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Summerfest has revealed their set times ahead of the first weekend kicking off in just a few days. Here’s what to expect.

Tomorrow, June 22, the festival kicks off with Tommy Odetto as the first performance at 1:45 p.m.. Throughout the rest of the afternoon, La Sra. Tomasa, Chris Duarte, Jupiter & Okwess, Sias, Reverend Horton Heat, Larry Fleet, Frank Walker, Robert Pluer With The Rhythm Club, and more will play on the various stages.

Later that night, a few key acts to catch include Eric Church with Elle King at 7:30 p.m. and Three 6 Mafia, Declan McKenna, The Wailers, and more playing around the festival grounds at 10 p.m.

The rest of the first weekend follows a similar schedule. On Friday, Crocodyle starts things at the same time of 1:45 p.m. The Avett Brothers and Bleachers both play at 9:30 p.m. As the last acts of Friday night, Tegan & Sara play at 10 p.m., followed by Sofi Tukker on a separate stage at 10:15 p.m.

On Saturday, the final day of the first weekend, things change slightly. James Taylor plays with Sheryl Crow at 7 p.m., instead of the previous schedule for the stage. Elvis Costello and NLE Choppa perform at 9:30 p.m. and Noah Kahan is at 10 p.m.

View the complete Summerfest weekend one schedule above.

No matter how you mark it, summer in the Northern Hemisphere has officially begun. And there’s nothing more quintessentially summer than a beach vacation. While it’s no secret that there are gorgeous beaches along California, Florida, and Hawaii coasts (no shade to Oregon, New York, and South Carolina, among others, either), you may not know that many of the most pristine beaches in the United States are part of the National Park System.

With over 400 units, the NPS protects various environments and ecosystems – including coastlines, lakeshores, seashores, and islands. And it’s no surprise that a protected or more remote beach will often offer a better experience than some of its more popular or less protected peers.

As a solo National Park traveler, I’ve visited countless beaches within the National Park system and am constantly asked for my recommendations. So I picked out my top twenty beaches and ranked them on a scale from great to phenomenal – because let’s get real, even the lowest ranked is still a dreamy beach in a National Park. What’s not to love?

METHODOLOGY

I considered a few things in my rankings.

1. Access was important, so beaches that could be driven or easily boated to ranked higher than those that are only accessible via a hike.
2. I gave a higher ranking to beaches that are nearby cities while not being directly in them, so not totally remote but also not overrun.
3. Of course, the landscape was the greatest factor in the ranking. While some of the beaches on this list are lakeside and not oceanside, they still got included if the lake is unique and offers more than simply a sandy area near the water.
4. It was also important that the beaches have other easily available activities – so hiking, wildlife, paddling, and snorkeling opportunities helped some beaches in their rankings.

Onward!

20 – APOSTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL LAKESHORE – WISCONSIN

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 21 islands off the northern coast of Wisconsin in Lake Superior, are well known in the midwest and beyond for their beautiful beaches. Located in Bayfield, just off the Bayfield Peninsula, ample opportunities exist to explore picturesque coves and bays, sunbathe, swim, picnic, and enjoy the view.

You’ll want to hit up a beach while you visit — Little Sand Bay, Meyers Beach on the mainland, and Julian Bay on Stockton Island are great options. Or you can catch the ferry to Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island, the largest and only inhabited island in the park, to enjoy a sandy beach, hiking, and camping opportunities.

19 – CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE – FLORIDA

Canaveral National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coast in Florida. Spanning over 24 miles along a barrier island between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville, the National Seashore encompasses diverse ecosystems, including pristine beaches, dunes, salt marshes, lagoons, and maritime forests.

There are three major sections of beaches at Canaveral National Seashore – all known for their remote, beautiful landscapes: northern Apollo Beach, middle Klondike Beach, and southern Playalinda Beach. Visitors can enjoy swimming, horseback riding, bird watching, backcountry camping, kayaking, fishing, and even surfing along the unspoiled shore.

18 – GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE – FLORIDA AND MISSISSIPPI

The Gulf Islands National Seashore boasts untouched, white sandy beaches that attract visitors from all over the world. Stretching across the coastlines of Florida and Mississippi, the National Seashore is known for crystal-clear emerald coast waters, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, and picnicking.

With 160 miles of shoreline on the Northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the seashore is surprisingly diverse – as it encompasses barrier islands, marine habitats, historic forts, and maritime habitats. Visitors have many options for visiting the Gulf Islands: jumping on a tour boat for a cruise, camping on the sand, snorkeling and diving, hiking, fishing, biking, or swimming. Opal Beach is a great pick if you don’t know where to start.

17 – CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE – MASSACHUSETTS

Cape Cod National Seashore, located on the eastern coast of Massachusetts, encompasses 40 miles of shoreline along Cape Cod. Known for its unspoiled beaches, the seashore is an idyllic spot for swimming, hiking, over-sand beach driving, paddling, and biking.

The seashore boasts six different beaches with lifeguards on duty during summer. There are seasonal beach fees, and many beach campfire permits are issued daily. Coast Guard Beach is a stunner with beautiful views and surf opportunities.

16 – PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE – TEXAS

Not to be confused with South Padre Island, Padre Island National Seashore is sixty-six miles of wild shoreline along the Gulf Coast of Texas. Known for its long stretches of dazzling sandy beaches, the narrow barrier island is, according to the National Park Service, home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats. In addition to swimming and beach-lounging, the seashore offers camping, beachcombing, fishing, birding, and paddling opportunities.

15 – PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE – MICHIGAN

Located along the shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is known for its stunning cliffs, waterfalls, colorful sandstone formations, dunes, and tremendous wild beauty.

Lake Superior boasts clean and clear – but cold – water for swimming, so enter at your own risk. Although no lifeguards are on duty, the glistening beaches are popular summer destinations for visitors – with Sand Point Beach as a favorite.

14 – SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE – MICHIGAN

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, located along the northwestern coast of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, is known for its towering scalable sand dunes, miles of undefiled beaches, and 21 crystal-clear lakes.

Swimming is popular in Lake Michigan, and visitors can access several beaches easily in the park. Try Platte River Point, Esch Beach, Peterson Beach, Glen Haven Beach, or North Bar Lake.

13 – INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK – INDIANA

Indiana Dunes is one of the newest parks in the NPS system to garner the designation of “National Park.” On my visit, I was surprised that this landscape was just 35 miles from Chicago — with views of the city skyline from parts of the shore. Admittedly, this park has a bit of a different and less remote feel; it is an amazing option for a quick getaway from the city.

The park boasts 15 miles of beaches on the shore of Lake Michigan, ready for you to take a dip or lay in the sun. West Beach is the most popular and also the only beach with lifeguards. Through the summer months, there is a small extra fee for the summer amenities ($6 per car or $3 with your America the Beautiful pass).

12 – GOLDEN GATE RECREATION AREA — CALIFORNIA

Golden Gate Recreation Area is extremely diverse — to put it mildly. With 19 different ecosystems and 2,000 different plant and animal species in the park, it is a gem close to San Francisco with recreation options of all kinds.

If you haven’t visited before — although chances are you have as it’s consistently one of the top visits NPS sites — you may be surprised that Golden Gate Recreation Area includes gorgeous beaches. Muir Beach is a favorite of mine to sit back and watch the sunset. Head to Baker Beach for an incredible Golden Gate Bridge View.

11 – OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — WASHINGTON

There is nothing quite like watching the sunset from a beach in Olympic National Park. While the vibe is decidedly less sun and sand, the moody and ruggedness is a great respite from the summer heat and crowds elsewhere.

Olympic, a peninsula home to 73 miles of undisturbed coastal wilderness, is a playground for visitors who hike, tide pool, beach comb, and watch those amazing sunsets. There are rocky and wild beaches and access points all along the coast of Olympic, but I am partial to Rialto and Second Beach.

10 – ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE — MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA

Assateague Island is another National Seashore I fell in love with on my first visit. Like Cape Lookout, it is famously home to wild horses, sandy beaches, and ample exploration opportunities.

A 37-mile-long barrier island is a great place to camp, fish, crab, bike, or swim. Located between Virginia and Maryland, it is the perfect spot to get away from the hustle and watch the waves any time of year.

9 – POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE — CALIFORNIA

Just 38 miles outside of San Francisco is Point Reyes National Seashore. Popular for beaches, as well as hiking and wildlife spotting, Point Reyes has it all. Walk down the famous cypress tree tunnel before visiting one of the 12 beaches in Point Reyes.

With 80 miles of shoreline in the park, there is a beach for everyone. I always stop by Drake’s Beach for a dip and North Beach on a quick visit to the sand – the water here and many other areas on Point Reyes are generally unsafe to swim in.

8 – CAPE HATTERAS NATIONAL SEASHORE — NORTH CAROLINA

If you’ve spent time in the Outer Banks area of North Carolina, then the ranking of Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the top ten will be no surprise.

The wide sandy beaches and warm Atlantic water are what summer vacation dreams are made of. Spend time on the beach swimming, surfing, or relaxing before camping near the ocean, watching for wildlife, or taking your vehicle off-road onto the sand in designated areas.

7 – ACADIA NATIONAL PARK — MAINE

While Acadia National Park is well-known for its rugged and rocky coastline, you might be surprised that it is also home to a gorgeous sandy beach. Sand Beach is a perennial favorite with locals and visitors alike – as sand beaches are few and far between on the Maine coastline.

Located within the main park boundaries, Sand Beach is located at the beginning of Acadia’s Park Road. Enjoy the views before heading on a scenic drive, hiking, or over to Jordan Pond House for popovers and prosecco.

6 – REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK — CALIFORNIA

You may be surprised that there’s more to Redwood National Park than just the towering trees it’s legendary for. My favorite place to visit while in the park is the beach! I love relaxing on Gold Bluffs Beach, a gray-sand beach and campground near the otherworldly Fern Canyon.

You can also spend time exploring Enderts Beach, which is accessible from a rugged ½ mile trail. Enderts isn’t great for swimming but is a popular spot for tide-pooling and taking in the scenery.

5 – NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICAN SAMOA — AMERICAN SAMOA

As the least visited National Park of 2022, you might imagine the National Park of American Samoa has truly unspoiled beaches. It’s hard to describe the beauty of this island in the South Pacific and the glistening white sand and blue waters that greet you at every turn.

While there aren’t many public access points to beaches on the main island of Tutuila (as the American Samoan people own the land) — there are some spots if you’re industrious. As the park is distributed through three islands, Ofu Lagoon on Ofu Island is the best place to beach. Outside of beaches, the park is also a great place to snorkel, learn about Samoan culture, and hike through the rainforest.

4 – CAPE LOOKOUT NATIONAL SEASHORE — NORTH CAROLINA

The National Park system is more than just the 63 parks designated “National Parks.” There are over 400 NPS-managed sites, including historical sites, preserves, and National seashores. I’ve visited many National Seashores over the years, and one always sticks out in my mind — Cape Lookout. A three-mile ferry ride from Beaufort or Harkers Island, North Carolina, transports you to underdeveloped, almost secret-feeling beaches.

Camp, fish, hike, rent cabins, or climb the lighthouse. If you visit Shackleford Banks, the southernmost barrier island, you might encounter some of the 100 wild horses that inhabit the island. Or simply enjoy a day relaxing on the glistening sand.

3 – CUMBERLAND ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE — GEORGIA

After visiting 59 of 63 major National Parks and countless other NPS sites, one of my favorites continues to be Cumberland Island National Seashore, A barrier island off the coast of southern Georgia, full of history, wildlife, and beauty. I felt like stepping into another world while walking on the undeveloped beaches and learning about the island’s rich history on my first visit.

Known for wild horses and loggerhead turtles, visitors access Cumberland Island via a 45-minute ferry from the visitors center in St. Mary’s, Georgia. And then immediately wonder why it took them so long to explore this incredible island.

2 – DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK — FLORIDA

Dry Tortugas National Park is a series of islands 70 miles west of Key West, so there are, of course, ample beaches. I spent a day snorkeling at the swim beach outside the historic Fort Jefferson and lounging on the pristine sands. The beach feels otherworldly, and you are much further outside the continental United States than you are.

It is truly a bucket list-worthy trip. Dry Tortugas can only be accessed by boat or seaplane — making your trip even more interesting — and leaving the beach less crowded with a private island vibe.

1 – US VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK — US VIRGIN ISLANDS

In ranking National Park beaches, none hold a candle to those in US Virgin Islands National Park. The white sand beaches on the island of St. John are breathtaking, and the crystal clear blue water transports you to another world entirely. The water is warm, the landscape is astounding, and the local culture and history are fascinating.

With two-thirds of St. John part of the National Park, many beach options exist. I love Honeymoon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Watermelon Cay.

As the OceanGate submersible continues to go missing after attempting a deep sea voyage to view the Titanic, The View‘s Joy Behar had some blunt thoughts on the rescue operation that’s been capturing the world’s attention. Like most people, Behar and the co-hosts were surprised that the expedition even happened given the numerous safety risks involved. In fact, one particular red flag caught Behar’s attention.

“They say that the… submersible has been certified to withstand the pressure of 1300 meters of depth, but the Titanic wreck wreckage is 3800 meters of depth,” Behar noted. “So that’s a tip-off right there.”

However, Behar went even further by highlighting the irony of the OceanGate expedition getting lost (and possibly worse) while searching for the Titanic, another famed vessel that met a disastrous fate. In true Behar fashion, the longtime comedian didn’t pull her punches.

Via The Wrap:

“It’s interesting, because the Titanic itself went down because of human incompetence and stupidity on the part of — according to the movies — hubris,” she said. “Same with this. That’s the irony of it. They’re going to see the same thing that’s happening to them. It’s very sad and scary.”

As of this writing, the OceanGate submersible is still missing. However, there have been reports of “banging” being detected on sonar, and the U.S. Coast Guard has emphasized that its efforts are “100%” a “search and rescue mission,” according to CNN.

“We’re smack dab in the middle of a search and rescue and we’ll continue to put every available asset that we have in an effort to find the Titan and the crew members,” Captain Jamie Frederick said during a press conference on Wednesday.

(Via The Wrap)

The Yellowstone flagship series will soon be ending (after Season 5’s back half, to be released at an unspecified date), but the Taylor Sheridan empire shows no signs of slowing down. At present, people are watching the heck out of 1883 on Paramount Network even though it’s been streaming for awhile. In addition to all of the existing Sheridan shows already out there, the former Sons Of Anarchy deputy is also gearing up for the release of Special Ops: Lioness, which should put Zoe Saldana back in butt-kicking mode, so Sheridan sat down for an expansive profile with The Hollywood Reporter.

In addition to revealing which legendary actor nearly portrayed John Dutton in Yellowstone, Sheridan also addressed Kevin Costner’s early departure from the series, and Sheridan honestly sounds fine with it, but he’s not exactly thrilled. He’s “disappointed” because this “truncates the closure of his character,” even if “[I]t doesn’t alter it.” Sheridan does declare (when prompted) that he won’t craft John Dutton’s final path to suit any agenda but the storytelling:

Sheridan hints that John Dutton was never going to be around for the very end of the show, and that the conclusion of Yellowstone is unchanged from his original movie script. So Dutton will likely be — in the parlance of the series — “taken to the train station.” Or perhaps, I suggest, meet his fate in “a f*ck-you car crash” (a phrase made famous after Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes killed off Patrick Dempsey’s character amid behind-the-scenes tension).

“I was killed in a fuck-you car crash!” Sheridan points out … I don’t do f*ck-you car crashes,” Sheridan says. “Whether [Dutton’s fate] inflates [Costner’s] ego or insults is collateral damage that I don’t factor in with regard to storytelling.”

Now he’s got me curious, but it will likely be awhile before we find out how John Dutton leaves the show. As for Costner, he’s stayed pretty mum on the rumors of drama, and Sheridan doesn’t address the gossipy-type stuff either, but who could blame him?

As for the “f*ck you car crash” that Sheridan mentions, this obviously happened in Sons of Anarchy, but it’s all good. RIP to Deputy Hale, who got trounced by a van during a funeral shootout. At the time, Sheridan told the LA Times, “As far as deaths on that show go, it was about as merciful as I can remember.” He added, “It was fitting to Hale that he went out in battle without any regard or awareness.” And Taylor Sheridan only went up from there.

(Via Hollywood Reporter)

Coi Leray‘s second album, Coi, is coming soon after an extended rollout that saw her release a string of well-received singles, blow fans’ minds with some unexpected features, and accidentally get into a short-lived feud with Latto.

Coi is the follow-up to 2022’s Trendsetter, which was fairly warmly received by critics despite “underperforming” commercially. However, after the past year, the new album is perfectly positioned for a much better reception than its predecessor. Coi’s accumulated an impressive collection of plaques for Gold and Platinum records, partnered with brands like the WNBA, and advocated for more solidarity among the women in hip-hop.

She’s become a sought-after feature artist, gone viral with her contribution to the latest Spider-Man soundtrack, and put on some impressive performances that have improved her reputation among fans, all but ensuring that her new album is going to be the hit she has been working toward her whole career.

Here’s everything we know about Coi so far.

Release Date

Coi is due 6/23 via Uptown and Republic. You can pre-order it here.

Tracklist

1. “Bitch Girl”
2. “Bops”
3. “Make My Day” Feat. David Guetta
4. “Players”
5. “My Body”
6. “Get Loud”
7. “Phuck It”
8. “Spend It” Feat. Saucy Santana
9. “Don’t Chat Me Up” Feat. Giggs
10. “Run It Up”
11. “No Angels” Feat. Lola Brooke
12. “Man’s World” Feat. James Brown
13. “Black Rose”
14. “Radioactive” Feat. Skillibeng
15. “Come And Go”

Features

Coi features David Guetta, Giggs, James Brown, Lola Brooke, Saucy Santana, and Skillibeng.

Singles

Coi has released a multitude of singles for this project, including “Players,” “Bops,” “My Body,” and “Run It Up.”

Tour

Coi hasn’t announced a tour yet.

The Denver Nuggets are fresh off of winning their first NBA championship, but building out their roster this summer will require them to be able to add some players on smaller deals.

The best way to do that is through the draft, but Denver came into the week holding only second round picks — including the 37th overall pick they acquired in a trade during the Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder. On Wednesday, the Nuggets made their second trade involving draft picks of June, sending the 40th overall pick and the least favorable of their first round picks next year to the Pacers for the 29th and 32nd overall selections in tomorrow night’s draft.

With Bruce Brown declining his player option and hitting free agency, and a number of veterans like Jeff Green, Reggie Jackson, DeAndre Jordan, and Thomas Bryant all set to be free agents, Denver wanted to get into the first round to land a player on a rookie scale deal that they can lock in for the next four years. After hitting big on Christian Braun last year, as he was part of their playoff rotation on the way to the title, Denver will hope to once again bring in a player in the late first round capable of contributing immediately. They’ll also get another swing at an early second-round pick at No. 32 overall to try and land a quality prospect — or could try and continue maneuvering into the late first with the 32nd and 37th picks.

Aubrey Plaza is a talented actress and fashion icon, but most of all, she’s a rascal. The White Lotus star will consider getting married to Michael Cera, just so they can get immediately divorced and start calling each other “my ex-husband” and “my ex-wife.” She’ll also ask “mommy” Drew Barrymore to feed her, and don’t even think about putting her on the Jumbotron.

Plaza attended Tuesday’s WNBA game between L.A. Sparks and L.A. Sparks. “I started coming [to Sparks games] last year,” she told reporter Nikki Kay. “My sister had season tickets and so I started coming with her. It’s awesome.” Plaza, a basketball player herself, enjoys watching the games because “I just love watching the players. It’s inspiring, they’re so good. I just love watching them.” She also loves flipping people off, apparently.

The New York Post reports, “Plaza jokingly flipped the bird when she was featured on the Jumbotron at Crypto.com Arena during the segment, ‘Look who’s here cam.’ Plaza, who’s a Sparks fan, was sitting courtside when cameras captured her sporting sunglasses while she waved her middle finger back-and-forth.”

Plaza should become the Jack Nicholson of L.A. Sparks games. All she needs is a tub full of chili (it’s real to me).

(Via the New York Post)

Donald Trump’s two-part interview with Fox News correspondent Bret Baier has devolved into an unintentional comedy bit and the folks over on Morning Joe are eating it up.

After Trump embarrassed himself by displaying how absolutely clueless he is about his own hard stance on drug-related crime, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski had a good laugh together over the former president’s complete incompetence. The pair played a clip from Baier’s interview which saw the Fox News correspondent quizzing Trump on his new policy that, if enacted should he become president, would seek the death penalty for people convicted on drug charges. At first, Trump touted his pardon of Alice Marie Johnson, a Mississippi woman sentenced to life in prison for her involvement with a drug trafficking ring. Johnson served 21 years of her sentence before Kim Kardashian helped to persuade Trump to commute her sentence. But, under his new plan, Johnson likely would have faced the death penalty following her conviction. When Baier mentioned that fact to Trump his response was a stunned, “Huh?” seeming to indicate he doesn’t fully understand his own policy.

But that momentary glimpse into the hollow shell that is Trump’s brain — plus Baier’s own incredulous reaction — had Scarborough and Brzezinski dissolving into an on-air giggle fit while trying to make sense of the former president’s cluelessness.

“I’m thinking Brett Baier and Jonathan Swan [NYT political reporter] should get together and have drinks and compare notes,” Scarborough began. “He’s so lost. Trump is so clueless about the fact that he’s bragging about commuting the sentence of a woman that his new policy would’ve killed.”

You can watch the full segment below:

If you didn’t realize it, we’re officially halfway through 2023. This means that it’s a great time to take a deep dive into the events, foods, and drinks we’ve enjoyed the most this year (so far). And while I personally love to stare off into the middle distance, slack-jawed and lamenting on the epic, life-changing road trips I’ve gone on and delicious, meaty, cheesy memorable meals I’ve enjoyed so far this year, what I really care about is the beer I drank.

Obviously, that might seem strange to you. It sounds pretty odd. But it’s my job to imbibe a lot of beer during the year — so thinking back on it is pretty fun.

In half a year, we’ve enjoyed quite a few IPAs, lagers, pale ales, pilsners, sour beers, and imperial stouts. So even though we’re just entering summer, I’m going to highlight them all. Who knows, maybe you’ll want to sip on a porter or bourbon barrel-aged stout on an unseasonably cool summer night. We’re not here to tell you when you can and can’t drink certain beers.

It took a lot of drinking and ranking, but I somehow managed to make a list of the top twenty beers I’ve enjoyed in 2023 (so far). Keep scrolling to see all of the picks.

20) Stone Imperial Stout

ABV: 10.5%

Average Price: $20 for a six-pack

The Beer:

We love a classic imperial stout. Stone might be most known for its IPAs, but its Imperial Stout (formerly called Russian Imperial Stout) is a classic beer. This 10.5% banger is known for its pitch-black color, roasted coffee, toasted malt, and light hop flavors (from the use of Magnum hops). Not over-the-top exciting, but well-made, it’s the kind of beer you’ll always want on hand.

Tasting Notes:

A nose of dark chocolate, dried fruits, and freshly brewed coffee greets you before your first sip. Those were the main aromas that could be found. The palate is more of the same with coffee and chocolate taking center stage. There are also some dried fruits and vanilla. All with a dry, lightly hoppy, bitter finish.

Bottom Line:

If you’re a fan of classic imperial stouts, you’ll love the coffee and chocolate flavors. The only downfall is that it doesn’t really go beyond that basic flavor profile.

19) Lord Hobo Atomic Insomniac

ABV: 7.5%

Average Price: $17 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

First released in October of 2022, Lord Hobo Atomic Insomniac is one of our favorite recent coffee milk stouts. Not only is this flavored with coffee, but it’s also infused with cold brew coffee from Atomic Coffee Roasters. Adding lactose gives this robust, coffee and chocolate-filled stout a creamy mouth feel.

Tasting Notes:

Not surprisingly, there’s a ton of coffee on the nose. There’s also a good deal of bitter chocolate and not much else sneaking through. The palate is creamy and has more coffee, chocolate, and roasted malts. It’s very coffee-centric and a little one-dimensional to that degree.

Bottom Line:

If you’re a fan of both imperial stouts and cold brew coffee, this is absolutely the beer for you. If not, you might not love this beer as much as we do.

18) 3 Floyds Zombie Ice

ABV: 8.5%

Average Price: $16 for a six-pack

The Beer:

3 Floyds Zombie Dust is one of the most popular, highly-rated pale ales on the market. This “undead” double pale ale gets its bright, floral flavor from the liberal use of Citra hops. If you like the original, you’ll love this ramped-up version just as much (if not more).

Tasting Notes:

This turbo-charged pale starts with a bouquet of caramelized pineapple, mango, orange peel, and lemongrass. There’s also a bit of pine. The palate continues this trend with notes of passionfruit, pineapple, mango, tangerine, and earthy, herbal pine. The finish is a little boozier than one would expect.

Bottom Line:

This is a higher-ABV version of the popular Zombie Dust pale ale. It carries some of the same aromas and flavors. It’s just a bit boozier.

17) Fat Head’s Green Grunge

ABV: 6.5%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

Fat Head’s Green Grunge is a classic, hoppy IPA. Brewed with Chinook, Citra, and Pahto hops as well as Pale 2-row, Munich, and Carahell malts, this is a piney, citrus, and tropical fruit-filled IPA perfect for any hot day regardless of the time of year.

Tasting Notes:

Classic IPA aromas of citrus zest, orange, lemon, grass, and pine greet you before your first sip. Drinking it reveals flavors of ripe peaches, candied orange peel, wet grass, pineapple, tart grapefruit, and dank, sticky pine. The finish is floral, resinous, and lightly bitter.

Bottom Line:

This is a classic American IPA for fans of the style. It’s well-balanced and flavorful, but really isn’t breaking any new ground.

16) New Glarus Pilsner

ABV: 5%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

We couldn’t be more excited that breweries are beginning to embrace lagers and pilsners again. One of the best newer varieties is New Glarus Pilsner. The name might not be overly exciting, but this beer is. This mash-up of Czech and German-style pilsners gets its flavor from the use of malted barley as well as Diamant, Mittelfrüh, Saphir, Select, and Hallertau Blanc hops

Tasting Notes:

Cereal grains, fresh-cut grass, pilsner malts, and floral, herbal, and piney hops start the nose off on the right foot. The palate adds to this with a ton of grass, pine needles, citrus peels, pilsner malts, and just a hint of hop bitterness at the finish. The ending is crisp, dry, and refreshing.

Bottom Line:

This is a classic, no-frills pilsner. It’s a great example of American brewers using traditional ingredients and techniques to make something really special.

15) Rogue Rolling Thunder 2023 Imperial Stout

ABV: 13.6%

Average Price: $15 for a 500ml bottle

The Beer:

Available from February through May, this imperial stout is matured for a full nine months in barrels that were used to age the brand’s popular Dead Guy Whiskey. A favorite of whiskey barrel-aged stout fans, this popular beer is released every year including 2023.

Tasting Notes:

Boozy whiskey, toasted vanilla beans, bitter chocolate, coffee, and roasted malts are prevalent on the nose. On the palate, you’ll find flavors like chocolate fudge, freshly brewed coffee, sweet vanilla, roasted malts, and sweet toffee. It’s a sweet, lightly bitter, indulgent beer.

Bottom Line:

This beer should be labeled as a dessert beer as it’s extremely sweet and heavy. It would best be paired with a rich dessert or poured onto vanilla ice cream.

14) Firestone Walker No Vacancy

ABV: 6.5%

Average Price: $20 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Firestone Walker No Vacancy is the official beer of the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest. This classic tropical, lightly bitter, piney West Coast IPA is a collaboration between the iconic Paso Robles, California-based brewery, and Monterey, California’s Alvarado Street Brewery.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is classic West Coast IPA with aromas of resinous, dank, pine, and light citrus peels. It doesn’t need to be overly exciting because it’s exactly what you’d hope for in an IPA. The palate only adds to this with notes of grapefruit, tangerine, lemongrass, and more floral, dank pine. The finish is perfectly bitter.

Bottom Line:

This limited-edition beer might have been made for the beer fest, but it did have some distribution this spring and is definitely worth seeking out if you enjoy a crisp, fresh, crushable West Coast IPA.

13) von Trapp Schwarz

ABV: 5.2%

Average Price: $12 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Introduced in late January, this black lager is a welcome addition to the von Trapp family of beers. This is the Vermont-based brewery’s take on the black lagers traditionally produced in Bavaria. It might be made with dark and roasted malts, but the addition of noble hops makes it surprisingly light and drinkable any time of year.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll find aromas of freshly brewed coffee, caramel, and roasted malts. The robust nose gives way to a surprisingly crisp, easy-drinking black lager with notes of caramel, dark chocolate, roasted malts, coffee beans, and floral, herbal, lightly bitter hops at the finish.

Bottom Line:

Another home run from von Trapp. This winter beer is both malty and rich and crisp and easy-drinking. It’s a great example of the style.

12) Lawson’s Finest Hazy Rays

ABV: 5.3%

Average Price: $15 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Lawson’s Finest is a big deal in the Vermont beer scene. Its Sip of Sunshine is a must-try for New England-style IPA fans. But this spring, the brewery also released Hazy Rays, a hazy, juicy, fruit IPA brewed with Mandarina Bavaria and Citra hops.

Tasting Notes:

Complex aromas of tangerines, lemongrass, mandarin oranges, ripe peaches, pineapple, and lightly herbal, earthy pine start the nose off on the right foot. Drinking it reveals flavors like mango, tangerine, peach, mandarin oranges, lemon peels, and more floral, earthy, herbal pine. The finish is dank, sweet, and memorable.

Bottom Line:

If you already enjoy Sip of Sunshine (or just New England-style IPAs in general), you need to try Lawson’e Finest Hazy Rays. You’ll be glad you did.

11) Anderson Valley Coastal Ale

ABV: 4.5%

Average Price: $12 for a six-pack

The Beer:

This light, crushable, easy-drinking ale is brewed with pilsner malt and wheat as well as Mosaic, Ekuanot, and Citra hops. Not only is it crisp, fruity, and refreshing, but 5% of sales go to Surfrider Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation that strives to protect the oceans and beaches for surfers and anyone who enjoys a day at the beach.

Tasting Notes:

This is referred to as “coastal ale”, but it smells like a pilsner through and through. Light aromas of cereal grains, pilsner malts, and herbal, floral pine make for a great start. Sipping it brings forth notes of citrus peels, pilsner malts, honey, and more earthy, herbal, floral pine. It’s crisp, refreshing, and highly crushable.

Bottom Line:

This is the epitome of the no-frills warm-weather beer. It’s fruity, crisp, and very easy to drink. The kind of beer you’ll want to stock your fridge with.

10) Firestone Walker Another Life

ABV: 6%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

In the past few years, the cold IPA has become a popular beer for brewers. One of the best recent examples is Another Life from Firestone Walker. Brewed with Citra, El Dorado, Chinook, and Centennial hops, it’s known for its mix of tropical fruit and bright pine.

Tasting Notes:

The nose begins with aromas of honeydew melon, caramelized pineapple, tangerine, fresh-cut grass, and pine needles. On the palate, you’ll find a symphony of orange peels, watermelon, pineapple, tangerine, and a ton of dank pine. The finish is a nice mix of bitter pine and tropical fruit sweetness.

Bottom Line:

This spring beer is complex, balanced, and loaded with fruity flavors and gentle pine. It’s perfect any time of year.

9) Maine Beer Thank You (2023)

ABV: 6.1%

Average Price: $8 for a 500ml bottle

The Beer:

Maine Beer is the kind of brewery that seems to only brew award-winning beers. Its Maine Beer Thank You (2023) is no different. This annual beer is made with a different recipe every year (hence the year in the name) and it’s brewed as a thank you to everyone involved in the brewery’s production, sales, distribution, and others associated with the brand. Brewed with Citra, Mosaic, and HBC 586 hops, it’s known for its fruity, complex flavor profile.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is filled with bready malts, ripe peach, caramelized pineapple, lemongrass, and pine. Taking a sip reveals more ripe peach, tangerine, yeasty bread, lemon peels, mango, and just a hint of spicy, floral, herbal hops. The finish is piney, bitter, and memorable.

Bottom Line:

If you’re a fan of the other popular IPAs from Maine Beer, you’ll definitely want to seek out this highly complex, balanced IPA.

8) Untitled Art Barrel Aged Midnight Toffee Stout

ABV: 14.9%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

This collaboration between Untitled Art and Angry Chair is a barrel-aged pastry stout. But that description doesn’t even do it justice. This barrel-aged imperial stout made with brown sugar, Belgian candi syrup, and other natural flavors is aged for a full fifteen months in bourbon barrels.

Tasting Notes:

A nose of boozy bourbon, toffee, vanilla, chocolate, and rich oaky wood greets you before your first sip. The palate continues this with notes of dark chocolate, buttery caramel, vanilla beans, oak, and warming, sweet bourbon. It’s a rich, sweet, warming beer perfect for a cold evening.

Bottom Line:

This beer is the definition of decadence. When you read the description, it almost seems like too much. But the long aging actually tempers all the sweetness well. It’s a great imperial stout… if you can find it.

7) Avery Gose Con Sandia

ABV: 4.5%

Average Price: $12 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Formerly, Avery sold a beer called “El Gose”. Recently, the Colorado-based brand changed this up and released a salty, sweet, refreshing Gose called Gose Con Sandia that’s brewed with sea salt, lime, and sweet, juicy watermelon.

Tasting Notes:

The nose begins with lime, cereal grains, and floral hops, but ends with a bit of salinity. The palate is crisp, salty, and has flavors like juicy watermelon, lime peels, and lemon zest. It’s crisp, salty, and highly sessionable. It’s a crushable beer for a hot day.

Bottom Line:

This is a great example of taking the salt and refreshment of a classic Gose and running with it (in the right direction). The addition of lime and watermelon adds an extra element that really rounds this beer out.

6) Parish Murphy DIPA

ABV: 7.6%

Average Price: $20 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

This juicy, fruity double IPA is named for the late brewery dog lovingly referred to as Murphy. This aromatic and flavorful IPA is brewed with Strata, Citra, and Idaho-7 hops. The addition of Heliogazer yeast adds even more flavor.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll find notes of tangerine, lime, pineapple, grapefruit, and dank, resinous pine. On the palate, you’ll find hints of passionfruit, tangerine, lemons, wet grass, bready malts, and dank, earthy pine. The finish is fruit, piney, and leaves you craving more.

Bottom Line:

The fact that this beer is adorned with an adorable dog should be reason enough to buy this beer. The beer inside lives up to the heart-warming label.

5) Half Acre Green Torch

ABV: 4.5%

Average Price: $11 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Sometimes we want a simple, no-frills, refreshing lager. Not only does the recently released Green Torch from Half Acre fit that bill, but this session-able lager is also flavored with a hint of lime. The result is crisp, lightly tart refreshment to the max.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is loaded with corn sweetness, lime zest, cereal grains, and lightly herbal, floral, piney hops. The nose sets you up nicely because the palate is more of the same with corn sweetness, honey, light pine, and a nice hint of fresh lime. The finish is crisp with barely any bitterness.

Bottom Line:

This is a simple, sessionable, easy-drinking lime lager perfect for yard games or standing around talking about the weather.

4) Pure Brewing Diamond Dust

ABV: 6.7%

Average Price: $21 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

We can’t get enough juicy, hazy IPAs so we try a lot of them. One of the best of the year is the now year-round available Pure Brewing Project Diamond Dust. Referred to as a “murky” IPA, this juicy, tropical fruit, and citrus-filled banger is brewed with Mosaic and Cashmere hops.

Tasting Notes:

Before your first sip, breathe in the aromas of toasted coconut, tangerine, caramelized pineapple, ripe peach, guava, and floral hops. Drinking it reveals notes of tart grapefruit, ripe berries, juicy peach, mango, pineapple, coconut, and lightly floral, herbal hops. It’s juicy, sweet, and has very little bitterness.

Bottom Line:

This is one for the juice bomb fans. This IPA is bursting with tropical fruit flavor. Yet, even with all the various flavors, everything seems to work together in perfect harmony.

3) Tree House Breakfast Juice

ABV: 9%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

Juicy, hazy, New England-style IPA already reminds us of a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice so it only makes sense that a brewery would literally make one and call it “Breakfast Juice”. This triple IPA lives up to its name as it’s brewed with peach, mango, and guava puree. The use of milk sugar adds sweetness and a creamy mouthfeel.

Tasting Notes:

This beer certainly smells like a glass of fresh fruit juice. There are aromas of ripe mango, tangerines, grapefruit, juicy peach, and aromatic, floral hops. The palate continues this trend with a creamy, juicy mouthfeel and notes of apricot, pineapple, ripe mango, mandarin oranges, and floral, lightly piney hops. It’s all sweetness and little to no bitterness.

Bottom Line:

This IPA is so fruity and loaded with tropical fruit flavors you might want to pair it will a platter of rich bacon, cheesy scrambled eggs, and savory home fries instead of your usual orange juice. It’s not for everyone, but I adore it.

2) Troegs Nimble Giant

ABV: 9%

Average Price: $15 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

Troegs Nimble Giant is one of those annual offerings we look forward to every year. This 9% double IPA is brewed with Azacca, Mosaic, and Simcoe hops, house ale yeast, and Pilsner and Vienna malts. It’s a complex, well-rounded IPA that needs to be sipped to be believed.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is a mix of candied orange peels, clover honey, sweet malts, and floral, herbal pine. One sip and you’ll be immersed in flavors like dank pine, sweet honey, tangerine, grapefruit, mango, caramelized pineapple, sweet malts, and floral hops. The finish is gently hoppy and bitter.

Bottom Line:

As double IPAs go, you’ll have a tough time finding out as balanced and flavorful as Troegs Nimble Giant. There’s a reason it’s so sought after every year.

1) Schilling Jakobus

ABV: 5%

Average Price: Limited Availability

The Beer:

While we love a good barrel-aged stout, a fruity sour, and a bitter, hoppy IPA, sometimes we want tradition and simplicity. That’s where Schilling Jakobus comes in. This German-style pilsner is complex and well-balanced with Hallertau Mittelfrush and Saphir hops.

Tasting Notes:

The nose is clean and fresh with lemon zest, freshly cut grass, honey, pilsner malts, and floral noble hops. Drinking it brings forth notes of cereal grains, pilsner malts, lemon peels, honey, orange zest, and floral, piney hops, It’s crisp, refreshing, and perfect any time of year.

Bottom Line:

Schilling Jakobus is a masterclass on simplicity. It’s as traditional as American pilsners come. No frills, but perfectly balanced, crisp, and refreshing. Undeniably impeccable.

It seems likely that Brandon Miller is going to hear Adam Silver read his name at the 2023 NBA Draft when either the Charlotte Hornets pick second or someone — either the Portland Trail Blazers or the team that gets the pick from the Portland Trail Blazers — picks third. While there is a real debate as to whether Miller or G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson is the second-best player in the Draft, Miller’s size and shooting are the sorts of things that every NBA team covets nowadays, so it’s not hard to get the appeal with him.

Miller, like many players who will go in the Draft tomorrow, held a media availability on Wednesday. He was asked a pretty basic question about his perspective on the Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James greatest of all time debate and whether he believes it is “overdone,” at which point he responded with a collection of words that I do not think any human has ever said ever.

“No, because I actually don’t think LeBron is the GOAT of basketball,” Miller said. “My GOAT of basketball is Paul George. I grew up watching him, so, it was never just LeBron.”

With all due respect to Paul George, a wonderful NBA player and someone who has accomplished a ton in his career, this marks the first time I have ever seen someone anoint him the GOAT. It is worth mentioning that, in the past, Miller has compared his game to George, telling HoopsHype that he likes how George “takes pride in the defensive side. I steal some of his moves and put my own twist to it.”