Samuel Adams Summer Ale: In the desert we can't get summer brews quick enough
Written: Apr 26 '01 (Updated Jun 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Quenching, crisp, refreshing, excellent tangy flavor.
Cons: Seasonal
The Bottom Line: A perfect refreshing, thirst-quencher just in time for summer. A must for hefeweizen fans, slightly similar to a Belgian white.
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| andaryl's Full Review: Samuel Adams Summer Ale |
It barely seems a couple of weeks since the Spring Ale took over from the Winter Lager, now Summer Ale is already with us. It seems a little early for summer, but out here in the desert the temperature’s already hitting 90, and following spring break, the restaurants and hotels are getting a little quieter. It’s actually summer here year round except in July and August when there’s no season to describe the heat. So in a way we have to be thankful that Sam decided to send us the Summer Ale so early.
Brewed since 1996, Sam Adams Summer Ale is described as: “a new American white ale, a reinterpretation of the classic Belgian white beers”. Belgian white is generally a medium-bodied ale with 50% unmalted wheat and a Lactobacillus fermentation that gives the beer a very cloudy white appearance, and typically flavored with coriander and orange. Inspired to make Summer Ale even more refreshing and summery, the Samuel Adams brewers instead added lemon zest and after several trials Grains of Paradise, an antique brewing spice indigenous to the coast and islands of West Africa.
Summer Ale pours fairly foamy although the carbonation is pretty light. It’s basically golden in color, although the wheat just does provide a slight hazy cloudiness. The aroma is subtle, a hint of spice but predominantly wheaty, reminiscent of a Hefeweizen. There’s a light maltiness to the flavor, but more noticeable is the tangy citrus from the lemon, which makes this brew both crisp and refreshing. The Grains of Paradise produce a light peppery citrus note, enhancing the lemon tang. A slight dryness in the finish makes this an excellent summertime thirst-quencher.
This is another fine offering in Sam Adams seasonals So far I have found the October, Winter, and Spring extremely enjoyable, and the Summer is no let down. As with all the other seasonals, Summer Ale is extremely appropriate for its season, and something I will be enjoying much of through the hot months.
This is certainly not a true wit beer. Although this was the basis, the brewer deviated a little, with pleasing success. It’s extremely easy drinking and I would recommend that any drinker at least gives it a try. As an admirer of Hefeweizen’s I would strongly recommend that any other fans check this one out as something a little lighter and even more refreshing.
Ideally suited to hot summer afternoons it would typically pair well with light foods such as salads, but also with spicy foods such as Buffalo Wings.
Recommended:
Yes
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andaryl
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