4 Local Brews for the 4th

If your plans include sitting in a lakeside lawn chair and soaking up some sun, keep your eye out for Castle Danger’s dangerously refreshing Summer Crush. In addition to notes of biscuit, lightly toasted malt, and grassy herbs, Sorachi Ace hops lend a distinctive lemony flavor and aroma. Clocking in at a relatively low 4% ABV, the Summer Crush is indeed quite crushable.

It isn’t really a 4^th of July weekend without a proper cookout, and in my opinion, the best beer to accompany your BBQ is the Fair State Pils. Whether you are serving up burgers, brats, or slow-smoked barbecued brisket, this German-style Pilsner will not let you down. Crisp and lively, you can expect to find notes of sweet corn and cracker followed by a bitter, slightly dry finish that leaves you thirsting for more. Beer purists rejoice!

If you find yourself in the middle of one of Minnesota’s 10,000 beautiful lakes over the holiday weekend (hopefully with a boat under you), you can’t go wrong with a 4-pack of Hooey, Lupulin’s juice-bomb hazy IPA. This one is nothing new, but there’s no denying it’s simply a top tier brew. Teeming with grapefruit citrus, pineapple, and enough hops for even the biggest hop lover, this beer is left unfiltered to maintain the maximum amount of juicy, hoppy goodness. Not only is this India Pale Ale loaded with flavor, it also packs a punch with its 6.2% ABV.

Any summer night can certainly be improved by spending some time with friends and family around the fire. And for me, the Utepils Loonar Eclipse is the quintessential bonfire beer. Dark, roasty, and malty, but incredibly balanced and remarkably drinkable, this beer was inspired by the classic dark lagers found in breweries throughout the Czech Republic. For beer lovers of all kinds, this beer will check all the boxes for what you’re looking to drink on a cool, crisp night by the warmth of the fire.