It’s that time of year when the outdoors beckons, inviting you to spend more time under a blue sky, relaxing and enjoying time with friends and family. You’re probably going to be out there for a while and will need something to drink. Why not make it a beer? When the weather heats up my choice of beer turns toward something lighter and more refreshing than I’d lean toward in the cold of winter. Pale ales, pilsners, Kolsch, sour and fruit beers are all styles that pair well with a warm summer day. If you’re new to beer or interested in branching out a summer gathering can be a great time to pick up something different and share it with others. You might just find a new favorite along the way. In Portland, Ore. or Beervana as it is known by some, we have a wide selection of beers of every style imaginable readily available. While availability will vary depending on the part of the country you’re in craft beer is booming and with a little looking you probably won’t have too much trouble finding something new and interesting. For those not sure where to start, here are some suggestions from Oregon breweries and beyond.Pale aleGigantic Brewing St. Tennenholz (Oregon)Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale (Colorado) PilsnerLaurelwood Portlandia Pilsner (Oregon)Schell’s Pils (Minnesota) KolschOccidental Cloudy Summer (Oregon)Sand Creek Groovy Brew (Wisconsin) Sour/Flanders RedCascade Brewing Kriek Ale (Oregon)Brouwerij Verhaeghe Duchesse De Bourgogne (Belgium) FruitHarvester Brewing Raspberry Experimental (Oregon)Founders Brewing Cerise (Michigan) If you have the opportunity to visit our fair city checking out at least one of the nearly 50 breweries located in the Portland metro area is a must. Craft beer is part of the culture and you’ll have no trouble finding folks happy to help you experience it. For an easy, all-inclusive tour check out Brewvana Brewery Tours. A few hours on the bus with proprietress Ashley Rose Salvitti or one of her knowledgeable tour guides is a great way to see the city and drink it all in, literally.
