Samuel Adams has just released its Summer Ale, a limited-edition brew scheduled to be on shelves until Labor Day. With April’s showers following us around, isn’t it a little early to be thinking about summer? Not so, Samuel Adams’s founder and brewer, Jim Koch, says. Mr. Koch’s theory about the seasons is that Northeasterners tend to start thinking about summer beaches and barbecues the minute a whiff of warm spring air blows. The ale is brewed with grains of paradise, a West African spice related to cardamom. Mr. Koch says he was inspired to use the spice because of its lovely name: The spice lends a mellow, slightly sweet flavor to the beer. Lemon rounds out the remaining spiciness, adding a light, tart twang. The beer is great for barbecue fare, with the grains of paradise and lemon’s ability to cut through heavy, meaty flavors. Start getting those coolers ready, because summer and the beach are calling.

Samuel Adams Summer Ale is available at most supermarkets for $6.99-$7.99 for a six-pack.