Cooling off with a cold one
With the sun shining bright and the temperature rising, summertime is a prime
opportunity to enjoy a cold drink. The commencement of the regular school year has not
slowed down the drinking habits of KU students. As the classroom door shuts, Lawrence
bars and liquor stores open their doors to greet many thirsty students.
Alcohol consumption is a yearlong activity for many KU students and the summer offers new cocktail and beer options. Many local bar and liquor stores offer seasonal brews and beverages, meaning they are only available at certain times of the year. Will Hendrix, Ottawa junior, works at both Myer’s and Glass House, two liquor stores in town. “The summer brews seem to be more popular than other seasonal brews,” Hendrix said. Well-known brewing companies like Boulevard and Linenkugel will send shipments of their summer beers to the stores over the three-month period. A beer called Summer Shandy, by Linenkugel, tends to be the most popular summer beer sold.
Liquor stores are not the only places that offer a summer selection. Many bars and restaurants adjust their menus for the summer heat. Quinton’s Bar and Grill, located on Massachusetts Street, trades in many of their heavier and darker beers for lighter alternatives. Their summer seasonal taps include beers like Sunshine Wheat and Boulevard Lunar.
Even domestic beers like Coors tend to offer their light selection over the original as Quinton’s receives more shipments of light domestics over the summer period.
The bar also offers a variety of summer alcoholic drinks like the Whipper, Long Beach and Summer Brew. These drinks include light and fresh juices like lemonade and orange juice to add a splash of summer to hard liquors like vodka and whiskey. Quinton’s offers their Summer Brew year round yet it seems to be a popular summer purchase.
Despite all of the new summer additions, some things just stay the same. Anne Lehan, Leawood senior and server at JB Stout’s in Lawrence, says that the seasonal taps at the restaurant are not necessarily more popular than other beers. “It just depends,” Lehan said. “People just like what they like and order their regular beers.” To promote some of these specialty beers, the restaurant often puts certain brews on special. “Being in a college town, lots of people like to order specials because they are cheaper. It is also good because it forces them to try new things.” Lehan said. Mexican beers and microbrews are frequent items on special at JB Stout’s.
Many KU students can be found sitting poolside during the week. Numerous apartment complexes, like the Legends and Tuckaway, are summer hot spots for students. It is a great place to socialize and, of course, have a drink or two. Most of the people around the pool are not actual apartment residents. They simply want to engage in the summer fun and therefore sneak in or know a resident friend. On Saturdays, students must arrive early to even get a lounge chair to sit on. Andrea Hill, Omaha senior, resides at the Legends for the summer and enjoys having a margarita or cold beer in the afternoon after a long morning of summer classes. “The Legends Pool is like a miniature Spring Break everyday. There is always a group of young people drinking and having fun.” Hill said. “It’s going to be hard to return to school after a two-month vacation.”
KU students are definitely taking advantage of the summer vacation months and enjoying plenty of drinking time. Whether it is at a bar, liquor store, restaurant or pool, students are savoring the hottest cold beverages.