Review of Samuel Adams Summer Ale
Posted By Ken Tuesday, 24 June 2008 21:45
Summer is here, and of course I'm going to try the seasonal from one of my favorite beer producers. I had this during dinner at Max & Erma's, funny enough, as it was on drink special. I was a huge fan of Winter Ale, which I need to review as well, so I was interested in what they put out for summer. See how it went...
Ken's Review
Taste: A- Sam Adams Summer Ale is a fine beer when it comes to taste. Much like the Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, this beer really gives you a summertime feel and would go great around a bonfire or at summer party. The beer starts off smooth, then coats your tongue with some unique spices and just a hint of lemon zest. You wouldn't think at first that it is a real summer-type beer, but the after taste seals the deal.
Packaging: B+ The packaging is the typical dark bottle, with the Samuel Adams label. This one has "Summer Ale" across a yellow banner, and shows Mr. Sam Adams himself holding up a pint. Nothing special, nothing lacking. Just good ole Sam Adams.
Value: B+ Sam Adams, by nature, or virtue, or whatever other adjective you want to use, does tend to run a bit higher. But the quality makes it worth it. A sixer of this will run you in the vicinity of $7.99 to $8.99, depending on where you get it. For a good, solid beer to enjoy the summer with, no complaints here in spending a little extra.
Drunkenness: B+ Summer Ale comes in at a solid 5.2% alcohol content. This is enough to get you feeling good and enjoying a warm summer evening fairly quickly. Which in a way is good, given the price of a sixer. Not shabby at all in the alcohol department.
Overall: A- I have never tried a Samuel Adams beer I did not like, and this one is no exception. Sam Adams has a unique way of capturing the seasons in its seasonals brews, and it does a superb job here as well. If price isn't a huge issue, and you want to get a good buzz going for the summertime nights (or days), then I would recommend going with this one. No question.