The local summer beers you have to try

For fans aching for those sun-soaked Cali vibes, this one’s for you. Rocky Ridge have released this summertime banger, a crushable hazy boi that will hit the spot after a big surf sesh, making it oh so delicious and drinkable. Best enjoyed with the feet up on a sunny day.

Rocky Ridge Tap House in Busselton is a great place to while away a few hours, it really feels like you are visiting a mate (who happens to have an incredible beer selection). Margaret River Burger Co are on-site every day ensuring bellies are full.

Beerfarm’s Hazy Standard is now a staple release from the team, and this flavour bomb is definitely one to add to your esky. An easy drinking mid strength, this Hazy Pale Ale has citrus and tropical notes with low bitterness. Feeling adventurous? Keep a keen eye out for their Watermelon Mojito Sour (Summer Release) in mid-November.

Beerfarm is also the perfect spot for those sultry summer afternoons, with the converted dairy farm looking out over bucolic pastures, shady trees down by the dam, and a waterslide for the kids.

Shelter Brewing Co has again teamed up with iconic Hillzeez Down South Surf Shop, this time to release the perfect summer smasher – the Shelter Hillzeez Hazy pale ale.

Like sunshine in a glass, it glows bright with a golden haze and packs a big mango and tropical punch. There’s passionfruit, peach and citrus on the palate and a light bready malt. Well balanced and weighing in at 4.2% ABV it’s highly sessionable.

Their venue occupies prime real estate on the Busselton Foreshore, and overlooks the historic old jetty. It’s the best kind of brewery; relaxed, welcoming, genuine, and a place where you can watch the bay, taste the sun and soak up the good vibes.

A delicious grapefruit soda dance for your mouth, the answer to long beach days and lazy sundowner sessions on the lawn – it’s the Eagle Bay Brewing Co. single batch Citrus Sour.

Lightly soured, highly sessionable and coming in at 3.2% abv, it’s brewed with a citrus symphony of lemon, orange and grapefruit. All handpicked from the brewery orchard and meticulously zested by Eagle Bay’s brew crew, too.

The Citrus Sour is currently available at the Eagle Bay Brewing Co. home quarters, selected local breweries, and at good local liquor stores in the region.

Cheeky Monkey’s multi-award winning XPA is ridiculously refreshing and bursting with citrus. It’s perfect for a post-surf tinny, or watching the sun go down at Prevelly, Yallingup, or any other regional favourite. It has taken home the Perth Royal Best Pale Ale, and the Australian International Beer Award’s Best Australian Pale Ale.

It also goes down a treat on tap at Cheeky Monkey’s Caves Road Brewpub, and the central Caves Road location makes it the perfect post-surf stop off after a jaunt down to Margs or Gracetown, or coming back from up the coast.

The Brewhouse’s Mer Mid is a hazy mid-strength, easy drinking style. Described by Jono Outred from The Crafty Pint as having “vibes that are very much tropical meets coastal: ripe stone fruit, mango, grassiness and a light minerality all feature.”

It’s a cracking summer thirst quencher and packed with flavour. The Brewhouse is at the bottom of the hill in Margaret River, and a great place to kick off a night out or enjoy a few beers on a lazy summer afternoon.

Out on the boat, after a hard day’s yakka, or as a post-surf frothy, keep this in the arsenal for every occasion.

Black Brewing are huge proponents of summer, and their annual release of limited editions are always crowd-pleasing favourites. This time, just like we’re frothing our South West sunsets, we’re frothing Black Brewing’s Sunset Lager. It’s native, it’s fresh and crisp and it’s true Aussie Lager with 100% Aussie flavours.

The brew is infused with Maarr (native lemon grass) and Wyrrung (wild rosella), created to be unique and refreshing. It goes down a treat on tap at the brewery, where you can sit on a shady veranda overlooking the large dam, or out in the stunning, shady grounds out back.

Life in Margaret River is uncomplicated, and so is the philosophy of CBCo Brewing. The team crafts beer to suit our down south weather, our celebrations, our quirks, habits and our unique take on things.

So, yep, the much-loved South West Sour Tropical summer seasonal is now a year-round favourite. It’s perfect brew for a hot sunny day – and we have a few of those.

With hops from both hemispheres provide a vibrant tropical aroma, but with low bitterness to keep this golden sour light and refreshing, this ale bursts with the flavours of summer and is begging to be drunk in the warm afternoon sunshine at CBCo Brewing.

Cowaramup Brewing Co make more traditional, European style beers, and as one of the oldest breweries in the region they have plenty of years’ experience in crafting a delicious brew. Their Lightsign Summer Ale is refreshing and with great drinkability for the summer ahead, make sure that this one is on your must-try list. Gold in colour, fruity aroma and a slightly spicy finish.

The brewery is set on a picturesque rural property just a smidge north-east of Cowaramup township, with a shaded deck area and large grassed beer garden that’s just perfect for sunny day picnics with friends. And to top it off, the playground means the kids will be happy too!