Somersault - New Belgium Brewing

mactrail

California

2.78/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Impeccably clean, brutally crisp. I mostly taste the lemon. A sourish flavor is the most noticeable trait. Very light and on the thin side. Really thin.

Clear pale golden color in the chalice. A slight head, but quite sudsy in the mouth. The mouthfeel is the opposite of "rich," whatever that is. I don't care for the sour feeling in my stomach as this goes down. Maybe it's a thirst-quencher, but not on an empty stomach. A hint of hops, but I only tasted them when I burped, sorry to admit. I am just not getting any aromas.

I suppose this is a matter of preference, whether you like the sharp and tart flavor. It doesn't relate very well to the Blonde category. More like a malt-free Wit with an overdose of citrus. From the 12 oz bottle. "Best before" 19 Aug 2012.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 04:12:02 | More by mactrail

Giovacchini

California

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- pours a light gold color with a thin white head.

S- lemon, pepper, floral hops, and a little yeastiness.

T- pepper, lemon, some tropical fruits, poppy seed, and bread.

M- mild carbonation and a nice dry finish and a subtle bitterness.

O- This a great blond from NB. It's a great summer beer and I look forward to drinking this on a nice hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 04:10:13 | More by Giovacchini

Mdog

Minnesota

3.2/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Yellow-gold, good head.

Smell: Mild citrus, hint of grass.

Taste: Very lemony, almost artificially lemony. There is a hint of black pepper in there and a dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Light as it should be. If you can deal with the lemon it is pretty drinkable.

I'm not a big blonde ale fan, this has more flavor than many, but that flavor is an artificial-tasting lemon. Not offensive, but not really what I am looking for in a beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 19:59:47 | More by Mdog

CTraft

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a 2-finger head, which stays for a little while, has a dark, cloudy yellow appearance. I did not detect much of an aroma in this one.

Taste: strong, yeasty, but tasty! with a yeasty finish

Mouthfeel: strong, tangy, carbonated, goes down easy

Overall: a great sipping beer for a warm, summer day

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 18:10:25 | More by CTraft

BadgerBeer

4.55/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Got a 6 pack at a local liquor store.

Absolutely love Somersault from New Belgium, one of my favorite Blonde Ales and summer seasonal. The taste is fantastic, a nice blend of citrus and smooth finish. I highly recommend this beer to anyone for a summer beer, very easy to relax and enjoy a nice summer's day with.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 05:25:46 | More by BadgerBeer

magictacosinus

California

3.18/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Poured into a pint glass. Freshness date is 08/12/12.

Produces a blonde, golden color indeed, as well as some modest carbonation. No head to speak of, although a ring remains atop the glass and some laciness. There's an apparent thickness to this that definitely makes it a distinguishable ale rather than a generic lager.

Fantastic sweetness galore on the aroma, though! Other than sugar and honey, the yeast contains a strong flavor of pineapple, passion fruit, and perhaps strawberries. Far more tropical than I expected it to be, and contains a malty backbone underneath the hops, alcohol, and fruitiness. Pretty good, although remains subtle overall.

Hmm, far more malty than I expected, although the flavor seems to be a mixed bag overall. There's light hoppiness on the tongue, and immediate malty flavors at the beginning. However, the end is a little too alcoholic on the astringent side, and a texture and flavor equivalent to gelatin pops up out of nowhere. I honestly wish this retained the fruity aromas in the flavor, but there are barely any that are overwhelming enough. More disappointingly is perhaps the body of this beer: while it is moderately malty in nature, it's extremely watery towards the end. The strong alcohol taste further throws off the flavors that could of come around in this beer.

Not the worst beer of its kind, but horribly unbalanced. Why can't they make more beers like Dig, which are thick, juicy, and with a moderate hop explosion? This works aroma-wise but the drinking experience on its own is not my favorite. Works well with a meal due to its lightness, but it's definitely a blonde ale that was trying to be something else. Whatever it was, I've no clue.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 23:17:01 | More by magictacosinus

lstokes

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pale yellow with a fluffy three-finger head and lots of lacing. Smell is grainy and not great, but the taste is nice--toasted grain, tart citrus hop, a little bit of apricot. Faint sourness in the aftertaste which makes it not as easy of a drinker as I would like. Would probably drink again in the summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 03:18:08 | More by lstokes

StoutishDan

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a six pack from Publix $8.99.

A - From the bottle poured into a Tulip glass (I've been on a Tulip glass kick lately, regardless of whether it matches or not. Pours a super clear light Gold color. I've got lacing all the way down the glass and the head is still hanging around.

S - Not too much on the nose. Some hops, citrusy, and clean.

T - A little tart from the hops used. Malty finish, but not too sweet or creamy. Light bodied, but sturdy enough. Goes down easy. Hop bitterness is low, but still there. Nice and refreshing. I like this! Definitely a Summer beer.

O - I liked this. It was worth buying a sixer. The time I've been looking forward to trying this beer was worth it.

If I was to rank it from 0-100 I'd give it an 89.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 22:38:18 | More by StoutishDan

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.23/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

not a great seasonal from new belgium. pours a very watery looking pale yellow color, clear as can be, with a small white fizzy head. smells like czech malts and lemon extract of some kind. flavor is very lemony, but not in a fresh lemons way at all. a light biscuity malt flavor comes in there too, right before the metallic brassy tart aftertaste comes in. pretty gross at the end actually. feel is too light, even for a summer beer, there is just no body here at all. medium carbonation is fine, but this beer isnt happening from the get go. it is sad to see the spring seasonal dig be replace by this one. dig was pro, this one is weak street.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2012 18:07:57 | More by StonedTrippin

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Re-post of hacked "jmkratt" account :(

look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured from brown 12oz bottle purchased the day it hit the shelves at the local store. Poured to a pint glass. beer pours a golden honey straw color with a decent 1 finger white bubbly head. Perfectly clear. Decent retention and lacing.

S - Mild but pleasant aroma of peaches/apricot as well as a malty sweetness. Perhaps a hint of honey.

T - Similar to the nose though the malt is more pronounced. A biscuity bread flavor with medium sweetness. The peach aroma is more of apricot in flavor. Light bitterness. Finishes clean and crisp.

M - Light bodied and lightly carbonated. Slightly creamy.

O - Very easy to drink and therefore a nice summer brew. Not too complex but pleasant. The wife really enjoyed it. I will definitely buy more of this this summer.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 05-02-2011 18:30:46

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 15:20:24 | More by hopfacebrew

plasma

Iowa

3.73/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Light creamy head with a bit of citrus and hops on the nose. Pale straw yellow color and clean appearance with steady flow of rising bubbles. Tight, sharp carbonation makes for great feel, also not to thin. Taste the same as the smell, slight hops with a citrus finish. A fairly drinkable beer, I'm sure I'll have it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 01:55:49 | More by plasma

omnigrits

Texas

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a perfect pint.

A. Pale straw colour with an off-white head. Nice retention and sticky lace.

S. Sweet fruits and some grain. A little lemon too.

T. Taste is more full than a lot of blondes I've tried. More lemon and sweet summer fruit flavours, a malty graininess plus a peppery spice character. Maybe a hint of clove. The hops are muted, as they should be for this style, but lend an earthiness to the beer.

M. Light in the body with a prickly carbonation and a deliciously dry finish.

O. Pretty good. I don't often drink a blonde ale, it just doesn't appeal to my palate. But this one is worthwhile. Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2011 00:25:07 | More by omnigrits

superspak

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle, best by 08/28/2011. I think this will be my first blonde ale. Pours hazy golden straw color with a nice 2-3 fingers of fairly dense white head with fantastic retention that reduces to a decent sized lacing cap that lasts. A nice amount of lacing clings around the glass as well. Aromas of big lemon, pepper, biscuit, grass, spiciness, and other light fruitiness. Some very nice aromas here with good strength as well. Taste of lemon, pepper, spices, bread, citrus, grass, and a bit of tart graininess. Fair amount of bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of lemon, bread, and spices that last for a bit on the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a moutfeel that is a bit on the watery side, but not in a bad way. Drinks really easily as I would have expected for a beer brewed for the summer months. No alcohol presence at all as expected. Overall, some seriously great stuff here. Nice amount of well balanced flavors and super smooth drinking.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 03:45:46 | More by superspak

ChadQuest

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

well, after having a bunch of beers with little to no head this one pours a very nice pillowy white head with sticky lacing, really makes me thirsty, well done. body is perfectly clear light golden color.
Aroma is biscuity and lemony, lofts nicely, impressive for a blonde ale i have to say.
Flavors are grainy up front with a light crisp body that makes the lemon and apricot flavors pop.

This is a well crafted beer, nice job New Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 03:39:45 | More by ChadQuest

zaphodchak

Virginia

3.3/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Golden body, thin white head. Decent lacing.

Smell is faint, perhaps a bit of apple and yeast.

Taste is mellow, yeasty. Some grain and vague tart apple. Only a trace of hops at the finish.

Mouthfeel has prickly carbonation and coarse sudsy foam. Meh.

Overall a decent blonde, but almost totally unremarkable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-08-2011 01:57:31 | More by zaphodchak

WoodBrew

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tried the Summersault at a school soiree held by some friends of ours. The beer pours light copper in color and mostly transparent. The fairly thin, white head that recedes pretty quickly but leaves some nice strings of lace in its path. The smell includes spicy and fresh hoppy aroma. The taste has a mellow malt backbone belgium style. Fresh and lively hop flavor, mostly pine and ginger spice notes. Dry and refreshing flavor. The mouthfeel is lighter in body and well carbonated. Smooth even texture with a dry, crisp finish. Overall this would be an excellent summer seasonal. Highly refreshing. Bright, fresh flavors and very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 14:00:21 | More by WoodBrew

ONUMello

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass
A: Pure clear golden color with lots of little bubbles streaming throughout, and a thin but lingering head. It almost shines when a ray of sunlight hits it.
S: Apricot, lemon and spices.
T: Quite acidic, with lemon, grapefruit and a bit of apricot. A bit of grain & spices. The hops just poke their head through at the end.
M: Light with good carbonation and an acidic bite.
O: This is quite good, though I'm disappointed I'm drinking my first at the end of October rather than the end of summer, as it would make a great summer drink. Perhaps a bit more acidity than I prefer on its own, but I will try pairing the next with food.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2011 16:15:50 | More by ONUMello

Erish

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured this 12 oz. beer into a nonic pint glass. Best by 27 November 2011.

A: Clear light golden color with yellow highlights and tiny trails of carbonation streaming to the top, an aggressive pour produced a thick eggshell head with excellent lacing.

S: very much like a hefeweizen, with bubblegum, clove, and a goodly dose of Belgian-esque fruity funk, floral hops, and a hint of sour vinous aroma.

T: the Belgian theme continues, with ripe tropical fruit, sour Belgian funk, clove, and citrus. Comes together nicely and somewhat unexpectedly. Reminds me of a Saison.

M: light-bodied, lightly satiny texture, plentiful carbonation.

O: a refreshing and interesting take on a Summer sipping beer. There is plenty here to like.

Serving type: bottle

10-26-2011 00:29:23 | More by Erish

match1112

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: slightly hazy, yet bright yellow with a two finger off white head that fizzles out leaving behind moderate lacing.

s: lemony citrus goodness with pepper and a slight breadienes to it.

t: spicy bready goodness with enough lemon and other summer fruit to make this enjoyable.

m: clean and sharp with a dry finish leaving you wanting more.

o: great summer beer that was enjoyed by all who took part in helping me drink this six pack.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 16:34:11 | More by match1112

Justin23060

Virginia

4.08/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Golden with a slight haze. Slightly off white head. Smells fantastic w/ a mild citrus hop. Taste is all citrus (Grapefruit and Apricot as promised on the bottle). Still quite fresh considering it's already October and this is their summer offering. I will be looking for this next summer.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 22:22:39 | More by Justin23060

MaxBrewell

West Virginia

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Light yellow and fairly clear with a nice fluffy head that faded over time. Moderate lacing.

S - Slight fruity / floral aroma. Reminds me of Juicy Fruit gum.

T - Slight apricot up front with moderate esters. Finishes somewhat sweet and semi-dry. The balance is definitely towards the malt, but the Centennial hops add a lot of character.

M - Relatively light on the palate and highly carbonated.

D - A very drinkable beer. A perfect gateway beer for the non-craft drinker. I will certainly recommend this one, and look forward to next summer to have another.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 01:21:40 | More by MaxBrewell

manitouman84

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a straw yellow gold with exuberant white head that retains fairly well. Fairly strong lemon effervescence here, ginger, subdued floral hop pine aromas, biscuity malt character hides behind the fruit aromas. Lemon and citrus orange flavors up front, biscuit malt, crisp clean dry finish, very light, very refreshing in the summer.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 04:06:57 | More by manitouman84

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

The seasonal in the welve mixer. Poured from the bottle into a pint glass.

Pours clear yellowish cloudy with 1/4 inch of white foam. Wheaty malt smell. Smooth taste, full of lemon with low carbonation. Strong lemon, very citrussy. Some oats at the finish round out the flavor. Very drinkable, good taste, likable.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 22:02:22 | More by KTCamm

gueuzer

Colorado

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle

App- Golden color with a one finger white head.

Sm- Maybe apricot, but it maybe the power of suggestion. Spicy yeast phenols and a little citrus character.

Ta- Delicate malt bottle. Very light and almost dry. Has that biscuity fat-tire flavor that flays with the fruitiness in there. Very refreshing.

Ov- Excellent summer session beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 18:34:47 | More by gueuzer

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a Sam Adams pint.

A: It pours mostly clear orange with a finger of white head that laces alright.

S: Lots of citrusy hop notes, light spicing, and a little graininess.

T: Light sweet citrus, light breadiness, and some sweet berries.

M: It has medium-light thickness with adequate carbonation.

O: This is quite flavorful and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2011 15:39:23 | More by bucklemyshoe