Best German Beers Of Summer 2010

German beers cater to almost every taste, but did you know that they also cater to the weather? Not only do we Germans change our wardrobes with each season, but we also change our beers.

Summer beers tend to be lighter on the tongue than winter beers, and some of them are designed with specific taste pairings in mind. There are even German summer beers that rely on sweetened fruit syrups added by the drinker to achieve their ideal flavor!

To find the German summer beer that will be your new favorite, I’ve compiled a list below to help guide you in your tastings based on what’s popular now in the last summer days of 2010. Feel free to disagree with me on what’s best (why else do we have hundreds of different sorts!), but be sure to sample each beer generously before making your decisions! ;-)

• The Premium Pilsner by Bitburger is heavy with hops for a light, dry finish. As Germany’s originators of the Pilsner style, this Bitburg based manufacturer is hugely popular in the German market and exported abroad. If you can’t find the Bitburger, the Tannenzäpfle Pilsner by Rothaus is also an excellent choice from the Pilsner category.
• Kölsch beers are brewed in Cologne, made using yeast that is aged in a lager style. The Mühlen Kölsch by the Malzmühle Schwartz brewery in Cologne is a delicious example you’ll want to try this year.
• Berliner Kindl offers a distinctive sour tang. Summer fans can request seasonal fruit syrups to add to the beer, allowing for some fun finding your perfect personal version. I’ve also found that the slightly bubbly nature of the beer helps make it a smart summer choice.
• Finally, no summer German beer review would be complete without including a Hefeweizen. As a beer garden staple, this light wheat beer is good with or without food but please, eat something. ;-) Then you can have more Hefeweizen like the excellent Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier by the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephan brewery in Freising.

To summer, and to your health!

—Marcus