Pilsner, Holy City Brewing (5% ABV)
One of the brewery’s three year-round offerings, Holy City’s pilsner showcases its makers’ knack for updating old-school styles for new palates. This beer is wonderfully hoppy in a way that integrates perfectly with the pilsner style. It’s not a resinous glass of noble hop juice steamrolling over a pilsner, but rather a pilsner that left home to pursue its dreams and never forgot its roots. Available at Holy City Brewing, $10 for a 64-ounce growler fill
Gose, Westbrook Brewing Co. (4% ABV)
Germany is the birthplace of many beer styles, and some—like Gose (pronounced go-suh)—were nearly lost to antiquity. Originating in Leipzig in the 1700s, it’s essentially a soured wheat beer with salt and coriander. This version is tart, with salt used for balance rather than flavor. Think hearty lemonade. Available at Westbrook Brewing Co. and Whole Foods Market; $10 -$12 for a six-pack of 12-ounce cans, $12 for a 64-ounce growler fill
32/50 Kölsch, COAST Brewing (4.8% ABV)
The relatively obscure Kölsch style is named after Cologne, Germany, where it was first brewed 600 years ago. This brew’s crisp character complements our sweltering summers, but its bold flavor makes it stand out among often boring warm-weather options. Bonus: this beer offers a geography lesson—it‘s named for the degrees latitude of Charleston and Cologne, respectively. Available at COAST Brewing; $6 for a 22-ounce bottle, $14 for a 64-ounce growler fill
