5 Beers of Summer: Bacon's Expert Picks the Best

NORTHBOROUGH, MA—The "packey" can be overwhelming. When deciding the best kind of beer to offer at your barbecue, those rows of labels can feel like a mosaic.

Bacon's Wine and Spirits in Northborough's Beer Director Chris Bacon offer their expert opinion on picks for the summer.

Editor's note: How cool would it be to have "beer director" as your business card title?

Beers:

• Clown Shoes Mango Kolsch - 6.0% ABV.: A German style brew with a massive punch of mango, this light and crisp refreshing brew is perfect for all summertime events!
• Harpoon Wannamango Pale Ale – 5.0% ABV.: New to the Harpoon Seasonal lineup, this light bodied mango pale ale is slightly sweet with a balance of bread malt to create a perfect balance of summertime fun!
• Jack’s Abby House Lager – 5.2% ABV.: 16oz., 6pk Cans. What else more is there to say! At only 5.2%, this traditional brew is the perfect balance for all family and summertime adventures for any palate!
• Sixpoint Brewery Bengali IPA – 6.5%: Coming in at 69IBU’s, Sixpoint’s Bengali IPA, first introduced in the summer of 2014, provides a juicy, citrusy, & piney hop slash that will have you wanting more!
• Boulevard Brewing Co. Tank 7 Farmhouse/Saison Ale – 8.3%: Our Number 1 selling Farmhouse/Saison, Tank 7 begins with a big surge of fruity aromatics and grapefruit-hoppy notes, the flavor of this complex, straw- colored ale tapers off to a peppery, dry finish. At 8.3% and alcohol heat, it is very, very sneaky!