In 1984, as a kid growing up in the suburbs, the beginning of summer meant playing sports with friends, swimming in the town pool and going to baseball games with my dad. Summer was also synonymous with many family gatherings at our house. Almost every weekend we’d have family and friends over to grill and sit outside on our deck and enjoy the warm summer evenings. I can remember my brother and I having to go to bed long before the last guests left our house.

Fast forward about twenty-five years and we still have those wonderful family gatherings that I relished when I was younger. Only now they are at my house and there is a new generation of young ones running around. A few weeks ago we had some family and friends over for dinner and I decided to buy some Widmer Hefeweizen. I’ve had this beer many times before and really enjoy it especially when it is hot outside.

The story behind this brewery started by brothers Rob and Kurt Widmer twenty-five years ago in Portland, Oregon left me nostalgic – thinking back on those summer shin-digs we had when I was growing up.

In 1984, Kurt and Rob, who were in their twenties, realized their dream of brewing American interpretations of authentic European-style beers. A couple years later, one of their customer accounts begged them for a 3rd beer offering. At the time the brothers only had two tanks in their brew house, so rather than disappoint the account they decided to keg their Weizen beer directly from the tank, leaving the beer completely unfiltered. The name Hefeweizen comes from the German word “Hefe” for yeast and “Weizen” meaning wheat. Hefeweizen is an unfiltered wheat beer containing yeast sediment, which contributes to the cloudy appearance.

Widmer Hefeweizen has an amazing citrus and floral aroma, complex flavor and crisp refreshing finish. I like to serve it with a slice of fresh lemon to bring out the natural citrus notes. Not only is this wheat beer a perfect refresher for the dog days of summer, but it pairs really well with a wide variety of summer fare: complex salads, grilled seafood and even spicy Asian and Indian cuisine.

Nowadays, the beginning of summer is still synonymous with the major league baseball pennant race, cooling off in the pool, and many fun-filled afternoons with family. And it is also synonymous with ice cold Hefeweizen in my fridge.

Several years ago I was sitting in a café in Paris, France and after a long day of sightseeing was in the mood for a crisp, refreshing beer. I wanted something distinctly European and so I ordered a Leffe, which I was not so familiar with at the time. The waiter arrived with the signature chalice-shaped glass and I could hardly wait to grab the golden honeyed brew with slight frothy head from his tray. This lightly spiced Belgian ale was ever so sweet with a subtle caramel and clove aroma and wonderful creamy mouth feel – it totally “hit the spot”.

After a week of travel filled with breathtaking sights and many memorable meals I just couldn’t stop thinking about how delicious that beer was that afternoon. Two age-old questions were looming: was Leffe widely available in the US so that I could find it locally and would it taste as good as it did that afternoon in Paris?

The minute I came home I needed to find everything I could about the brewery and most importantly introduce friends to my new favorite beer. I was intrigued with the centuries of history that have contributed to this amazing elixir and was like a little kid whose thirst could only be quenched with information (and more Leffe). The brewing tradition of the Leffe beers dates back more than 700 years to the Abbey Notre-Dame de Leffe, founded in 1152 in the town of Dinant in Belgium. Today, the Abbey De Leffe Monks continue to have input into the production and marketing of the beer. In fact, the revenue from sales of Leffe continues to be the largest source of income for the Leffe Abbey allowing them to continue with their charitable endeavors.

So the next time you are in the mood for a beer do yourself a favor and try some Leffe Blonde. Look closely at the label on a bottle and you’ll see an image in the style of a stained-glass window with a picture of the church tower of the Abbey Notre-Dame de Leffe. Pop it open and pour it into your glass and let the aromas of warm spice and citrus transport you to your favorite European café on a warm afternoon. And remember, you’ll be honoring a centuries-old tradition that is symbolized by the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Leffe. And by the way, the answers to the questions I posed above are “Yes” and a resounding “YES”.

After a long winter (well, not so long in Austin, TX) there is nothing like the first time you fire up the grill and invite friends and family over to enjoy great food and wine. From sparkling wine and crisp aperitif-style whites that pair so well with appetizers and salads to well-balanced and hearty reds that complement a variety of grilled foods, our Summer Top 10 has something for every palate and pocketbook. Here are some of my favorites to uncork your summer!

V-Solo Verdelho

Are you craving a refreshing, aromatic and citrus-inspired wine (think Sauvignon Blanc) to sip on those long, hot afternoons? Or maybe something to go with your grilled seafood? Well, I have the wine for you. From the moment you take the first sip, this lip-smacker will transport you to northern Spain where these grapes are harvested. Take home a few bottles for your next tapas party!

Biokult Gruner Veltliner

I discovered Gruner Veltliner, or Gru-Vee as many people call it, several summers ago and I absolutely love the clean, crisp acidity in this wine. Gru-Vee grows almost exclusively in Austria and is so versatile for your summer entertaining. It makes a great aperitif for when your guests arrive or is a perfect match for both grilled seafood or Asian-inspired cuisine. Can you say teriyaki salmon burgers?

Escudo Rojo

Two words: grilled meat. This Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere from Chile is rich with black cherry aromas and just yearning to be paired with a perfectly grilled steak or a hearty hamburger. I also love this wine with any kind of BBQ, grilled sausages or even after dinner with cheese. Chile keeps bringing us amazing wine at such great values and this is a perfect example. Trust me, you will love this wine!

Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet

You may know the Penfolds brand, but I bet you didn’t know that this wine is available exclusively at Whole Foods Market. I take that back – it is available in some restaurants in Australia, but short of flying “Down Under” you’ll have to visit your local Whole Foods Market and pick up this gem. Ripe blueberry and black currant flavors mingle with notes of coffee and chocolate. This wine gives new meaning to “Bang For Your Buck!” Fire up some lamb chops or grilled chicken and this wine (and you) will be in heaven!