SOME folks like to hibernate in the gym in the winter months, waiting for the sun to peep out at this time of year so they can unveil their six-packs to the world.
But for most of us, a six pack contains a half-dozen cans of beer and is best cracked open on a summer's evening to enjoy with friends.
A growing number of craft brewers are canning their beer and there are definitely advantages to the aluminium packaging over bottles. Cans don't let any light in, keeping the beer fresher for longer, and are quicker to cool in the fridge.
London-based FourPure were the first micro brewers in the UK to put their beer in cans, including their seasonal specials. Their Beertooth American brown ale, packed with flavour and just the right level of bitterness, is my personal favourite.
In Ireland, Metalman Brewing in Co Waterford were the first to take up the aluminum baton in 2014. Their pale ale is smooth and crisp with subtle citrus flavours and medium hop finish. If you want to sample Metalman's beers, they are holding a tap takover at Belfast's Brewbot on June 22.
Whiplash is something of a gypsy brewery, in their own words, "brewing with friends around Ireland and abroad". Their canned double IPA Surrender to the Void packs a punch, weighing in at 8.5 per cent and smashing into three digits in terms of the IBU levels.
There is a real slap-in-your-face intensity to the initial hit of hops, but this does give way to some sharp grapefuit flavours and a wonderfully bitter finish.
If you're looking for a bit more of malty backbone, Rascal's Big Hop Red will do the trick. It is amber ale with a nice light roasted malt opening, fruity flavours and well-balanced bitterness.
I think I've made a affection for Donegal brewery Kinnegar well known by this stage so I was delighted to learn that the Rathmullan-based brewers' had scooped the Beoir Champion Beer of Ireland title with their foreign export stout Flying Saucer at the Killarney Beer Festival while their Session White IPA White Rabbit picked up a silver medal in the Wheat Beer category.
