There are plenty of ways to celebrate the Fourth of July in America. Backyard grilling, lawn chairs pointed toward fireworks. Your own stash of firecrackers, a given. And cold beer is pretty essential.

But with record heat scorching much of the nation this Fourth of July, many beer lovers will be forgoing their go-to IPAs in favor of an approachable craft beer lager.

The Fourth of July doesn’t call for the biggest beer in the fridge. It calls for the right one. And craft lagers deliver exactly what summer drinking should be: refreshing, flavorful, built to pair with another.

And here are five craft beer lagers you need to have on hand for this weekend’s celebrations.

Sierra Nevada Summerfest (5% ABV)

If summer had an official beer, this would make a strong case.

Sierra Nevada’s seasonal lager is crisp, lightly floral, and just hoppy enough to keep things interesting without pushing into IPA territory. It undergoes an extra-long lagering period, resulting in a remarkably smooth, dry, and clean finish with a crisp, lingering hop bitterness.

First introduced in 1991, it serves as the brewery’s signature warm-weather seasonal release. It is typically available nationwide each year from April through July. Pair it with burgers, grilled vegetables, hot dogs, or absolutely nothing at all.

(Courtesy 805 / Firestone Walker)

Firestone 805 (4.7% ABV)

If you care about beer, you’re probably familiar with Firestone Walker’s 805 Beer. It was originally conceived as a Central Coast California-only release that immediately caught fire and spread well beyond its uber-local aspirations.

Named after the local Central Coast area code Firestone 805 easy-drinking American blonde ale with a subtle malt sweetness, a light touch of hops, and a clean, refreshing finish.

The 805 line is unique because it is marketed heavily as a California lifestyle brand rather than a traditional craft beer. Firestone Walker actively promotes the beer with unique black & white imagery, and  its “805 Authenticos,” a diverse collection action sports athletes, surfers, skaters, custom motorcycle builders, and local artisans, all with deep California roots.

Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn Lager (5.2% ABV)

Long before craft beer became a thing, Brooklyn Lager was already showing people what a true lager could offer.

First brewed in 1988, this American Amber meets Vienna-style lager features a firm malt center with flavors of toffee, toast, and warm caramel. Brooklyn Lager won the 2018 World Beer Cup Gold Medal in the American Amber Lager category. Today, it is distributed and enjoyed in over 40 countries

(Courtesy Narragansett Brewing)

Narragansett Lager (5% ABV)

Narragansett Lager is a historic, award-winning American Lager that serves as the flagship product of the Narragansett Brewing Company. Founded in 1890 in Cranston, Rhode Island, it grew to become the top-selling beer in New England from the 1930s through the 1970s.

The beer famously appeared in the movie Jaws, where the rugged shark hunter Captain Quint (played by Robert Shaw) crushes a tallboy can of Narragansett. The brewery frequently re-releases retro 1970s cans to honor this cinematic moment.

Affectionately known as “’Gansett,” Narragansett Lager sits comfortably between craft credibility and old-school American traditionalism. Crisp, uncomplicated, and made for beach coolers and cookout tables, it also is an amazingly affordable pick, especially in the world of craft beers..

After the original brewery closed in 1983, a group of local investors bought the rights in 2005 and revived the brand using the original recipe. While major regional production is contracted out to ensure high volume, they also operate a waterfront flagship brewery in Providence, Rhode Island for small-batch releases.

Trumer Pils (4.9% ABV)

Trumer Pils is a highly acclaimed German-style Pilsner with roots tracing back over 400 years to the Trumer Brauerei in Salzburg, Austria. Now brewed for American beer fans by Firestone Walker, Trumer Pils is bright, elegant, and exceptionally crisp. The delicate hop character and dry finish.

Strictly complying with the Reinheitsgebot (German Beer Purity Law), Trumer Pils utilizes only four fundamental ingredients: water, 100% German pilsner malt, noble hops (Saaz, Spalter, and Aurora), and proprietary yeast. The beer undergoes a meticulous three-week cold fermentation process to ensure its signature precision and smoothness