Narragansett Summer Ale - Narragansett Brewing Co.

magictacosinus

California

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Thanks angrybabboon! Poured into a stange glass from a 12oz can.

Thanks to the glass, at least, this pours a golden yellow color complete with tons of carbonation as well as a good 2.5 fingers of foamy, thinning head. The carbonation lasts for a while, rising up towards the top with a cascade of bubbles. The head eventually dwindles down to nothing, but it takes a while. Some lacing surprisingly sticks around, too. Looks pretty much like a classic blonde or pale lager, and eye candy for what it is.

The initial aroma consists of crisp, golden grains, as well as a slightly "skunky" yet fruity flavor, as well as distance yet noticeable grassy, earthy hops. Glad they used Citra in this - I can tell its doing its best to add character to the overall flavor profile. There's a slight citrus flavor, maybe of lemon, but otherwise there's far more going on with the grassy flavor and skunky backdrop. Smells light and mellow, although the Citra hops really made all the difference here.

The flavor consists of an initial grainy, crisp and light flavor, which soon follows with a subdued bitterness that is slightly grassy and refreshing. The hops linger around for some time, and make the beer more flavorful than it would have otherwise been. Then malts are quite light as well, but still flavorful if in a simple, pleasant manner, which makes this ideal for warm weather drinking. Given the mellow flavor but with enough substance as well as a semi-thick feel with the extra carbonation, this is easily quaffable as well, and definitely nothing to complain about other than its intended simplicity.

What a solid, refreshing take on all of the generic "summer ales" that come around. This has the flavor and character of a good lager, and yet the thickness of an ale that gives me the best of two worlds. It's not complex by any means, but maybe I wouldn't want to have a super complex beer every day of the week, and by no means when I'm out and about on a picnic or beach someplace. This is nearly a British session beer, and I could consume many in a row. Three of their beers in, I'm yet to find a brewery as Narragansett that does offerings this simple and equally enjoyable as they do.

Serving type: can

05-16-2013 03:53:14 | More by magictacosinus

fmccormi

New York

3.56/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Straight pour from a 16oz can to my nice Tired Hands stempiece; canning date of April 4, 2013 printed in black ink on the underside of the can in a Julian variant (“0943 16:09”). So, just under two weeks old on the date of consumption.

Appearance (3.75): Sure looks like a summer ale. The body is a beautiful, crystal-clear honey-gold, and the head rises to one big, fat finger of crisp, bone-white foam that dies down before too long, with modest retention at best. Modest lacing: a few splotches and suds here and there—though as time wears on, it unexpectedly leaves a pretty solid sheet on one side of the glass. It’s cute, not pretty or gorgeous or sexy. Just cute, in the right light.

Smell (3.5): Very nice balance between wet, crackery pilsner-ish kinda malt body and some interesting, floral hop tones. Lightly citrusy, with . . . a mild cat pee aroma? Yep. Am I imagining this? Lightly toasted grains make a nice complement to this interesting hop aroma.

Taste (3.5): Very light and crisp, with a smooth, toasted grain character (like dry, toasted white bread, à la Elwood Blues) and a somewhat modest hop snap on the back end—despite being relatively light, it’s resinous and dank. Just soft. Wish it were a little more pronounced. There’s some modest citrus pith bitterness mixed in, too, which when combined with the toasted grain and resin make for an herbal, decidedly dry finish. It improves modestly as it warms, turning the confluence of pale malt body and resinous hop bitterness into something resembling a (watered-down) sweet orange flavor.

Mouthfeel (4.0): Actually, under par for the course. Nice prickles here and there, and then a soft, filling foam action on the way down marks the carbonation. The body is crisp, rather light, and dry but not very—still wet enough to feel almost quenching, rather than parching. This is crushable.

Overall (3.5): It is what it is. It’s not perfect, it’s not exceptional, but it’s plenty easy to drink and pleasant in all the ways that count. Exceptional in any way? No. Great in any way? No. Very good in any way? Maybe if it’s hot out and you didn’t expect to see this kind of beer around. It’s just fine, and that’s fine by me. Glad I got a sixer, because this is an easy going beer.

Serving type: can

04-18-2013 02:58:42 | More by fmccormi

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 16 oz can into a perfect pint glass.

Pours as a clear golden ale with thick fluffy white foam. Head holds and becomes patchy. Light summery nose, mild malt. Small citrus taste. Good mouthfeel, swirls nicely.

An easy summer drinker. Not remarkable, but good enough flavor.

Serving type: can

09-15-2012 12:55:44 | More by KTCamm

gatorguy

Virginia

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

O - Kind of a pale ale appearance, golden color with a bone white, finger and a half head. Leaves some lacing.

S - Light smell, but gives hints of citrus and even some passionfruit. Mmm.

T - Citrus profile is evident, mostly grapefruit, some lemon. There is a light hint of passionfruit as well, nice. Hop bitterness is low, pine flavor is also fairly light from the hops. It's clear they were going for drinkability here. malts are sweet and balance the tart citrus flavors. Finishes clean.

M - Very light and effervescent. Clean and crisp, nearly perfect.

O - Great summer beer. It's almost like a light pale ale if that makes sense. You get the flavors of a pale ale, but with less bitterness. Impressive that 'Gansett pulled this off.

Serving type: can

08-28-2012 18:01:37 | More by gatorguy

keeganfrank

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Golden beer with a thick, foamy head that dissipates slowly and leaves lots of lacing. Crisp grass and zesty lemon aromas with some floral hints. Flavors of grasses and grain with soft lemon rind notes. Has a light, dry body that makes it perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.

Serving type: can

08-12-2012 18:17:13 | More by keeganfrank

Suds

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear, golden yellow with a tall, thick white head, this beer produces some beautiful lace. The beer is light in complexion and fruity in aroma. Estery, slight malt, a touch of herbal hops, distant citrus. Nice. The flavor is light, as is the body. Nice for summer, but it does give us a little complexity and intensity. Slight sweetness, but the finish is abrupt. Good summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 01:39:32 | More by Suds

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

16 oz can

A: Clear light yellow/golden colored body with a big fluffy white head that surprisingly keeps a good bit of retention around the edges. Nice lacing in the glass too.

S: Pale malts, grass, floral hop aromas, faint citrus (orange) peel. Very fresh, crisp, light and airy.

T: Extremely crisp and slightly bitter up front. The hops are somewhat citrusy in nature with a floral note in there too. The malts keep the backbone of this beer without making it feel terribly light.

M: Quite light-bodied, pushing the envelope for what you'd call a medium body (which it never reaches). Crisp, clean and refreshing.

I purchased a 6-pack of these cans for the beach and they absolutely hit the spot. It was light enough to be enjoyable with a refreshing and clean flavor profile. And they're priced just right!

Serving type: can

08-02-2012 15:40:15 | More by ShanePB

Keginator70

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a thick head that lingers in a pint glass, lasting longer than my preconceived notion. Aroma is slight citrus and pleasant. Malts grassy and biscuit in small measure up front followed up with enough bitter to a clean finish. A little mild and watery but hey it's not supposed to be a winter warmer.

This is a good summer thirst quencher and session quaff, ideal for a clambake or cookout. Also a great value and a means to ease swill sloshers into a better alternative.

Another nice little surprise by Narragansett and definitely worth a try.

Cheers!

Serving type: can

07-27-2012 21:12:26 | More by Keginator70

u2carew

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -16%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz. Tall Boy can
A) Pours with a finger thick head that has great retention. Clear golden blond body. Sticky lacing on the drink down.
S) Grainy. Musky. "Wet dog". But nothing out of the ordinary for a light beer.
T) Grainy. Malty sweet notes throughout. Lingering nuttiness in the finish.
M) Refeshing. Fizzy yet creamy. Light body. Dry in the finish.
O) Not bad for a summer ale. I'll definitely drink another.

Serving type: can

07-02-2012 00:59:43 | More by u2carew

metter98

New York

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is clear yellow in color and has a very light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high white head that faded away, leaving some bubbles on the surface and a thin collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light aromas of grapefruit and passionfruit in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but flavors of citra hops are a little bit stronger. The slightest hint of bitterness is perceptible.
M: It feels a bit more than light-bodied and very smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is very easy to drink and is a perfect beer for the summer. It has a bit of citrusy flavors similar to a West Coast IPA but these are very subdued.

Serving type: can

06-29-2012 19:39:18 | More by metter98

dasenebler

Maine

3.33/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

16oz can.

Really clear pale gold, shade or two darker than a macro lager. Nice eggshell head, sticks around admirably.

Aroma is vaguely hoppy--grass, citrus-- and slightly grainy. Clean and pleasant.

Flavor is a bit too grainy, especially as it warms. Crackery, husky, biscuity. Medium-low sweetness. Hop flavor is lemony and leafy, though low overall. Mouthfeel is pretty full for a beer so low in gravity. Effervescent carbonation.

This is a nice summer beer. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 22:49:00 | More by dasenebler

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Finishing up the ol tallboy 6-pack, a good purchase to start off the first weeks of June with.

Pours into a pint dark yellow with a massive white head on each pour. Retains at a finger eventually, great lace. Beastly.

Smell is tame but pleasant, some paleish malts and graininess back up herbal+light fruity hops.

Taste has more strength. Decent amount of hop action, but an overall restrained little light fruit plethora (grapefruit, lemon, citrus) along with some herbal hops. Grainy and buttery malts give way to a nice toasty finish. It starts out 4 worthy, but the overall flavor seems to fade after some time.

Mouthfeel is a bit watery but overall fine considering the ABV. Despite the crazy appearance, carbonation is somewhat modest.

Overall, good, definitely a little tame but nice hops/flavor for the low ABV+style. Easy drinkability and price will probably make this a regular summer purchase for me.

Serving type: can

06-18-2012 14:42:22 | More by Chico1985

Gmann

New York

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear straw color with a big rocky pure white head that slowly settled leaving webby lacing all over the glass.

The aroma is of a bready pale malt base mixed in with lemony and orangy hop notes. It is a nice and simple bright aroma. Some hay and grass notes.

The taste is of a dry cracker like malt. The malt seems to be a touch grainy. Some noticable grassy bitterness from the hops. There is also some lemon and orange from the hops as well.

Moderate feel with prickly carbonation. Sweet on the palate but plenty of grassy bitterness to offset. Finishes quite dry and the bitterness lingers a tad too long. Not quite as crisp as some summer brews but it has some snap.

A good blonde ale with a noticable hop presence. A bit grainy and the hop bitterness lingers but still quite refreshing.

Serving type: can

06-16-2012 17:35:32 | More by Gmann

oberon

North Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an imperial pint glass a clear light golden with a 1/2 finger white head atop.Aromas were real light a bit of floral hops and toasted grain,really light to be honest.grainy with mild sweetness on the palate,a light smattering of leafy hops,a decent toasted ceral grain note in the finish.It's not bad...maybe rated to high but it's good for what it is,a summertime quaffer.

Serving type: can

06-06-2012 20:35:36 | More by oberon

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Impressive starting head. Leaves extensive lace, both as a ring and as a spider web. Crystal clear with a deep golden color.

Like a malty pilsner--it is balanced with a soft hop presence.

Malt flavor with a touch of grain that wasn't present in the aroma. There's a flowery hop punch in the swallow. A very smooth beer with enough crispness to keep the body spritzy. An excellent Blonde.

Serving type: can

05-26-2012 23:52:09 | More by smcolw

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

16oz can

Pours a slightly hazed blonde color with a large crop of white head. A few patches of lacing streak across the glass while drinking.

Faint spicy hops with hints of citrus fruit. Biscuity malts and grains with some lemon.

Brisk and clean up front with a light hoppy presence. Touches of citrus fruit and a very soft sweetness. Biscuit and grain in the base with some lingering lemon presence. A little grassy towards the finish.

Lighter medium body, well carbonated, refreshing and cooling on the senses. This beer isn't trying to blow you away, which actually works perfectly. I'm not really a fan of the style but I'd definitely buy this again.

Serving type: can

05-25-2012 00:51:18 | More by xnicknj

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16oz can purchased at McKinnon's in Portsmouth. Pours a crystal-clear straw-yellow body with a good inch of surprisingly persistent off-white head. Smells sweet and bready with hints of lemon zest. Tastes bready at first with a good bit of lemon-like hops toward the finish. Light and effervescent. Super-drinkable. A lot more to this one than I thought there would be. Really good.

Serving type: can

05-24-2012 00:32:53 | More by MrHurmateeowish

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Into a pint glass:

A: crystal clear body that yielded a one finger white head and stayed a good two minutes, rapidly rising carbonation, it left some foamy rings. Some speckled lacing appeared sporadicly around the glass

S: light floral tones with some grapefruit coming out mixed with the hops and malts.

T: no different than the smell.

M: light to medium sort of feel and left a slight dry finish. This was a very drinkable beer.

O: not a bad beer. It was an enjoyable beer. I'm glad I got a sixpack of this. I would definitely have this again.

Serving type: can

05-19-2012 13:28:28 | More by kangarooAdam59

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a crystal clear medium yellow in color with a light amount of visible carbonation. The beer has a two finger tall dense white head that reduces slightly but has good head retention - leaving a solid half finger of head covering the entire surface of the beer with a much thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant lacing is observed.

S: A light to moderate aroma for this beer, there is a light grapefruit/citrus hop presence along with some pale malts.

T: This beer is quite hop forward with a light amount of grapefruit and citrus hops - slight bitterness but not overly aggressive. That is quickly followed by a pale malt body that gives it a little bit of sweetness. The beer has a clean finish with a light hint of lemon.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation.

O: This beer is very refreshing, enjoyable, and easy to drink. I would love to have another one of these, it was surprisingly good (not that I should be too surprised as I have liked each of the beers I have had from them). The hop-forward flavor with the grapefruit hops was quite enjoyable.

Serving type: can

05-15-2012 23:23:12 | More by dbrauneis

Shaw

Florida

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Can supplied by the brewery.

A nice golden color with a big, big sticky white head.

Hoppier aroma than I expected.

The taste is light, with a nice hop flavor and bitterness back by a bit of malt sweetness.

Good body that's not watery considering the lower alcohol.

Another workman brew from Narragansett. Nothing wrong with this one, just a decent beer at a good price.

Serving type: can

05-14-2012 02:55:46 | More by Shaw

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

3.93/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Canned on March 25, 2012

A: Yellow with a substantial head, good retention and lots of lacing.

S: Mostly graininess with some citrus hops. Nothing special.

T: Again, grains and mildly sweet malt. No real breadiness, and the malt is pretty simple. Hops are juicy and citric, almost lemony. The hops linger on the palate with a faint bitterness. It's a fairly mildly flavored beer, but it all works together.

M: Light, good carbonation.

O: This is a simple and insanely drinkable beer. It is significantly more appealing in the warm weather.

Serving type: can

05-13-2012 00:16:02 | More by greybeardloon

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

tall boy, I think Ill do it!

Pour is bright freaking yellow body. Nice white head.

Uh oh the smell. Slight bittering hop presence, yet theres a hint of citrus fruits. Lemons and Grapefruits, buts its bitter forward. Oddly, Im ok with it.

OMG. I wasnt expecting what I got form this beer, honestly. I used to think New Belgium Hoptober was the best Blonde, but nope. Theres an amazing balance, and I think thats the key here. Light upfront bitterness thats kept in check by a subtly sweet malt. Its all so light, and a perfect summer beer.

Serving type: can

05-12-2012 22:24:24 | More by VncentLIFE

wedge

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear yellow color with a frothy white head. Mild juicy, oily citrus aroma over some fresh grain...simple and pleasant. Increased grainy sweetness comes through in the flavor with some earthiness and a snappy citrus zest finish. Light bodied, well carbonated, very crisp, and damn drinkable. This is nothing outstanding, but it's a perfect refresher for the beach. I personally like a little more cracker/biscuit malt in my Blondes, but this is tasty as-is. This would fit in with a cooler full of hoppy pilsners quite well.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2012 21:54:56 | More by wedge

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Medium yellow with a fizzy white head. No lace or retention.

Mild maltiness and some slight citric hops in the nose.

Wow, am I surprised by this brewer. Citric hops, but not overdone. Nice malt to balance out the spicy hop bite. Light bitterness and malt in the end.

Medium body with nice carbonation.

I am shocked. Highly drinkable, with nice balance of bitter and malty with nice hop character. I would buy this again.

Serving type: can

05-12-2012 00:21:07 | More by OtherShoe2

BEERMILER12

Maine

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

A: Pours a pale straw yellow color with a fingers worth of head that lasts for a while

S: Pale malts, nice citrusy hops, and some breadiness. Very simple and clean

T: Follows the nose, starts with a slight hop bite and some maltiness and finishes clean and slightly dry

M: Light bodied with moderate carbonation

O: A nice, simple, and refreshing summer beer that is extremely sessionable. The price is great too, at only $8.49 for a sixer of pounders. I think I've found my new summer beer

Serving type: can

05-07-2012 20:47:10 | More by BEERMILER12