August is a slow month for beer releases. Summer is starting to wane and autumn is peeking around the corner. It just a few more weeks and then Labor Day weekend will usher in the official #EndOfTheEndlessSummer. But we still have August to drink some cold beer on hot days and soak up the last rays of searing sun.
We’ve compiled a shortlist of some of the best beers being released this month. Some of them are easier to find and have larger distribution. Some of them you’ll have to travel for and do a bit of sleuthing to uncover. Happy beer hunting!
PUNK IN DRUBLIC — STONE BREWING
Stone is releasing a collaboration with punk band NOFX to coincide with the festival tour of the same name. In true punk fashion, this is a no frills American Pale Lager. In true California craft fashion, expect this lager to have a fair amount of hop bitterness underpinning the malty veneer of a pale lager. It’s easy and refreshing — a perfect beer for a punk music festival.
SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE STRONG ALE — FUNKY BUDDHA BREWERY
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This is how you know summer is on its last legs, fall beers start getting released in anticipation of turning leaves and turkey dinners. Funky Buddha’s vegetable beer says it all in the name. With a nearly eight percent ABV, this beer packs a spicy punch that leans heavily into cinnamon, anise, and clove. There’s a marshmallow sweetness mixing with the sweet potato sweetness that makes this beer a delight to drink, especially when fresh.
TEQUILA BARREL AGED QUAD — UPSLOPE BREWING COMPANY
This Belgian style Quadruple Ale packs a hefty punch at an 11.3 percent ABV. And what doesn’t taste better infused with tequila notes? This super strong ale has hints of oak, sweet agave, and a Belgian yeast funk that’s all been mellowed into a delicious ale. It’s both bold and refreshingly drinkable. Be careful with that high ABV, though!
THE 12TH LABOR — ORPHEUS BREWING
Orpheus’ Imperial Stout is a killer beer with a 13 percent ABV. That’s getting into wine territory, alcohol-wise. Masking all that alcohol is a super smooth chocolate, vanilla, and oak bomb of a beer with a molasses and roasted coffee baseline. It’s mildly sweet, thanks to the mellowing from the bourbon barrels. It’s also very quaffable, so be careful not to drink it too fast.
BRETTANNICUS — THREE TAVERNS CRAFT BEER
Summer isn’t over yet and that means it’s time for a nice a sour beer … it’s always time for a nice sour beer to be honest. Three Taverns’ American Brett Ale is a farmhouse funky wheat beer with plenty of dank and tart acidity thanks to red wine barrel aging. This is the perfect kind of beer to while away the dog days of summer with.
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BROTHER IPA — FREMONT BREWING
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Seattle’s Fremont Brewing just released their Brother IPA. The west coast style has a hefty hop dank bitterness that leans into the pine resins with hints of tropical florals lurking beneath with a decent hit of toasty, malty sweetness to balance the beer out. It’s a great limited run beer that’s worth snagging a can or two of if you’re in the Great PNW.
DEAD LEAF GREEN — RUSSIAN RIVER BREWING CO.
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Russian River Brewing is a master craft beer brewery. They’re the mountain top for many a beer aficionado. Their stab at English style bitter is another win for beer lovers. The ale adds a distinct West Coast hop edge to an otherwise smooth and slightly funky ale. There’s a lot of toasted malt to balance out the bitter hop, making for a smooth drink.
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BLACK LAGER — SWEETWATER BREWING
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SweetWater’s Black Lager is full of fizzy chocolate, vanilla, and toasted malt notes with a minor hop bitter edge. It’s a beer that doesn’t hide any of its components and at the same time keeps each flavor in check, allowing a balance of hop bitterness and chocolate malt sweetness.
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