Summerfest
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

12oz can purchased from the fridge as part of a mix-a-six pack for $11.99. "53 PKGD 040323" so this is just over two months old.

Look: Pours a medium to deep golden color. Very clear. There was a nice frothy whitish head that quickly dissipated to a wispy border around the rim of the glass.

Smell: It has a nice earthy bitterness along with some citrusy and floral hop notes. Nice crackery malt base. Some spicy herbaceous notes too.

Taste: That is a very nice-tasting beer. The flavors mimic the nose. I like how up front, there is a subtle acidity that enhances the bright, lemony flavors. The finish is mildly bitter at first, but then it leaves a gently sweet crackery malt behind.

Feel: It's light to medium bodied with a spritzy carbonation. Very easy to drink.

Overall: I have to say that I don't often taste the malt character in so many beers because the hop profile overpowers the subtle malt flavor. However in this beer it comes through in a very nice, balanced way. And the hop presence also makes itself known in a strong yet restrained way. This is a solid beer, my first time trying it. I am glad that Sierra Nevada brought it back this year!

From the website:
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME
5%

BITTERNESS UNITS
28

CARBS (GRAMS)
13.5G

CALORIES
163

PROTEIN
1.9G

MALTS
Munich, Pilsner, Two-row Pale

HOPS
Magnum, Saphir, Tettnang, Tradition

YEAST
Lager

From a can straight from the fridge with a package date at the end of February 2026, an aggressive pour into a pint glass resulted in a 2-finger white foamy, sudsy head topping a straw to pale gold colored lager. Decent lacing as the head recedes with upper-moderate carbonation.

Aroma is hop forward, citrusy lemon zest with mild pilsner malt notes coming through. Some floral and spicy notes there.

The flavor follows the aroma pretty much, the hops prevail with lemon zest and pith, perfumy floral notes. There's a peppery note mid-palate along with an astringent floral note that prevails through the finish and aftertaste balanced with the lemon pith bitterness. Bitterness is low-end medium, and sticks around in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is spritzy with the higher end moderate carbonation, mid-level medium body. The finish is bone dry and makes you want to keep drinking.

This is not what I'd personally consider a representation of a Czech lager, but maybe an American version of such...which isn't really a true representation of a lager/pilsner brewed in the Czech Republic. I paid roughly $2.33 per can in a sixer, and would most likely choose a Warsteiner or Weihenstephaner lager over this the next time. Better yet, when thirsting for a Czech lager I'd prefer a bottle of Pilsner Urquell. Cheers y'all!

Pours clear golden with a bright white head. Aromas of light citrus, floral hops, and malty biscuit. Taste is clean malt sweetness balanced by crisp herbal and lemony hop bitterness with a slightly dry finish. Mouthfeel is light and smooth. Overall, it's crisp and has a lemony freshness that's great for hot days.

12 oz can

Pours a clear, chill-hazed pale gold color with large 3-finger sudsy white head. Great retention. Leaves plenty of sticky cobwebs.

Aroma is grainy and biscuity up front, followed by some grass and lemon zest. Lightly floral hop aroma.

Taste follows the nose: Sweet biscuit malt, cereal grain, grass, and lemon zest with a modest spicy hop finish.

Medium light body with moderate carbonation. Faintly dry on the finish.

This is a good, crushable Czech pilsner. That's it. That's the review.

12 oz can. Pours clear gold with a small white head that fades quickly. Nice carbonation. Aroma: not much, faint malty sweetness. Taste: sweet malt, grass, bitter finish. Nice pilsner for hot weather.

Good summer beer if you like a lighter IPA. I realize it’s a lager but it comes off hoppy to me. I do not like hoppy beers so this isn’t for me. Not super hoppy, but too hoppy for my taste.

Pours a crystal clear golden hue with a light cream color head. Fairly light on carbonation. Notes of lemon and biscuit. Heavy in malt sweetness and fairly bitter. Summerfest is fairly one dimensional and doesn't do enough to separate itself in a crowded and competitive lager/pilsner field.

(review from July 2017) Excellently flavorful, crisp & refreshing lager/pils with good heft on the palate & goes down fast & easy. Great on a hot summer day.

 

 

 

RB transfer

Drinking out of a stemless Teku glass.
Pours a clear light gold color with a medium head.
Crisp smell of mown grass, wheat.
Weak mouth feel.
Compared with most lagers, nice sweet taste of malt with maybe hints of biscuits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look...Pale yellow with no haze and a white carbonated head
Smell...Citrus lemon zest. grass, and light hop. Bread and yeast for sure
Taste...bitter lemon zest and hop followed by an overlapping dryness finishing both bitter easily
Feel...slick and smooth with no lacing but never under carbonated
Overall..A solid beer and true to a more German Pils... Very bitter on the finish and dry. Very good and would have again because I guess they change it up a little every year