Memorial Day weekend is upon us! The official kickoff to summer! Outdoor drinking! Patios! Grilling! Lakes! Fun! Sun! I’m excited for summer, ok??? Summer for me means throwing out my usual beer routine (the darker the better!) for something light, crisp and refreshing. I like to experiment with styles during the summer because I don’t really have a go-to style. Gimme something fruity, sour, light, beer-y - I’ll drink it!

I did some summer beer research and I’m here to share my findings with you all. It’s tough work, but somebody has to do it. So without further ado, here are five Minnesota craft beers to drink this Memorial Day weekend (and all summer long), and the summer activity it pairs with best.

The perfect patio companion… Indeed Shenanigans

Shenanigans Summer Ale is a straight up great summer ale. It’s brewed with lemondrop hops and local honey. I love the dry finish on this citrus-y beer. Sip it on the patio, then get into some shenanigans. 5% ABV, 14 IBU.

Your new favorite hammock buddy… Schell’s Citra Blanc

Take a classic lager, hop it up, add a little aromatic depth and you have Citra Blanc American Pale Lager. While you’re taking advantage of the relaxing three day weekend, grab one of these and take a snooze in the hammock. 6.7% ABV, 44 IBU.

While enjoying the great outdoors… Summit Hefeweizen

If your plans for the weekend include camping, fishing, hiking, etc.! then pick up a Summit Boundary Waters Pack. It includes the Hefeweizen, a well-balanced beer with flavors of spice, banana and clove. Enjoy the easy drinking of one of Summit’s first seasonal offerings in the company of the great outdoors. 4.5% ABV, 18 IBU.

For sipping poolside… Able Strawberry El Dorado

I mean, this can just begs to be SHOWN OFF. The Strawberry El Dorado Sour Ale is the third in Able’s Chrono series of kettle sours. I love that you get so much strawberry with this and the tartness is not overpowering. Probably because it’s dry-hopped with El Dorado hops. I’m just obsessed with this can design. 4.6% ABV.

To pair with your favorite grill fare… Fair State Vienna Lager

Fair State’s Vienna Lager is beer as beer should be. It’s just the classic beer that tastes like beer! So pair it with your classic brat fresh off the grill! Let that summer feeling soak over you. You can thank me later. 5.3% ABV, 25 IBU.