Summer ale

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Summer ale is a category of extremely pale, golden-blonde ale, generally designed to be served cooler than "normal" ale. It is usually accepted that the style was invented in 1989 by John Gilbert, a former brewer at Watney in Mortlake, London, who had opened his own operation, the Hop Back Brewery, in Salisbury, England. His aim was to develop an ale that could be as refreshing as lager, which was quickly gaining popularity at that time. The result was a drier and hoppier pale ale he called "Summer Lightning", after a novel by PG Wodehouse; it won several awards and inspired numerous imitators.

A Summer ale may contain spices such as lemon peel or coriander, but only lightly and not to the extent of a spiced beer. British examples of the style are often made with American hops, which give a pronounced citrus flavour and aroma.