Best Poolside Beers
By Derek Bowen, founder of Pool Rental Near Me and author of 7 books on pool hosting
Best Poolside Beers
There's nothing quite like a refreshing beverage by the pool. Whether you're hosting a lively gathering or enjoying a peaceful afternoon swim, the right beer can enhance the experience. This guide will help you navigate the world of brews to find your perfect poolside companion.
Why Choose the Right Beer for the Pool?
The poolside environment calls for specific characteristics in a beer. You want something light and crisp to combat the heat, easy-drinking for extended enjoyment, and refreshing to quench your thirst. Heavy, dark, or overly alcoholic beers can be less enjoyable under the sun.
Light & Refreshing Lagers
Lagers are a natural fit for poolside enjoyment. Their clean, crisp profiles and lower alcohol content make them incredibly refreshing. They are designed for easy drinking and won't weigh you down, even on the hottest days.
Classic American Lagers
When you think of a "pool beer," many people immediately picture a classic American lager. These beers are known for their golden color, light body, and subtle flavor. They are widely available and always a crowd-pleaser.
- Bud Light: A quintessential American lager, Bud Light is known for its mild flavor and extreme drinkability. It's a reliable choice for any casual poolside setting.
- Coors Light: "The Silver Bullet" is another popular option, celebrated for its crisp, clean finish. It's often marketed as one of the most refreshing beers, making it perfect for a hot day.
- Miller Lite: With a slightly more pronounced flavor than some of its counterparts, Miller Lite still maintains a light body and refreshing character.
European-Style Lagers
Beyond American offerings, many European lagers also fit the bill for poolside sipping. These often offer a bit more complexity while still maintaining that essential crispness.
- Pilsner Urquell: The original pilsner, this Czech lager offers a bright, hoppy aroma and a clean, bitter finish. It's incredibly refreshing and a favorite among beer enthusiasts.
- Heineken: This popular Dutch pale lager is known for its distinctive green bottle and balanced, slightly fruity flavor. It's a reliable choice for those who enjoy a classic international lager.
- Stella Artois: A Belgian pilsner that offers a slightly more sophisticated profile with a crisp, clean taste and a hint of bitterness. It feels a bit more upscale for those who want to elevate their poolside experience.
Zesty & Fruity Wheat Beers
Wheat beers, particularly German Hefeweizens and Belgian Wits, bring a different kind of refreshment to your pool day. Their cloudy appearance, often with notes of banana, clove, or citrus, offers a unique and enjoyable taste.
German Hefeweizens
Known for their distinctive yeast characteristics, Hefeweizens are cloudy, unfiltered wheat beers that are often enjoyed with a lemon slice, which further enhances their citrus notes.
- Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier: Often considered the benchmark for the style, this German Hefeweizen offers a delightful balance of banana and clove flavors, making it incredibly refreshing.
- Erdinger Weissbier: Another excellent example, Erdinger provides a smooth and slightly fruity profile, perfect for a leisurely afternoon by the pool.
Belgian Witbiers
Belgian Witbiers are brewed with unmalted wheat and typically spiced with coriander and orange peel, giving them a bright, zesty, and incredibly refreshing character.
- Blue Moon Belgian White: A widely available and popular American take on the Belgian Witbier, often garnished with an orange slice. Its citrusy and slightly sweet notes are perfect for a sunny day.
- Hoegaarden Original Belgian Witbier: The classic Belgian Wit, known for its cloudy appearance and spicy, citrusy flavor profile. It's a truly refreshing and complex poolside option.
Light Ales & Pale Ales
While some ales can be too heavy for poolside enjoyment, lighter variations and specific pale ales can be excellent choices. Look for those with lower ABV and a more pronounced hop aroma rather than intense bitterness.
Session IPAs
Session IPAs offer all the hop character you love from a traditional IPA but with a lower alcohol content, making them far more suitable for extended sipping by the pool. They are incredibly aromatic and flavorful without being overwhelming.
- Founders All Day IPA: One of the pioneers of the session IPA trend, this beer offers a complex hop profile with a light body, perfect for all-day enjoyment.
- Lagunitas DayTime IPA: Another popular choice, DayTime IPA provides a bright and citrusy hop punch without a high ABV, ensuring you stay refreshed.
Blonde Ales
Blonde ales are often described as gateway beers for those new to craft beer, and for good reason. They are generally light-bodied, crisp, and approachable, making them a fantastic choice for the pool.
- Kona Brewing Big Wave Golden Ale: A popular blonde ale that offers a smooth, easy-drinking experience with a hint of tropical fruit notes, perfect for a sunny, watery setting. It conjures images of beachside relaxation, making it ideal for the pool too.
Sours & Goses
For those who enjoy a tangy kick, sour beers and goses can be incredibly refreshing. Their tartness cuts through the heat and can be a delightful palate cleanser.
Goses
Goses are a traditional German sour wheat beer brewed with salt and coriander. This unique combination makes them incredibly refreshing and slightly savory, perfect for a hot day.
- Anderson Valley Briney Melon Gose: This gose is brewed with watermelon and sea salt, resulting in a wonderfully tart, fruity, and saline profile that is exceptionally thirst-quenching.
- Westbrook Gose: A classic example of the style, Westbrook Gose offers a balanced tartness with subtle notes of salt and coriander, making it a crisp and invigorating choice.
Non-Alcoholic Options
Sometimes, you want the taste and feel of a beer without the alcohol. The non-alcoholic beer market has exploded with delicious options that truly taste like the real thing, allowing you to enjoy the full experience without any effects.
- Athletic Brewing Run Wild IPA: This non-alcoholic IPA offers a robust hop flavor and aroma, mimicking a full-strength IPA without the alcohol. It's a fantastic choice for those who love hoppy beers but want to stay sober.
- Clausthaler Original: A classic German non-alcoholic lager with a clean, malty taste. It's a reliable and refreshing choice that has been around for decades.
Hosting Pool Parties and Enjoying Your Own Pool Space
If you're a homeowner with a pool, you know the joy of a perfect poolside gathering. Offering a variety of refreshing beverages, including some of the beers listed above, can significantly enhance your guests' experience. And if you're looking for a way to easily share your aquatic paradise, consider listing your pool on Pool Rental Near Me.
With Pool Rental Near Me, you can easily rent out your private pool by the hour to local guests. We offer a simple 10% flat host fee, significantly less than some competitors who charge 15% or more. Plus, every rental includes $2M liability insurance, providing peace of mind while you earn extra income.
It's a fantastic way to monetize your investment, meet new people, and provide a much-needed escape for local families and friends. Learn more about how it works and what you can earn using our earnings calculator.
Ready to transform your backyard into a bustling oasis? List your pool today and start earning.
Find your next refreshing poolside hangout by booking a private pool. Check out all available locations to find a pool near you!
Whether you're a guest looking for the perfect pool day or a host eager to share your space, Pool Rental Near Me makes it easy and rewarding. We believe in being host-first, providing transparent fees and comprehensive support so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
Start your journey with Pool Rental Near Me. List Your Pool and start welcoming guests!
Frequently asked questions
- What is Pool Rental Near Me?
- Pool Rental Near Me is a peer-to-peer marketplace where homeowners rent out their backyard pools by the hour. Guests get a private pool, hosts earn money, and every booking includes $2M in liability coverage.
- How much does a private pool rental cost?
- Most pool rentals range from $40 to $150 per hour depending on the pool, amenities, location, and time of day. You see the full price before you book.
- How much can I earn renting out my pool?
- Typical hosts earn $3,000–$10,000 per month during peak season, with top hosts clearing $15,000+. Pool Rental Near Me charges a flat 10% host fee — lower than Swimply's 15%+.
- Is there liability insurance included?
- Yes. Every booking includes $2 million in liability protection at no extra cost to the host or guest. (Reference: Best Poolside Beers.)