Brooklyn Seasonal 12Pk

Brooklyn Seasonal 12Pk is a rotating 12-pack of seasonal craft beer from Brooklyn Brewery, with each release carrying roughly 5.0% ABV across twelve 12 oz bottles or cans. The flagship seasonal — Brooklyn Summer Ale — draws on a centuries-old English brewing tradition rarely seen in American craft beer.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~5.0%  |  Origin: Brooklyn, New York  |  Style: Rotating Seasonal Ale  |  Brewery: Brooklyn Brewery

Production & Heritage

Brooklyn Brewery was founded in 1988 in Brooklyn, New York, and has grown into one of the most recognized craft breweries in the United States. The seasonal lineup rotates throughout the year, with the best-known expression being Brooklyn Summer Ale — a modern rendition of English "Light Dinner Ales" brewed throughout the 1800s up until the 1940s, also known as "luncheon ales" or "family ales." Summer Ale is brewed with English two-row barley malt and a carefully selected hop bill of German Perle alongside American Cascade, Fuggle, and Amarillo hops, producing a bright, approachable beer with genuine complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright, hoppy orange citrus aromas of moderate intensity. Underneath, gentle herbal notes reminiscent of orange tea and light floral character round out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is clean and light, with biscuit and cracker-like malt sweetness greeting the palate. Mid-palate brings mild citrus flavors — lemon and orange — alongside a delicate herbal bitterness. The overall impression is crisp, refreshing, and remarkably balanced without aggressive bitterness.

Finish: Dry and clean, with a subtle cucumber-like quality trailing off alongside lingering cracker malt. The finish is short to medium, encouraging the next sip without overstaying its welcome.

How to Drink Brooklyn Seasonal

Pour into a pint glass or tulip at around 40–45°F to let the hop aromatics lift while keeping the body crisp. These sessionable ales are built for drinking straight from the glass, though they also work in beer-forward mixed drinks.

• Shandy: The citrus-forward character pairs naturally with fresh lemonade for a classic warm-weather shandy.
• Michelada: The light body and mild bitterness hold up well against lime, hot sauce, and tomato juice without being overpowered.
• Beer Margarita (Beergarita): The clean malt base and dry finish complement tequila and lime without adding unwanted sweetness.

Best For

• Stocking the cooler for a backyard cookout or summer gathering
• Introducing craft beer to friends who prefer lighter, easy-drinking styles
• Pairing with casual weeknight dinners throughout the warmer months
• Bringing as a host gift to a barbecue or beach house weekend

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Brooklyn Seasonal taste like? The flagship Summer Ale delivers light biscuit malt sweetness with bright citrus and herbal hop flavors, finishing crisp and dry with minimal bitterness. It drinks clean, refreshing, and highly approachable.

How does Brooklyn Seasonal compare to Sam Adams Summer Ale? Brooklyn Summer Ale leans more toward an English ale tradition with biscuit malt and a drier finish, while Sam Adams Summer Ale uses wheat and Grains of Paradise for a slightly spicier, fuller-bodied profile. Both sit at a similar ABV and target the same warm-weather drinking occasion.

Is Brooklyn Seasonal good for beginners? Absolutely — the low bitterness, clean malt character, and moderate ABV around 5.0% make it one of the more approachable craft beer options for anyone transitioning from mainstream lagers.

Where is Brooklyn Seasonal made? Brooklyn Seasonal is brewed by Brooklyn Brewery, founded in 1988 and based in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The brewery remains one of the most prominent craft producers on the East Coast.

What foods pair well with Brooklyn Seasonal? Grilled chicken or fish tacos benefit from the beer's citrus brightness. A simple Caprese salad echoes its clean, herbal quality. Soft pretzels with mustard complement the biscuit malt, while grilled shrimp and light pasta dishes match its refreshing body without competing for attention.

What sizes does Brooklyn Seasonal come in? The 12-pack is the primary seasonal format from Brooklyn Brewery, typically containing twelve 12 oz bottles or cans. Individual bottles and six-packs may also be available depending on the specific seasonal release.

Is Brooklyn Seasonal worth the price? Brooklyn Seasonal positions as a mid-range craft 12-pack, delivering genuine brewing heritage and ingredient quality that competes favorably with other seasonal craft offerings in its price tier. The use of imported English malt and a four-hop blend provides noticeable complexity above mass-market seasonal alternatives.

Why Brooklyn Seasonal?

What sets this 12-pack apart is the brewing philosophy behind it. Brooklyn Brewery's Summer Ale — the most recognized release in the seasonal rotation — is modeled directly on English Light Dinner Ales, a style that had largely disappeared from the commercial landscape by the mid-20th century. The combination of English two-row barley malt with a transatlantic hop bill of German Perle, American Cascade, Fuggle, and Amarillo creates a layered but sessionable beer that rewards attention without demanding it. For anyone looking for a craft 12-pack that trades gimmickry for genuine brewing tradition, the Brooklyn Seasonal lineup consistently delivers.