A blockbuster buzz

Everyone knows to pair a movie with popcorn, candy and soda, but which craft beers best complement the cinematic blockbusters of summer 2016? SN&R film critic and craft-beer blogger Daniel Barnes provides the answers with this summer movie and craft-beer pairing guide.

Summer Movie: Independence Day: Resurgence (June 24)

Beer Pairing: Robust barley wines work well with cave-aged cheeses, so pair American River Brewing Co.’s Rockhound Barleywine with the cave-aged cheese of Roland Emmerich.

Summer Movie: Suicide Squad (August 5)

Beer Pairing: Pair this ensemble of reckless sociopaths with a reckless ensemble all your own by creating a “suicide” blend of great, local hop bombs, including Device Brewing Co.’s Integral IPA, Auburn Alehouse Gold Digger, Berryessa Brewing Co.’s House IPA and Mraz Brewing Co. EDH IPA.

Summer Movie: Ghostbusters (July 15)

Beer Pairing: For all of the overgrown 11-year-old boys emasculated by the idea of a female-led Ghostbusters, serve a West Ashley saison from female-led Capitola brewery Sante Adairius Rustic Ales.

Summer Movie: Finding Dory (June 17)

Beer Pairing: Oyster stouts are an unfortunate rarity among craft brewers, and few, if any, locals make one in the traditional style. In the absence of a good oyster stout, pair this fishy sequel with a tart but flavorful low-alcohol beer like New Glory Craft Brewery’s Key Lime Gose or Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s Otra Vez.

Summer Movie: The Secret Life of Pets (July 8)

Beer Pairing: This DreamWorks Animation offering concerns a lost dog and his unhinged rabbit sidekick, so chase a pint of Bike Dog Brewing Co.’s crisp and refreshing American Wheat with a shot glass of Jackrabbit Brewing Co.’s Ugly Bunny Double IPA.

Summer Movie: Jason Bourne (July 29)

Beer Pairing: Seattle-based brewery Elysian Brewing Co. distributes in Sacramento now, so buy a bottle of its Space Dust IPA to remind you of the forgettable films that Matt Damon was previously making instead of more Jason Bourne movies.

Summer Movie: The Legend of Tarzan (July 1) and Ben-Hur (August 19)

Beer Pairing: Better buy a couple growlers of Track 7 Brewing Co.’s Panic IPA, not just for the beer’s clean hop profile, but to match the moods and binge-drinking requirements of the unfortunate executives who greenlit these two likely box-office bombs.

Summer Movie: The Founder (August 5)

Beer Pairing: Michael Keaton stars as Ray Kroc in this story of the 1960s legal struggle over the McDonald’s franchise, so pair the film with Beerito, the Vienna-style Mexican lager that Oskar Blues Brewery created for the Chipotle chain once owned by the McDonald’s Corporation.