A seasonal brew that's only available from April through August, Weinhard's Summer Ale is a German Kolsch style ale. In Germany, Kolsch is an apellation protected just as fiercely as France protects the wine appellation of Champagne. German Kolsch beers are produced in and around the city of Köln, better known to English speakers as Cologne. Traditionally, Kolsch is a light summer beer, one that looks very much like a Pilsner; it's light gold in color, clear, and made with pale malts, and less bitter than a Pilsner. Sometimes wheat is used in the brewing process. Traditionally, Kolsch brews are warm fermented (sometimes called top fermenting), unlike lagers, though modern breweries even in Germany sometimes finish the brewing with a brief period of lagering, or chilled fermentation. The beer is served only slightly chilled in a special Kolsch glass; typically these are cylindrical and tall.

Henry Weinhard's Summer Ale is very much inspired by Kolsch style beers. It's a seasonal beer, perfect for summer weather and softball games, available for a brief period during summer. Unlike the very traditional Kolsch beers of Germany, Weinhard's Summer Ale is aged at cooler temperatures, cold lagered. It's a lovely gold color with a discernable head, and a faint citrus aroma. The citrus is there in the taste too, and while the hops are present, overal all this is more sweet than hoppy, and a light 4.96 ABV. A Beer Advocate reviewer calls Weinhard's Summer Ale a "This summer's lawnmower beer." Weinhard's Website suggests pairing Summer Ale with grilled halibut, red snapper or tilapia; me, I'd like to try it with a lemon-rosemary marinated grilled chicken.