10 Massachusetts Beers (in Cans) That Are Perfect for Summer Fun

Hopefully you had a happy 4th, but now that it’s passed it’s time to start planning the rest of your summer fun. The glass-half-empty types have already taken notice that Labor Day is just two months away. Luckily for you, we’re glass-half-full types, so here are 10 of our favorite Bay State beers that are perfect for summer fun. Every beer on our list is conveniently sold in cans, and we’ve kept our recommendations at 5.5% ABV or lower, to keep you from falling asleep or falling over.

Big Elm American Lager (5%)

Brewed with corn, which gives it a light sweetness that harkens back to the simpler days, it’s the definition of easy drinking. Perfect for a leisurely hike along Bartholomew’s Cobble or while paddling a canoe down the Housatonic River.

Notch Infinite Jest Pale Wheat Ale (4.3%)

From the brewery that popularized session beers in the U.S., this slightly hazy wheat beer is packed with fruity hop aroma and a delicate but noticeable hop flavor. Enjoy one, or several, while admiring the river view from their new beer garden when it opens later this month.

Devil’s Purse Handline Kolsch (5%)

This unfiltered rendition of a traditional German Kolsch gives off aromas of lemon zest and cut grass with a dry finish and refreshing taste. Stop by the South Dennis brewery and grab a 32 ounce crowler for your day at the beach.

Slumbrew Happy Sol Blood Orange Hefeweizen (5.5%)

A cloudy yet effervescent beer, it’s brewed with local wildflower honey and the juice of blood oranges. The imaginatively tart an crisp taste is ideal for a backyard barbecue or for sipping alongside a good summer read.

Riverwalk Screen Door Hoppy Summer Ale (5.5%)

A golden pale ale with a fragrant hoppy bouquet and a spicy flavor. Stock up before hitting the road to that secluded vacation cottage.

Berkshire Steel Rail Extra Pale Ale (5.2%)

A bridge for countless Bud-Miller-Coors drinkers into the world of craft beer, this influential cream ale “looks like what a premium lager drinker is used to, but tastes a whole lot better.” Take some along on your next white water rafting excursion.

Wachusett Blueberry (4.5%)

This lightly flavored blueberry wheat, first brewed in 2001, has helped define the popular style. A nice compliment to that summer picnic basket.

Aeronaut Hop Hop And Away Session IPA (4.6%)

Light, hazy, packed with hop juiciness, it’s the ultimate thirst quencher for hot summer nights. Bring some to that roof deck party or meet friends at the brewery’s newly-launched musical beer garden in Lower Allston on Wednesday nights.

Down the Road Feyborn Berliner Weisse (4.5%)

This traditional kettle sour Berliner Weisse, made with blackberries, is a delicate swirl of sweet and sour. Throw some in the cooler and make sure its within reach when you’re lounging at the pool.

Farmer Willie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer (4.5%)

Originally crafted in a Cape Cod kitchen, this ‘ginger beer with soul” is a blend of cold-pressed ginger, fresh lemon juice, and a mix of spices. Talk about an endless summer, bring some to quench your parched palate between waves, or to the bonfire later that night. Cowabunga!