6 new beers to try: Inspirations include citrus, Armenian coffee and ... wood

Summer’s coming up quick, and the Southland’s craft breweries are preparing a varied slate of new brews to bottle (or can) for your summertime celebrations.

Summer Ale and IPAs

Golden Road Brewing has begun to can a new seasonal beer for the warmer months; their new Cabrillo Kolsch will be available in four-packs of colorful 16-ounce cans beginning this week. Check your local Whole Foods or craft beer bottle shop for the light and refreshing ale that will be a perfect pool-side libation.

In the mood for something hoppier? You no longer have to hoard cans of the fan-favorite Wolf Among Weeds from the Atwater Village brewery; they’ve made the hoppy double IPA a year-round release with new batches rolling out to retailers regularly. Golden Road also has a new IPA headed to cans in June. Heal the Bay IPA is a citrus-forward IPA that generated some good buzz when it premiered at the Santa Monica Pier’s Earth Day Celebration. The beer was brewed in partnership with the nonprofit organization dedicated to improving Southern California’s coast areas, and proceeds from the IPA will benefit Heal the Bay’s efforts.

Coffee stout

Beachwood Brewing is prepping another special bottle release, and it’s time for another big stout from the acclaimed Long Beach brewpub. System of a Stout is an “imperial Armenian coffee stout” brewed with molasses, green cardamom and a custom Armenian coffee blend from Portola Coffee Labs. The unique beer will be available in 22-ounce bottles around town beginning on Friday, and it is sure to go quickly.

Big, barrel-aged brews

Orange County’s the Bruery is celebrating its fifth anniversary throughout May, and the festivities culminate in the anticipated release of its anniversary brew. Every year the brewers blend a special beer inspired by the traditional wedding gifts -- their first anniversary brew was Papier, the second Cotton -- and this year’s brew, Bois, is a celebration of wood. The brewers took potent strong ale and aged it in a bourbon barrel resulting in a 15% ABV beast with big flavor to match its boozy punch. A 750 milliliter bottle will run you about $30, and it should be on shelves by the end of May.

Saison Tonnellerie is a new beer made for the Preservation Society -- the Bruery’s beer subscription service -- and the oaky and slightly tart farmhouse ale will get limited distribution in L.A. and Orange counties this month as well.

Whether you want a light, refreshing summer ale, a hoppy IPA, or a high-ABV brew for that special occasion, Southern California breweries are packaging some exciting new brews that will make for a very beer-y summer.

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