What’s new in brew for June

The beer landscape is always changing in San Diego. Here’s a look at what’s new on the brew scene (and a couple of events) in June.

Beer Me, Pro: Ocean lovers share their best beachside brews

Working on the beach can work up a powerful thirst. After a full summer day along the coastline, here’s what pros are drinking.

Kristin Kuhn, 30, programs director at San Diego Coastkeeper

“Among other things, Coastkeeper sponsors two beach cleanups a month. After a beach cleanup, I want to go grab some tacos and have a beer. We’re all excited about Bay City Brewery right now. They have a really good session IPA that is really good after a few hours on the beach. It’s really flavorful, really hoppy, really bright - it’s just a really delicious beer.”

Andrew Stoner, 27, instructor at Ocean Experience Surf School, Ocean Beach

“Starting early to mid-June, lessons pump pretty hard all summer. I definitely do a bunch of the surf lessons, help out with the surf camp. Kona Big Waves (a golden ale, with a low 4.4 percent alcohol by volume) are pretty solid, especially after being on the beach, surfing. They’re not too heavy, pretty refreshing, and you can drink a few of them.”

Abby Kelm, 27, bartender at JRDN in Pacific Beach

“Since we are right on the beach, we’ve got the beautiful boardwalk and ocean view, and you’re sitting in the sun, a lot of people like lighter beers. St. Archer Blonde, a Kölsch, is light and easy sipping, not too heavy. And a lot of people, since they are in San Diego, want one of our IPAs. Latitude 33 Blood Orange IPA has a little sweetness on the end, and it’s from Vista so it’s local.

Chris Brewster, 61, former chief of the San Diego Lifeguard Service and now the International Lifesaving Federation’s vice president

“One of my favorite breweries is Rip Current, for obvious reasons. I love Stone and Ballast Point and drink quite a bit of it. But on beaches where beer is legal, I like to have a beer that will not affect my volleyball playing. This is so sad, but the beer that reminds me of summer is Coors Light.”

Flavor Fav Redefining “chill factor”

As the days get warmer, why not try a beer cooler (er... cooler beer)?

Breakfast Beer

On weekends, Coronado Brewing’s tasting room in ImperialBeach tops Orange Avenue Wit (5.2 percent alcohol by volume) with fresh orange juice. Now that’s a brewed awakening!

Coronado Brewing Company ( Imperial Beach ) 875 Seacoast Dr., Imperial Beach 619.423.4900, coronadobrewing.com

Beer Float

Karl Strauss brewpubs fill soda fountain glasses with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and a chunk of white chocolate, then roll out twin 4-ounce shots of Wreck Alley Imperial Stout (9 percent). Mix to taste - and what a creamy, grainy, roasty and sweet taste it is.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company Multiple locations throughout San Diego County, karlstrauss.com

Michelada

The classic Mexican beer cocktail wins a classic update at Las Olas, the landmark restaurant on Highway 101 in Cardiff. Select a Mexican beer on draft, then let the bartender perform that ol’ lime-juice-spice-and-Bloody-Mary mágico.

Las Olas (Cardiff) 2655 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Cardiff by-the-Sea 760.942.1860, lasolasmex.com

Let’s go to the Hops: June Beer Events

June 3 | 10th Anniversary Pink Boots Society Craft Beer Festival

Think pink - pink beer, that is. The Pink Boots Society, which supports women in the beer industry, will conclude its 10th anniversary conference with a beer festival at Liberty Station. Tickets: $45 in advance. Noon to 4 p.m., Ingram Plaza, 2751 Dewey Rd., Liberty Station, Point Loma, 10thanniversary.pinkbootssociety.org

June 15-18 | San Diego International Beer Festival

Now in its 11^th year, the massive four-day San Diego International Beer Festival - five sessions, hundreds of beers - is expanding. Its new beer pairing dinner, 6 p.m. on June 15, should be the most refreshing meal served at the San Diego County Fair. Tickets: $55 to $110 for the fest and $75 for the dinner. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, sandiegobeerfestival.com