What happened to 'Gansett Summer?

Yes youre right. There's barely a hop presence at all and it tastes really bland and watered down. I wouldnt even say its decent, really. I remember last year it had a pretty decent hop presence and more flavor.

I know its a longshot, but Im holding out hope that this is just the case with the 12 oz. 12 packs and hopefully the 16 oz sixers still taste the same as last year. Havent had them yet this year so I dunno. Its a longshot but Im willing to find out.

 

It wasnt super hoppy to begin with, correct but it still had a decent hop presence that I clearly remember and now theres barely any hop presence at all. They definately changed the recipe and watered it down. Too bad. Im going to be checking the BA reviews for this all summer to see if other people are onboard with us.

 

I like it just as much as last year's. I'm almost through with a 12 pack. I'd blame palate shift more than I'd blame the beer. I've had a ton of this beer and it's the same.

 

haven't had it yet this year. sounds too bad though. wonder if the hop blend changed? i would have to imagine Gansett is producing a lot more than last year, and Citra isn't getting any easier to get.

 

Haven't noticed any difference. Still one of my favorites.

 

I thought the hop character dropped off more between 2011 and 2012. This year's doesn't seem to be much different than last year's imo. Still has great balance and drinkability, and enough flavor to keep me interested in wanting more - what session beer is all about imo.

 

It is for homebrewers. :-)

 

Try Wachusett's Light IPA - much more hop character than Gansett summer - but more bitterness and caramel malt character too, so harder to drink when they warm up.

 

Seems very muted this summer. Will not buy anymore.

 

I agree with this. I also love harpoon summer. Can't wait to see a 12 of cans.

 

I've never commented on an "it was better last year" thread. (This is my first time...I usually can't notice a difference in beers from year-to-year). But with 'Gansett Summer, I just can't believe the difference I'm noticing this year. Kinda bummed out. Maybe it is palate change, but jeez...it just seems so different. I'm getting ZERO hop aroma. The malt seems the same. Maybe I'll give it another try later this summer, but for now, I'm gonna skip it. Sad to say. Maybe it's just me, but the aroma seems...gone.

 

I totally agree--I picked up a 6-pack of the 16 oz. cans recently, and was really let down by the lack of aroma, brightness in the flavor, and even the sense of a watered-down body. It could be me and it could be palate shift, but I haven't noticed similar changes in other beers. It's not bad, but definitely not like the beer I fell in love with a couple summers ago, when it seemed more like a light-bodied, low-ABV, but fairly hoppy session beer. I'll try it if it's offered to me again later in the summer, but I won't be buying any more until it seems like things have changed. Too bad--this was a beer I really looked forward to, and was even considering offering as a beer with wide appeal at my wedding.

 

I have picked up ZERO hop character in 'Gansett Summer this year.

I also haven't picked it up yet this year. This could be a contributing factor.

 

I bought a six of tall boys,a lot you guys are insane and can't remember last year.

 

For what it is, I thought it was decent. So far all of the session IPAs have been all nose and too thin. I would say Left of the Dial was the best so far (still amazing nose and too thin though).

I'll be picking up Narragansett Summer because of the problems I mentioned above. Styles that are meant to be low alcohol just have more flavor.

For example, Narragansett Summer (4.2%), Honker's Ale (4.2%)...etc. If I want something hoppier, I'll just grab a pale ale for now. Headwaters Pale Ale blows any of the session IPAs out of the water, granted it's a bit higher than most of them at 5.1% abv.