Sun's Out, Guns Out: Summer Beers! Gansett Del's Shandy, Lawson's Sip of Sunshine, Anderson Valley Briney Melon Gose, Bantam Americain

NARRAGANSETT DEL’S SHANDY

Style: Lemonade and Lager Shandy

Abv: 4.7%

Size, Price: 16oz, $5.00

Del’s Shandy is a collaboration between two iconic Rhode Island brands (Here’s a shout out to you, Mr. McDevitt!).  According to our friends on the south show-wah keds, it “is the perfect thirst-quenching balance of our gold medal Lager with Del’s lemon concentrate...brewed under the supervision of award-winning brewmaster Sean Larkin.”  Gansett is the highest rated domestic lager on Beer Advocate (I’m not 100% certain if that is mostly because they are NE natives as well), while Del’s Lemonade has been Rhode Island’s favorite summer treat for over six decades.  Citrusy, malty, beach beer.  Crushable.

LAWSON’S SIP OF SUNSHINE

Style: IPA

Abv: 8%

Size, Price: 12oz, $8.50

Lawson’s Finest Liquids is a microbrewer based out of Vermont.  They are tiny and, as such, very rare.  We are able to carry some of their IPA’s due to a new partnership in which they borrow some brewing space from our friends at Two Roads.  Even with that partnership established, finding any of their beers outside of VT or the Hartford area is a treat.  The Sip of Sunshine is packed with juicy tropical fruit character, bright floral aromas, and delectable layers of hop flavor.  The people at Lawson’s encourage you to “pour mindfully, inhale deeply, and enjoy a tropical vacation in a glass.”  

ANDERSON VALLEY BRINEY MELON GOSE

Style: Watermelon Gose

Abv: 4.2%

Size, Price: 16oz, $7.25

Born from their passion for experimentation, the Briney Melon Gose boasts a thirst-quenching tartness that is perfectly balanced by subtle watermelon flavors and aromas.  Gentle additions of sea salt create a refreshing harmony between the acidity and fruity sweetness leading to a clean, dry finish.

BANTAM AMERICAIN

Style:

Abv.: 5.2%

Size, Price: 16oz, $7.50

From the brewer: “Contrary to popular beliefe, The Americain was born in the spring, not the fall.  It was first made to remind us of the rich and amazing flavors we experienced in our friend’s homemade batch of apple butter.  Green cardamom, coriander, clove, cinnamon, and rose petals create a rich and aromatic character that is luscious and deliciously edible.  And why the French name? Well, anything said in French sounds sexier, don’t you agree?  And while this cider takes its name from the French, it’s cloudy like English Scrumpy and features traditional Persian spices, its taste is truly American: as American as apple pie.”