# spring/summer beer styles

**URL:** <https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144>\
**Category:** General Homebrew Discussion\
**Created:** [March 18, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144 "2014-03-18T15:52:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 19\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 3:52pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/1 "2014-03-18T15:52:20Z")

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I apologize to those in advance who are stuck in perpetual winter…

I am interested in trying a new beer style that is good for late spring and summer months. I am thinking about something light colored and light bodied. I cannot control fermentation temps to the extent of doing a lager.

I currently brew Kolsch, Blonde, and American Wheat with good success so those are out. I mainly lean toward American styles but am open to other options. Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![morticaixavier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb9ed0/32.png) [@morticaixavier](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/morticaixavier)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 3:55pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/2 "2014-03-18T15:55:07Z")

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saison! it’s good anytime of year but it’s also forgiving of a variety of temp ranges and easy drinking in hot weather.

you can have a lot of fun with the grain bill using a variety of grains malted, flaked, and raw. it can be hoppy or not. always spritzy and light. the original lawnmower beer.

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**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/3 "2014-03-18T15:58:48Z")

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I was originally toying with saison and have a decent recipe that I have done before ready to go. I wanted to try something different and basically do an IPA/saison hybrid but decided against it. Maybe I should reconsider saison…

The only other style that really comes to mind is Cream Ale. Not very familiar with the style though.

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**Author:** ![riceral](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ccd318/32.png) [@riceral](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/riceral)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/4 "2014-03-18T16:16:50Z")

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> [@morticaixavier](#):
>
> saison! it’s good anytime of year but it’s also forgiving of a variety of temp ranges and easy drinking in hot weather.
> 
> you can have a lot of fun with the grain bill using a variety of grains malted, flaked, and raw. it can be hoppy or not. always spritzy and light. the original lawnmower beer.

Or a variation on a saison----Biere de Garde&nbsp; [Biere de Garde - Beer Recipe - American Homebrewers Association](http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/recipe/beer-recipe-of-the-week-biere-de-guarde)  
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Biere de Garde literally means “beer which has been kept.” Related to the Belgian Saison style, the&nbsp; difference is the rounder, richer, sweeter, malt-focused taste. This beer is traditionally brewed in early spring.”

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**Author:** ![dmtaylor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dmtaylor/32/9644_2.png) [@dmtaylor](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dmtaylor)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 4:29pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/5 "2014-03-18T16:29:40Z")

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Let’s consider all of the non-obvious options as well.&nbsp; How about an English ordinary bitter?&nbsp; Something light and a little malty with great flavor that is also a very easy quaffer in the summer.&nbsp; Or an Irish red ale?&nbsp; I know St. Patty’s day has already come and gone, but who the heck cares!&nbsp; It’s not a seasonal beer – you can drink it all summer.&nbsp; Or for something a little darker, what about a dry stout or oatmeal stout?&nbsp; Guinness is one example of a “dark beer” that is also quite light in alcohol, and thus very tasty to drink in summer.&nbsp; These are the kinds of things to consider for the season.&nbsp; Don’t necessarily go for the obvious choices – brew something that you think YOU will like.&nbsp; And it might even be regardless of the season.&nbsp; You want to make a Christmas beer to drink in June?&nbsp; Go for it!&nbsp; Or think outside of the box.&nbsp; What about a black witbier?&nbsp; I’ve had a couple of examples that were very tasty and can be drunk year-round.&nbsp; Sky’s the limit.&nbsp; 🙂

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**Author:** ![beersk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/beersk/32/13414_2.png) [@beersk](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/beersk)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/6 "2014-03-18T17:41:45Z")

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Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagahs!!

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**Author:** ![jaftak22](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jaftak22/32/3204_2.png) [@jaftak22](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jaftak22)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/7 "2014-03-18T17:49:59Z")

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So I have only brewed about 15 batches of beer. Would like to do a Saison. Any of you guys mind sharing an easy all grain recipie? I cannot control my temps very much either. Everything I brew is fermented at about 67-69 degrees.

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**Author:** ![blatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@blatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/blatz)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/8 "2014-03-18T17:54:36Z")

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doing a dortmunder this weekend, but the brew after that will be what i’m calling a Summer Pale Ale - 60% 2row, 30% vienna, 10% C-15L - 1.050 5.5 SRM, 4.9-5.0% mid 30s IBUs with Cascade, Chinook and Columbus late hops.

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**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/9 "2014-03-18T18:00:08Z")

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> [@jaftak22](#):
>
> So I have only brewed about 15 batches of beer. Would like to do a Saison. Any of you guys mind sharing an easy all grain recipie? I cannot control my temps very much either. Everything I brew is fermented at about 67-69 degrees.

From what I understand, you can use quite a variety of grains for saison but most have a pilsner base.

Mine is basically  
75% pils  
12.5% munich  
7.5% flaked wheat  
5% cane sugar  
WY3711

The sugar isn’t really necessary with 3711 but I use it anyway. In the past, I have bittered with Magnum, Centennial at 20 min and Goldings at flameout but I plan on changing that considerably.

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**Author:** ![blatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@blatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/blatz)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/10 "2014-03-18T18:03:52Z")

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why not do a witbier?

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**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/11 "2014-03-18T18:05:43Z")

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> [@blatz](#):
>
> why not do a witbier?

Still kind of acquiring a taste for belgians. Saison is the only belgian style I have brewed but wit seems like a good idea. Any recommendations for a yeast? I would prefer dry if at all possible. What about SafBrew T-58?

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**Author:** ![blatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@blatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/blatz)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/12 "2014-03-18T18:12:25Z")

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> [@goschman](#):
>
> > [@blatz](#):
> >
> > why not do a witbier?
> 
> Still kind of acquiring a taste for belgians. Saison is the only belgian style I have brewed but wit seems like a good idea. Any recommendations for a yeast?

i personally like the wyeast 3944.&nbsp; duboman posted a recipe for Allagash white yesterday that looks pretty solid.&nbsp; I’m not a belgian kind of guy, but i do like wit - if that helps any.

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**Author:** ![hoser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90ced4/32.png) [@hoser](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hoser)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/13 "2014-03-18T19:10:21Z")

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Along the same vein as a wit: hefeweizen

Belgian pale ale or Belgian blonde.

Any of the category 10 beers: APA, Amber, Brown

California common

American Rye as opposed to the wheat.

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**Author:** ![duboman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/duboman/32/5890_2.png) [@duboman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/duboman)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 7:19pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/14 "2014-03-18T19:19:17Z")

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> [@blatz](#):
>
> > [@goschman](#):
> >
> > > [@blatz](#):
> > >
> > > why not do a witbier?
> > 
> > Still kind of acquiring a taste for belgians. Saison is the only belgian style I have brewed but wit seems like a good idea. Any recommendations for a yeast?
> 
> i personally like the wyeast 3944.&nbsp; duboman posted a recipe for Allagash white yesterday that looks pretty solid.&nbsp; I’m not a belgian kind of guy, but i do like wit - if that helps any.

thanks for the mention, I was just going to chime in with that recipe, to the op, its in the recipe forum under allagash white clone:)

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**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 7:32pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/15 "2014-03-18T19:32:48Z")

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Okay really liking the idea of a Wit. Thanks for the ideas! Got a rough draft put together:

50% Pilsner  
40% Wheat  
10% Flaked Oats  
WY3944  
bitter with magnum to ~17 IBUs  
dry hop with 1/2 oz each of citra and amarillo  
possibly add 5# of pureed pineapple to secondary.

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**Author:** ![erockrph](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/erockrph/32/13330_2.png) [@erockrph](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/erockrph)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 7:41pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/16 "2014-03-18T19:41:14Z")

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> [@goschman](#):
>
> I was originally toying with saison and have a decent recipe that I have done before ready to go. **I wanted to try something different and basically do an IPA/saison hybrid** but decided against it. Maybe I should reconsider saison…

That’s something I have planned for this summer myself. I’m surprised that this hybrid style hasn’t been popping up all over. I’m thinking that since saisons finish so dry, then a Saison yeast would be a perfect fit for an IPA if you matched up the right hops.

> [@jaftak22](#):
>
> So I have only brewed about 15 batches of beer. Would like to do a Saison. Any of you guys mind sharing an easy all grain recipie? I cannot control my temps very much either. Everything I brew is fermented at about 67-69 degrees.

My house saison is:

78% Pilsner  
15% Wheat  
7% Aromatic  
OG=1.040  
60 mins: 25 IBU using the noble hop of your choice  
flameout: 1-2 oz of noble hops  
WY3711 in the mid-to-upper 60’s for 3 weeks.

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**Author:** ![hoser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/90ced4/32.png) [@hoser](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hoser)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 7:42pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/17 "2014-03-18T19:42:44Z")

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Just be sure to pasteurize your pineapple puree before you add it to the beer.&nbsp; Otherwise, the bromelain enzymes will denature the proteins in the beer.

The other option would be to add the pineapple to you boil kettle at whirlpool.

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**Author:** ![goschman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e495f1/32.png) [@goschman](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goschman)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2014, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/18 "2014-03-18T20:09:47Z")

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> [@hoser](#):
>
> Just be sure to pasteurize your pineapple puree before you add it to the beer.&nbsp; Otherwise all bromelain enzymes will denature the proteins in the beer.
> 
> The other option would be to add the pineapple to you boil kettle at whirlpool.

Thanks for the heads up!

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**Author:** ![jaftak22](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jaftak22/32/3204_2.png) [@jaftak22](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jaftak22)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2014, 4:16am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/spring-summer-beer-styles/16144/19 "2014-03-19T04:16:45Z")

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Thanks for the recipe. Gonna give this one a shot
