It’s hot out, let’s get drunk and screw

This is the magical time of year where I turn another year older and see if I can still drink like I’m a college student, at least for a night…perhaps two.  Point being, I get lazy and selfish around my birthday.  I’m not thinking about you guys, I’m not thinking about trying new things necessarily.  I’m thinking about getting what I want, enjoying the things I like most, or revisiting some of the best things I’ve tried in the past year.  I’m also thinking about fireworks, hangovers, short skirts, bikinis, and what the girl walking down the street right now would do after a few…well now I’m just degenerating into a downward spiral.  On with the BOOZE!

Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy – This is half hefeweizen and half lemonade, and all awesome.  This is a take on the classic German Shandy, which is half Pilsner, and half lemonade.    This could also be done with a Kolsch beer as well since it is essentially a German take on Pilsner.  For my birthday this year I will be mixing Pilsner Shandy’s with a cheap local brew Lionshead.  This will sound like beer blashphemy to most, but kiss my ass, it’s good as hell.

Hoegaarden Mimosa – This is a drink I was introduced to at the Bethlehem Brew Works.  It’s no longer on the menu, but here’s how it goes.  You fill a glass 1/3 full with Orange Juice.  Then you top off with Hoegaarden (really you could use any creamy hefeweizen for this, Schwelmer and Paulaner come to mind).  Then a dash of Grand Marnier.

Jeckyl & Hyde – I have been sworn to secrecy on this drink, but if you happen to be in Jim Thorpe over the summer, swing by Molly McGuire’s and order a pitcher…you’ll be glad you did.

Strong Islands – no wussy Long Islands here.  Top shelf booze, make that Long Island proper!  Then double it…I like my Long Islands in 20 ounce glasses minimum.  This isn’t amateur hour people, if you’re going to have a Strong Island, then have one, none of this doing it halfway garbage.

Slammers – OK, this is completely childish, and there is absolutely no set recipe, and we have never had the same drink twice because every time we are making them, we conveniently seem to already be drunk, and when we make a really good batch and say, we need to remember that…well, you get the idea.  Thankfully we have slammers, because this is the perfect alternative to the To-kill-ya shooter races that happen at gatherings.  You start with some booze, and add Fresca or lemon lime soda.  Ratio is roughly 1/3 booze to 2/3 mixer.  Lots of ice in a small pitcher, mix.  Pour out into shot glasses, and then you take your palm and cover the top of the shot glass.  You then slam the shotglass off of the table (might not want to do this on your dining room table) with palm still over top.  Then you shoot it.  All the slamming does is release the fizz so when you shoot it, it’s not carbonated.  This is more one of those stupid rituals that happens amongst friends, but you can do slammers all night, you can’t really shoot tequila.  Plus it gets messy, and messy is always good.

Pilsner Urquell – The original Pilsner beer.  There is a reason the Czechs drink more than anyone else.  This light crisp and absolutely awesome beer is great for drinking all day at a gathering.  ABV is a low 3.5%.  This means you can actually drink a good tasting beer all afternoon.  You can have your hops and enjoy them too.

Simcoe’s Double IPA – Weyerbacher Brewing Company – To me this is the hops equivalent of why people in Southeast Asia eat hot food when the weather is sweltering.  It’s a counterpoint.  The aggressive spicy hop nature of a Simcoe’s Double is the perfect offset to afternoon drinking.  It will slow you down, and assault your palette.

Hefeweizen – I cannot even specify a particular brewery, because quite literally, if there ever was such a thing as Summer Beer.  It’s hefeweizen hands down.  Wheat beers are cloudy in color, citrus like in taste, creamy or crisp in texture, and typically lower ABV, which is always good when you know you’re having more than one.  Typically hefeweizen is viewed as the most popular entry into the world of craft brewing outside of people trying Guinness…just because it’s Guinness.    Schwelmer, Hoegaarden, Paulaner, and Southampton Double (if you got balls, a 6.5% abv hefeweizen can really shock you) are some of the best Hefewiezens being made today.

Lambic – I will finish with a recommendation to give Lambics a try.  These are Belgian sour beers traditionally made from raspberries.  Although today courtesy of the Lindeman’s brewery, you can get what some snobs will refer to as “Americanized” versions of the style.  Honestly, I’m OK with this style being softened up a bit.  True Lambic beers are impossibly sour and not something for most to jump into.  The Lindeman’s company makes softer, sweeter versions of the style which are more like a sparkling wine.  This style is sometimes referred to as “The champagne of beer styles”, no…you half wit, it sure as shit isn’t Miller High Life.  The more you learn about beer, the more you will despise our major breweries.  I really recommend the Lindeman’s Peach Lambic for those not familiar with the style.  Also of interest.  I have made Mimosa’s using Lindeman’s Peach Lambic before, and they were amazing.

Of course there are many different styles, and everyone’s tastes are subjective, but the summer time is a great time for drinking all of the wonderful booze made on this planet.  So if you don’t like my choices, get out there and drink up, tell me what you think should be on the list of must have summer drinks.