Blondes are more fun

Lou Treseder of Driftwood Spars picks the best golden beers for summer

BLONDE

This style of beer is smooth and doesn’t have lots of bittering hops. Dawkins Brewery makes the delicious Bristol Blonde (3.8%) which has a citrus aroma full of fresh lemons and spicy zest. The initial vanilla malt taste is followed by a long and satisfying bitter finish.

PALE ALE

Usually made with refreshing citrus hops, a pale ale has a lower ABV than an IPA. Try Budding (4.5%) from Stroud Brewery: it’s a pale ale with a grassy bitterness, sweet malt and a luscious floral aroma.

SAISON

Saison was traditionally made at harvest time in Belgium and is deliciously earthy in flavour. Dorset’s Gyle 59 Brewery produces Legless Liz (3.8%) which combines earthy, spicy flavours with a punchy, citrusy zing.

PILSNER

This light, golden style of lager, which was developed in Czechoslovakia, is ideal if you prefer lager but want interesting flavours. Try Cut Loose (4.5%) by Powderkeg Brewery in Devon; it’s a traditional pilsner pepped up with a touch of the Motueka hop from New Zealand.

INDIA PALE ALE (IPA)

IPA is full of hops. Traditionally English, it was originally brewed for quenching the thirst of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces in India during the time of the Empire (the hops acted as a preservative when casks were transported by ship). Try Lou’s Brew (5%) from Driftwood Spars Brewery, Cornwall. It’s golden and hoppy with citrus and grassy aromas.