Samuel Adams beers are generally some of the best nationally distributed beers. While I find this particular Summer variety to be just above average, it’s still refreshing and about 10,000 times better than drinking a Coors Light or a Bud Light Lime or a Corona (yes, sorry, Corona belongs in that same category). Without further ado, away we go:

Appearance:
thepaintedman rates this:

The biggest concern here is that the beer actually appears a bit too “bubbly” for my typical taste. However, as a Summer style of ale from Samuel Adams, heavily carbonated is likely very intentional. The beer has a thick, frothy head and pours a pure golden color with great clarity.

Aroma:
thepaintedman rates this:

There is a slight hop aroma, though it’s subtle. The aroma hints that the beer is hop forward, but a stronger aroma would be preferable.

Flavor:
thepaintedman rates this:

This is a very crisp beer. There is a bready taste and very little in the way of any maltiness. As noted, above, the aroma was correct, as it is a hop forward ale, but again there is a desire for more. This tastes like a great “gateway” beer, like Cricket Hill’s Hopnotic IPA.

Palate:
thepaintedman rates this:

Mouthfeel here is all about the heavy carbonation at first… overpoweringly bubbly for me. After a few sips, this becomes a more welcome mouthfeel and by about half way through, I’d even say it’s relatively pleasant. There is a very dry finish to each sip, and a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Overall:
thepaintedman rates this:

This beer screams Summer fun. To quote a song from a TV show of my youth: “It’s better than bad, it’s good”. I wouldn’t buy a full case of this, but I’d gladly drink another couple if I were to pick up a second Sam Adams Summer Variety case.

Pssst… that’s it for the review, but I had a few notes from my friends at Keystone Homebrew Supply. They have a homebrew competiton coming up at Allentown Brew Works. Check out their page for other great stuff going on there.

Remember, contest is still going… until midnight.

Samuel Adams Summer Ale
thepaintedman rates this:
The peppery goodness of grains of paradise. A Summer must!

Ithaca Apricot Wheat
thepaintedman rates this:
Yummy and fruity… even your wife will like this.

Tattooed Brews El Hefe
thepaintedman rates this:
Unintentional sourness is bad. Poor craftsmanship is worse.

Monks Café Sour Ale
thepaintedman rates this:
When it’s intentional, sourness can be a wondrous thing.

Labatt Summer Blonde
thepaintedman rates this:
Very drinkable, very smooth, lacking in flavor.

Tattooed Brews Poison Apple Dry Malted Cider (Batch #2)
thepaintedman rates this:
That damned unintentional sourness rears it’s ugly head… again.

Cricket Hill Hopnotic IPA
thepaintedman rates this:
Transition brewery does it’s job. Easy IPA for aspiring geeks.

Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier
thepaintedman rates this:
Just a hint of blackberry in well-crafted Belgian style white.

Miller Lite
thepaintedman rates this:
Sympathy points for Harry “The Kid” Henderson. Otherwise, it’s crap.

Killian’s Irish Red
thepaintedman rates this:
A high end cheap beer. Not actually an Irish Red.