Every year around this time, we hear the same thing.
"It's too hot to brew."
"I'll start again when the weather cools off."
"I've been meaning to brew, but summer got busy."
We get it.
Between vacations, yard projects, camping trips, kids' activities, and trying to enjoy the handful of sunny days we get in Northwest Washington, brewing can slip down the priority list.
But summer doesn't mean you stop brewing.
You just need the right batch.
That's why we put together our Summer Brewing Series: four summer homebrewing recipes designed for warm-weather brewing. Each recipe is available as a complete homebrew recipe kit and was selected to help brewers overcome the most common challenges of summer brewing.
At Northwest Brewers Supply in Burlington, Washington, we spend a lot of time helping brewers solve seasonal brewing challenges. Whether you're looking for an easy beer recipe kit, advice on brewing beer in warm weather, or help selecting the right yeast for your fermentation space, we're here to help.
Why Summer Brewing Can Be Tricky
Summer, even in western Washington, presents a few challenges that don't show up during the cooler months.
First, fermentation temperatures are higher than we’d like. Most older homes and even some of the newer ones don’t have air conditioning. and not everyone has a fermentation chamber. Some of our favorite styles go bananas when the garage feels like a quansat hut in the middle of the desert.
Second, brewing habits slow down. Many brewers don't intentionally stop brewing. Life simply gets busy, and suddenly it's been three months since the last batch.
Third, our beer preferences change. The big, heavy winter beers that tasted perfect in January don't always hit the same way when it's 80 degrees outside.
Finally, nobody wants a complicated brew day when the sun is shining.
So we built four recipes that solve those problems.
Easy Summer Blonde
The Easy Comeback Batch
If it's been a while since you've brewed, start here.
Easy Summer Blonde is exactly what the name suggests: a simple, straightforward blonde ale with soft malt character, gentle hop flavor, and a clean finish.
No complicated schedules.
No exotic ingredients.
No drama.
Just a dependable beer that reminds you why you started brewing in the first place.
This is the recipe we'd hand to someone who hasn't brewed in six months and wants a guaranteed win. If you're looking for an easy beer recipe kit to restart your brewing habit, this is it.
Lemondrop Wheat
The Patio Beer
When the weather warms up, lighter beers start sounding pretty good.
Lemondrop Wheat is a pale American wheat beer with bright lemon-like hop character and a clean, refreshing finish. It uses Mt. Hood for bittering and Lemondrop hops late in the boil to create a crisp citrus character without turning the beer into a fruit bomb.
This isn't a banana-and-clove German hefeweizen.
It's a clean, refreshing wheat beer built for summer afternoons.
If you're looking for a summer homebrewing recipe that's easy-drinking after mowing the lawn, working in the garden, or sitting on the deck, this is the one.
Hot Garage Pale Ale
For Brewers Without a Fermentation Fridge
One of the biggest myths in homebrewing is that you can't brew during the summer.
You absolutely can.
You just need the right yeast.
Hot Garage Pale Ale was designed specifically for brewers working in warmer fermentation spaces. Using Pilsen Light LME, a touch of Vienna and Cara-Pils, Cascade hops, Talus late additions and dry hopping, and Omega Lutra yeast, this beer delivers a clean fermentation profile even when temperatures aren't ideal.
If you've been worried about fermentation temperature control during the summer months, this recipe was designed to make warm-weather brewing easier.
No fermentation chamber.
No panic.
Just good beer.
Sunset Amber
When the Hoodie Comes Back Out
Not every summer beer has to be pale and citrusy.
Sunset Amber is built for BBQs, fire pits, and those Northwest evenings when the sun starts dropping behind the trees, and somebody says, "You might want a sweatshirt."
Golden malt extract, Munich, Crystal 40, and Victory malt create layers of malt flavor without becoming heavy or sweet.
It's balanced, smooth, and incredibly food-friendly.
This is the beer you'll want when burgers come off the grill, and the conversation keeps going long after sunset.
A Little Summer Brewing Insurance
Summer brewing can be a little less forgiving than January brewing.
Warmer temperatures can put more stress on yeast, and everyone appreciates a brighter, clearer pint when the weather heats up.
That's why every Summer Brewing Series recipe bundle includes your choice of a FREE packet of yeast nutrient or a Whirlfloc tablet.
It's a small addition, but sometimes the little things make the difference between a good batch and a great batch.
Why Buy Local?
One of the advantages of buying homebrew recipe kits from Northwest Brewers Supply isn't just getting ingredients.
It's getting help.
Not sure which recipe fits your setup?
Wondering which yeast will work best in your fermentation space?
Need help adjusting a recipe or troubleshooting a batch?
That's what we're here for.
We help homebrewers throughout Skagit County, Whatcom County, Snohomish County, and Island County choose ingredients, yeast, and brewing processes that fit their equipment, goals, and brewing spaces.
Online retailers can ship ingredients.
A local homebrew shop helps you make better beer.
Summer Brewing Series At A Glance
Northwest Brewers Supply's Summer Brewing Series includes four summer homebrewing recipes designed to solve common warm-weather brewing challenges.
- Easy Summer Blonde helps brewers get back into the hobby with a simple, approachable batch.
- Lemondrop Wheat delivers crisp, refreshing citrus character for warm afternoons.
- Hot Garage Pale Ale uses Omega Lutra yeast to make warm-weather fermentation easier.
- Sunset Amber provides balanced malt flavor for BBQs, fire pits, and summer evenings.
All recipes are available as extract and all-grain homebrew recipe kits.
Brew Something This Summer
Whether you're restarting your brewing habit, looking for something refreshing, working around warmer temperatures, or planning your next backyard gathering, we've got a recipe ready to go.
Stop by Northwest Brewers Supply in Burlington, Washington, tell us what kind of beer you're looking for, and we'll help you find the right batch.
Because warm weather doesn't mean you stop brewing.
You just need the right recipe.
Make your next beer your best beer.
Summer Season’s Frequently Asked Questions
Can you brew beer during the summer?
Absolutely. Summer brewing is successful when you choose recipes and yeast strains that fit your fermentation environment. Many homebrewers successfully brew all summer long with the right approach.
Do I need a fermentation fridge to brew beer in warm weather?
Not necessarily. Some yeasts, such as Omega Lutra, perform well at warmer temperatures and can help produce clean beer without temperature control.
Are the Summer Brewing Series recipes available in extract and all-grain versions?
Yes. All four Summer Brewing Series recipes are available as complete extract or all-grain recipe kits.
Where can I buy summer homebrew recipe kits near Burlington, Washington?
Northwest Brewers Supply in Burlington, WA, carries complete recipe kits and serves homebrewers throughout Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, and Island counties.
Can Northwest Brewers Supply help me choose the right summer recipe?
Absolutely. Tell us about your brewing setup, fermentation space, and favorite beer styles, and we'll help you choose the recipe that's the best fit for your summer brewing goals.