UPDATE: reviews below

It's summer again and time to enjoy some of the best of what Florida has to offer. Swimming at the beach or lying by the pool is a great way to spend the warmer months of the year. Glass bottles, much less proper glassware, are not always appropriate for such occasions. Even the beaches that allow alcohol don’t allow glass bottles. What is a devotee of beer to do? Never fear, more and more breweries are seeing the benefits of canned beer and your friendly neighborhood ABC has you covered.

Magic Hat from Vermont has recently started canning their #9, and Harpoon, Boston’s other micro, cans their IPA as well as their Summer Beer. The most ubiquitous supporter of the trend is Oskar Blues out of Colorado; their entire line is available exclusively in cans.

Next time you’re thinking about having an outdoor get-together, and glass isn't an option (or the best option) delight your friends with a high quality canned beer.

  UPDATE: Just sat down to write the reviews for these and thought I should add some here--check these out: and remember, you don't actually have to wait for a reason to skip the bottled beers!

  Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale

This pale amber beer is full of pine, citrus and pineapple in the nose. Loads of pineapple, citrus, pine in the mouth with a light grassy finish make a very drinkable beer for any occasion, especially poolside. This is what canned beer aspires to be.

Magic Hat #9

Pours a nice light golden color that opens with notes of sweet malt and light stone fruit, notably apricot. Even the smell is refreshing. Light sweetness on entry, followed by a bit of apricot and a little more fruity sweetness. There is a hint of floral hop character hiding in there as well. This is a great "gateway beer".

Harpoon Summer Beer

This Kölsch pours light yellow with a cloud-like head. The nose is full of fresh grain, straw and pear while the flavor reflects crisp Granny Smith apple, sweet malt, and a hint of very light grassy bitterness to balance the flavors. Refreshing falls short of describing a nearly perfect taste of summer in the form of a little-known beer style.

Beer blogger Stephen Schmitt is an associate at our Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, ABC Fine Wine and Spirits store.