Victory Summer Love

Victory Summer Love is a summer ale that brings out the refreshing nature of one of my other favorite summer styles. What style is that, El Presidente? Read on...

The very beginning of the sip begins like a pale ale but the malt soon appears in the middle of the draught as malts tend to do. Rich lagers and doppelbocks tend to reveal their sweetness in the middle of the mouthful, allowing the drinker to enjoy the body of the brew... Here, Summer Love reveals its secret weapon employed in the pursuit of a clean, refreshing brew: pilsner malt.

Some of my favorite summertime brews are @VictoryBeer Prima Pils and @Troegsbeer Sunshine Pils. The dryness helps pilsners to finish cleanly, while the Saaz hops provide a unique aftertaste.  Summer Love is an interesting hybrid that utilizes pilsner malt for a light body while its whole flower hops brighten the brew with a citrusy tang.

There's another Philly area brewery that makes a pale ale with pilsner malt... @YardsBrew makes Philadelphia Pale Ale with pilsner malts as well, and it is a go-to beer for session drinking and especially warm weather outdoor events like barbecues and tailgaters. Yards Philly Pale seems to closely align itself with the British brewing tradition of smoothness, balance, and subtlety. The hoppy character is a little more lemony than grapefruity... Victory's Summer Love seems to highlight the brewers' German training. Yes the brew is pale and drinkable but some slightly bolder spicing seems to peek through and crave the company of some home-grilled hamburgers. 

In its first season on the market, Victory Summer Love has made its way onto my summer bring-to-the-party list. Along with the aforementioned Yards Philly Pale, Flying Fish's Farmhouse Summer, Victory's own Prima Pils and Troegs Sunshine Pils, Victory Summer Love really captures the essence of an accessible summer seasonal. Even the artwork on the label features baseball, camping, fishing, fireworks, ice cream and bathing beauties. If you haven't tried Summer Love, give it a shot before it goes into hibernation. The bright, floral hops and the pilsner malt will provide a crisp, refreshing drinking experience.

Victory Summer Love:
Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0
Style: .95
Personal Preference: .99

Total Score: 3.94 Flags

Magic Hat Wacko (Citizen Review)

What: Magic Hat Wacko 4.5% abv
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Light, citrusy, and refreshing."

Representation: .75
Accessibility: .75
Style: 1.0
Personal Preference: .75

Total: 3.25 Flags

Visit Magic Hat's website for more info

Reviewed by Citizen Bob T.

Harpoon Summer

Harpoon Summer Beer:

Much like Sierra Nevada Summerfest, Harpoon Summer Beer is a lighter, more refreshing version of a particular style. This German-inspired Kolsch style beer is very crisp and clear. Light by their nature, kolsch beer are easily drinkable without ever sacrificing that real beer flavor. This particular one is really light, fine-tuned for the heat of summer.

Actually, this beer is even light enough to drink right from the bottle. I usually prefer pouring into a glass, of course. This one I split between bottle and pilsner glass. Either way, I was really satisfied. I think that's the word I'm looking for: satisfying. Lots of flavor, though nothing crazy. Light enough for drinking, but not a candy-ass brew. Pretty traditional, so style points won't be off the charts, but solid representation.


5.0% abv isn't over the top, but keep in mind when sampling Harpoon Summer Beer that it smells and tastes like BEER. Some non-beerheads can try a wheaty beer or citrusy beer and say, "Ooh, that's different." But a Kolsch dosen't skimp on the beeriness and Harpoon Summer doesn't skimp either. Harpoon would go well with barbecued chicken, fish, or sausage. Or whale.

Harpoon Summer Beer:

Representation: .90
Accessibility: .90
Style: .80
Personal Preference: .85

Total Score: 3.45 Flags

Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Sierra Nevada Summerfest:

Not a "summer ale". Actually, Summerfest isn't even an ale. More of a celebration of summer, Sierra Nevada Summerfest is a lager that is light and refreshing, easily drunk in honor of the thirsty months ahead. Though I've already noted that lager isn't my favorite style, I must say that I'm kinda sorry I don't have another Summerfest in front of me right now. Defininitely one of the best lagers I've ever had.

Summerfest is crisp and dry with a light to medium body. Really refreshing. This is a beer that will beat the crap out of any of the big mass-produced lagers that we beer officianados find a bit boring. Way more flavor comes out when care and pride go in, so pick up some of this brew if you need to renew your faith in lager. It's a safe bet since Sierra Nevada don't make no junk.

In the context of the summer ales I've been tasting, my preference remains with the wheaty, citrusy ales that have a more seasonal flair but this lager could certainly make the jump from seasonal to perennial. Sierra Nevada's offerings are more interesting and unique than anything those big breweries are putting out there, regardless of the season.

Sierra Nevada Summerfest:

Representation: 1.0
Accessibility: 1.0
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .75

Total Score: 3.6 Flags

FF Farmhouse

Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale:

When working clearing brush on the presidential ranch, I work up quite a thirst. One sure-fire way to quench that thirst is with a Farmhouse Ale like this one from Flying Fish. The citrusy twang complements the light body and pretty dry finish. In the pantheon of summer ales, Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale is the lightest I've encountered so far. Overall, the FF is the only summer I've tried so far without a wheat base. This takes the body to a lighter place and keeps the sunlight shining brightly through a golden hue (no haze at all).

This beer is a bit complicated in that it varies a bit from bottle to glass to draft. Too cold from a bottle, it's a little mealy and not quited as thirst-quenching. Poured into a glass is much better (I dig the tulip glass, but a pint is just fine), and draft seems to be the best.

This is one of FF's seasonal offerings I really look forward to. It is, in a word... refreshing. Really drinkable at 4.6% abv, this beer would be awesome on a deck or at an outdoor venue. Snobbier drinkers (like myself) may seek out an unfiltered wheat, but anyone can enjoy this golden beer. Slap that $3.00 bottle of slop out of your friend's hand and make him fork over the itty bitty extra cash for something decent. Have a good summer.

Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale:

Representation: .85

Accessibility: 1.0

Style: .85

Personal Preference: .85

Total Score: 3.55 Flags

Summer of Sam

Samuel Adams Summer Ale:

There are lots of summer beers out there and they seem to get better and better. Sam Adams is sort of the successful big brother of the craft brew industry and usually keeps the level of competition pretty high. This Summer Ale has a nice golden color and slightly hazy complexion. The body is just right with a smooth mouthfeel, too. So flavorful and consistent. Get it in the bottle or on draft!

Honestly, there's not too much to say about this beer. It's pretty awesome. Craft beer drinkers can appreciate it for being tasty and refreshing. Beginners may see this as an opportunity to dip their toes into the "micro brew" ocean without getting put off by strong malty or bitter "over-the-topness".

I'm not sure about the public at large, but the Cabinet and I agree that Sam Adams' seasonals were a bit (just a bit) off about two years ago but this year's Winter and Summer offerings have stepped it up again. In fact, of all the summer ales I've tried so far, Samuel Adams Summer Ale probably tops the charts. I have some more tasting to do, so look for a page devoted to Summer brews in the next few weeks. Maybe even a podcast...

Samuel Adams Summer Ale:

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style: .90

Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.8 Flags