Summerfest Lookout Thread (2023)

Same here, but the year before that it was late hitting shelves (around here) and hung around well into the fall.

Just a theory, but I think our local distro ordered less stock for that last year -- or maybe SN brewed less because of sales for that prior year.

 

Just confirming central CT at a grocery store, 20 for 12. There were 2 x 12 packs, which seems a small amount if it just landed. I didn't buy because admittedly I don't know much about this beer or why it's super special. Is it on par with Sunny Ridge?

 

The locator must be behind, I was wondering why there wasn't a single CT store listed anywhere as having it. I'll check to see what I can find in Putnam but then I may have to make a trip to plainfield!

 

Thanks for that input.

Cheers!

@DrStiffington

 

In the last few years, when I was paying close attention to each vintage's characteristics, I never got any real melanoidin out of Summerfest -- mostly a grainy, crackery malt flavor and herbal nobel hops.

I won't hide the fact that Saphir and Tradition hops in this rendition have me a little leery. But the fact that they've been able to hit the same IBU is sort of hopeful.

 

Had one today. Def a touch hoppier than I remember (it has been two years) but still a fantastic beer. Glad I grabbed a 12-pack.

 

I guess that was my point. Like most of us, @AlcahueteJ has probably consumed so many different beers in the last two years who could accurately compare? As I said, I guess it’s possible. I’m just happy to have it back as another craft lager option going into the summer months.

 

Saw 6 packs (cans) today at my local Kroger in Atlanta/Decatur.

Want to say it was 10.99? Will recheck this week. Didn’t grab was in a rush. Want to see if 12 packs drop and then I’ll grab, usually better deal at Kroger or Publix my way.

 

Mine was 10.99. That seems to be the going rate for Sierra Nevada 6 packs these days. Maybe some can still get them for 9.99 I dont know.

 

I felt the presence of Saphir was definitely noticeable in the one can I've had, though that could be confirmation bias from seeing the updated recipe before trying it. It wasn't overwhelming however (it was most apparent to me from my first whiff after opening the can) and I felt the crackery malt profile remained consistent with my memories of previous versions of Summerfest. Personally I'm a huge Saphir fan, so in some ways it was more enjoyable to me, but I'd say it was the aspect of the updated recipe that seemed most different from my recollection of previous Summerfests.

 

Checked the big box retailer today -- nada.

The usual beer guy wasn't there, so I couldn't ask about status.

 

Picked up a 6er from my local Kroger (Cincy area). Looking forward to revisiting, although I do wish it were in bottles.

 

wait so Summerfest is just a lager,?

i assumed with all the hype on here it was something else.

 

Keepin' up, are we?

 

i never bothered to look into it.

It should be labeled as 35+ to keep people like myself safe

 

Well, it's a label that's been around about 20 years, with only one year hiatus.

 

Yeah, more age prejudice at BA. It's becoming endemic.

 

Tried to find some here in Tucson yesterday, but no success. Will keep on trying, though Arizona's allotment probably all went to Phoenix (like everything else!)