Summer is upon us, Kentucky, and Summertime = Beer time. Whether you’re bringing the brews to your neighborhood cookout, hanging with friends at the pool, or spending time on your favorite brewery’s patio (wink wink nudge nudge), there’s nothing better than an ice cold beer on a hot summer day.
While there’s never a bad time for any beer, some beers simply pair better with hot weather. We’ve curated a list of some of our fav seasonal, flagship, and taproom exclusive beers that we think are perfect for those summertime sips! Check it out below, and let us know — which West Sixth beer are you drinking this summer?
STRAWBERRY KÖLSCH
GERMAN STYLE ALE • 5.5% ABV
Starting the list off strong with, arguably, the most recognizable West Sixth summer brew — Strawberry Kolsch is a light, German style ale with strawberries added. Easy drinking and, of course, refreshing with a prominent flavor of strawberries — this is a guaranteed summer experience in a can. Kolsch might make you feel like singing “Strawberry Wine”. Or maybe that’s just us.
Get Strawberry Kolsch in cans and on tap in all taprooms this summer, until it runs out!
PENNYRILE
PALE ALE • 6.5% ABV
Surprised to find a Pale Ale on our summer beers list? Don’t be — summer isn’t just for lagers & wheat, y’all! Our Pennyrile Pale Ale has a big fruity hop aroma with a taste that follows suit. A subtle and balanced malt character creates a canvas for the hops to shine — super drinkable & flavorful. If you’re looking for a hoppy beer that goes great with eighty degree weather, Pennyrile Pale Ale hits the top of our list.
Pennyrile is available in six packs, on draft, and as part of our variety Hop Pack year round! Find it in taprooms, and in stores & restaurants around the state!
NUZU
PALE WHEAT • 5.2% ABV
Heading to West Sixth NuLu soon? You have to try the Nuzu beer (preferably, on the patio). This NuLu Brewed beer is a pale wheat ale brewed with yuzu juice and fresh ginger. Tons of citrusy flavor with aromas of lemon, orange and lime lent from the yuzu juice & complimented by the ginger throughout. It’s a fun & unusual beer that pairs perfectly with good friends, sunshine, and patios.
You can try Nuzu on tap at West Sixth NuLu until it runs out! So, like, go!
FUZZY FIELDS
HAZY IPA • 6.2% ABV
Fuzzy Fields….I mean…you can literally feel summer on the can. The vibrant greens of the Kentucky horse farms evoke the feeling of rolling in the grass as a kid, or laying out a blanket at the Arboretum and enjoying a picnic… and of course, a Fuzzy Fields (or two). Our year-round hazy brings the flavors — aromatically hop forward, with strong notes of citrus & stone fruit — you get a solid balance from the bitterness of the hops, but it also has a juicy quality that makes it amazingly drinkable, and perfect for summer.
Fuzzy Fields is available year round in six packs and on tap in all West Sixth taprooms, and at retailers across the state!
CERVEZA
MEXICAN STYLE LAGER • 4.6% ABV
The first day it hits ninety in KY, we know what beer we’re reaching for — our flagship Mexican Lager, Cerveza. It’s the staple of a West Sixth Summer. Crisp with a pleasant cracker like malt character, notes of corn and a low amount of hops. This quenching and sessionable lager is the best choice to bring to any summer events. No one hates Cerveza, he’s just a cool guy. As Clarke once put it, “sometimes you just want a lagery-ass lager.” Cerveza fills that void every. time.
Cerveza is available year round in six packs and on tap in all West Sixth taprooms, and at your favorite place to buy West Sixth beers.
SUN SHADE WHEAT
AMERICAN WHEAT BEER • 5% ABV
The newest addition to our seasonal line up quite literally screams summer with the first crack of the can. Another one with a can design that evokes all the sunny feels — Sun Shade is a light, easy to drink beer. Full of wheat malt flavor, and balanced with citrus & fruity esters — if this can was an emoji, he’d be the surfer 🏄♀️. Just a super chill beer that’s not too complex, but is so much fun to be around.
You can grab a six pack or draft of Sun Shade wheat from now through July in all West Sixth taprooms and around the state.
1906 LAGER
AMERICAN STYLE LAGER • 4% ABV
Swing that towel, Hilltoppers — our collab with Western Kentucky University made the summer beers list! How could it not, really? Light lagers are a classic summer staple. 1906 is crisp, clean, and extremely crushable, with just the tiniest bit of bitterness. Pack up your coolers with 1906 all summer long — whether you’re a WKU stan or not, we promise it’ll be a crowd pleaser.
1906 Lager is available in six packs at all West Sixth taprooms, and at IGAs/Houchens & other favorite restaurants and retailers across the Bowling Green region!
BERLINER WEISSE SOUR
SOUR ALE • 4.25% ABV
It feels almost mandatory to put a sour on the Summertime Beers Guide. And we know our flagship sour is an excellent choice. If you’re a sour beer fan, this guy is a classic — crisp and refreshing, light in body and very tart. Berliner’s flavors are reminiscent of sourdough bread. We would call this a super sippable summer beer — meaning, while you could crush it, you probably won’t want to. Savor the sour, and enjoy a Berliner on the lake, the porch, or, ya know, as a treat after you take your daily walk in this nearly 90 degree weather. 😮💨
Berliner Weisse Sour is available year round on tap, and in six packs at all West Sixth taprooms and on shelves across KY.
Pssst.. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled later this summer for Berliner’s citrusy sister — Valencia Berliner Weisse
