There comes a time in every hophead's life when he or she must acknowledge that turbohopped beers, while delicious, aren't the most refreshing options in the icebox.

That time is now.

In July and August, when heat and humidity conspire to melt us, we need sessionable, flavorful beers that cool us down without knocking us out. My choice: wheat beers.

German, Belgian and American brewers each impart their own twists to wheat-beer recipes. German-style hefeweizens are brewed with yeasts that produce aromas and flavors reminiscent of bananas, bubble gum and cloves. Belgian-style witbiers are often spiced with coriander and orange peel. And American wheat ales — my favorite of the bunch — showcase clean, refreshing qualities by letting their malted grains stand out more so than yeasts or spices.

Whether summer yardwork or office work has you overheated, here are some wheat beers to help keep your cool.

• Sierra Nevada Kellerweis: An American take on a traditional Bavarian hefeweizen, Sierra Nevada's Kellerweis is offered year-round but is especially satisfying in the heat.

Creamy banana aromas lift out of the glass, and a crisp yet full wheat flavor comes through on the finish. Some yeast sediment typically settles at the bottle of hefeweizen bottles; you want this in your beer.

To make sure you get every last bit in your glass, pour the first two thirds as you would a usual beer, then stop and swirl the remaining third in the bottle before pouring it. (4.8 percent alcohol by volume.)

• Big Sky Trout Slayer: Montana's Big Sky Brewing Co. puts an image of a guy lifting a fish out of the water on the labels of its Trout Slayer Ale. And because the beer comes in cans, you get the idea this might be a decent six-pack to bring on your next fishing expedition or float trip.

It is. Unlike many wheat beers, Trout Slayer is filtered, giving it a smooth, clean mouthfeel. Hops add a slight grassy spiciness to the finish. (4.7 percent ABV.)

• Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat: Boulevard proclaims Unfiltered Wheat to be "the best-selling craft beer in the Midwest," and it's clear why this hazy ale appeals to a wide range of drinkers.

As the name suggests, this American wheat ale is unfiltered, lending a cloudy-straw appearance and a light wheat flavor. There is not a lot of complexity to this beer, but on a hot day, with chicken and corn on the grill, complexity is the last thing you need. (4.4 percent ABV.)

• Bell's Oberon: To many, the sight of Bell's Oberon Ale in midspring signals the return of our friend the sun. Of course, the big yellow-orange sun on the label helps us make the connection.

The sun's color on the label nearly matches the honey-gold appearance of the beer. And, continuing the yellow-and-orange theme, lemon and orange citrus flavors seem to pop with every sip. (5.8 percent ABV.)

• Southern Tier Hop Sun: Wait a minute, this is supposed to be about not-hoppy beers, and here one's called Hop Sun? Go with it.

Southern Tier's filtered American wheat ale is dry-hopped, which translates to floral aromas that aren't present in many of the other beers in this list. Hop Sun has a slightly sweet flavor from the malted wheat that's cut by some hop bitterness. (4.9 percent ABV.)

• O'Fallon Wheach: Although technically a fruit beer because it's brewed with natural peach extract, O'Fallon Wheach is a wheat beer at heart (wheat + peach = Wheach).

A distinct bready-wheat flavor holds up nicely against the juicy peach presence. Summer in St. Louis wouldn't be the same without Wheach. Bonus points for being available in cans. (5.1 percent ABV.)

Be on the lookout

• Schlafly Witbier is scheduled to be released on draft only at the Tap Room (2100 Locust Street) on July 23. It follows the Belgian tradition with its additions of coriander and orange peel. You can ask for a lemon slice if you like, but beware: That extra acidity will steal the beer's foam and all its wonderful, spicy aromas.

• New Belgium Berliner Weisse is the newest release in the Colorado brewery's Lips of Faith experimental series. St. Louis is receiving a small allocation that should be appearing on shelves early next week. This imperial version is an interesting take on the German weissbier style, containing sour, tart, lemony flavors and 7 percent alcohol by volume.