SUMMER SEASONALS PROVIDE REFRESHMENT FOR THE HEAT OF SUMMER

Featured Image: “Summer wildflowers in the Rocky Mountains” courtesy of  Adirondack Explorer.

Every year as summer draws near, America’s craft brewers roll out their summer seasonals. The MO is to produce beers with light body, low alcohol and refreshing flavors. Often such beers emphasize lightness too much for my taste – too often they are also light on flavor. Usually, when I’m looking for something more delicate, I’ll pass on the “summer beer” and go for maybe a Pale Ale or an IPA. But the beers below are different. Yes, they are lighter and more refreshing but they also give ample flavor – and the term “summer seasonal” a more respectable name.

Deschutes Twilight Summer Ale. This summer seasonal from Deschutes is ideal for the warm weather. Inthe style of a Pale Ale it is fairly strong with hoppy bitterness (provided by whole cone Amarillo, Northern Brewer, Cascade, and Tettnang hops) and a refreshing citrus, slightly spicy aroma. This is nicely complimented by Cara-Pils and Carastan malts, which add roundness, softening the hoppy edges. The aroma offers fresh wheaty, malty notes, which are reprised in a firm palate and a crisp, slightly hoppy finish. Overall, it shows nicely balanced malt and hop qualities, with 35 IBUs. Not too heavy, not too light, its 5% ABV is just right for warm weather sipping.

Samuel Adams Porch Rocker. This is a good example of a seasonal brew specifically concocted in this case for the summer heat and outdoor activities. Lemon is added to the Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend and Hallertau Mittelfrueh Noble hops and it sure shows through. As the company notes, this is a take on a Bavarian Radler, which typically combines lager and lemonade. It’s lightness is emphasized by its low 4.5% ABV and 8 IBUs.