Summertime - Goose Island Beer Co.

Auraan

Arizona

3.71/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a clear golden color with no head. Nothing special, but nice enough. Scents of lager yeast, pale malt, doughy bread and some slight skunk. A lot like a German Lager. Flavors of biscuit, lager yeast, and a nice hit of grassy German hops. There is also a bit of an underlying frutiness there, lemon mostly. Pretty good, simple, but pleasant. Mouthfeel is light bodied with high carbonation, goes down easy. A pretty good German style lager, marketed as a Kolsch. I've never had another Kolsch to rate it against so I am not sure how it rates in it's style, but it's pretty good. Almost makes me forget who owns Goose Island.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 08:25:25 | More by Auraan

obrike

Texas

3.49/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Got this one out of a 12 pack mix.

Pours a fairly clear, bright yellow color with an nice head that sticks around for about minutes. Not much lacing in my 512 pint glass.

Not getting much of a scent at all...a few spices...maybe a hint of lemon.

Getting some lemon, light malts, and grassy hops. Very light bodied with a lot of carbonation. Certainly goes down easy enough.

A pretty refreshing beer on a hot day. The low ABV makes it quite sessionable for a pool party. Probably a one and done for me though as there's nothing here that really stands out.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 00:07:45 | More by obrike

TheSixthRing

California

3.54/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Bottled on date of 02/16/13

Appearance - Pours a clear, pale to golden yellow with a white finger width head. Fair retention, leaving a broken layer of microbubbles across the surface. Virtually no lacing.

Smell - Strong bready aroma, with touches of citrus, banana and hints of spice.

Taste - Bready upfront and throughout with bright citric undertones. Hits on a moderately bitter grass flavor near and into the finish.

Mouthfeel - Light in body with low carbonation. A touch on the watery side. Goes down well enough.

Overall - A solid brew. One I certainly don't mind drinking, but it's doubtful I'd buy it again. So many beers, so little time.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 23:03:22 | More by TheSixthRing

jwc215

New Jersey

3.28/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours golden with a thin head that stays for most of the duration. Little lacing.

The smell is a light lemongrass/orange touch with a hint of yeast.

The taste is a kiss of sweetness with a dry-ish finish. Pretty bland, but nothing distracting.

It is crisp and light, but not watery.

A "refreshing" brew. Crisp. Nothing offensive. Easy to drink. It's a light ale that leans towards a kolsch. Drinks easily enough.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 23:05:47 | More by jwc215

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.51/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This poured out as a light golden color with a fluffy white head on top. The smell of malt and subtle hops. The aroma is a lot like a pilsner. The taste of the beer is very light, not much of a significant flavor off hand. The mouthfeel is light bodied, drinkable and well carbonated. Overall it's a decent summer beer... Nothing too special decent sessional beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 03:08:11 | More by Knapp85

busternuggz

Arizona

3.14/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pilsner glass. Bottled 2-15-13.

Crystal clear pale straw color with a puffy, delicate 1" white head. Leaves spotty lacing.

Not a very prominent scent, but I get some DMS-y corn and slightly sweet grain, a little grass.

Grassiness and grain on the taste, some sweet corn. Finishes a little drier with more grass/straw. Nothing too exciting.

The body is a little too heavy, ends kind of sticky. Fairly well carbonated.

It's unfortunate that this Summer kolsch was bottled in the middle of February, I bet it was better fresh. I'll update my review if I get a fresher one some time.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 22:58:50 | More by busternuggz

wedge

North Carolina

3.51/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Brilliantly clear pale yellow color with a good amount of fluffy white foam above. Clean and subtle aroma...dried fruit, hay, sweet grain, and slightly sulfur-y yeast. Convincingly Kölsch-y thus far. Softly sweet grain and a crisp, spicy hop bitterness leads to a clean finish. Nice and simple with no off-notes to speak of. Light bodied and somewhat creamy carbonation that sort of takes the bite out of it. Nothing wrong with knocking a few of these back for refreshment.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 21:44:34 | More by wedge

ocelot2500

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear light golden color with a quickly fading fizzy head that leaves almost no lacing.

Smells of faint lemon notes with a little grain.

Tastes of the grain with some floral and lemon notes on the back end. Grainy sweetness leads off with a little bread to it. This blends into a slightly sharp lemon note. Touches of floral notes also add in. Ends with a bit of fruitiness that rounds everything out.

Mouthfeel is light with a crisp amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is a light, crisp beer that hits the right amount of notes to be easy drinking, but also keep me interested.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 00:23:29 | More by ocelot2500

UCLABrewN84

California

3.54/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottled 2/15/13.

4.9% ABV per the label.

Pours a clear gold with a foamy bone head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, and some fruity aromas. Taste is much the same with a fruity flavor on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is refreshing and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 02:35:07 | More by UCLABrewN84

hardy008

Minnesota

2.23/5  rDev -37%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

There's still snow on the ground, and Summertime Kölsch is on the shelves. Seems crazy, but why not pick up a single?

Pours a clear yellow to gold color with a one finger foamy white head with decent retention and lacing. Smells like lemon, with grassy and herbal hops, and biscuit malt. Not exactly my favorite combination of ingredients.

Tastes much like it smells with lemon, grassy and herbal hops, and biscuit malt. Some sweetness, with bitterness and tartness. Overall, not working for me.

Light bodied with plenty of carbonation. Nothing special here. I have had many better Kölsch's than this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 23:29:31 | More by hardy008

oberon

North Carolina

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured into my little used stange a clear lemon tinged light golden with a nicely formed half finger bone white head that clung nicely to the glass.Aromas are light with some mineral and toasted cereal grain mainly standing out.Flavors are lightly toasted with a hint of butteriness and lemon,there is a light smack of herbal hops in the finish.It's great for outdoor summertime activities so it's good for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 21:29:41 | More by oberon

BradtheGreat7

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Review taken Day 3 of the 2013 Masters

12 oz brown bottle with beautiful classic Goose Island labeling. Poured into a stange style glass.

A - literally sunshine yellowish/ bright golden. Crystal clarity. Thin white head settles quickly to a tiny ring of splotchy lace.

S - lager like. Bready malt and yeast aroma. Lemon, and fresh grass with typical kolsch apple/pear aromas.

T - Light lemony citrus with a grassy character. Light breadiness and kolsch style yeast flavors. Light apple note with a refreshing finish.

M - small bodied and thin. Nothing impressive flavor wise but does what it's intended to do in regards of refreshing yourself on a hot afternoon.

O - this is nothing worth going out of the way over, but does deserve some credit for the simple fact it was crafted to be a refreshing summer seasonal. No complaints In that department as it did just that. Nice to have around while putting in a hard days work out in the yard. While its nothing spectacular, it definitely is one of the best in it's style. For me personally the jury is still out on the kolsch style, but this particular kolsch isn't all that bad. It is sad to see Goose Island beer being crafted somewhere other than Chicago and I sure hope its not all of them. As long as some of its still made in its true home I'll continue to buy. If that changes sadly I'll be forced to let a great former brand go. As for now nothing has really changed. Summertime is still the same old summertime I've poured on many of hot summer days.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 05:55:17 | More by BradtheGreat7

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.54/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Bottled 02/15/13

Clear light gold color with rising bubbles abound. Soapy head stuck there. Looks light and quenching.

Grassy aromas with cereal notes, earthy hops, and bitterness. Light insinuation of lemon. Very mild.

Noting some citrusy hops and wheat tang, coupled by pilsner malts and mid-palate bitterness. Finishes quickly with lemony dryness and vegetable-like finish. Lingers faintly. Metallic middle. Bright for how simple it is.

Drinks wooly. Bushy carb. Balanced and easy. Good time drinking.

Decent kolsch, but I will most likely never buy again.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 13:42:54 | More by thecheapies

Halcyondays

California

3.39/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12 oz. bottle, I don't know why this is out in March-April, but OK,

A: Pours a dark goldenrod with a light white head. Solid retention, some good spotty lace.

S: Light grapey notes, some lemon.

T: Solid bready malt flavour with a lot of lemon. Some earthy hops on the back end. A light beer, but with a pleasant flavour and quite drinkable.

M: Light-bodied, crisp, quenchable in the hot 75 degree summer air.

O: A good Kolsch style beer. Enjoyable, it works in April, but something I'd much rather have on the 4th of July.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 04:30:05 | More by Halcyondays

timn

Kentucky

3.35/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Clear gold with a very small amount of bubbly head. Lots of bubbles.

S: Nothing. Really. I swirled it until I had a little whirlpool going, but couldn't really get any smell at all. It is allergy season, so maybe my nose isn't working. I don't think there is much there, though.

T: Bright grain / wheat flavor. Ends with a surprisingly strong bitterness that actually works well. This mostly tastes like you'd expect a kolsch to taste, but has that nice finish. Tastes like a summer brew.

M: Like the smell, not much here. The carbonation is strong, but everything else is pretty unnoticeable. That said, it is a kolsch, and I don't know that the mouthfeel of this one is any different than any other kolsch I've had.

O: Not bad, not great. It aims to be a season beer for the summer, and it works well enough for that purpose. Easily drinkable at a summer cookout, but I don't know that I would especially seek it out. Since seasonal brews are the thing nowadays, it is competing in an increasingly crowded field, and it doesn't distinguish itself. It's a good, drinkable beer, but nothing too special.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 03:42:01 | More by timn

EagleTalon

Arkansas

3.11/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Pours to a rich white one inch head, good lacing and clear light golden color. Aroma is a subtle blend of grassy hops and pale malt grain. Flavor begins with dry malt and ends with a grassy citrus tang. Mouthfeel is a bit limp. Overall this beer conforms to the Kolsch style but Ina very marginal and bland way.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 00:48:24 | More by EagleTalon

tito42

Missouri

3.55/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle to an imperial pint. Bottled on 2/06/2013 in Baldwinsville, NY.

A: Bright straw, clear, foamy white head, active carbonation.

S: Malt, wheat, lemon zest, corn.

T: Corn, malt, grape skin, lemon.

M: Light-bodied with a strong malt presence that dries the palate midway through, with a light hops finish.

O: Nice, light-bodied summer kolsch with enough flavor to make this a great baseball tailgating beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 03:28:29 | More by tito42

Maltmaiden

Alabama

4.05/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: Bright yellow. Bubbly. Appropriate head retention. Such a pretty beer.

S: Mostly wheat. lemon. Smells fine but boring.

T: Wheat. breadiness. lemon. touch of corriander. corn. Very well balanced with grain sweetness and hop bitterness.

M: light but not watery. Refreshing. lively. Very clean.

O: I really enjoyed this beer. So crisp and inviting. I think this brew could be enjoyed by savvy beer people and new-to-beer people. Perfect for summer!

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 05:01:09 | More by Maltmaiden

fx20736

New York

4/5  rDev +13%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

bought two bottles for $ 2.15 each from Beers of the World on 3/29/13. Bottle has a brewed on date of 2/15/13 so six weeks ago. The label says brewed in Baldwinsville NY which is 85 miles to the East of here.

poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pint glass, served at fridge temp.

old gold yellow with some active bubbles, a natural white head, nice lacing.

aroma: a delicate blend of pale malts and floral hops.

mouthfeel: medium.

taste: pale malts with just a hint of sweetness and a perfume like gentle hoppiness.

notes: another fine beer from my new favorite brewery. This gives easy to drink an exemplar model. I used to buy Stoudt's Karnival Kolsch but no longer. Made without flaws this Kolsch style beer with an abv of 4.7% could be the perfect Summer sessioner.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 09:01:59 | More by fx20736

HalfFull

California

3.38/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pry off bottle from Baldwinsville, NY brewery and poured into a pint glass. Shows a clear pale straw in color with a half inch of nearly white foam. Retention is a bit brief as the pour seems thinly carbonated but does manage to keep a light film with some agitation and drop off random lace. Needs more gas to fully appreciate.

Aroma of pale grain with a hint of flowery lemon, touch of wheat. No real distinctive yeast character, pleasant and lightly hopped. Close to a blonde ale in structure.

Taste is soft on the palate with a soft bitterness accompanied by a neutral malt character. Touch of lemony sweet citrus on the finish. Feel is appropriately light yet without much nuance particularly given the lack of head retention. Overall light and easy as intended though more enjoyable through the foam.

4.9% as per label.
Fresh bottle brewed on 2/17/2013, stamped on neck.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 02:31:30 | More by HalfFull

diamondc

Texas

3.8/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Straw colored, very huge & fluffy head. Filtered. Looks good.

S: Hard to get any discernible aromas. After a few swirls, I do get a faint lemon-y smell. Frozen concentrate orange juice. Sweet corn. Slight grassiness, too.

T: Very lemon-y, slightly tart. Sweet corn and grass. Very pleasant.

M: Quaffable, no big flavors. Would probably pair well with grilled fish

O: I like this beer. Very simple flavor profile, yet interesting enough to drink another.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 17:49:32 | More by diamondc

MShirokov

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I tried this beer last summer at a barbecue and became an instant fan.
It's called Summertime for a reason - it's a light summer beer. Drink it when it's hot out; it has a nice complex flavor, yet isn't "in your face" at all - great to quench your thirst on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 01:17:16 | More by MShirokov

shand

Florida

4.3/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A new entry for the Seasonal Creep Hall of Fame (sponsored by Leinenkugel's). I'm a sucker for a good Kolsch though, so I had to give it a try. Holy carbonation Batman! An insanely carbonated pale yellow body keeps a two finger head afloat for what seems like an eternity. The aroma is full of pale malts, grain, and a touch of spicy and citrus hops. The taste is pretty spot-on for a Kolsch, with slightly sweet grains and pale malts allowing some sharp and slightly bitter citrus hops do their job on top. The mouthfeel is light and very highly carbonated, and the drinkability is exceptional. Summertime is a very good Kolsch.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 17:09:34 | More by shand

tdm168

North Carolina

3.79/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - see-through gold with a thin, bubbly, fizzy, white head that fades quickly

S - bread, cereal grains, a bit sweet

T - cereal grains, a faint lemony presence

M - light bodied, well carbonated, crisp

This is a typical, though not flawless, example of a Kolsch. It's crisp, light, and refreshing. It has a solid drinkability. Overall, this is a good summer beer (though I bought this in May) that is simplistic and refreshing. This could be a solid hot day/lawn mower beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 04:25:56 | More by tdm168

TastyAdventure

Kentucky

3.81/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Served from a bottle into a a pilsener esque glass with a outward curve on the top to it.
A very appropriate glass for the style of beer.

I'm not a fan of light beers, but this was on clearance in winter so I grabbed one.

A - golden, little cloudy. one finger lacey head that sticks to the glass as you drink. lots of continuous bubbles.

S - standard light-beer taste, with a touch of lemon.

Taste - Light, like lemonade without the sugar, very refreshing. Moderate hops, not assertive, that's how I like it.

Overall: very pleasantly surprised with this one, considering my dislike for nearly all light beers. I can't wait to take a sixer of this to the beach this summer!

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 20:42:21 | More by TastyAdventure