Summerfest Lookout Thread (2023)

I’m not saying he’s lying to you. I’m saying there is gross negligence in the industry that allows these things to happen. It’s an easy fix, it just takes a little giving a care about doing proper business and protecting the customer from beer that doesn’t represent the brewery well

 

Hmm. Okay.

Besides him telling me he'd take it up with his buyer, I'll be sure to hit him up on his responsibility to all of us beer geeks he should be representing.

Nevermind I already mentioned he's one of the better guys out there, working for one of the better distros in the area. AND he gave me a refund.

Right now I'm more concerned with the SN distro -- who's a longtime problem with beer on shelves, who hasn't dropped Summerfest anywhere yet.

 

Locator still isn't showing any spots in CT as of yet - I think I found a close place in RI and I'll see if I can make my way there.

 

And, this morning I'm corrected, looks like some has dropped overnight! Can't wait to pick some up!

 

Summerfest is in NJ!

I suppose the beer Gods were smiling on me today, because I had to go down to Hackensack for jury duty. And while in the area it just made sense to check out Total Wine, and there it was!

Will be back later with impressions.

 

Michael, I look forward to reading your thoughts especially if you notice the change in recipe (i.e., differing hops).

Cheers!

 

I was hoping for the same thing, but nada. It's getting closer, now it's only 32 miles away but nowhere in west Michigan. I'm going to look at one of my stores anyway this afternoon just hoping that they deliver first and then update that finder.

 

2 spots within 10 miles (opposite directions) of me now. Hoping by the time I can get out it might be even closer.

 

Been down here in Shore Point's distribution region of the state for at least 10 days - the receipt for my sixpack is dated 04/16/2023. And a 12 pack from Kramer's southern NJ region purchased a few days later.
Life on the border...

 

Got me there! I did check last week but only used a 25 mile radius.

 

I gotta tell ya, this is exactly what I was expecting. If they made any changes in the recipe I don't think they're showing up in the glass.

It starts off with a nice moderately grassy aroma, with kind of a neutral bready quality on the malt. The hops take over on the palate with a big shift to deep spice, and a finishing floral flourish; malt stays mildly bready and rounded with a hint of honey. The finish could be crisper and snappier with the hops for my taste, but it's always been that way.

Some tweaking could definitely bring it to the next level, but it's still a solid 4 to 4.2 to me. The spicy mid palate experience is the best for me, especially if I take big gulps- which I believe that I shall do from now on. Very much enjoying it, especially at this price point.

 

I now have no question whether to buy a 12-pack.

Question now is, maybe 2?

 

It's in Silver Spring, MD.

 

Just bought a 12 pack and had my first one last night - It's very close from what I remember however I'm going to reserve my thoughts till I have a chance to have it on it's own. I should have had it first before an IPA.

 

-- Amateur.

 

Save the hops for second, big alcohol for last.

 

I had it today. Its been a few years and i'm not sure i've had it this fresh but I also find it a little more hop forward but more in a noble hop way and I'm digging it. Malt character and finish is what I remember. Great summer drinker and if it has changed, I think it's for the better.

 

For me, this beer always felt like an American beer regardless of any marketing. It felt more European than many American lagers from smaller brewers, but it’s still not easily confused with an import. The six pack of the 2023 edition I bought is rapidly vanishing from my house. For an American lager, I love it. I’m with @TongoRad on this one - it feels like the Summerfest I remember… albeit that’s a two year old memory. In the past I had some Summerfests early in the year where the hop character jumped right out.