Summer does not officially arrive until late June, but nobody has told the hedgerows. The elderflower is coming into bloom, the mornings are lighter than they have any right to be, and by the end of May, we will have more than sixteen hours of daylight to fill. There are worse problems to have☀️.
Suffolk in summer is about as good as it gets, and we might be biased, but we do not think we are wrong. The fields of wheat and barley rolling out towards the coast, the village fetes, the Suffolk Show, a bag of chips on the beach at Aldeburgh. It is the time of year when the rusting BBQ gets dragged out of the garage (still wearing last year's grease, naturally 😂), the garden chairs get dusted off, and those vague plans to catch up with people are suddenly actually happening.
All of which calls for the right beer.
What beers go best with a Suffolk summer?
Friday Street - Hazy Summer Ale
Friday Street is named after a hamlet on the road to Aldeburgh, and it tastes exactly like that drive feels on a warm afternoon. Brewed with Simcoe and Amarillo hops, it has a passion fruit and citrus hit in a light, refreshing body. Low enough in alcohol to keep going through a long afternoon, characterful enough to be worth drinking slowly. Our gold winner at the 2024 SIBA Regional Awards, if you needed any further persuasion.
This is the beer for grilled white fish, tiger prawns, or a proper fish supper on the beach. It also works beautifully alongside zingy summer salads, or honestly just on its own in the garden while the BBQ gets up to temperature.
Hedgerow - Nettle and Elderflower Saison
This one started life as a collaboration with The Food Museum in Stowmarket, and it won Bronze at the 2022 SIBA Regional Awards. It is crisp and floral, genuinely reflective of the Suffolk hedgerows it is named after, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.
For food, think lighter BBQ fare. Halloumi skewers, grilled asparagus, chicken thighs with herbs, a goat's cheese salad with something sharp on the side. It also works well as a standalone drink for anyone who finds hoppier ales a bit full-on when the sun is out.
The rest of the Humber Doucy line-up.
If Friday Street and Hedgerow are not quite what you are after, the full Humber Doucy range has you covered.
Our Pale Ale is a sessionable, hoppy Bitter with an evolving recipe. King Slayer is our session bitter, full-bodied with a smooth sweetness and hints of blackcurrant from the Target and Jester hops. And if someone at the BBQ insists on something darker, our American-style Robust Porter, rich with coffee and chocolate notes, is worth keeping a few of in reserve.
All of our beers are vegan-friendly and brewed in Bacton, surrounded by the Suffolk fields that inspired them.
What beer goes best with a BBQ?
Glad you asked. The short answer is: it depends what is on the grill. Here is how we think about it:
For fish and seafood, Friday Street is your beer. The citrus and passion fruit notes lift rather than overpower, and it is exactly right alongside grilled white fish, prawns, or anything with lemon on it.
For halloumi, asparagus, or lighter dishes, Hedgerow is the one. The floral, saison character suits vegetable-forward BBQ food brilliantly.
For a proper burger or a thick-cut steak off the grill, reach for King Slayer, our session bitter. Full-bodied, smooth, with hints of blackcurrant from the Target and Jester hops. It is a traditional Suffolk bitter and it holds its own against big flavours.
For hot dogs, smoked ribs, or anything that has been on the grill long enough to have a proper char on it, our Robust Porter is the dark horse of any BBQ. Rich coffee and chocolate notes that stand up to smoky meat in a way lighter ales simply cannot.
And our Pale Ale? Hoppy, sessionable, bitter finish — we always think it is the one for fish and chips. Every time.
Looking for things to do in Suffolk this summer?
Of course, the best way to try them is at the source. Finbows Tap had a full refurbishment over the winter, with a new cold room, a rearranged bar, and more space. It is a better place to spend a Friday evening than ever before.
Yard Nights run on the last Friday of every month from 5 pm until 9 pm, and they are exactly what a Suffolk summer evening should look like. Local beer, a rotating street food van, good company, and no entry fee. Whether you are catching up with friends, bringing the family out, or finishing the week with colleagues somewhere that does not feel like a work event, the yard has a way of suiting everyone.
Check our social media for the food van line-up each month.
Where can you buy summer beer in Suffolk?
A few options, depending on how organised you are feeling. 🍺
Order online through our shop for home delivery — the full range is available and it is the easiest way to make sure the fridge is properly stocked ahead of a warm weekend.
If you are passing through Bacton, come and find us at Finbows Tap, our tap room at Finbows Yard, just off Station Road. You can drink in or pick up a takeaway selection to take home. While you are there, it is worth a wander around the yard. Finbows Furnishers and EmZo Gift and Home are worth a look, and J. Lawes hardware has been a village staple for years.
Finbows Tap is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. We also have a barista machine producing proper artisan coffee if you need something to tide you over while you decide which beers to take home.
Order online: Humber Doucy Brewery Online Shop
📍 Visit us: Finbows Tap, Finbows Yard, Station Road, Bacton, IP14 4NJ
Don't forget to treat yourself to an artisan coffee or drink if you visit Finbows Tap..
Get ready for summer
If you are planning a barbecue, a garden gathering, or a weekend by the coast, now is the time to make sure you are stocked up.
Choose beers that suit the season, pair them with good food, and make the most of the long Suffolk evenings.
Order online or visit us at Finbows Tap to get started.
Wherever you end up enjoying your Humber Doucy this summer, we would love to see it. Tag us with #IFoundHumberDoucy and share the moment. 🍻