Summer Ale
Hog Island Beer Co.

 

(From 16fl can)
L: straw gold, opaque. One finger pure white head, small bubbles. Soapy. Pleasant lacing as well.

S: A very mild fruity sweetness to the nose. A little barley. Light aromas in all.

T: Crisp hops and a faint sweetness (from the beach plum presumably). The barley character isn’t malty but present, more cereal like but on the lighter side. Very faintly bitter on the end, more crisp.

F: light-medium bodied. Not particularly light as the cereal/oat moves this blond in between the light to medium bodied for me.

O: Everything so far about this beer has been “light/faint”, not exclusively to its detriment. It’s refreshing and an enjoyable beer for summer, as the name implies. The “faint” bite of the beach plum is nice without overly giving the ale a citrus flavor. Cereal barley taste is nice. No taste or note sticks out here - a nondescript american blond but not bad.

 

 

Summer Ales often seem to be somewhat lacking in any type of strong flavor and, thus, have not been among my favorite seasonal styles. I expected this one would be somewhat similar but, since I've been impressed by other Hog Island products, thought I'd give it a try. Picked up a single can at Wines and More in Buzzards Bay with no particular enthusiasm. Opened it that evening and my first taste indicated that my expectation was, to my drinking delight, wrong. Hog Island has created a Summer Ale with both body and a strong taste - nothing bland and watery about this one. 4 new cans have now replaced that single. I think I've found a new summer companion in an attractive 12 oz. can.