5 Orange County Beers to Crush This Summer
It’s no secret that Orange County, CA, has become a haven for beer buffs and hop enthusiasts. With 50+ tantalizing taprooms, microbreweries, and brewpubs to choose from, there is something for everyone in the OC.
Beer styles: Styles of beer change constantly as new ingredients and techniques develop, seasons change, and demand rises for upcoming industry trends. While some argue that certain styles are better for summer than others, beer is incredibly subjective. With that said, here are a few OC beers you should beat the heat with this summer.
As a note: Most of these beers are not core to the breweries that made them. If you want to enjoy these fresh, grab them ASAP (and please drink responsibly). These beers may be available at more places than I’ve recorded. Support your local breweries!
In no particular order:
#1 Naturia — Unsung Brewing Co.
Naturia is a double IPA (an IPA’s stronger, hoppier brother) brewed with Mosaic and Simcoe hops. Flavors are incredibly floral and bright, with strong earthy notes of pine and magnolia. Be warned, at 8.4%, a 16oz. pour is sure to creep up on you (especially if it isn’t your first beer of the day). Despite its high ABV, this beer has a crisp finish and does not carry the weight of a typical DIPA. I recommend sipping Naturia in your backyard hammock or while prepping the grill for BBQ.
Available: in cans and on draught at Unsung Brewing Co., Craft Beer Kings
#2 Short-Lived — A Series from MadeWest Brewing Co. and Pizza Port Brewing Co.
I won’t lie; the first time I saw Short-Lived on the shelves, I got pretty excited. I’ve enjoyed multiple beers from Pizza Port and MadeWest over the years, so I was sure this beer would deliver. Unsurprisingly, this collab is a West Coast IPA, packing fruit-forward notes and a dank/resin finish. Citrus and stonefruit flavors derive from a trio of Ekuanot, Mosaic, and Idaho 7 hops. You might not blaze through a 4-pack since the hoppy bitterness encourages slow sipping. Short-Lived is a stellar choice for a beach picnic or poolside shindig.
Available: in cans and on draught at MadeWest Brewing Co., Pizza Port Brewing Co., Trader Joe’s (locally), Barrel House 101, most local Craft Beer retailers
#3 Tamriel Tundra— GameCraft Brewing
Cold IPAs may have a controversial name and classification, but there is nothing murky about this beer. Smooth, crisp, and hoppy, Tamriel Tundra occupies a unique place on the beer spectrum by fusing the best elements of ales and lagers. With a low ABV of 5.6%, GameCraft’s latest Cold IPA is incredibly crushable an endlessly exciting for your tastebuds. Whether this style is here to stay or not, it’s certainly worth grabbing a pint of Tamriel Tundra and playing your favorite adventure RPG.
Available: on draught and in 32oz. crowlers at GameCraft Brewing.
#4 FXGGY — Monkish Brewing Co.
Ok, sure. Even though they started in Torrance, Monkish Brewing’s location in Anaheim is easily one of the top destinations for local craft beer lovers. Claiming them as one of our own, I would be remiss not to recommend FXGGY next time you stop by their taproom. Even if you don’t care for Hazies, this triple NEIPA is an absolute shining star, displaying the incredible flavor spectrum we get from innovative products like Phantasm. Packed full of Citra, Nelson Sauvin, and Galaxy hops, FXGGY clocks in at 10% but is an absolute sip-savorer. Big tropical notes are the perfect refresher after a long surf/skate sesh, pickup game, or bike ride.
Available: in cans, online, and on draught at Monkish Brewing Co.
#5 Arifexican — Artifex Brewing Co.
This summer (2022) in California, just about every brewery has a Mexican-style lager on tap, and for good reason! The crisp, sweet corn flavor is righteously refreshing and pairs well with many seasonal dishes. Artifexican is a GABF 2017 award winner, so you know there’s something special here. Pilsen malt, corn flakes, and noble hops come together in a dry, bright splash that quenches your thirst on the hottest days. Artifexican pairs well with fish tacos, cornhole, and sunset views in San Clemente.
Available: in cans and on draught at Artifex Brewing Co., Sprouts, Total Wine & More, Craft Shack online.
