THE WAKKER WEEKLY – Issue #1851
Issue #1851 – Posted on: 17 – July – 2026
The FloodWakker Saga – one month in! It may not be much to look at but we think it is absolutely beautiful! Our brand new boiler was delivered late last week! This is the engine of our brewery. Since the destructive June 17th city water line break in front of our building, our brewery has been inoperable and will continue to be out of commission for a few more weeks. But this is a huge step forward in our brewery’s recovery. Yes, our kitchen has been fully operational for 15 days and yes we have lots of Bushwakker beer in reserve on tap, but now we can begin planning on creating beers for the cooler autumn season. One step at a time folks. We will get there!
BUSHWAKKER SEASONAL BEER STATUS Our seasonally available UPENDI PINEAPPLE PASSION FRUIT SOUR, HONEY THISTLE WIT, CHINOOK E.S.B., BARON BOCK and 35th ANNIVERSARY DOUBLE HONEY IRISH RED ALE are currently available. Bottles of our famous BLACKBERRY MEAD are also available in our offsale as part of our 2026 Summer Mead Release.
Our WEEKEND SPECIAL DINING FEATURE for July 17th – 18th is a BABY BACK RIB DINNER! Our Saturday CLASSIC STEAK & A PINT SPECIAL as well as our Monday and Wednesday WINGS & A PINT SPECIAL and Tuesday PIZZA & A PINT SPECIAL are also great value deals. Please note you can also have a pop, lemonade, sarsaparilla, ice tea or coffee instead of a pint of beer if you wish!
Our new Summer Seasonal BBQ Menu was just released last month! Get set to savour six sumptuous smoky sensations including: Smoked Brisket on a Bun, Smoked Chicken Enchiladas, Smoked Philly Cheese Dog, Smoked Pulled Pork Pineapple Bun, a Weekly Smoked Appetizer Feature and stay cool with a nice slice of Smoked Caramel Mocha Brownie Ice Cream Cake!
The July heat is here and Hop Circuit is in full swing! Pick up your free passport map and take a hike or ride your bike and visit all six participating Regina craft breweries this summer! Collect a stamp at all six locations and receive a free 2026 Hop Circuit commemorative glass! Get out there and enjoy another beautiful Queen City summer with some sensational Saskatchewan suds!
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 20: Monday Night Jazz & Blues. RYAN MAIER. Winnipeg artist delivers skilled finger-style and slide guitar work, original songs infused with blues and jazz, plus some unique adaptations of familiar standards. 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
July 22: Wednesday Folk Night. MICHEL CHAMMARTIN. Last month’s special St. Jean Baptiste Day event had to be cancelled because we were closed due to the extensive city water line break in front of our building. Michel is back and will be joined by other bilingual singer songwriters who will deliver a great evening celebrating French Canadian heritage with some great French songs. 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
July 23: RIDERS HOST EDMONTON. Thursday night football in Regina! Kickoff is at 7:00 PM. Be sure to stop by and enjoy our gourmet ELKS BURGER & A PINT special before the game. And don’t forget you can park in the huge free parking across the street and then take the free Dewdney shuttle to and from the game. Come “devour” the competition!
By: The Growler Guys
Nothing helps you beat the summer heat like a light, refreshing craft beer. Whether you’re relaxing on the patio, heading to the lake, or you just did a round with the lawn mower, a cold, crisp beer hits the spot every time. With countless options lining the shelves, however, it can be difficult to know which brews pack plenty of flavour without weighing you down. That’s why we put together a guide to the best light and refreshing beer styles for summer. Keep reading to find the beer that’s the perfect match for your summer plans.
What Are The Best Light and Refreshing Beer Styles for Summer?
The best light and refreshing beer styles for summer include Kölsch, Pilsner, Hefeweizen, Blonde Ale, American Wheat Ale, Session IPA, and Gose. These styles all have a crisp finish, bright flavours, moderate alcohol levels, and excellent drinkability. This makes them ideal for warm weather, barbecues, and relaxing afternoons.
Why Are Light Beer Styles Ideal During the Summer?
Summer changes the way we enjoy beer. High temperatures, outdoor activities, and lighter meals mean we’re looking for beers that refresh rather than overwhelm. Rich stouts and barrel-aged beers still have their place, but when the weather warms up, more drinkers reach for vibrant flavour profiles and light, crisp finishes.
Note that “light” doesn’t mean “flavourless” – it means balance. Light summer beer styles bring a delicate malt sweetness, bright citrus notes, floral hops, refreshing carbonation, and a clean finish that leaves you ready for another sip.
We recommend exploring several different summer beer styles. Every brewery puts its own spin on the classics, and you never know when you’ll find a new favourite at The Growler Guys.
Kölsch: Crisp, Clean, and Exceptionally Drinkable
Kölsch is always one of our top recommendations for summer beer drinkers. It originated in Cologne, Germany, and combines the clean character of a lager with the subtle fruitiness of an ale. You can expect flavours like:
– Light cracker-like malt
– Gentle fruit notes
– Soft floral aromas
– Dry, crisp finish
Kölsch pairs perfectly with grilled chicken, fresh salads, seafood, and afternoon sunshine. Its smooth finish means it’s also a great gateway beer for anyone looking to broaden their craft beer palate.
Pilsner: A Classic That Never Goes Out of Style
Pilsners gain more and more loyal fans every year, and for good reason – they deliver a remarkable balance. Craft breweries have embraced both traditional European interpretations and modern American versions that showcase brighter hop aromas. A great Pilsner has:
– Bright carbonation
– Clean malt character
– Refreshing herbal or floral hops
– Crisp, dry finish
In our experience, few beer styles complement burgers, grilled vegetables, tacos, and picnic fare better than a Pilsner. It’s refreshing enough for hot afternoons and flavourful enough to satisfy craft beer enthusiasts.
Hefeweizen: Summer in Every Glass
Enjoy fruit-forward beers that aren’t overly sweet? Then hefeweizen deserves a spot on your summer beer list. This traditional German wheat beer imparts natural flavours that remind many drinkers of banana, clove, citrus, and fresh bread.
Its cloudy appearance surprises some first-time drinkers, but that signature haze adds to its soft mouthfeel and refreshing character. Hefeweizen pairs especially well with:
– Fresh fruit
– Bratwurst
– Grilled shrimp
– Chicken sandwiches
– Soft pretzels
In our experience, hefeweizen is one of the refreshing summer beer styles that quickly becomes a favourite for guests looking for something beyond traditional lagers.
Blonde Ale: Easy-Drinking Craft Flavour
Think beers can’t be approachable and showcase excellent craftsmanship? Blonde ales are here to prove you wrong. In fact, many breweries use blonde ale to showcase their brewing skills because every ingredient matters. Without aggressive hops or roasted malts hiding imperfections, the beer hinges on balance.
Blonde ales have a mild malt sweetness, restrained hop bitterness, and exceptional balance that appeals to all types of beer drinkers. Whether you’re introducing a friend to craft beer or looking for an easy afternoon pint, blonde ale rarely disappoints.
American Wheat Ale: Bright Citrus Character
American wheat ale takes the refreshing qualities of traditional wheat beers and adds a distinctly American twist. Brewers often introduce citrus-forward hops that add lemon, orange, grapefruit, or tropical fruit aromas while keeping the bitterness relatively low. The result is a beer that feels lively, refreshing, and incredibly versatile during the summer.
American wheat ales pair well with:
– Fish tacos
– Garden salads
– Grilled vegetables
– Fresh seafood
– Picnic lunches
Many breweries also create seasonal variations that feature fresh fruit or subtle herbal additions. It’s part of what makes summer a great time to discover new refreshing beer styles.
Session IPA: Big Hop Flavour Without the Weight
When you love hoppy beers but want something lighter for summer, a session IPA is the best of both worlds. Brewers create these beers with a lower alcohol content while keeping the citrus, pine, tropical fruit, and floral aromas IPA fans appreciate.
Instead of delivering an intensely bitter experience, session IPAs focus on the balance and drinkability that are perfect for summer. With these brews, you can enjoy bold hop character without feeling overwhelmed on a hot afternoon.
Our certified Beer Stewards often recommend session IPAs to guests who typically enjoy traditional IPAs but want a more refreshing option for outdoor events, camping trips, or warm afternoons on the patio.
Gose: A Refreshing Twist
If you’re ready to broaden your palate, Gose is one of the most uniquely refreshing summer beer styles out there. This German-inspired wheat beer combines a subtle tartness with a touch of salt for an invigorating finish.
Many craft breweries build on the traditional gose recipe by adding fruit like watermelon, lime, peach, mango, or raspberry. These additions create bright seasonal flavours without making the beer overwhelmingly sweet.
The touch of salt actually enhances the refreshment of a gose, which makes it an excellent choice for outdoor summer activities.
How Do You Choose the Right Refreshing Beer Styles for Summer?
Selecting the perfect summer beer depends on your personal preference and the occasion. Think about where you’ll be enjoying your beer, what you’ll be eating, and what flavours you typically gravitate toward. We recommend these simple guidelines for our guests:
– Choose Kölsch if you enjoy crisp, balanced beers.
– Choose Pilsner if you appreciate clean, classic lagers.
– Choose Hefeweizen if you enjoy fruity, smooth wheat beers.
– Choose Blonde Ale if you’re new to craft beer.
– Choose American Wheat Ale if you love bright citrus flavours.
– Choose Session IPA if you want hop-forward aromas with easy drinkability.
– Choose Gose if you’re looking for something adventurous and exceptionally refreshing.
We’ve found that beer flights are one of the best ways to compare several styles before committing to a growler. Sampling multiple beers this way lets you discover unexpected favourites and grow your appreciation for craft beer.
TIME OUT – Hot Summer Husband’s Last Wish
An old man is lying on his deathbed in the middle of a massive summer heat wave, smelling the sweet aroma of an ice-cold witbier wafting in from the kitchen. With his last ounce of strength, he croaks, “Honey, are you drinking a beer in there?” His wife walks in and says, “Yes, I am.” He sighs and says, “Can I have one last sip?” She shakes her head. “Nope, that one’s for the pallbearers!”
When it’s this hot on a patio even the beer can’t cool you down. Come enjoy a cool Bushwakker brew in our air conditioned comfort!
