Thoughts on Summit Brewing?

This thread reminds me that I need to put Summit into my regular go to when I have selection brain freeze and to grab some Saga or their Porter next time I hit the packy.

 

Live in MN so I guess take this FWIW.

Of the year rounds Saga is awesome, EPA is close behind, Horizon Red & Great Northern Potrter are very good. Also sounds like the Horizon Red recipe got a re-work and now includes a much hoppier profile and is being listed as an IPA. Need to try this.

Of the seasonals the Summer Ale is very good. The Maibock & Octoberfest are solid. Frost Line Rye (Coming Soon) is now listed as a seasonal and if this is a re-work of the Unchained Series RyePA (as rumoured) it will be in "Saga good" territory.

Unchained Series & Union Series beers are the special releases. Not sure how much of these beers are available outside MN but I am rarely disappoited when I pick them up and often mourn their passing when they are gone. Some past stars include: Kolsch, RyePA, Imperial Pumpkin Porter, Gold Soverign & Rebellion Stout.

The Oatmeal Stout is world class as referenced above but is tap only and not sure how much of it gets sent out of state.

I know nothing about liqour retail but if your customers are craft enthusiasts who value really good beer at a really good price over hype & buzz then the beer will likely sell.

 

I just had Summit for the first time the other day, it was their Saga IPA and I really enjoyed it.

 

We brought Summit Saga in as one of our core low priced IPA's -- the trio we push at that price point is Hop Notch, Thomas Hooker Hop Meadow, and Summit Saga. I use Saga and Hop Meadow as entry level IPA's, switches for regular IPA drinkers looking for something less hoppy, or for price conscious shoppers. I have yet to have someone come back disappointed in any of the three.

We have tastings every Thursday here and recently we held an IPA Shoot-Out and Saga was 5th following Commodore Perry, Bengali Tiger, Coronado Islander, and Inversion IPA.

We will be expanding our Summit offerings this year...once I have a chance to taste the rest of their beers...tough job but someone has to do it.

Hope this helps...I commend you for reaching out to the community for their input. Wishes of success for you.

 

Went to Andersen Windows Headquarters for a field trip about 5 years ago! Got really drunk on Summit something at my hotel lounge, watching March Madness! I always remembered Summit and picked up some Saga (from hearing about it) when it hit Ohio about a month ago! It was good/solid! The problem now is, good/solid isn't good enough, especially when I can just as easy buy White Rajah, Columbus IPA or Head Hunter! To the OP, I'd give it a shot without draining your wallet on it! I'm sure you've been stuck w/lesser beers before and know the game!

 

Summit Brewing Company produces some excellent beer for a really great value. Their core lineup is incredibly solid and can't think of any that I don't enjoy out of them all. Their special releases range from really good to excellent. They are one of those breweries that may not knock you socks off with rare offerings (aside from the oatmeal stout), but never fail to satisfy. Which is really the way I prefer breweries. It's nice to be able to reach out for a wide array of well done beers at any time.

 

I'm thinking about moving to St. Paul!

 

Summit is solid overall. Their Oktoberfest is one of my favs regardless of style
But Saga is extremely overrated. Even for its overstated value.imho

 

I purchase it on most of my trips visiting family in a state that has it. Great price point and never disappointed with taste; $10.99 +/- $1 for a 12er mixed pack. Recommend selling it if you have the room to sell it at that price range. Wouldn't carry it for much more; love it at that price and am always happy drinking it, but may just pass it by if more expensive.

Horizon Red is one of my favorites. Never tried saga yet

 

I have not had many Summit offerings, but I've liked everything that I tried so far. I'd call them a solid quality brewery.

 

I have been disappointed with many of Summit's early offerings; I felt that many of them had a "legumey" flavor found in raw peas and peanuts, which I find repulsive, especially in a porter, which also lacked body. But then came Saga-HOME RUN!!! love it, but then, a shitload of hops can cover a multitude of sins..... so I have been unwilling to retry some of their first products I found so disappointing.