What about sparkling apple cider like Martinelli's for the non-alcoholic drinkers? It's wonderful stuff and very festive.

Do you mean a light beer as in low calorie? Or light as in type of beer? How many people do you expect to serve? What about a mixed case, lots of distributors sell it that way, with 4 different types of beer?

light type of beer, not calories

I do the sparkling apple cider, in the fall.

I just need a 6 pack of beer. 3 adults

refreshing beverages for GS and step GD

I copied this from Linda (Mississippi)

Coconut Kiss!

1 oz cream

1 ½ oz cherry juice

1 ½ oz pineapple juice

1 dash grenadine

¾ oz coconut cream

Shake over ice cubes in a shaker.

Strain into a large glass over crushed ice and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Enjoy on a hot summer day!

Or perhaps an Orange Julius drink for the kiddos?

Beer I can't help you with. LOL I drink any like Bud,Miller,Lite,Coors and its not often I drink that. But Coors is best out of those.

I love Hefeweisen, especially Pyramid. Not too light, not too dark, served with lemon so it's especially summery. It's my fav.

Mexican beer like Corona or Dos Equis is a light lager. Have some lime wedges for those who want them.

French sodas or Italian sodas come in many flavors besides lemonade. They are similar to sparkling ciders but made with fruit flavored syrups.

Amstel Light is both low in calories and light in color.
Asahi is a nice light colored Japanese beer.
Heinekin, a good light colored German beer.

Kids might like root BEER

I like Miller Lite and Miller Lime... those aren't gourmet though.

Beer Margaritas are delish! Even people who do not like beer will like these.

BEER MARGARITAS

* 1 (12 fluid ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
* 12 fluid ounces tequila
* 12 fluid ounces water
* 12 fluid ounces beer
* ice
* 1 lime, cut into wedges

Pour limeade, tequila, water, and beer into a large pitcher. Stir until well-blended, and limeade has melted. Add plenty of ice, and garnish with lime wedges. Adjust with additional water, if needed.

I usually use only about 8 oz of tequila.. the 12 oz. makes it really strong IMO.

Here is a link that might be useful: Beer Margaritas

I'm no help here since I havdn't drank alcohol in years.. but I think anything lemony or citrusy fruits for the kiddos would be good. Shrimp and Lemon go well together..

I'll say the Mexican beers are a good choice for your group. Sounds like great fun!

Corona is a nice Mexican beer, I think they make it with lime. Delis near me sell mixed six packs of beer. Definitely have a special beverage if any kids are coming.

Sam Adams Cherry Wheat is nice. (Not a light beer, however. DH always said if he wanted light, he'd just add his own water)

Either of the Mexican beers are good, but Dos Equis would be my preference. Still thinking about the kiddos.

I agree about serving Mexican beer. Perfect for hot weather. You should also have a light beer.

As to kids, this is one that mine like (and me, too), it tastes like a Dreamsicle!

Orange Sherbet Punch (about 12 servings)
4 C orange juice
1 C milk

3 T sugar
2 t grated orange peel
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1 C chilled sparkling water
1 Qt orange sherbet

Combine orange juice, milk, sugar, orange peel and nutmeg in large pitcher. Mix until sugar dissolves. (Can be prepared ahead up to 3 days. Cover and keep in fridge).

Just before serving, pour sparkling water into orange juice mixture and stir to blend. Scoop sherbet into large glass punch bowl. Pour punch over and serve immediately.

Another vote for the Mexican beers...Pacifico, Tecate, Corona, and Sol are all good and not heavy or sweet.

I also like Asahi Dry

Maybe you should buy two six-packs!

I would recommend the Dos Equis also.(It is pronounced "dose EHkeys" all in one word)
You can have a bowl of lime wedges to put in the beer if they desire - it is really good. The beer that already has the lime flavor in it isn't so great.
I also like Michelob Ultra. It isn't fancy - but it is a nice light low carb beer..it is great in the summer. It doesn't make me feel all stuffed and bloaty. It goes great with food.

Lydia, those beer margaritas sound interesting. and Connie, I love that recipe but I would throw in some rum or coconut rum, not for the kiddies of course! But I will def make that in the "adult" version next chance I get.

When my kids were in middle school, they were introduced to Fuzzy Navels - virgin, of course, they all LOVED it. Still do, in fact. They are put out by Bacardi, and you'll find the cans of the concentrate in the freezer section of your grocery store. They're usually located by the frozen orange juice. They have several different varieties, and I'd highly recommend them. Just blend them up with ice...nice and easy!

I agree with the Mexican beer suggestions.

thanks

I think I will go with the Corona

maybe a limeade fizz for the GK's

Another Corona drinker here. Don't forget the lime wedges.

Yes Corona for sure with Lime and Salt.

Here in Texas, we love our Shiner beer. I've never tried the light ("why would anyone water down a perfectly good beer?") but the bock isn't "heavy." I think Dos Equis is way better than Corona, which is way better than Tecate. Sam Adams Cherry Wheat is is also a good choice. Yuengling makes a good light.

Here is a link that might be useful: all you want to know about Shiner beer

I vote for Corona! Heiniken is good too.

But nothing beats Molson's! :-)

For a light beer maybe go with Blue Moon. It is made by Coors and easily available all over the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Moon_(beer)

http://www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com/

Also consider 312 which is an ale.

http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/312_urban_wheat/16.php

When picking up the 312 beer check out the natural craft sodas they make too.

http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/our_sodas/5.php

I highly recommend Sprecher beers and the Shakparo Ale they put out. They have quite a variety and seasonal beers too.

http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/beer.php?cat=5

Sprecher also makes gourmet sodas. A bit too sweet for my taste but very, very popular with everyone.

http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/soda.php

If your gathering was larger I would recommend the private lable available with your own design or photo on the bottles. That would wo your guests. Check these out:

http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/private_label.php

Check out your non chain grocery stores for good quality sodas like this below. I find it at the imported foods store for some strange reason, along with Jarritos brand flavored sodas. Jarritos pineapple flavor is my favorite.

http://www.jarritos.com/

http://elegantfoods.net/brands/124-boylan-bottle-works

And don't forget Izze soda. May all time favorite, especially the grapfruit one. Starbucks serves it and it is now more available at chain grocery stores. The also do sparkling juice too.

http://www.izze.com/products/

And speaking of sparkling juice...........Welches makes a sparling grapejuice in both purple and white that is sold year round.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sprecher Private Label

For a shrimp boil I would use Sam Adams Summer Ale or Shipyard Summer Ale. I prefer Shipyard, but it may not be available in your area (it is made in New England, but not as big a company as Sam Adams has become). Allagash is also excellent, but another one that may not be available.

my choices would be
Blue moon
Corona

or if you can find it...my favorite special occasion beer.

Chimay Blue

I am not a drinker but a few weeks ago I had a Sam Adams Summer Ale, it was great! So refreshing!

Yes - Sam Adams, Shipyard, and IPA all make a Summer Ale. One of those (Shipyard, then IPA, then Sam would be the order of my preference) would be great, especially given the heat and the menu.