Green Flash Extra Pale Ale

From Green Flash Brewing Co. in Vista, this beer won a silver medal in the English summer ale category at last year’s Great American Beer Festival. It’s summery, all right, but it’s really quite American, flavored with West Coast hops: piney Cascade and citrusy Chinook. With its lightness, it’s as close as an ale gets to the crispness of a lager -- call it an ale for lager-lovers. It would be good with ham on the grill or even a ham sandwich. -- Charles Perry

Quick sip

Price: About $10 per six-pack

Style: A carefree summer ale

Where you find it: At selected Beverages & More stores, www.bevmo.com; Ramirez Liquor and Kegs, Los Angeles, (323) 261-2915, www.ramirezliquor.com; and Red Carpet Wine in Glendale, (818) 400-2071 or (800) 339-0609, www.redcarpetwine.com.