Summer Swelter Ale
Baxter Brewing Co.

Summer Swelter AleSummer Swelter Ale
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Baxter Brewing Co.
 
Maine, United States
Style:
Herb and Spice Beer
Ranked #77
ABV:
4.7%
Score:
80
Ranked #26,325
Avg:
3.49 | pDev: 16.33%
Reviews:
42
Ratings:
223
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 01, 2022
Added:
Apr 21, 2012
Wants:
  7
Gots:
  47
Our first unfiltered offering, Summer Swelter Ale is the perfect warm weather beer! Summer Swelter Ale is light and refreshing while still keeping your taste buds interested. The malt base features a hefty dose of wheat for a big, fluffy head and a soft, round body, yet keeps the beer drinkable even during the dog days. The light malt character is more than balanced by a blend of citrusy American hops, giving Swelter a crisp bitterness without being overpowering. The hoppy citrus aroma complements the ingredients that make this beer so unique: lemon and lime peel, Kaffir lime leaves, and lemongrass provide an subtle yet unmistakeable floral nose and just a touch of bracing tartness, taking the refreshment of Swelter to the next level.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by apasternak:
Photo of apasternak
Rated by apasternak from District of Columbia

3.5/5  rDev +0.3%

May 11, 2014
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by LAM01833 from Massachusetts

Aug 01, 2022
Photo of DirtKing55
Rated by DirtKing55 from Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +43.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
On vacation in Maine. Best summer beer I’ve had yet.
Aug 08, 2018
 
Rated: 3.63 by 322wingedfoot from Pennsylvania

Aug 12, 2017
 
Rated: 3.58 by paresis from Massachusetts

Aug 01, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by wertschy from Pennsylvania

Jul 28, 2017
 
Rated: 3.49 by Nucleosynthesis from Massachusetts

Jul 23, 2017
Photo of digboy
Reviewed by digboy from New Hampshire

3.72/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 oz can - got from a buddy, don't usually go for fruit added beers

Pours a hazy yellow gold color with a thick 3 finger head of large bubbles that settle down with large clumps sticking to the glass.

Aroma has the citrus as billed but also has a malty base that is less appealing to me. I prefer a solid hop smell but then this beer relies on lemon and lime rather than getting hops to simulate it, so that may be the difference I smell. Still not bad though - don't read it the wrong way.

Taste is fresh and citrus-fruity up front without any weird side tastes. Low malt helps establish the flavor and adds a touch of caramel to balance off the bitter. Mid-taste is when the bitter citrus peel flavor kicks in and by the finish you are left with a bitterness on the tongue. The lime definitely comes through more than the lemon/herb, which is nice. There is that malt grain taste creeping in but it is low key... yet present after the up front taste always.

Feel is light and seltzery and unsticky - typical Maine hazy feel.

This is a nice take on the hazy. My skepticism of fruit-added beer is unfounded with this one as the citrus flavors blend nicely with the caramel base. Not candied as it easily could have been - they are trying to go for the dry citrus peel side more. Well done but there are plenty other beers I will get before this one.
Jul 14, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by Celtics76 from Rhode Island

Jul 11, 2017
 
Rated: 1.54 by MJSh3a08 from Massachusetts

Jul 07, 2017
 
Rated: 3.81 by Kayakguy from Massachusetts

Jul 05, 2017
Photo of Lone_Freighter
Reviewed by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

3.94/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Reviewed from notes and had this when it was called Celsius. The appearance was a hazy yellow colored body with a light yet foamy lumpy white head. The head lasts about a good minute. There are a ton of bubbles up the sides of the pint glass. A decent amount of carbonation gently rises from the bottom. The smell has hops up front with light citrus backing it up. Some malts come in as the beer warms. The taste is tangy yet sweet sort of lemon combined very nicely with the malts, some coriander and lemongrass comes out as the beer warms. The palate is light, smooth, crisp, and drinkable. Overall this is another good beer from Baxter’s. Get to the head of the grill line!
Jun 15, 2017
 
Rated: 3.75 by twillingthenoz from New York

Jun 15, 2017
Photo of LukeGude
Rated by LukeGude from Iowa

3.09/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Drank from the can at Acadia National Park. Looking for an easy drinker and succeeded to some extent, but didn't hook me. Lemony. Weird after taste.
Jun 05, 2017
 
Rated: 3.76 by dental from Massachusetts

Jun 03, 2017
 
Rated: 3.67 by Kurzman from Rhode Island

Jan 27, 2017
 
Rated: 3 by ArtZan from New Jersey

Oct 28, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by 2GOOFY from California

Oct 01, 2016
Photo of cbutova
Reviewed by cbutova from Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A- Hazy golden copper body into a tulip from the can. The head is white, fluffy and rises to a half inch high. Good retention and several large blankets of lace.

S- Herbal and citrus driven aroma. The lemongrass definitely comes out strong and beyond that there are general zesty citrus hints and cooking herb notes. Just a touch of cereal grains.

T- Takes on more of a lime feel, actually big time, in the flavor as the bitter peel and some lime juice notes take hold. Balancing out the lime are notes of lemongrass, wood, earthy cooking herbs and general citrus pith. Cereal grains and yeast bread lay down a foundation.

MF- Light bodied overall but the texture builds up with a substantial creaminess and frothy feelings. High end carbonation leading into the bitter citrus peel finish.

Carries itself with plenty of herbal and citrus centered flavors. Best of all none of the ingredients dominate and it finds itself coming on smoothly with a light but creamy body. The lime ends up shining.
Aug 15, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by GFD400 from New York

Aug 07, 2016
Summer Swelter Ale from Baxter Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 223 ratings