We reached out to hardworking craft brewers from Folksbier, TRVE, Guinness and more to ask a very simple question — what’s the ideal Labor Day beer? Their answers were crisp, light, flavorful and diverse. These are the beers some of America’s best craft brewers will be drinking over the long weekend.
Fair State Brewing Cooperative Pils
Beer Style: Pilsner
ABV: 4.9%
Brewery Location: Minneapolis, MN
Distribution: Regional
“Labor Day is all about relaxing and drinking easy clean beers, so I’m going to be drinking Pils from Fair State Brewing Cooperative. This is one of my favorite breweries from my home state of Minnesota and this beer is a classic pils in my book. The Fair State crew gets a lot of attention for the great hoppy beers they make, but this is one of their secret weapons!” — Tony Bellis, Kings County Brewers Collective
Enegren Brewing Co. Lagertha
Beer Style: Pilsner
ABV: 5%
Brewery Location: Moorpark, CA
Distribution: Local
“Labor Day is all about rest, relaxation and beer. On holidays I’m typically reaching into the cooler for something crisp, refreshing and with a lower ABV. Lagertha from our buds at Enegren Brewing Co. is a great beer for the beach, boat or BBQ. It’s got a clean body and just enough hop character to keep things interesting. I’m sure to be cracking a few of these this Labor Day weekend.” — Jack Dyer, Topa Topa Brewing Co.
Bellwoods Brewery Bellweiser
Beer Style: Pilsner
ABV: 4.8%
Brewery Location: Toronto, Canada
Distribution: Regional
“I crushed a Bellweiser from Bellwoods this past weekend at Forever Summer Fest and could easily polish off a case of that singlehandedly over Labor Day weekend. Assertively hopped without going too far into hoppy lager territory. Just a nice, crisp, I’d-like-to-drink-a-f—ton-of-these kind of beers.” — Nick Nunns, TRVE Brewing Co.
Diamondback Brewing Company Green Machine
Beer Style: IPA
ABV: 6.2%
Brewery Location: Baltimore, MD
Distribution: Local
“I pick up my weekly vegetable CSA every Wednesday from Diamondback Brewing. Drinking their flagship Green Machine IPA signifies making it to the middle of the week, and feel-good participation in supporting local agriculture and brewing. They have been friends of our Guinness team from the start through pints shared together and through collaboration. It is by far one of my favorite spots in Baltimore and Green Machine is a consistent, hoppy, fruity go-to IPA with a soft mouthfeel and drinkability. I am sure I’ll spend part of Labor Day weekend on their patio drinking this beer.” — Hollie Stephenson, Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Forest & Main Brewing Co Solaire Reserve
Beer Style: Saison
ABV: 5%
Brewery Location: Ambler, PA
Distribution: Regional
“This Labor Day weekend I’ll be drinking some Solaire Reserve from Forest & Main Brewing. Daniel Endicott and Gerard Olson started making wonderful saison and English-style ales back in 2012 in a 19th century Victorian house and more recently have expanded their production in order to can more of their offerings. Solaire Reserve is a crisp and delicate saison that’s fermented with foraged yeast that they restart every year. It’s a staple that’s really evolved with the brewery as they’ve grown and something everyone can enjoy.” — Joey Pepper, Folksbier Braueri
Schneider Weisse Original
Beer Style: Weissbier
ABV: 5.4%
Brewery Location: Bavaria, Germany
Distribution: International
“I’ll be drinking a Schneider Weisse Original Labor Day weekend. The notes of banana and clove and the orange hue perfectly match the waning days of summer and the anticipation of the coming fall.” — Gordon Schuck, Funkwerks
Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty
Beer Style: Session IPA
ABV: 4%
Brewery Location: Milton, DE
Distribution: National
“This Labor Day I’ll be enjoying Slightly Mighty by Dogfish Head on my deck. I had my doubts about a ‘low cal’ IPA, but Slightly Mighty is deliciously crushable. It’s crisp and fruity — the perfect summer BBQ, porch or boat beer.” — Megan Stone, DuClaw Brewing Co.
