Summertime and the living’s easy…as long as you have your hands on a few choice seasonal suds. If you haven’t had the pleasure of sipping on any of the following summer specialties, now’s the time to hit up your local grocer or brewpub. Nothing beats the heat like an ice cold brew and here in San Francisco we have access to a treasure trove of ’em.

Crisp and refreshing, wheat beer tends to be regarded as the stereotypical beer of summer. During this time of year, local favorite Anchor Brewing releases their very own Summer Beer which they claim is as ‘crisp and cool as a San Francisco summer.’ Light on hops and heavy on malted wheat, this filtered Hefeweizen is a perfect thirst-quencher in the unlikely event that the Bay Area should become uncomfortably warm.

Another popular Bay Area brewery, 21st Amendment (563 2nd Street) produces one of the most unexpected delicious wheat beers on the market: Hell or High Watermelon. Boasting a session-worthy 4.9% ABV and just a subtle hint of the fruit that it’s brewed with, this straw-colored sipper is surprisingly appealing to men and women alike. And the fact that it’s available in cans makes it a perfect companion for the beach cooler.

If for some reason you don’t like supporting your local brewers, I suggest Samuel Adams’ Summer Ale. This traditional American wheat utilizes lemon peel and rare African brewing spices, giving it a pleasant tropical aroma reminiscent of mangoes. On a hot summer day, it’s the perfect pint to wash down some fresh seafood, like boiled lobster or Dungeness crab.

Now if you’ll excuse me, all of this talk about beer is making me thirsty…

• Tag: ales, bay area, beer, craft brewing, drinks, hefeweizen, lagers, Microbrews, seasonal, seasons, Summertime