Summer is peak season for beer sales, with customer preferences shifting toward lighter, more refreshing styles. Whether you’re running a neighborhood bar, a brewpub, or a restaurant with outdoor seating, stocking the right beer styles can help drive volume and boost profits. This checklist helps bar and restaurant managers prepare their beer inventory for the summer rush.
Top Beer Styles to Stock for Summer
Light Lagers
Crisp, clean, and highly sessionable. Perfect for casual drinkers and high-volume service.
Popular Examples:
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American Light Lagers
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Mexican Lagers (e.g., Modelo, Pacifico)
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Japanese Lagers (e.g., Asahi, Sapporo)
Wheat Beers
Smooth, lightly cloudy, and often served with citrus garnish. Ideal for outdoor service and daytime drinking.
Popular Examples:
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Hefeweizens
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American Wheat Ales
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Belgian Witbiers
Session IPAs
For customers who want hop flavor without the high ABV. These styles offer citrus and tropical notes with drinkable alcohol levels.
Popular Examples:
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Founders All Day IPA
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Lagunitas DayTime IPA
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Local craft session IPAs
Fruit-Infused Beers
Light, slightly sweet, and refreshing. Great for customers looking for a flavor-forward summer option.
Popular Examples:
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Raspberry Wheat
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Blood Orange Pale Ale
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Mango Kölsch
Shandies and Radlers
Low-ABV blends of beer and citrus soda or lemonade. Perfect for brunch menus and hot afternoons.
Popular Examples:
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Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy
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Stiegl Radler
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House-made shandy blends
Hard Seltzers (Optional Beer Alternative)
Not technically beer, but many bars group hard seltzers with their beer inventory for summer menus.
Popular Flavors:
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Citrus
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Berry
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Tropical Fruit
Seasonal Draft vs. Packaged Mix
Consider balancing your lineup with both draft and packaged options:
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Draft: Ideal for fast-moving light lagers and wheat beers
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Packaged (cans/bottles): Best for specialty, seasonal, or hard seltzer options
Suggested Order Quantities for a Busy Summer Weekend (Per 100 Guests)
Light Lagers: 8–10 cases
Wheat Beers: 5–7 cases
Session IPAs: 4–6 cases
Fruit Beers: 3–4 cases
Hard Seltzers: 5–7 cases
Shandies/Radlers: 2–3 cases
Adjust based on your venue size, past summer sales, and upcoming events.
Beer Service Essentials for Summer
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Cold storage space for increased volume
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Proper glassware for each style (pint glasses, weizen glasses, etc.)
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Garnish stations for wheat and fruit beers
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Menu signage or table tents highlighting seasonal offerings
FAQs About Summer Beer Inventory Planning
When should I start updating my summer beer list?
Start placing summer orders 3–4 weeks before Memorial Day to ensure availability of seasonal SKUs.
What beer styles sell fastest during summer?
Light lagers and wheat beers typically see the highest volume, followed closely by session IPAs and hard seltzers.
Should I rotate my taps for summer?
Yes. Seasonal draft rotations help keep the menu fresh and encourage repeat visits.
How can I promote new summer beer styles?
Use table tents, chalkboard menus, and social media to highlight seasonal picks and limited-time drafts.
Are there best practices for storing increased summer beer volume?
Plan for extra cold storage space. If space is limited, prioritize your fastest-turning SKUs and packaged goods that store easily.
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