Summit Brewing Co. Goes Freakin’ Berserk With Hops

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by summitbeer, Jan 3, 2018.

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  1. summitbeer

    summitbeer Devotee (365) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    Summit Sága Headlines IPA Collection, Featuring Three New Releases

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    Legend has it, Berserkers were fearless Viking warriors known for entering battle in a crazed frenzy without armor or shield. Their descendants, it is said, roam the wintry landscape of modern-day Minnesota and its surrounding territories wearing nothing but t-shirts and shorts, braving The North’s bitter cold without so much as a light jacket. And what, you might venture, is this hearty breed’s secret? Hops. Their veins are thick with ’em.

    Known the world over for their preservative qualities, hops are on full display in Summit Brewing Co.’s latest IPA Collection, a new variety box of twelve 12-oz. cans set to crash your neighborhood retailer’s shelves in late January 2018.

    Summit Sága IPA leads the charge with its robust hop flavors and aromas of kiwi, apricot and passionfruit. Supported by three never-before-seen Summit IPAs, each boasting a bold and powerful hop presence, the Summit IPA Collection intends to slay bland beers once and for all.

    Summit Wee IPA
    Heavily hopped and low in alcohol, this sessionable pale ale presents aggressive aromas of passionfruit, melon, pineapple and tangerine, as well as sturdy malt flavors of bread crust and toast. At 4.7% ABV and 35 IBU, Summit Brewer Mike Swiggum’s creation promises a balanced attack. “Wee IPA will be very juicy and approachable. With tropical punch flavors and a mild malt bill, it avoids that dominating bitterness characteristic of some session IPAs.”

    Summit Experimental Hop IPA
    Assertively hoppy with intense aromas of fresh berries, pineapple, apricot, peach and coconut, Summit Experimental Hop IPA deploys hops so new and mysterious they don’t have names. Flanked by a complex grain bill featuring Argentina pale malt from Cargill — never before used in the U.S. in a production-level assault — Summit Head Brewer Damian McConn has crafted a drinkable IPA at 6% ABV and 60 badass IBU. “This ale,” he says, “will showcase the advances taking place in American hop cultivation.” Always advance. Never retreat.

    Summit Imperial IPA
    The baddest beast in the box, Summit Imperial IPA is a powerful ale that’ll batter your senses with immense aromas of tangerine, stone fruit, melon and lemon — thanks to a giant all-American hop bill. Weighing in at 8.5% ABV and 105 IBU, Summit Brewer James Birnie says, “It’s a big west-coast-style IPA with two dry-hop additions and assertive carbonation.” A medium body offers supporting malt notes of caramel and toast, helping you vanquish your thirst without destroying your palate. Let the myth-making begin.

    Hop heads and beer berserkers can test their inner Viking at the Summit Beer Hall with an exclusive flight of these brews when they debut January 5, 2018. In the weeks following, these beers will be available exclusively inside the Summit IPA Collection, and a limited amount of Summit Experimental Hop IPA will be made available on draft.

    Summit Wee IPA
    ABV: 4.7%
    IBU: 35
    Color: Sunrise Gold (7 L)
    Malts: Golden Promise, US Pale, UK Light Crystal, Flaked wheat, Malted oats, Carapils
    Hops: Azacca, Mandarina Bavaria, Nelson Sauvin, Huell Melon, Galaxy
    Yeast: UK Ale

    Summit Experimental Hop IPA
    ABV: 6%
    IBU: 60
    Color: Pale Amber (14 L)
    Malts: Argentina Pale, Cara Red, Carapils, Wheat malt
    Hops: Experimental Hop 07270, Bru-1, HBC 438
    Yeast: U.S. Ale

    Summit Imperial IPA
    ABV: 8.5%
    IBU: 105
    Color: Pale Orange (12 L)
    Malts: Golden Promise, US Pale, Carapils Copper, Malted white wheat
    Hops: Eukanot, Mosaic, Denali
    Yeast: U.S. Ale

    Serving Tips: Serve all four Summit IPAs at 42–46º F in a Nonic pint glass.

    For more, visit http://www.summitbrewing.com/summit-brewing-co-goes-freakin-berserk-hops/.
     
    #1 summitbeer, Jan 3, 2018
    Victory_Sabre1973, Hookstrat, Redrover and 10 others like this.
  2. writerwithwrywit

    writerwithwrywit Aspirant (253) May 11, 2016 Minnesota

    Sounds pretty good! Thanks for being a great brewery!
     
    #2 writerwithwrywit, Jan 3, 2018
    summitbeer likes this.
  3. HammsMeASAP

    HammsMeASAP Pundit (931) Jun 14, 2012 Minnesota

    Haven't you heard? People don't like these guys anymore.

    I will be buying some of this for sure.
     
    #3 HammsMeASAP, Jan 4, 2018
    LittleGus, summitbeer, Xanthophhyll and 1 other person like this.
  4. muck1979

    muck1979 Zealot (555) Jul 3, 2005 Minnesota

    Not enough innovation for my palate.
     
    #4 muck1979, Jan 4, 2018
    LittleGus likes this.
  5. summitbeer

    summitbeer Devotee (365) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    Sarcasm or serious? Some of these ingredients have never been used in the U.S. (experimental hops and malts). Also, you haven't tasted the beers yet.
     
    #5 summitbeer, Jan 4, 2018
    KiddVideo, Dan_K, Boldbrew and 3 others like this.
  6. writerwithwrywit

    writerwithwrywit Aspirant (253) May 11, 2016 Minnesota

    I did read that. It was worth a good laugh.
     
    #6 writerwithwrywit, Jan 4, 2018
  7. muck1979

    muck1979 Zealot (555) Jul 3, 2005 Minnesota

    Completely sarcastic. This looks like an amazing IPA lineup.
     
    #7 muck1979, Jan 4, 2018
    summitbeer likes this.
  8. summitbeer

    summitbeer Devotee (365) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    Wonderful! Hope you enjoy 'em.
     
    #8 summitbeer, Jan 4, 2018
  9. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I plan on get one pack, give it a try. I still drink some IPA's, but not (4) 12 packs a week like I did 4 years ago
     
    #9 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Jan 4, 2018
    LittleGus likes this.
  10. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    I'm a bit mystified by Summit's marketing strategy. This sampler seems to be a significantly new direction for the makeup of Summit's sampler boxes.

    For example, the Summit Penalty Box had the very nice High Sticke Alt as the box exclusive, along with 3 long-time main lineup beers (EPA, Horizon Red, and Winter Ale).

    Now, this IPA sampler box has 3 really attractive-sounding box exclusives along with 1 main lineup beer.

    I have to say, even though I really liked the High Sticke Alt, and EPA is one of the old-reliable beers in my 'fridge, I like the sound of this IPA box better.

    Looking forward to it (even though I'm not a big IPA drinker).
     
    #10 MNAle, Jan 9, 2018
  11. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    It might be a good marketing strategy. At least in the short run. Some people always have to try out what is new. It will in the short run at least generate a little talk at the bars/liquors store etc.Plus I think the younger crowd might look at and try the new beers. They can always bring back the old IPA's even if it's just short runs. heck they could even have a nostalgia 12 pack box in the future. But in the long run I wish Summit would think out of the box and bring out something really innovative and try to be the trend setter. I am not talking about dropping the standard lines completely, Just bring out a beer or two that makes a big statement. It appears to me that Summit has extra capacity?? How about doing something with it. How about a collaboration beer with one of the smaller new kids on the block, SN does it, others do it. How about Summit rootbeer or orange pop etc, the adult type and/or the family non Alcohol type. Nothing new look at the breweries in WI that also make soda. Summit soda on tap at the bars.
     
    #11 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Jan 9, 2018
  12. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    how about Horizon Red IPA, make it a fall/early winter seasonal. But tweet the formula a little. make it more robust. Maybe even a fresh hop beer seasonal.
     
    #12 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Jan 9, 2018
  13. cheeseheadinMinneapolis

    cheeseheadinMinneapolis Pooh-Bah (2,011) Sep 20, 2017 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    tweak not tweet
     
    #13 cheeseheadinMinneapolis, Jan 9, 2018
  14. HawkEye19

    HawkEye19 Crusader (413) Jun 15, 2006 Minnesota

    Sounds like you're embracing the part of the City Pages article where someone called Summit, "The Coldplay of Minnesots Beers". If so, I'll let Michael Agnew's comments post article speak for themselves: http://www.citypages.com/news/summi...ing-the-coldplay-of-minnesota-beers/467174403
     
    #14 HawkEye19, Jan 9, 2018
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  15. macgroveguy

    macgroveguy Initiate (0) Jan 22, 2015 Minnesota

    This isn't Twitter, you have the ability to edit your posts on this site.
     
    #15 macgroveguy, Jan 9, 2018
    Disc_n_Beer likes this.
  16. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    For 15 minutes...
     
    #16 MNAle, Jan 9, 2018
  17. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    I liked this exchange:

    referring to many of the new craft brewers: "These craft beers taste like mediocre home brew. I've made better beer in my bedroom."

    response: "Yum, bedroom yeast."

    :grin::sunglasses:
     
    #17 MNAle, Jan 9, 2018
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  18. tonye

    tonye Devotee (377) Oct 28, 2009 Minnesota

    Since no one has actually commented on the beers yet, here's my first impression from Friday at the taproom.

    Disclaimer: This is not a review. I only had a 7 oz pour of each one, and I was chatting with friends, so my attention wasn't just on the beer.

    Wee IPA - I thought this was quite good. I'm not a big fan of most session IPAs. Too many of them are just hop-water, but Wee IPA seems more like a real beer. The session IPA market is huge, so I don't understand why Summit would ignore that market by only including this in a sample pack, and only in the winter? I would definitely buy 12-packs of this in the summer (hint, hint).

    Experimental Hop IPA - I'm not a fan. I can't quite pin down what I didn't like, something with the malt or maybe just the balance I think. I'll have to try it again.

    Imperial IPA - Very tasty, and way too drinkable for 8.5% ABV!

    In summary, I will buy this sampler. As it hits the stores, I'll be curious to hear what other people think.
     
    #18 tonye, Jan 9, 2018
    JMN44, cmannes, maximum12 and 3 others like this.
  19. HipHoppin

    HipHoppin Crusader (472) Feb 11, 2015 Minnesota

    Ummm, hellooo? Saga?
     
    #19 HipHoppin, Jan 9, 2018
    tonye likes this.
  20. hara94

    hara94 Initiate (0) Apr 15, 2012 Minnesota

    I picked this up at Costco yesterday (24 pack), I liked the Imperial the best but enjoyed the session and the experimental too. I will buy this sampler again.

    @summitbeer I gotta say something about the packaging though. It looks cool but doesn't seem functional. There were several cases that already had the handles broken at the store, and mine broke as I was getting it out of the car causing the case to hit the floor and break open. Luckily none of my cans broke, just a few dents.

    Keep up the good work on your products, love the Keller Pils and this IPA pack.

    Cheers!
     
    #20 hara94, Feb 3, 2018
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