Hazy Days of Summer: A Beer Lover’s Guide to the Season
There’s no better way to embrace summer in East Tennessee than sipping on a refreshing cold beer — the perfect thirst quencher after a day of outdoor adventures!
If you’re a beer enthusiast and want the full scoop on summer brews, look no further than this complete guide on new brews and pairings that are perfect for the summer season.
Must-Try Summer Brews
Soak up the summer sun with a refreshing beer or two. But first, consider which align with your personal tastes and what you’ll be eating this season. While there are many different types of beers out there, let’s explore a handful of summertime favorites:
Wheat Beers
Wheat beers are ideal for those looking for a light and refreshing sip. They are high in wheat flavor with a hoppy bitterness. Depending on the wheat beer you indulge in, flavors can vary from sweet, fruity flavors like citrus or banana to rich, creamy malts with a smooth finish.
Lagers
Lagers are an excellent option for folks wanting a crisp, flavor-packed beverage. They typically have a subtle hoppy-bitterness and a smooth feel to them, ranging in color from pale golden to amber. They also tend to have more carbonation and a lower alcohol percentage than other beers.
Sour Beers
Just as it sounds, sour beers are purposefully brewed to acquire a lemon-like tartness and an acidic, sour taste, making them a less sweet option. Other sour beer flavors you can explore include stone fruits, berries, tropical fruits like pineapple, and earthy spiced brews. These flavorful beers make the perfect beverage for any summer occasion!
Fruity Beers
Last but not least, fruity beers can be the perfect complement to summertime in East Tennessee. If you’re looking for a sweet refreshment this season, try a fruity flavor with a prominent taste and aroma, such as peach, berries (raspberry and strawberry are especially popular), malt-scented cherry, plum, and more!
Now that you’ve gained some insight into some of the popular summer brews, let’s discuss some of their perfect food pairings. By dining at one of the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants, you can find many menu options, from irresistible desserts to mouthwatering entries to a wide selection of specialty drinks.
Best Food Pairings for Summer Beers
The Copper Cellar of Family of Restaurants features a wide variety of restaurant concepts, each with its own unique ambiance and refreshing sips. But across all of our restaurants, it’s the locally crafted Smoky Mountain Brewery (SMB) beers that set our sips apart.
Crafted on-site at our four microbrewery locations throughout the region, all of our restaurants exclusively serve our SMB beers. With 19 restaurant locations serving Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and surrounding areas, we’ve got a place for every beer taste — and the perfect food pairings to go with them:
- Appalachian Pale Ale at SMB: This hoppy dry ale pairs perfectly with a hearty Philly cheesesteak (peppers and onions included) at Smoky Mountain Brewery.
- Cherokee Red Ale at Calhoun’s: This Irish-style refreshment pairs perfectly with a freshly-made Smokehouse grilled chicken salad at Calhoun’s.
- Raspberry Wheat at Cherokee Grill: Head to Cherokee Grill to pair the summer-exclusive Raspberry Wheat with a delectable New York Strip served with warm, fresh baked bread and your choice of side dish.
- Helles Lager at Corner16: Savor the taste of this award-winning German lager, expertly paired with a delicious Farmhouse Burger at one of our two Corner16 locations.
If any of these beers peak your interest, consider stopping by one of our restaurant locations for a dining experience you won’t forget! Many locations also offer spacious patios and unique indoor settings, making our restaurants great choices for fun and cozy summer spots.
Enjoy Summer with The Family!
Start your summer on a high note with our selection of refreshing beers at The Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants! Immerse yourself in a new world of hospitality, renowned for its friendly service and welcoming atmospheres. We invite guests from all over to sit back, unwind, and savor our refreshing sips in the setting of their choice. We’ll see you there!
