As the summer heat sets in and the long evenings slowly lengthen, the quest for the perfect beer to refresh oneself becomes a true taste adventure not to be missed. The 2025 trends reveal a bottling of brewing innovations, reconciling tradition and boldness, in recipes that perfectly match the warmer season. From the amber sweetness and tangy notes of wheat beers to the well-tempered hops of session IPAs, the aromatic palette expands to satisfy the most curious palates. From the indulgence of reinvented alcohol-free beers to revisited classics that pair well with summer delights, today’s selection offers an exceptional range for a smart toast.
Discover a panorama rich in discoveries, unhesitatingly dubbed “beers to taste this summer,” which pays homage to passionate craft brewers and legendary breweries. This feature highlights both refreshing favorites and bolder suggestions to enhance the summer experience, with every sip. Each style dissected, each fermentation revealed, each pairing tasted will guide you toward the perfect choice, at the intersection of quenching thirst and mastering pleasure.
- French craft beers in the spotlight for an intense summer
- The essential light and golden beers: the expression of refreshment
- IPAs and Pale Ales, a hoppy wave for lovers of fruity bitterness
- Alcohol-free beers, a place for indulgence without compromise
- Food and beer pairings: how to enhance your summer meals
- FAQ: precise answers to your questions about summer beers
French craft beers in the spotlight for an intense summer
The French brewing scene is bustling with flourishing creativity, driven by the rise of microbreweries, which are multiplying innovative twists on traditional styles. This summer, let’s head to French craft breweries, true ambassadors of refined expertise that combine quality and terroir.
Among the gems to discover, the Blonde Triple from Nautile Nantais, in Rezé near Nantes, sets the tone with its slightly bitter roundness, ideal for terrace aperitifs. Its subtle balance highlights the importance of mastering malt and hops to create a beer that seduces without being aggressive. This microbrewery, while remaining true to its local roots, is expanding the scope of its flavors to a curious and demanding audience. In Lyon, Frédéric’s
Wheat Beer Caldeira offers a unique experience, where fresh lemongrass delicately blends with select hops, giving this gold medal-winning wheat beer an incomparable lemony sparkle. This bold blend perfectly illustrates the ability of artisan brewers to blend tradition and inventiveness with a rigorous touch of wit. In Rennes, the Skumenn brewery introduces original grains like rye and oats into its Rye India Pale Ale. This creation tickles the taste buds with its fruity notes of grapefruit and mango, captured in a silky veil that enchants the taste buds. The choice of evocative names and the strong cultural connection with Brittany demonstrate the teams’ meticulous work to reveal their roots in every sip. Blonde Triple du Nautile Nantais: malty balance and mild bitterness
Wheat Beer Caldeira (Lyon): lemongrass and hops freshness
- Rye IPA Skumenn (Rennes): rye, oats, and exotic fruits
- Cordiale (Loire-Atlantique): light brown beer with chocolate notes
- IPA Kurnonsky (Angers): pronounced bitterness, intense lemon aromas
- La Cordiale, from the brewing duo of Etienne and Nicolas in Loire-Atlantique, also stands out with a delicate brown ale with chocolate highlights, perfectly suited to summer evenings where sweetness and character must blend harmoniously. Finally, the Kurnonsky IPA, produced in Angers since 2015, delivers a sharp bitter experience with a powerful array of citrus notes, ideal for IPA lovers looking to introduce themselves to French IPAs with an exceptional product.
- This phenomenon is part of a broader trend, where the French craft beer scene promises unique taste experiences, far removed from industrial production. For those curious to broaden their discoveries, available resources such as these explorations of French craft beers offer valuable insight. Craft Beers
Location
Aromatic Notes Style Special Features
| Nautile Triple Blonde | Rezé (Nantes) | Sweet bitterness, malty roundness | Amber Blonde | Local emblem, bottled in cask and can |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caldeira Wheat Beer | Lyon | Fresh lemongrass, lemony notes | White Beer | Gold Medal, selected hops |
| Skumenn Rye IPA | Rennes | Grapefruit, mango, lemon zest | Rye IPA | Rye and oats, silky color |
| Loire-Atlantique Cordial | Chocolate notes, lightness | Dark Beer | Friendliness and sharing | Kurnonsky IPA |
| Angers | Strong citrus bitterness | IPA | Intense bitterness, pronounced aromas | Discover our selection of refreshing summer beers, ideal for your sunny days. Whether you prefer light lagers or fruity beers, find the perfect drink for your summer barbecues and picnics. |
| The essential light beers and golden beers: the ultimate in refreshment. | Summer heat naturally calls for easy-drinking, light, and refreshing beers, often embodied by golden ales, light lagers, and light wheat beers. These elixirs are distinguished by their lively bubbles, low alcohol content, and ability to quench thirst without weighing you down. Several traditional breweries such as Kronenbourg, Heineken, and Pelforth have mastered this category with panache, offering products that embody the perfect balance between quenching thirst and summer flavor pleasures. For example, the 1664 Blanc 0.0 has established itself as a benchmark for refreshing alcohol-free beers, with its subtle aromas of exotic fruits and citrus combined with a refined floral touch that invites you to relax without constraints. This lighter version perfectly meets the needs of drinkers who are mindful of their alcohol consumption but also enjoy flavor sensations. For their part, the white beers offered by | La Chouffe | are characterized by a delicate azure color, where aromas of orange peel and coriander bring a welcome burst of freshness. Pelforth, meanwhile, stands out with its mild and light variations, perfect for enhancing a convivial moment on a patio or at the beach. | Here are some must-haves in this summer category: |
La Chouffe Blanche: notes of orange and coriander
Kronenbourg Blonde: golden color, malt-hop balance Pelforth Blonde: freshness and malty roundnessHeineken Lager: refreshing world classic Light and airy, these beers are perfect for impromptu aperitifs as well as summer barbecues. They’re a perfect compromise that will appeal to a wide audience, adapting easily to changing weather and a desire for freshness. In a similar vein, some are falling for the refreshing seasonal beers to be discovered in the 2025 releases, where the expression of terroir meets brewing innovation. BeerBrewery Style Dominant Aromas
Alcohol Content White 0.0 1664
Alcohol-Free Beer Citrus, Exotic Fruits, Floral 0%
White
- La Chouffe
- White Beer
- Orange Peel, Coriander
- 6%
- Blonde
Kronenbourg Blonde LagerSmooth Malt, Balanced Hops
| 5.2% | Blonde | Pelforth | Blonde Lager | Freshness, Malty Roundness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.8% | Lager | Heineken | Lager | Classic Hoppy Notes |
| 5% | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoLucp2KV5g | IPAs and Pale Ales, a Hoppy Wave for Lovers of Fruity Bitterness | It’s hard to talk about summer beers without mentioning the major rise of India Pale Ales (IPAs) and Pale Ales, which are sweeping the brewing scene. with an explosion of aromas and refreshing bitterness. This style, long rooted in English and American tradition, has found a new lease of life in Europe, particularly in France, where microbreweries are competing in audacity. | The famous |
| Stonewall Inn IPA | , brewed by Brooklyn Brewery, embodies this revival with a subtle and delicate dry-hopping process using Citra hops. It delivers flavors of lemon peel and fresh grapefruit, perfect for summer, while remaining accessible thanks to its low alcohol content of between 3 and 5%. This so-called “session” format allows for full enjoyment without excess, a popular trend in line with the “beer culture” movement. | As for French productions, | Brewdog | also offers bold IPAs, sometimes with more resinous or floral notes, to the delight of palates eager for complexity. The diversity of hops used creates a veritable aromatic rainbow, capable of surprising each tasting. They also contribute to the rise of canned craft beers, very practical this season, which you can explore further in this dedicated selection. |
| A few emblematic examples: | Stonewall Inn IPA (Brooklyn Brewery): Citra hops, citrus notes, session IPA | Brewdog IPA: powerful hops, resinous and tropical touches | Pietra Rossa (Corsica): fruity amber beer with red fruits (raspberry, cherry) | Affligem IPA: balanced bitterness, spicy aromas |
| The combination of fruit and contemporary bitterness pairs perfectly with light summer dishes like grilled fish or fresh salads, allowing you to enjoy an aromatically rich evening. The fruity compositions of beers like Pietra Rossa, typical of Corsica, bring a touch of sweet lightness that defies the heat. For enthusiasts wishing to understand the evolution of IPAs in depth, this comprehensive article on IPAs is a must-read. Beer | Brewery | Style | Flavors | Alcohol Content |
Brooklyn Brewery
Session IPA
Lemon Peel, Grapefruit 3-5%Brewdog IPA
Brewdog Classic IPA Resinous, Floral, Tropical 6-7%Pietra Rossa
Pietra (Corsican)
- Fruity Amber
- Raspberry, Cherry
- 6%
- Affligem IPA
Affligem Balanced IPA Spicy, Hoppy
| 5.5% | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1jo43b2wIY | Alcohol-free Beers: A Time for Uncompromising Indulgence | The alcohol-free beer market has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Today, it is no longer a simple bland substitute, but a true taste choice, combining pleasure and sobriety. Beers like | Blanc 0.0 from 1664 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| or | Poutrel Guernouillette | from Brittany perfectly illustrates this sensory revolution. | The latter, developed by Breton brewers in Saint-Brieuc, surprises with its subtle balance of mild bitterness and tangy citrus notes. Served chilled, it provides a refreshing sensation, ideal for good company on hot summer days. This revival of non-alcoholic beverages can be explored further in studies on current innovations in this field. | Major historic brands, such as Kronenbourg with its 0.0 range and Heineken with its Heineken 0.0, offer modern alternatives, where fruity and floral aromas are carefully emphasized to retain all the summer freshness without compromising on taste. Here is a list of highly recommended non-alcoholic beers: |
| Blanc 0.0 (1664): citrus and exotic fruits | Poutrel Guernouillette (Brittany): mild, lemony bitterness | Heineken 0.0: revisited classic taste | Kronenbourg 0.0: subtle aromatic balance | La Chouffe 0.0 (available in 2025): fruity, alcohol-free flavors |
| Alcohol-free beer | Brewery | Style | Tasting notes | Alcohol content |
| Blanc 0.0 | 1664 | Alcohol-free white beer | Citrus, exotic fruits | 0% |
Craft brewery, Brittany
Alcohol-free lager Mild, lemony bitterness 0% Heineken 0.0 Heineken
Alcohol-free lager Classic, balanced0%
Kronenbourg 0.0 Kronenbourg Alcohol-free lager Subtle Fruity aromas 0%
Food and beer pairings: how to enhance your summer meals
- The flavors of summer aren’t limited to drinks but extend to the dishes that accompany them. Pairing beer and food is an art that needs to be rediscovered to enhance every summer meal, whether it’s a barbecue, a fresh salad, or a fruity dessert.
- Light beers like wheat beers
- Fischer
- French bières de garde are particularly well-suited to grilled fish, seafood, or herby salads, thanks to their lemony and spicy notes that awaken the taste buds. Their natural freshness is a perfect ally for counterbalancing the richness of dishes while creating a balanced flavor.
- With more flavorful meats, such as grilled meats or spicy dishes, powerful IPAs or amber beers like Duvel and Affligem bring body and depth, while the smoothness of red beers harmoniously blends malt and sweetness. The caramel and fruity notes of these beers echo the grilled aromas of the meats while toning down the intensity of the spices.
| To end on a sweet note, some fruity beers evoke light desserts made with red fruits or citrus fruits. Pietra Rossa, with its raspberry and cherry aroma, pairs perfectly with a fruit tart or panna cotta, offering a subtle blend of freshness and sweetness. Some summer beer and food pairing ideas: | Grilled fish + Fischer wheat beer | Spicy barbecue + Brewdog IPA | Mature cheeses + Craft beer-aged beers | Fruity desserts + Pietra Rossa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh salads + Pelforth light beers | Summer dish | Recommended beer | Notes and reasons | Grilled fish |
| Fischer wheat beer | Lemony notes, spicy freshness | Spicy barbecue | Brewdog IPA | Fruity bitterness, balance |
| Mature cheeses | Craft beer-aged beers | Malty character, roundness | Fruity desserts | Pietra Rossa |
| Red fruit aromas, sweetness | Fresh salads | Pelforth lager | Malty roundness, lightness | To delve deeper into the art of blending and offer your guests a complete sensory journey, guides such as this food and beer pairing guide provide valuable expertise, Combining world traditions and contemporary discoveries. |
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Beers
Question
Answer What is the best beer for cooling off in summer? Light wheat beers and lagers such as Kronenbourg or Heineken are ideal for their freshness and low bitterness.
Are IPAs suitable for summer? Yes, especially low-alcohol session IPAs, which combine hoppy bitterness with lightness. Can non-alcoholic beer be thirst-quenching? Certainly, recent advances have allowed for very aromatic and refreshing non-alcoholic beers. Can all beers be paired with summer meals?
The choice of beer depends on the dish: light beers go well with fish and salads, while amber beers and IPAs enhance meats and spicy dishes. Where can I find French craft beers? Many specialty stores offer a wide selection, and online platforms like Mabièreartisanale.fr make it easy to find what you’re looking for.
