Editors' Picks: 8 of our Favorite Summer Beers!

The sun is shining and it's time for summer. Are you preparing for a day on the beach with your friends and aren't sure what to fill the cooler with? Are you heading out for a night at the bar and trying to find the perfect drink to order?

In 1984, Anchor Brewing debuted the very first self-identified summer beer and ever since, the popularity of these warm-weather brews has soared.

Summer beers are generally light, refreshing and complimented with fruity flavors. There are hundreds to choose from, some are seasonal and others are offered year-round. But it's not always easy to narrow it down to the top-notch beers that are worth trying. We've got you covered. Here are the 8 best beers for this summer.

1. Bell's Oberon Ale

This summertime thirst-quencher with a solid 5.8 percent alcohol content is available only March through September. Fermented with the company's signature house ale yeast, this brew brings a smooth yet spicy flavor to your taste buds. With a hint of citrus scents and the appearance of a perfect summer sunset, this is one of the most drinkable beers of the warmer months.

2. Rolling Rock

This one is a classic. Rolling Rock's website proudly proclaims they "obsess over originality" and "choose to follow paths few dare to explore." This American lager is a very approachable beer, with a nice, full-bodied flavor. And if you want to be super hip, buy one of these in a mason jar for the summer to mix it up.

3. UFO Big Squeeze Shandy

It's not really summer if you aren't popping open a shandy, is it? This wheat beer is characterized by its delicious sweet-tart grapefruit flavor. Draft Magazine wrote that the beer's "lightly sweet bready malts fuse nicely with slightly tart, biting grapefruit flavors. It's like breakfast in a bottle." Harpoon's light-bodied brew hits the nail on the head when it comes to mixing fruits with beer.

4. Narragansett Summer Ale

This blonde ale generally comes in 16-ounce cans which allows for much easier travel and convenience in passing them around to your friends at the beach. Generally, beer packaged in cans don't offer rich flavors or high quality, but this Narragansett ale is the exception. This beer doesn't have an overpowering taste and it's not too heavy, making it ideal for drinking when you're spending the day in the sun.

5. 21st Amendment's Hell or High Watermelon

Coming from a brewing company named after the amendment that ended Prohibition, there really isn't a better beer to put you in the mood for a day of summer fun. This wheat ale is paired flawlessly with real, fresh watermelon flavors. This seasonal release's site proudly proclaims that similarly to Lady Liberty, "We stand for independence and perseverance. In the pursuit of innovative beer, there is no obstacle too great. No journey too long. No fruit too gigantic."

6. Shock Top Belgian White

This wonderfully zesty summer beer will keep you cool during the hot months. With a taste similar to a shandy, this Belgian wheat ale is brewed with orange, lemon and lime peels to add that citrusy goodness. This recipe comes together for an invigorating taste of earthy hops. Pair this with those fruits to really bring out the flavors of this brew.

7. Not Your Father's Root Beer

This is the beer for people who don't like beer. But according to their website will also appeal to "craft beer aficionados." With a wonderfully sweet taste impossible to differentiate from regular root beer, the brew has a 5.9 percent alcohol content. Mix it up a bit and make a delicious root beer float out of it for something a little out of the ordinary. This is a smooth drink with a vanilla flavor perfect for drinking all year long.

8. Founders All Day IPA

You didn't think we were going to leave out an IPA, did you? This one is primed for summer months. If you're spending a hot day out by the water and need a quick refresher, these will fulfill that desire. With a collection of malts, grains, and hops, this beer gives drinkers an intricate mixture of tastes. The Founders Brewing Company website describes this beer as the "perfect reward for an honest day's work and the ultimate companion to celebrate life's simple pleasures."