The 11th annual State College MicroBrewers and Importers Exposition, more commonly known as Brew Expo State College, will take place August 16 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. For more information on times, ticket prices, and beer seminars, check out next month’s issue of Town&Gown, where the event will be profiled, or visit www.scbrewexpo.com.

As co-founder and director of the event, and president of BrewNation LLC, Greg Somers outlines some of his top beer recommendations to try this summer:

Wheat Beers (Hefeweizen,Weizen): Traditional German styles that use malted wheat instead of or in addition to the standard barley malt. The wheat, in conjunction with the ale yeast, imparts a complex, but light and refreshing flavor with hints of banana or citrus fruit. Wheat beers are usually well carbonated with a pleasant aroma and crisp aftertaste that’s often served in a tall glass with a slice of citrus fruit.

Good examples: Otto’s Hefeweizen, Penn Weizen, Franziskaner Hefeweizen, Tröegs Dream Weaver, Otto’s Apricot Wheat, Southampton Raspberry Wheat.

Belgian Witbier (White Beer): A Belgian variation of a traditional wheat beer. The white beer recipe includes coriander, Curacao orange peel and Belgian candy sugar. Special strains of yeast and these exotic ingredients combined with pale wheat malt produce vibrant flavors during fermentation. If you like lots of flavor in a very light-bodied beer, then a Belgian Wit is a good choice for you.  Some people enjoy their witbier with a slice of orange or lemon.

Good examples: Hoegaarden, Unibroue Blanche de Chambly, Unibroue Ephemere, Otto’s Wit, Allagash White, Victory Whirlwind Wit, Blue Moon Belgian White.

Berliner Weisse: A mouth-puckering delight from our German friends.  This is a little-known style characterized by its very tart flavor and light, effervescent body. This was the beer that Napoleon’s troops loved on their march toward Russia. They called it the “champagne of the North” because of its tart, dry flavor and sparkling, tiny bubbles.  In Germany, Berliner Weisse is usually served with one of several sweet syrups to offset the sourness.

Good examples: Kindl Berliner Weisse, Dogfish Head Festina Peche (flavored with real peaches),1849 Berliner Weisse.

Pilsner/Light Lager:  The beer that most Americans think of when they think of beer. This style was perfected in Czechoslovakia and Germany and dominates the world beer market. It is fermented at lower temperatures than traditional ales, which results in a crisp, dry flavor and a clean finish unlike the funkier, fruitier flavors of ale.

Good examples: Pilsner Urquell, Samson Light Lager, Otto’s Spring Creek Lager, Otto’s Spruce Creek Lager, Penn Pilsner, Victory Prima Pils, Blue Point Toasted Lager.

Most of these beers are available at local drinking establishments and beer distributors, as well at the State College MicroBrewers and Importers Exposition.