The weather this past Saturday gave us all a little taste of what summer is going to feel like. Although the forecast was set to torrential down-pour all day, Cape May was somehow able to dodge the rain, while every other town in the northeast was hit with some not-so-pretty weather.

[Ed note: It’s called the Cape May bubble effect. Look it up!]

Lucky for us, we were graced with temperatures that made us remember it’s almost time to break out the flip-flops, lather up in SPF 30, dust off our beach chairs, but most importantly… pack up our coolers with the best Cape May Brewery summer beers!

We know what you’re thinking – with the right mindset, every CMBC beer tastes like vacation. We’re not arguing there! But, we wanted to highlight a few beers that pair best with marathon beach days, firing up the grill, late-night bonfires, and enjoying the moment.

So, let us set the scene for you: you’re at the first summer BBQ of the season. The smell of hamburgers and hot dogs fills the air. Country music is playing in the background. You’re kicking your friend's ass in corn-hole. Kids are jumping in and out of the pool. You reach your hand into a cooler full of icy, cold Cape May Beers - each one perfect for the summer.

What beers do you pull out?

1. Cape May White

What better beer to crack open in celebration of summer than with one of our staples, Cape May White! Cape May White is brewed with orange and lemon peels, coriander, grains of paradise, and our favorite Belgian Witbier yeast. Fruity esters up-front with an easy-drinking finish yields a traditional Belgian-Style Wheat Ale brewed in the heart of the East Coast.

2. Always Ready

Always ready is literally always ready. This beer is available year-round and will make a great addition to your summer line-up. Cape May is home to the Coast Guard, so we salute those who are Always Ready with a juicy Hazy Pale Ale. With the addition of wheat and oats for a medium body and with brilliant aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and citrus zest, this lush hop-bomb is Always Ready. Throw some chicken on the grill and enjoy an Always Ready!

3. The Grove

You can’t do summer properly without enjoying The Grove! The Grove drinks like you picked the fruit this morning, squeezed it into a glass, and — poof! — turned it into the most intensely crushable beer you've ever seen. Snappy, super bright, and ridiculously refreshing, The Grove is sweet, tart, and is exactly what you need to cool off at the end of a hot summer day.

4. Hard Lemonade

Nothing quite says summer like a delicious lemonade. You know, the one that is a balance of mouth-puckering tart and delectably sweet flavors that is oh-so-refreshing. Look no further—you're holding it in your hand! Perfectly blended with all-natural cane sugar and lemon juice, our Hard Lemonade will quench your thirst and bring back fond memories of your time down the shore.

5. Hard Iced Tea

Nothing beats freshly steeped iced tea, and Cape May Hard Iced Tea captures those classic flavors with a lightly sweet brew that features prominent flavors of exotic citrus and aromatic black tea for a one-of-a-kind drinking experience. Relax in your beach chair and crack open a Hard Iced Tea! This refreshing beverage will quickly become your new go-to summer libation!

6. Orange Crushin’ It

Refreshing and great for the beach, Crushin' It is soon to be your summer staple. With Citra, Mosaic, and Azacca hops blending together to accentuate the fresh flavors of orange juice, Crushin' It is dry, approachable, and perfectly balanced. Relax in the sand. Enjoy a no shower happy hour. This beer is best paired with good friends, sunshine, and SPF 30.

7. Sparkling Paloma

You’ll be looking for our Sparkling Paloma in your cooler after taking a dip in the ocean. Delicious and refreshing, with nuanced notes of pithy grapefruit, zesty lime, and sweet agave, Sparkling Paloma is inspired by the classic Mexican drink. We brewed a clean, cold-fermented lager and blended it with our fresh house-made soda to create a complex brew that intrigues with every sip. Drops TODAY exclusively in our Tasting Room!

8. Follow the Gull

Follow the Gull to our Tasting Room this summer for a delicious beer! Follow the Gull has a ridiculous amount of Citra, El Dorado, Azacca, and Amarillo hops, yielding a juicy and ultra-drinkable hop-bomb bursting with tropical and citrus aromas. Perfect for enjoying with your toes in the sand.

9. Tan Limes

Who doesn’t love a cold beer with a big squeeze of lime in the summer?! Tan Limes brings you both of those in a can. Tan Limes is our Mexican-style Lager brewed with a touch of locally-sourced sea salt and a hint of Persian lime juice. Fresh and zesty, Tan Limes would be perfectly at home at your local cantina and is best paired with street tacos, brilliant sunshine, and close friends.

10. Longliner

Soft, crisp, and balanced—Longliner Lager is a beer that will keep you going all summer long. Whether you're toiling away in the brewhouse, hitting land after a long two weeks at sea, or kicking back on your day off, Longliner will be there for you. You can also find Longliner in our new Variety Pack!

If you’ve made it this far, then you’re in for a treat. We wanted to share something very special with you..

We’re bringing back a fan favorite this summer. Any guesses? We’ll give you a hint..

It’s cranberry, refreshing, perfect for summer and is returning VERY soon.