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It's all about the zest.
Rated 7.80 by 158 Beer Drinkers.
Rate & Post A Comment Below.
Summer Grains of Paradise
By Chef Executive David Lauterbach
Like most things, beer has it's season. Dark, hearty brews feel good in the fall and winter, and light pilsners and ales are just so durn tasty going down on a hot summer afternoon. Sam Adams Summer Ale is (surprise) one of those beers.
Those of you that have frequented Brian's Belly may already know that I usually don't care for any brews that are described as "wheaty" or use the word wheat in any way to promote the beer- it gives me visions of all kinds of things that make me shudder... like bowls of Wheaties or rednecks with a strand of wheat clenched in their gums.
But, as you would expect, beer has once again helped me overcome one of my own personal little foibles- and despite the fictional Sammy's ocassionally whimsical marketing gobbeldygook, I like this white ale that they have defined as "wheat ale brewed with grains of paradise and lemon zest." As it turns out, "grains of paradise" is an actual type of spice from the ginger family (insert Ginger Spice joke here).
What does that mean to you, the end-drinker? It means it's sensoric qualities can be defined as spicy (but not hot) and a little bitter. According to legend, the grains of paradise have aphrodisiac properties, which may emphasize your sexual prowess when drinking... like any man needs that.
The "zest" is a hint of citrus- like a squirt of lemon. It's nice and it makes for a tangy, refreshing beer... exactly what your body needs on a warm day. It pours a bit hazy into your glass, but levels to a nice golden color in a minute.
I usually think that beers that require you to add lemon or lime to are trying to hide something... a la Corona, to which I consider the wedge of lime an antidote of sorts. But this is different, and the aforementioned zest is a welcome taste to the brew.
Available April to August- so drink 'em while you can. As with most of Sammy's beers, we always recommend visiting their website for even more info.
Rated 7.80 by 158 Beer Drinkers.
Add Your Own Comment There are 53 Drinker Comments - Last 10 Displayed
11zeta» Load up the fridge all summer with this one. 11mr.steve» great beer for the summer.this and cherry wheat are the only sam adams products i drink. 8Creature Feature» I liked it. It's very refreshing. 1Winsor» Ok, but lets call it "cold soup" or someting please not beer.we drink more than just one! 10Matt» One thing I like about Sam Adams beer in general is that it's one of the stronger beers sold commercially that's still relatively affordable. Even the lighter varieties, such as the Summer Ale, are stronger than what you might normally get on tap. 8Ron» I liked it.. feel free to check out a less refined review and useless comments at bottleofpills.typepad.com.. Thanks for the review love your site. 9damace» not a real refined beer drinker but had my first sammy summer ale tonite. what a treat. light .. nice touch of citrus. nothing overbearing at all. great for a summer evening outside 8shesips» Pale,golden,blond... these are my leanings. This beer is quite refreshing and sooo tasty. 11AmberNAndy» We wait all year for this beer! It's a favorite with our whole family, TRY THIS BEER! 11rokndady» This beer is great! There's nothing better than a hot summer afternoon out on a shady porch with a Sam Adams Summer Ale and a Nelson Demille novel! It doesn't get any better than that!
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"The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day you're off it." -Jackie Gleason.
Like most things, beer has it's season. Dark, hearty brews feel good in the fall and winter, and light pilsners and ales are just so durn tasty going down on a hot summer afternoon. Sam Adams Summer Ale is (surprise) one of those beers.
