Beer really isn’t my go-to adult beverage. Don’t get me wrong, if I’m out with friends and that’s the happy hour special — I’ll drink it. Or if I’m down on the hot sandy beach and someone offers me one — I am grateful. But I wouldn’t think to plan a meal around it, like I did for this trio of Old Vines Zin, nor would I generally think to take a six-pack as a hostess gift. But I usually have some around for my beer-drinking friends.

I prefer milder beers — not too bitter and hoppy. I also like a hint of fruit in there. So I was pleased to find the Sam Adams Porch Rocker on the grocery store shelves again this summer. It’s a seasonal release, so you won’t find it year-round. A medium-bodied lager with just a hint of lemon, it’s refreshing but still a beer. It paired quite nicely with last night’s buffalo shrimp, in fact, I think I may have to try poaching some shrimp in it one day! It also is a great accompaniment to our barbecued ribs.

Standard caveat: This is a personal recommendation. The Samuel Adams brewery folks don’t know I exist and have provided neither product nor compensation for this endorsement. In fact, they’ll probably sue me if this ever gets in a search engine.