There’s a season for all craft beer and a craft beer for all seasons. And when it comes to summer, few things are as refreshing as a cold beer. Whether it’s after cutting the grass, sitting poolside, or just relaxing in the backyard, craft beer makes the summer that much better. That’s why creating a summer beer garden is a must for all craft beer lovers.
While visiting a beer garden at a local brewery is a lot of fun, don’t discount the comfort of home. And creating the type of outdoor area that you prefer is a huge perk. Most breweries will focus on lots of tables so they can maximize capacity, but your goal can be ultimate comfort for you and your guests.
Setting Up My Summer Beer Garden
A Place To Sit
As I mentioned, breweries want space for lots of people. The standard table and bench seating is great for that “community” feeling but at home, I prefer something more relaxing. That’s why I have a large outdoor sectional. I supplement that with comfortable chairs to make sure there’s room for everyone.
In addition, my seating area is covered and I have a sunshade on the side that faces West. The goal here is to keep the sun off of me and my beer. Light isn’t good for beer and I prefer shade on hot summer days.
The result is a place to lounge, let the day slip away, and enjoy your cold craft beer.
Newair Outdoor Misting Fan
Where I live, it gets hot. By late Spring, temperatures are climbing, and they don’t relinquish until late September most years. So, if I’m going to spend lots of time outside, there needs to be a way to cool off a bit.
The answer is the Newair Outdoor Misting Fan (Model AF-600). This unit is exactly what I needed to complete my summer beer garden. The fan provides a solid breeze to keep me cool. And to take it to another level, I can easily connect my hose and it will provide a fine mist. It is just the extra level of comfort needed on those days when the heat can feel unbearable.
The model I have offers 3 fan speeds and is oscillating. They rate it at 600 sq ft of coverage which is ideal for a back deck or patio at most homes.
As expected, the assembly was really quick and easy. I was ready to start using it minutes after opening the box as there were just a few screws to fasten the base. Hooking up the water was just as easy and we were enjoying the fan immediately.
One thing I noticed right away was the quality of the fan. The blades are made of metal and the rest of the unit feels like it was built to handle harsh weather with a base heavy enough to stand up to most windy days.
It has 5 misting “ports” on the edge of the fan that produce a nice even misting effect. And depending on the speed of the fan, it travels a good distance to cool anyone in proximity.
Want an Outdoor Misting Fan for your space?
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Gotta Keep Your Beer Cold
While that fan is going to do wonders for beating the heat, you’ll also want some cold craft beer too – I mean it is a beer garden. And the last thing you want to do is go back and forth from inside. The shock of the AC might tempt you to stay in side.
There are only a few options to keep your beer cold. The classic is the cooler full of ice. While it works well and keeps the beer (literally) ice cold, it does take some setup as well as a trip to buy a large amount of ice. The alternative is an outdoor refrigerator.
A great option is this Newair Outdoor Beer Fridge (Model NCR053SS00).
This is one of the larger options which means there is room to stock up on all types of drinks as well as food. One way I think I’ll use this is to keep hold any food that I plan to grill that day. This way, I can throw it on the grill without having to go inside. It is stainless steel and outdoor rated; you can keep it stocked and ready to use at any time. And the lock ensures that your precious craft beer is safe.
This beer fridge has great lighting to help you find the perfect beer when you are grabbing one more at the end of the night. Other features you’d enjoy are adjustable shelves and an alarm if the door isn’t closed. This is invaluable because you don’t want this unit fighting the summer heat with the door open.
Grab an outdoor fridge for yourself?
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Light Up The Night
While summer days are long, it will get dark eventually so good lighting is key. In our space, simple string lights were the right choice. They provide just enough light to keep things going long into the night.
If that isn’t enough, a fire table is another good option. While you probably aren’t seeking more heat in the summer, a fire table provides more ambience than warmth. And a fire table is much easier to maintain than a fire pit.
Summer Beer Garden Extras
Music: Grag a portable bluetooth speaker to fill the summer air with music.
Blankets: If temps drop when the sun goes down, you might want to have a blanket nearby.
Cigars: If the mood is right, it might be a good evening for a cigar. Check out my thoughts on craft beer & cigars.
Koozies: A summer staple to help keep your beer cold and control the condensation.
Your Summer Beer Garden Isn’t Complete Without Beer
Do I have to say it? You’re going to need some beer for your summer beer garden. And while some will focus on “easy drinking” beers due to the heat, I’m a proponent of all styles regardless of the season.
Are you going to create summer beer garden?
