The Fourth of July is a time for hanging out in the backyard, going to the beach and enjoying a beer or two while celebrating the independence of America. One of our favorite ways to do that is with a few independent craft beers — not many people embody the American spirit better than a craft brewer.

So we reached out to a few of them see which beers they’ll be drinking to celebrate America’s birthday. Light, low in ABV and easy-drinking are the qualities they all have in common, which works out — you’ll probably want to drink more than one.

Folksbier Brauerei Cucumber Lime Glow Up

Beer Style: Sour – Berline Weisse
ABV: 4%
Brewery Location: Brooklyn, NY
Distribution: Local

“Last weekend, I had Cucumber-Lime Glow Up by Folksbier for the first time. It’s bright, refreshing, and crisp, with a modest acidity that’s never overpowering, but always present. At 4%, I could drink it all afternoon. Small cans so your beer never warms up and bright neon labels that make them hard to lose. While we can’t get it in Vermont, it’s the first beer that came to mind.” — Jon Farmer, Foam Brewers

Bohemian Brewery 1842 Czech Pilsener Lager

Beer Style: Pilsner – Czech
ABV: 4%
Brewery Location: Midvale, UT
Distribution: Local

“I had what I think is the best Czech pilsner brewed in the States just a few days ago, from a place called Bohemian Brewery — they’re out in Midvale, near Salt Lake City Utah. It’s a style I love, and one that’s deceptively hard to make — there’s no hiding with a pilsner. They don’t sell [in Boston], but if they did, I’d have some in stock this weekend. Any chance they’ll read this and send me some?” — Dan Kierny, Harpoon Brewery

Half Acre Tuna Session India Pale Ale

Beer Style: Session India Pale Ale
ABV: 4.7%
Brewery Location: Chicago, IL
Distribution: Regional

“If I could be drinking anything this Fourth of July, it’d be Tuna from Half Acre. It’s a just-complex-enough pale ale with a hop presence that isn’t so massive as to nuke your palate. It’s just complex enough to keep you reeled in for a full day of drinking. Those folks are hops wizards and witches.” — Nick Nunns, TRVE Brewing Co.

Oxbow Farmhouse Pale Ale

Beer Style: Farmhouse Ale – Saison
ABV: 6%
Brewery Location: Newcastle, ME
Distribution: Regional

“Oxbow’s Farmhouse Pale Ale is a 6% ABV blonde ale fermented with their house saison yeast and hopped entirely with American hops. This beer was part of Oxbow’s original line up when they first opened in 2011 and is now available in bottle conditioned 330mL bottles for on-the-go consumption. It’s a great beer to drink on July Fourth since it’s super dry and has just enough hop character to keep things balanced, but also because it combines elements of old world brewing and American innovation.” — Joey Pepper, Folksbier Brauerei

Allagash White

Beer Style: Witbier
ABV: 5.2%
Brewery Location: Portland, ME
Distribution: Regional

“I’ve recently revisited Allagash White for the first time in a while, as one of our local beer bars in Athens has been keeping it on draft this summer. It’d be tough to find a more refreshing, just perfectly executed beer to sip while grilling outdoors in the heat this holiday weekend.” — Adam Beauchamp, Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Holy Mountain Holy Light

Beer Style: Light American Lager
ABV: 4.6%
Brewery Location: Seattle, WA
Distribution: Local

“My top pick for Fourth of July this year will be Holy Mountain’s Holy Light. I was recently in Seattle and brought back several cans of this delectable session-strength lager that packs much more flavor and body than its 4.6% ABV would suggest.” — Tim Adams, Oxbow Brewing