The Best Summer Beers with Fruit Flavor

I don't know about you, but when the warmer weather rolls around, I tend to lighten up-my beer, that is. I drop my usual stouts and porters for Hefeweisens and summer beers with fruit flavor. Throughout the last few seasons, I've familiarized myself with a variety of these offerings and have happened upon a few that I find particularly delicious. For summer's sake I will share these with you here-so you can avoid that icky Bud Light with Lime and opt for something holding a little more flavor.

Purple Haze: I'm convinced that Abita Beer does everything right and this, of course, includes their raspberry-infused Purple Haze. It the summer beer of summer beers, and rightfully so. Purple Haze is an American style wheat beer that has been kissed with a taste of raspberry that isn't quite subtle, but is far from overpowering. Thus, you get the great Abita taste with a fabulous summery finish. The aftertaste is excellent as well. I hear Abita released a Strawberry Harvest Lager recently as well-I'll have to try that one before it's off the shelves. Visit: http://abita.com/

Magic Hat #9: Magic Hat is, and it seems will always be one of my favorite breweries-and this is largely due to its fabulous #9. Like Purple Haze, this beer is not a seasonal, but rather offered year round. But it is certainly a fantastic summer ale with its beautiful golden color, crisp taste, and lovely apricot finish. I believe it is best on draft, however buying it bottled provides you with the opportunity to grab one of Magic Hat's variety packs (which I would certainly suggest). Visit: http://www.magichat.net

Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat: I love me a good wheat beer in the summer, no lie. This one is particularly good because of its intense flavor. Thought the fruitiness of this particular brew is much stronger than the others on this list, I love every bit of it. This beer has rightfully been nicknames the "Trix Beer" among my circle of friends-as the taste is comparable to the popular breakfast cereal. So I'm not sure exactly which fruit the flavor is reminiscent of, but frankly-it's so good I just don't care. Visit: http://leinie.com

Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale: This ale is a feature of The Atlantic Brewing Company in Bar Harbor, Maine, and makes this list for a reason. It is certainly on the sweeter side, and the blueberry taste is far from subtle. However, it lacks any amount of artificiality. You can tell that this brew was made with the freshest of blueberries and greatest of care to preserve the wonderful taste of the ale itself. I remember being taken aback the first time I tried it-not particularly fond of blueberries, but absolutely enamored with the beer. A great choice. Visit: http://www.atlanticbrewing.com

Hell or High Watermelon: I just happened upon this beer recently in a local grocery store, and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. Not only is this 21^st Amendment Brewery feature a beer flavored with watermelon (of all things), but it comes in cans. Yes, you read it right: the beer snob drank a brew from a can this year. This is rather absurd if you know me at all, but it was a rather refreshing experience. I feel like the flavor could have been a bit more full-bodied, but the watermelon taste made up for it-I've decided it's a great hot-weather, summer beer. The best part, however, is going to be looking like one of the "normal" people with the "normal" beers at the family cookout. Visit: http://www.21st-amendment.com

As always-have fun, drink smart, and drive safe! Cheers, everyone!