The best beer cans for summer: Ten top picks for your beer cooler

Narragansett Lager
There’s no shame in reaching for an easy, all-American lager when the sun’s beating down on you: This New England classic bests its nostalgia-baiting competition (PBR, Genesee) with a crisp, smooth body and dry finish. • Available at Growler Station, 26 W 8th St between Fifth Ave and MacDougal St (212-777-2337, growler-station.com/nyc). 16-ounce can $1.39.

21st Amendment Bitter American
Coming in at just 4.4 percent alcohol by volume (Bud is 5 percent), this citrusy pale ale drinks like a bold, hops-forward West Coast IPA. • Available at Whole Foods Market Bowery Beer Room, 95 E Houston St at Bowery (212-420-1320, wholefoodsmarket.com). 12-ounce can $2.99.

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA
Citrusy, herbal hops ride a malt backbone in this IPA: While the pine aroma makes us yearn for a forest romp, the beer goes down just fine on an Alphabet City rooftop as well. • Available at Good Beer, 422 E 9th St between First Ave and Ave A (212-677-4836, goodbeernyc.com). 16-ounce can $2.99.

Avery Brewing Co. Ellie’s Brown Ale
We think a beer can sporting a handsome chocolate Lab earns its reputation as a good cookout brew by default. This silky American brown ale happens to taste delicious too, packed with chocolatey, nutty malts that pair nicely with a spread of grilled meats. • Available at the Cannibal, 113 E 29th St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-686-5480, thecannibalnyc.com). 12-ounce can $4.

Sly Fox Pikeland Pils
For picnic-blanket boozing, we favor this Pennsylvania brewery’s classic Northern German–style pilsner—a fine showcase for the style’s spicy hops and refreshing dryness. • Available at Whole Foods Market Bowery Beer Room, 95 E Houston St at Bowery (212-420-1320). 12-ounce can $2.99.

Wells Bombardier
Leave the Carling to the lager louts: If warm weather makes you think of lawn games and cricket matches, you’ll want to pack a proper British ale like Bombardier—a rich, malty sipper with hints of dark fruit and peppery spice. • Available at the Cannibal, 113 E 29th St between Park and Lexington Aves (212-686-5480). 16-ounce can $5.

Cisco Brewers Whale’s Tale Pale Ale
Inspired by English brewing traditions, this beer dials back the hops to showcase its bready malt backbone, with mild bitterness providing just the right balance to the sweetness. • Available at Whole Foods Market Bowery Beer Room, 95 E Houston St at Bowery (212-420-1320). 12-ounce can $2.99.

Stevens Point Nude Beach Summer Wheat
While it’s easy-drinking enough to fuel a game of sloshball in the park, the creamy mouthfeel and slightly fruity twang of this wheat beer will keep you interested as the day wears on. • Available at Growler Station, 26 W 8th St between Fifth Ave and MacDougal St (212-777-2337, growler-station.com/nyc).  12-ounce can $1.89.

Yoho Tokyo Black
For those cooler evenings when you crave a moodier beer to savor as the sun goes down, reach for this velvety, English-style porter from Japan’s Yoho Brewery. While the predominant flavors call to mind dark chocolate and espresso, a background note of mildly floral hops helps keep the intensity in check. • Available at Bierkraft, 191 Fifth Ave between Berkeley Pl and Union St, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-230-7600, bierkraft.com). 12-ounce can $6.50.