Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Yup, sorry for the rant. 'Twas a night of aching joints followed by a series of Guatemalan Jumping Beans.

Main thing is, Summerfest is a kick-ass brew, not "Macro" by any reasonable stretch, and I'll be drinking my fair share this summer betwixt the various regional Hefeweizen and Kolsch-style offerings. I might even pick up a case of Jever to enjoy this summer, after my visit to a civilized corner of the country (where they keep the cases sealed-shut <-- wink, wink)

 

Yes. It's a strange world where the Beer Geeksters worship the pumpkin-pie flavored beers, the coffee- and chocolate-flavored beers, etc., yet ridicule a well-made, fresh, American-brewed pilsner-style lager. No one ever thought it'd come to this back in the '70's.

 

Mr. B -- I have to wonder if the distros serving you, further south in the county, are different from those up north here. I went to 5 different liquor stores and 2 different groceries up this way, including DiCarlo in Mundelein -- no Summerfest. Can't explain it.

Can't recall how much Ruthless I saw, but I did see a lot of Big Foot... not to mention some Glissade. Yeah, I typed that right.

 

You're right, what was I thinking?

 

After I read this thread this morning, I went to Trader Joe's and picked up a single.

 

I don't see Summerfest as a Pilsner(where are the hops?) more like a dortmunder.

 

I'm a big lager fan, been drinking a lot of German pils lately, bocks, helles, schwarzbier, and light lager-like stuff like kolsch, and I have to say I found Summerfest mildly repellent. There was a stale sort of aftertaste that I hope was anomalous - I'll try another eventually to give it another shot. But if I had to pick a top American summer beer for me right now, it might be Stoudt's kolsch.

 

One of my favorite session beers. Light-years ahead of BMC, but accessible to those who drink it. A truly superior "gateway" beer. I'm hoping this is the next to be canned, although I'm not sure if that makes logistical sense for a seasonal.

 

Kellerweis is fantastic every bit as good as the german weizens. Even better on tap

 

Ooh, no way. I think Summerfest is an average pilsner, but it's squarely a pilsner and not anything like Dortmunder Gold.

PS: Kellerweiss is a terrific beer, wish I could try it on tap, never seen it.

 

Im working on a 6er of these bad larrys right now as a matter of fact. Very delicious, Indeed!

 

You're missing out.

 

I really like Summerfest. Very enjoyable beer when fishing in spring/summer.

 

I picked up my first 6 pack of summerfest last night, and I have to say, I quite enjoyed it. The only other pilsner I've had was Pilsner Urquel, and it was skunky. I will have to venture more into this style. Summerfest is very refreshing.