Top Picks for Craft Beer this Summer

From beer festivals to breweries, the Craft Beer scene has never been bigger. In fact, the choices can almost be overwhelming. Cranberry Liquors boasts the largest and best selection of beers on Cape Cod. From craft beer to imports and good ole American favorites, they’ve got you covered. It was very hard to narrow it down, given owner Joseph Della Morte’s expansive knowledge, but we give you Cranberry Liquors top beer picks for the summer.

Best Beer if You’re New to Craft Beer:

Try anything that is an IPA. They are by far the most prolific and the most popular. Limbo from Long Trail is a personal favorite. Limbo delivers on the IPA experience with very fresh flavor that’s not too hoppy bitter. Some folks really like the bitterness and so most serious craft brewers give a bitterness or hoppiness rating on the package. Look for it. The available range of hoppiness may surprise you. Less bitter for the newbie, more bitter as you acquire a taste for it.

Best Local Beer

If you’re new to craft beer, I’d recommend trying some of the several local craft beers for two reasons:

You’re on the Cape and you may not be able to get these beers when you get home – try it while you have access to it.
There are a number of locally made beers that allow you to try the many different styles typically made available by craft beer brewers.

Cape Cod Beer is now the veteran brewer of the Cape. Their Cape Cod Red is the standard bearer but they also have a Cape Cod Summer, a Porter a Blond and a few others worth experimenting with. Have a Summer when it’s hot and steamy. Have a Porter on one of our cooler evenings. Available in 4 packs of 16 oz. cans

Cisco makes their beer on Nantucket (still technically the Cape, right?) and they have a good following for their brews. Sankaty Light Lager, Indie Pale Ale and Whales Tale Pale Ale are straightforward in their styles. Grey Lady delivers a beer with a little spice (think cardamom). All have enjoyed a strong following for many years. All are available in 6 and 12 packs.

Devils Purse is relatively new to the scene and have created a few different styles of beer. The ESB, Kolsch and Saison deliver a more esoteric beer drinking experience and Devils Purse delivers nicely. Typically, Devils Purse is available in 4 pack 16 oz cans. Located in Dennis, these guys are going to be around for a while.

Session IPA’s are a little lower in alcohol so you can drink a few without disabling yourself. Cape Cod Beer makes a session IPA and Notch makes a session pilsner.

Best New Beer

At least by popular demand, the best new beer is Sip o’ Sunshine. Brewed by Lawson’s in Vermont, this beer has been in high demand lately. Currently, we are out of stock but hope springs eternal!

Best Beer to Score Cool Points

If you can get your hands on Heady Topper, that beer is extremely rare and I don’t think you will find any outside of a 10 mile radius from where it’s manufactured in Waterbury, Vermont. But if you can get it, you will definitely be the coolest beer aficionado in the area.

Shandy beer has a little bit of citrus in it for a refreshing summer beer experience. Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy and Shocktop each make a shandy that will cool you down nicely this summer.

Finally, for the craft beer aficionado who wants to go one step further, try a Gose style beer. Very different. A particular yeast is used which gives the beer a sour quality. Not for everyone but definitely a thing. Lost Nation and Anderson Valley come to mind but there are a few. Definitely a beer to be consumed with food as the savory nature of food and the sour of Gose “goes” well together.

Visit Cranberry Liquor in Harwich Port to find all the beers mentioned in this article and so many more. The staff on hand are very knowledgeable and always happy to answer questions and help you find the perfect beer or beverage for any occasion. As owner Joseph Della Morte said, “Let me be clear: I’ve only scratched the surface: There are hundreds of cool craft beers! Cranberry Liquors has a lot of them. Dare I say the best selection on the Cape!”