Cornish lager is the best summer beer
Sunshine, sea air, and a cold pint in hand, its's tough combination to beat.
As temperatures rise and the Cornish coast comes alive, there’s one beer that is perfect for all your refreshment needs: Cornish lager. Crisp, clean, and endlessly refreshing, it’s made for beach days, BBQs, and sundowners in plain view of the Atlantic.
We have two standout Cornish lagers to help tick the summer refreshment box: Helles Mouth and Porth Pilsner. They are both perfectly crisp and refreshing, but offer slightly different flavour profiles to keep things interesting.
But why do lager and summer go so well together?
Lager isn’t just light and easy, it's actually scientifically more refreshing. Sort of.
Fermentation: Lagers are fermented at cooler temperatures (typically 7–13°C), which results in a cleaner, smoother profile than ales. That crisp finish makes them incredibly refreshing when served cold. This is what you need when the thermometer is rising.
Carbonation: Lager tends to be more highly carbonated than most craft beers. The bubbles add to the sensory refreshment and make the beer feel lighter on the palate. The fizz is perfect for summer sipping, elevating flavours and cleansing the palate after salty snacks or grilled food off the BBQ.
Low to Moderate ABV (on the whole): Lagers tend to sit around 4–5% ABV, meaning they’re ideal for session drinking without overwhelming you in the sun. It's a perfect combo of low alcohol and crisp finish.
Hops: Many lagers use noble or low-bitterness hops (Helles Mouth uses Solero and Porth Pilsner uses Mandarina Bavaria), which add subtle floral, herbal, or spicy notes without the bitterness of hoppy IPAs like Slipway, Mean As or Alora. This makes them feel truly thirst-quenching and easy to enjoy all afternoon.
Malts: The best lagers, like Helles Mouth, use high-quality malts (often Pilsner or Munich malt) to give a gentle breadiness or honey-like sweetness that rounds out the flavour without weighing it down.
Why choose Cornish lager?
Cornish water is naturally soft and clean, something visitors to the county often comment on and makes an ideal base for lager brewing. We combine this with premium malt, carefully selected hops, and a traditional lagering process that takes time and precision. The result is a beer that’s not only crisp and refreshing, but proudly rooted in our home county. A true reflection of Cornwall in the summer.
Fresh, coastal, and no-nonsense.
Here's our Cornish Lagers:
Helles Mouth Cornish Lager
Named after the dramatic coastal cliffs near our home in Cornwall, Helles Mouth is our smooth and balanced Helles-style lager. Expect soft malt flavours, gentle floral hop notes, and a beautifully clean finish.
Porth Pilsner
Porth Pilsner is a crisp, modern Cornish pilsner with a snappier bitterness and a drier finish. It’s brewed with a blend of traditional and contemporary hops, offering light citrus and herbal notes that shine when the sun’s out. If you like your lagers with a little more edge, this is the one to try.
You'll find both of our lagers on taps in our taproom, in select local pubs, or in cans from our shops and online store. Whether you’re packing for the beach or hosting a summer BBQ, there’s a perfect pint of Cornish lager waiting for you.
