If you are enjoying a cookout on a summer afternoon, chances are you aren’t throwing back a porter or another heavy beer with a high alcohol content. Beers with a lighter body and refreshing finish like Corona, Landshark and Bud Light Lime go really well in the summer, according to Exton Beverage Company’s owner Greg Ramirez.
Craft beers and seasonal beers that are produced once a year are a huge component of Exton Beverage Company’s inventory. Greg’s summer recommendations include Blue Moon’s Summer Honey Wheat or their variety pack, Hoegaarden (a light wheat based beer with a hint of orange rind and coriander), Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy (a wheat based beer with lemonade added to it), Sam Adams Summer Ale, Brooklyn Summer Ale and Victory’s Sunrise Wheat. Greg suggests going with a pilsner for your picnic, a beer with a light color and body with a crisp finish. Try a Troegs Sunshine Pils and a Sierra Nevada Summer Fest.
There is really no set rule when it comes to pairing beers up with food. It depends on what your guests like and the mood of the gathering (inside vs. outside). Whether you prefer craft beers, mainstream beers, a keg or case, Exton Beverage Company has you covered. They carry over 900 types of beer, which are available in cases, ½ kegs, ¼ kegs and ⅙ kegs (or sixtels, they have over 250 sixtels). Their knowledgeable staff is more than willing to help customers find their perfect pairings and their inventory is updated on their website every 15 minutes.
They are a full service store with tubs, taps and ice. Their friendly employees will help you carry your keg out to your car and teach you about tapping your keg. There will be great fourth of July specials and they will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, July 4th.
In case you prefer something sweeter, there are plenty of “maltineratives” out there. Exton Beverage Company has a huge selection of Twisted Teas, Seagrams, Smirnoff’s, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Jeremiah Weed Drinks (Cola, Red Tea, Lemonade), wine coolers and more!
If neither beer nor malternatives are your guests’ thing, SIPP has created unique organic recipes for some stellar cocktails. SIPP sodas are a unique blend of three natural flavors and were created by one bubbly Chester Springs resident. Click here to find a store near you and get ready to start sipping!
SIPP’s Watermelon Ginger Mojito is a customer favorite and this refreshing drink will cool anyone down on a warm summer’s day.
Watermelon Ginger Mojito
2 oz vodka (organic)
2 cubes of watermelon
2-3 mint sprigs
3 oz watermelon juice
1/2 oz lime juice
1 oz SIPP Ginger Blossom
Muddle watermelon and mint. Add ice, vodka, lime and watermelon juice.
Shake vigorously and strain into glass filled with ice. Top off with SIPP.
Garnish with mint sprig and/or watermelon wedge.
Also, SIPP founder Beth Wilson-Parentice recently made the below recipe and everyone loved it! Try it for yourself!
Lemon Flower Sangria
In a large pitcher combine:
To serve, pour into white wine glass filled with ice and garnish with a sprig of mint.
If you serve beer, wine, or cocktails, serve responsibility and have great 4th of July! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Fourth of July post, the second in the series featuring The Food!
