One of life’s most gratifying sensations is that moment when you go from thirsty to satisfied as a refreshing drink hits your lips. We can almost hear the sighs of satisfaction.

If you imagined that beverage as a cold, frosty beer, you’ve come to the right place.

What kind of beers can quench your thirst on a hot summer day? Let’s look at eight refreshing beer styles — and ready-to-drink beverages (another category full of palate-refreshers) — and learn why they taste so great.

1. Pale lagers

   These are the first beers that will likely come to mind for a lot of people when they hear the words cold, refreshing beer, and here’s why: Pale lagers have a light body, thanks to the malts used, and a crisp finish that’s largely due to their bitter hops, which help cleanse and clear the palate. All of that means ultimate refreshment and has helped make pale lager the most popular beer style on Earth. (Note that pilsner is a subtype of pale lager, and many light and low- or non-alcoholic beers are also pale lagers.) Browse our selection of pale lagers here.

2. Radlers

   Radlers are a mix of lager and citrus juice — often lemon and/or grapefruit. If it sounds as though they were invented to be thirst-quenching, legend has it they were. On a warm day in 1922 (according to the tale), Bavarian tavern keeper Franz Xaver Kugler had to serve thousands of thirsty cyclists. Some have poked holes in this story, but it is true that the word radler means “cyclist” in German. And it’s also true that a radler can be refreshing and thirst-quenching.

   Browse our selection of radlers here.

3. Hard iced teas

   Hard iced tea on a hot summer day sounds like a thirst quencher, doesn’t it? And guess what? This is just one type of refreshing beverage you’ll find in The Beer Store’s ready-to-drink beverage category.

   It’s also an excellent pairing for those casual grilled dinners. The acidity of tea cuts through the thick, smoky sweetness of barbecue sauce (like this Spicy Honey Beer Barbecue Sauce).

4. Hard lemonades

   Like iced tea, lemonade is a no-brainer pairing for hot days. There’s just something uniquely refreshing about sipping a lemony cold drink in summertime.

   We don’t need to really sell anyone on the virtues of hard lemonade (another kind of flavoured malt beverage) as a thirst quencher, do we? But why does lemonade do such a great job of taking care of your thirst? Because sour liquids take the edge off the sensation of thirst, and lemon juice stimulates saliva production.

   Not that you’ll be mulling over the science-y stuff when you’re sweating on a 30 C-plus day. You’ll just reach for a hard lemonade from the cooler and think “Ahhhhhh.

   Browse our selection of ready-to-drink beverages here.

5. Pale ales

   There are several types of pale ale, and they’re all capable of being thirst-quenching. But the refreshing champs in the pale ale division are cream ales and kolsches. These are ales with lager-like characteristics (such as a crisp bite in the finish), and they were invented to compete with pilsners and other pale lagers for the title of champion of the thirst quenchers.

   Bonus recipe featuring pale ale: Watermelon, Strawberry & Belgian Ale Ice Pops

   Browse our selection of cream ale here.

6. Pale wheat beers

   Another summertime favourite is pale wheat beers. They’ve got a different way of being refreshing: They’re sweetish (because wheat is sweet when you turn it into beer malt), and they often feature palate-cleansing citrus and spice aromas more prominently than hops. For some, a little squeeze of lemon or orange makes a pint of wheat beer all the more refreshing.

   Bonus beertail recipes featuring wheat beer: Cranberry Ginger Shandy or Beermosas

   Browse our selection of wheat beers here.

7. Sour beers

   Sourness is naturally thirst-quenching. Plus, the tang of a sour beer can really cut through a salty snack, like cheese and crackers. Sour beers are also great for pairing with spicy foods.

   Bonus beertail recipe featuring sour beer: Tart Cherry Beer Slushy

8. Stouts or porters

   Believe it or not, the darkest, deepest beers — ones that people often categorize as winter beers — can also be surprisingly enjoyable in summer. The roasty flavours from the malt can clear the palate nicely. (You might know this already if you’ve ever enjoyed an iced coffee on a hot day.)

   Stouts and porters also harmonize beautifully with the char of grilled meats, while their deep maltiness contrasts with the scorch of spicy foods. Stout is popular in Jamaica, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria. What do these places have in common? Spicy food and hot climates.

   Bonus beertail recipes featuring porter and stout: Porter & Cold Brew Slushy Cocktail and Beer Fudge Bars

   Browse our selection of stouts and porters here

Tip: Non-alcoholic beers

Something to keep in mind: Non-alcoholic beers can be a great thirst-quenching choice. If you’re interested, The Beer Store’s selection includes non-alcoholic options across a number of styles.