THE DRINK

Local Brews on Ice

Beer to beat the Oklahoma heat this summer

BY GREG HORTON PHOTO BY LEXI HOEBING

Clark Crew Brew. This American light lager is made for Clark Crew BBQ by Norman’s Black Mesa Brewing Company, and it’s just what you want from a barbecue joint: a light, sessionable lager that’s right down the middle of the road in all the best ways.

Fair Weather Friend, House Finch.

One of our newest breweries is churning out fantastic beer, including this floral (barely) pilsner with a clean, crisp finish.

ummer beers, ideally speakS ing, are lighter in style, easier to drink and refreshing. Summer isn’t the time to challenge our taste buds with Bourbon barrels and smoke, after all. We’ve collected some of the beers we’ll be drinking this summer, including seasonal offerings and year-round styles that make sense in Oklahoma heat.

Fair Weather Friend, Toasty Coast. It has coffee and chocolate, as a good porter should, and coconut isn’t uncommon, but fire-toasted coconut is a nice touch for this round, rich yet easy-drinking porter.

Roughtail Brewing Company, Fric-

kin’ Hazer Beams. This New England IPA is a year-round beer for the brewery, and a well-balanced brew with delicious tropical notes that’s perfect for summertime.

Roughtail Brewing Company, Sancho.

They call it a “Mexican-style Gose,” and why not? It’s a soul ale with mango, fresh lime and ancho chile, and it’s super refreshing.

Stonecloud, Lageritaville Lime Lager. The “Mexican-style” theme continues with this cerveza-esque, crushable beer with perfect lime intensity in a beautifully balanced summer beer.

Skydance Brewing Company, Rez

Dog. Pilsner meets ale in this yearround beer. Pilsner grain and ale yeast makes for a flavorful, well-balanced blonde ale.

Skydance Brewing Company, Fancy

Dance. Named as an homage to owner-brewer Jake Keyes’ Native American heritage, this hazy IPA is juicy with citrus and tropical notes.

Skydance Brewing Company, Wow

Factor. A hazy double IPA made with Mosaic, Strata and Trident hops for a refreshing load of tropical fruit notes.

Elk Valley Brewing Company, Cucum-

ber Saison. Fresh cucumbers and a low ABV make this summer refresher a sessionable beer for lake, sun, pool and shady afternoons.

Anthem Brewing, Afternoon Radler.

This is a traditional radler, but the term most of us know is shandy. A blend of Anthem pilsner and blood orange juice, the radler was originally created for cyclists, but it’s easy to enjoy this crisp, snappy beer while sitting in your chair, too.

The Big Friendly, Check Out My

Kicks. Definitely a candidate for best name and label, this IPA is made with El Dorado hops for a punch of citrus, including a delicious note of orange on the finish.

Vanessa House Beer Company,

Creamsicle Slush Fund. The latest in the Slush Fund line is due out in early August, just in time for readers to enjoy this blend of sour ale, orange, vanilla and “marshmallow fluff.”