Sankaty Light - Cisco Brewers Inc.

zachturner39

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +13.6%

10-23-2012 19:42:41 | More by zachturner39

MarkQ617

Massachusetts

4.19/5  rDev +19%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Had this poured from a can into a pint glass. My ratings are in comparison to other light lagers, not beers in general (I think that this is how most reviews on this site are supposed to be, but it's easy to compare lagers to other lagers when you've had a bunch of different varieties, as opposed to comparing something like milk stouts where maybe you've only had a handful). I think this is one of the few light lagers that I actually enjoy drinking. Very refreshing and not too heavy, crisp and fruity, excellent on a summer day. Smell is bolder and fruitier than most lagers as well. Solid offering from the incredibly consistent Cisco.

Serving type: can

05-21-2013 18:57:45 | More by MarkQ617

eawolff99

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%

05-10-2013 16:22:38 | More by eawolff99

beernads

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -7.7%

05-08-2013 09:14:27 | More by beernads

woodchipper

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +6.5%

03-30-2013 22:05:52 | More by woodchipper

Celtics76

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%

03-21-2013 13:34:14 | More by Celtics76

jamesdcormier

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +13.6%

03-17-2013 21:27:33 | More by jamesdcormier

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -14.8%

03-09-2013 00:28:16 | More by ejimhof

fosters9

New York

1.5/5  rDev -57.4%

02-16-2013 01:59:24 | More by fosters9

Linus4AU

4/5  rDev +13.6%

01-22-2013 18:56:38 | More by Linus4AU

Auror

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +6.5%

01-10-2013 04:46:31 | More by Auror

slyons16

4/5  rDev +13.6%

12-17-2012 04:36:47 | More by slyons16

t0rin0

California

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%

11-15-2012 03:01:10 | More by t0rin0

aubrey

4/5  rDev +13.6%

11-04-2012 03:34:09 | More by aubrey

Buie

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%

10-17-2012 17:39:08 | More by Buie

sparrowed

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%

10-15-2012 22:14:34 | More by sparrowed

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sankaty Light Lager is named after an historic lighthouse located on Nantucket island, the home of Cisco Brewing, although the beer itself is brewed in Utica, New York. As though that were not ironic enough, the beer named after a lighthouse has a dim tone and misty complexion. Its pale golden colour notwithstanding, this thing couldn't aid navigation any more than it could attract a moth.

But of course I jest, as that was not the brewer's aim. The idea here was a beer that could satisfy the appetite without doing much damage to the waistline (or liver, for that matter). Going by smell you'd never know this was only 3.6% alcohol and 128 calories. The aroma has enough cereal graininess to feed an entire daycare breakfast. It smells biscuity and bready, and has a mist of floral hop accenting. It's simple but lovely.

The taste, somewhat surprisingly, provides one more curtain call for hoppiness; faint, rose-like florals and a trace of grapefruit or citrus arise. They provide a light perfumed contrast to the prominent grainy notes. Those flavours are sweet and agreeable, like fresh bread (and a curious touch of vanilla). Despite this soft maltiness, however, a carbonation with the prickle of a cactus makes for a finish that is hard and dry.

The beer doesn't suffer when brewed with cheap, poor quality ingredients - it's the person drinking it that suffers. The converse is true too. And in this case, wholesome and good quality ingredients have made for a happy, satisfied drinker. It's also made for a beer that disappears rapidly. Sankaty Light does exactly what it was intended to: gives the palate plenty of flavour without giving the belly too much bloat.

Sankaty Light is a light beer that would make Coors Light cringe (not Coors Light drinkers, mind you, I bet they'd prefer it). It offers big flavour in a low-calorie serving and a level of quality that you simply can't find in macro, commercial brands. It is a reminder that lower alcohol beers are still real beers nonetheless; they have maltiness and bitterness just like any others. Good on Cisco for sticking up for the little guys!

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 15:50:38 | More by biegaman

tcsather

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%

10-08-2012 19:19:21 | More by tcsather

Mikecap

Rhode Island

3/5  rDev -14.8%

09-30-2012 14:39:21 | More by Mikecap

grittybrews

Washington

3.75/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a clear, pale gold with a finger of bright white head. Not much aroma, just some light grain.

Moderate carbonation and a light, crisp mouthfeel. Mild grainy sweetness followed by a touch of lemon with biscuit and grass on the tail end.

Clean and refreshing. Nice lager!

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 02:50:55 | More by grittybrews

Hanzo

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%

09-24-2012 00:03:42 | More by Hanzo

flagmantho

Washington

3.63/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into a dimpled mug.

Appearance: pale golden hue with a hint of haze and a mild effervescence. Head is a thin layer of frothy white foam with little retention or lace. Not exciting, but OK.

Smell: nice sweet malt aroma with a light graininess and a hint of yeasty character. Aroma is awesome for such a low-ABV light beer. Quite good!

Taste: light malt flavor with a balanced graininess. Hop flavor is minimal but there is a hint of bitterness here. Not bad for a light beer.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a very good level of carbonation and a smooth, satisfying creaminess. I like it.

Overall: a good light lager. For a beer of this ABV, it's quite tasty and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 03:54:15 | More by flagmantho

Miike

3.75/5  rDev +6.5%

09-17-2012 01:35:26 | More by Miike

phishfoolme

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -14.8%

09-13-2012 20:49:42 | More by phishfoolme

emerge077

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

BB NOV 2012 printed on bottom of the can.

Poured into a half liter mug, it has a fluffy souffle cap of foam that rises above the rim in a momentary gravity defying episode. Plenty of clinging lacing, clear gold straw body. Lasting retention, head sticks around for a good 15 mInutes.

Lightly grassy with wet straw, malty biscuit and tea aromas.

Watery and thin feel, to be expected I guess. Clean and malty with some expressive noble hop character. Wisps of bready biscuit and herbal tea. Little sweetness, more of a dry coarse finish. Not a bad lager, certainly has more flavor than most light beers on the market.

Serving type: can

09-08-2012 02:58:19 | More by emerge077