for poolside lounge chairs.
Thanks to more tiny grain farmers, backyard hop patches, and friendly local yeast clouds, today's brewers can craft ever-growing batches of beer-from-here pride with little fuss. From chilled pale lagers to dusty farmhouse saisons and even fence-jumping hybrids, every bottle tells the story of land, season, and the maker who poured their heart into it. That fresh haul tucked away in a travel cooler always tastes like a small victory when cracked open after a long drive home.
Not all Czech-style lagers have diacetyl, the stuff known for its buttery taste and smell. Still, some may give off soft hints of that rich, creamy scent. If it's there, it won't be too much. This cool, ready-for-warm-days drink will hit the spot just right. Get some for your next big concert parking lot hangout.
When you talk about rich taste, a stunning drink in a glass, and aging well, English barleywine is tops. The best kinds have deep smells and tastes of raisin, fig, plum, and toffee. They age into a well-blended and very rich drink over time. Sweet and strong, often just right for an end-of-night drink, this type draws loyal fans—and for good reasons.
There are calm versions of this wheat ale with a farm twist, but the wild ones with lots of Brettanomyces are what the cool, raw beer lovers should look for. They have nice smells of spicy pepper, leather, and dirt. Aged versions in big wood barrels are worth the hunt. Extra good if they come in green glass.
The Flanders Red splits beer lovers. It's a tart, a bit wild aged ale with a red look. Made from both old and new ales and aged in wood, it mixes hints of balsamic vinegar and dark stone fruit. It's about balance and complex layers, like a top Italian wine. It ends long and dry and goes well with grilled lobster tail.