Summer drinks with Beer KC

We're getting to some warmer temperatures, which means the hot and humid Kansas City summer is nearly upon us.  What do you want in a summer cooler?  Citrus-y flavors?  Other fruit?  Maybe a sour beer to pucker you up and cool you off?  Or a straight-forward lager or IPA?  (Personally, I either go for a good shandy or pale ale/lager.)  Luckily for you, we have some delicious ways to cool off in Westport.

Let's start at Beer Kitchen.  There, you'll find what might be my current favorite beer on a hot day - Stiegl's Grapefruit Radler.  What's a radler?  It's similar to a shandy, but instead of a beer/lemonade mix, it's a beer/flavored soda mix, so it's a little more effervescent.  This one clocks in at only 2.5% alcohol by volume, and the grapefruit soda gives it a great, light citrus flavor, so it's super refreshing.

If you're looking for something with a little more kick, while still staying refreshed, check out some of our beer cocktails.  The Summer Beer (PBR, citrus vodka, and rosemary-infused lemonade), Ginger Fizz (IPA, lemonade, and Gosling's ginger beer), and Razzle Dazzle (wheat beer, raspberry vodka, and blueberry puree) are all perfect sippers for cooling down at the end of the day.

Now, let's head across the street, and sit down on the patio at McCoy's.  And let's order a Ginger Shandy.  Brewed with real ginger and lemonade, it's one of our more popular beers.  If you're not into the fruit and beer combo, might I suggest the Landing Light Lager?  A crisp, refreshing lager that's below 6% alcohol, making it very easy to drink.  Or our Unfiltered Wheat, which has a hint of citrus to go with a balanced, mellow wheat.  Delicious.

Alright, now let's stop in at The Foundry.  Remember the Grapefruit Radler from Beer Kitchen?  Here, we have the Lemon version of it.  I think the grapefruit has a little bit of an edge over the lemon, but I'll let you be the judge.  Both are great.  Both deserve a try.  I'm also a big fan of the 1809 Berliner Weisse, previously mentioned in a post about new German additions to our list.  Actually, now that I think about it, both the 1809 and the Gose would be good summertime drinks.  We have some summer beers on tap as well, including Bell's Oberon, and Twilight from Deschutes.  Or, go with Deschutes' fantastic pale ale, Mirror Pond.  Hard to top a good pale ale when the temps are rising.

There's also something to be said about a good Belgian beer on tap, and we have one of the best in the world.  Delirium Tremens (you know that tap at the front of the bar that has the pink elephant??).  I love this beer.  Not just for summer, but all year long.  Mmmmm.  A little spicy, with hints of fruit flavors dancing around, and the perfect amount of body and carbonation.  A nice sipper that'll cool you down.  And of course, the McCoy's beers are offered here as well, so you'll have plenty of options.  I'd recommend getting an order of the Ninja Stars or Buffalo Tots, too.  What better way to beat the heat than by providing your mouth with a little bit of spice, then dousing it in beer?

What are some of your favorite warm weather libations?  Come enjoy them with us, or venture out into new refreshment, and let us know what you think!  Cheers!