Sankaty Light - Cisco Brewers Inc.

gfreed

Massachusetts

1.9/5  rDev -46%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.5

Looks good... smells like feet... tastes like fish... nice and fizzy... tastes like socks... I give up on Cisco. Either their beer erupts uncontrollably from the bottle, is over-hopped, is over-yeasted or tastes like fish that have rotted in somebody's running shoes. With all that money on Nantucket you'd think they could produce a decent beer. Feh.

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2010 02:11:40 | More by gfreed

jmerloni

Massachusetts

2.05/5  rDev -41.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A - murky, hazy yellow. Not a real big head and pretty pathetic lacing here.

S - Kinda gross. Yeasty but musky at the same time. Smells kinda like yeast, lemon, citrus, and smelly boots. Or pond water. Not very pleasant.

T - Yeasty as ever, but musty as indicated on the nose.

M - Pretty separated. Hoppy and yeasty up front and dead on the swallow. Not real dry either, and overcarbonated.

D - Not impressed. In the least. One of the worst craft beers I've tried. I never thought I'd drink something this poor from Cisco, which has become one of the best breweries in the New England in just a couple years. This is BAD, though. Enough to turn me away from the brewery as a whole, for quite a while. There's no reason a brewery of this quality should produce a beer this bad.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 03:06:44 | More by jmerloni

jdhilt

New Hampshire

2.28/5  rDev -35.2%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a two-finger white head that fades to a thin layer leaving some lace. Nearly clear light amber color. Good carbonation and light-medium bodied. Skunky nose. Starts mellow but hops increase to finish with some bitterness. Not your usual light. $1.50 for a 12 oz bottle from Capital Convenience Concord, NH.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2006 22:12:23 | More by jdhilt

tempest

Pennsylvania

2.73/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Ordered a pint at Pour Judgment in Newport out of curiosity. Man I was disappointed. This beer was all Ringwood character with a bit of diacetyl and oxidation. There was a mild bitter kick, but this beer was also a touch acidic and without much actual malt character. I'd avoid this in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2010 14:12:24 | More by tempest

cbutova

Massachusetts

2.98/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Hmm, thought it was a new style for me but I just realized that it is re-named from Adjunct Lager.

A- Golden hue with a white head. Frothy white cap gets to about two fingers but dies down pretty quickly. A few spots of lace down the glass.

S- Not much going on, a bit of light malt, fruit, bread and earthy hints.

T- A bit of a plastic hint in sort of throws me off at first but it fades in the finish which brings light caramel malt, bread, grassy/earthy and fruit notes. A bit of citrus zest.

MF- Highly carbonated with a light body, somewhat creamy overall.

I suppose it is pretty nice for a light lager. The plastic hint off-flavor bothers me at first but it seems to fade with time.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2011 01:53:13 | More by cbutova

CHickman

New York

3.03/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Beer review from 4/6/2012, on tap at the Lark in East Northport, NY: pours a cloudy piss yellow color with a foamy 1 finger white head that faded quickly and left decent spotty lacing.

Smells of sweet malt, light caramel, grains, floral hops, lemon and herbs; sweet and grainy overall, but the aroma just doesn't have any major accents or highlights to it...it's pretty dull.

Flavor is also pretty dull, with sweet malt, corn, light caramel, grains, light floral hops, lemon and herbs; typical lager flavor, but if this is from a "craft brewer" then it's a failure as it is just blah and almost devoid of hops that the craft movement is known for.

Mouthfeel is light, creamy and smooth, with very mild carbonation, a medium body and a grainy finish; extremely drinkable, this flows down like a 7-UP.

To me this beer basically sucked as a “beer experience” as I don’t see the point of a micro-brewery creating competition for Coors Light, Bud Light and Amstel Light; this was on par with a macro brewed light beer, and while the flavor was above average I just don’t understand why this beer exists. If you like this style then go for a Budweiser or another beer that you can find in a 7-11 or any gas station across America. This may seem like a harsh review, but it based on principal more than flavor. Perhaps this is helping Cisco fund it’s other beers as that’s the only reason I can think of for producing this drink.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2012 18:38:38 | More by CHickman

WesWes

New York

3.18/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The beer pours a hazy gold color with a thick frothy white head and a ton of yeast floaties. The aroma is decent. It has a nice pale malt scent that seems a bit earthy (maybe the yeast) along with a mild hop aroma. The taste is average. It has a light pale malt flavor that is overpowered with citrus hops. It goes down slow, because of it's bitterness and finishes dry and a bit earthy. I like the use of hops, but I think this is a little too much. The mouthfeel is decent. It is a low bodied beer with adequate/good carbonation. This is an average beer at best. Please leave the light lagers for the big three. This is one for the scrap heap.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2006 20:39:17 | More by WesWes

mltobin

Connecticut

3.2/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The appearance is a yellow tone with a two finger sized white head. It had a smell of yeast and light sweetness. The taste was light and easy, nice to go along with the warmer spring weather here in new england. Mouthfeel is basic, not complex, but solid for the style. Due to abv and consistency, it would work well as a session beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2009 01:20:02 | More by mltobin

Durge

Connecticut

3.23/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

This summery offering poured a yellowish amber with a fair white head and good lacing. It smells like wonder bread and it sort of tastes like white bread with a touch of citrusy hops. A little peppery. Nice for a light beer. Refreshing and not too watery. Very easy drinking, of course. Better than most any light beer I would say but not something I would go out of my way for if I was looking for flavor.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2008 03:45:44 | More by Durge

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle.

Poured a medium and clear golden color with an averaged sized white head. Aromas of grain, cereal, lightly fruity, and a pinch of spices. Interesting aroma that, for me, teetered between enjoyable and not so good. Tastes of a general fruitiness, spices, and had a grassy finish. Fizzy and thin body.

Notes from: 3/17/07

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2009 20:18:11 | More by hopdog

rdacey

Connecticut

3.3/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Aroma: corn-like sweetness, slight grain, clean yeast characteristics, little to no diacetyl, no hop aroma or esters

Appearance: Thin, white, lasting head, great clarity, golden color

Flavor: Slight spicy hop flavor, malts are grainy, slight diacetyl slickness on the back on the tongue. Tastes slightly watery, could benefit from increased carbonation.

Mouthfeel: Thin, slight diacetyl slickness on the tongue, finish is slightly dry although the carbonation is lacking for the style.

Overall: Aroma and appearance are appropriate to style, but the flavor was slightly watery and could have benefited from a more dextrinious wort

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 03:13:45 | More by rdacey

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.33/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a golden orange color, creamy white head.

S: Spicy aroma with some citrus.

T: Spicy hops, saaz, with some lemon hints. Faint caramel, bread, hoppiness and drinks like a lager/pils hybrid. Finishes very clean and crisp.

M: Starts out thin and a little watery for mouthful and body.

D: Very smooth drinkability and nice flavor. Would make a good lawnmower beer though flavor is nothing outstanding it still good for what it is.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2008 00:05:57 | More by beerthulhu

Jayli

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had at Logan Airport Cisco Brew Pub 2/20
Beer was served a darker hazy straw color, with a filmy white head. Decent head retention and a slight bit of lacing. There wasn't much to the nose other yeast - perhaps some slight hops but I really had to look for it. Taste is definitely heavy on the yeast. There was a biscuity flavoring to the beer though on the finish you could pick up some hops. Light on the tongue, decent carbonation. It goes down easily, though I felt this beer fell a little flat.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2009 22:43:32 | More by Jayli

beersnoop

Connecticut

3.33/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I give an average rating to this one, but I see where they're going with it. I likes it better as I got to the bottom of the glass, in fact. Still, though, the only thing light about the beer is the feel, which is fine, but the flavor is quite strong and maybe too bitter for such a light feel. Strong taste of salt air and steamed clams, and I'm actually not just saying that because it's brewed in Nantucket. It really tastes that way. Probably would be delicious with steamers, but I don't have any to hand.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2010 21:37:19 | More by beersnoop

morebeergood

Massachusetts

3.35/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap the the Corner Tavern in Boston. Served in a sharp looking glass, looked to be more than a pint. Thin white head. Slight peppery smell. Overall nice flavor, not very hoppy, but with enough malt to satisfy. I found it to a bit thin, but since it's a Light beer, I would assume such. Very low abv made this brew extremely easy to drink. Could easily be a nice session beer. One of the better "light" beers I've had in a while.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2009 03:16:53 | More by morebeergood

bjohnson

Massachusetts

3.38/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bought this as a single, due to the previous review. It pours an off golden color, a little cloudy. small to no head consistent with lighter beers. It smelled like a domstic light beer to me, but after sampling, it had more taste and mouthfeel that I thought. The drinkability of this beer is ok. Has a very faint taste, a bit fruity, with a tad of a bitter afterataste. I'm not a huge fan of the "lighter" beers, so this beer was just ok to medicore. As the previous reviewer stated, it does taste a bit towards the Sam light spectrum.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2005 02:35:54 | More by bjohnson

metter98

New York

3.4/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is hazy yellow in color and poured with a thin white head that faded away and left a bit of lacing in the center of the glass. A light amount of carbonation is visible.
S: There are faint aromas of bready malts and citrusy hops in the nose.
T: The taste has flavors of grainy malts and hints of sweetness; it finishes with a mild amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light-bodied and a bit watery on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer is very easy to quaff because it isn't very filling and has a low amount of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 13:30:43 | More by metter98

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.45/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Sampled on May 29, 2011. It has a straw yellow pour with a bit of a fizzy, white head that settles down in typical light lager fashion. Lots of sweet malts, corn, and grain on the nose. The body is better than many lights. The taste has this vague bitterness with a weird mixture of sweetness and grains. A decent enough light lager.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 19:26:58 | More by puboflyons

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.48/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours pale gold with a bubbly white head that disappears. No true lacing but the head reduces to a skim.

Light malt and bready aromas. Ok.

Biscuits here. Plain and simple. Light toasted malt, light bitterness, some raw dough and biscuit in the flavor. Light bitter in the finish. A little too light.

Lighter bodied, but appropriate.

Thinner in flavor, but watery. Flavors continue throughout the drinking process. It is ok, and very different from others in the style. Pizza beer, maybe grilling beer, but that is about it. Not bad, but why go here? Buy a single, not a 4 pack/6-pack.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 00:07:58 | More by OtherShoe2

bucklemyshoe

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz can into a pint glass.

A: It pours a clear light yellow color with a finger of white head.

S: Light citrus, pale grainy malts, and some grassiness.

T: Grass, light citrus, and cereal malts.

M: It has a very light body with strong carbonation.

O: This tastes okay and is very easy to drink.

Serving type: can

06-08-2011 13:28:32 | More by bucklemyshoe

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to woodychandler for this beer. Poured from a 12 oz. can. Has a golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is of malts and grains. Taste is crisp, malts, a touch of hops, more flavor than just about any light lagers. Feels light in the mouth and overall is a cut above for this style.

Serving type: can

05-31-2012 21:26:18 | More by tone77

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

I admit: part of the reason I bought this brew was because, as the label says, "A portion of the proceeds...[help] to save Sankaty Head Lighthouse from falling off the bluff." I've never seen this lighthouse, but I'm apparently a sucker for a good story. A quick whiff of the brew luckily tells me that my heart didn't lead me wrong, as the lager is thickly malty (despite being "light"), bearing strong caramel and brown sugar notes, with hints of maple syrup and a touch of hops.

On the tongue the brew comes across lighter than the nose would belie, relying mainly on cereal-like flavors such as Grape Nuts and toasted wheat. A few fruit flavors swim in the background, but never manage to make the beach. Hops are quite light as well, providing a quiet bitter buzz that mostly fades in the surf. Mouthfeel is light--near the viscosity of water--and the aftertaste is a combination of grains and hops that fades quickly.

Overall, it's a good light lager--definitely better than anything Anheuser-Busch manufactures--but could use a bit more liveliness.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 20:04:42 | More by jondeelee

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

fostwal

Texas

3.53/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is a really good light beer. The color is light, but not as light as a Bud. Just more amber than golden. There is not much of a scent to it. What really counts is the taste, which is very good. And the fair amount of carbonation makes the beer feel tight and refreshing. The combination makes this beer very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2008 19:32:42 | More by fostwal

Greenlabel

New Hampshire

3.53/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've seen this product in Cape Cod stores before but never purchased it as I thought it would be just another "Light" beer. I should have realized that the brand name referred to an actual lighthouse rather than a tasteless low-calorie product. So I decided to give it a try and purchased a 6-pack in Harwich for a rather pricey $11. No dating on the bottles but noticed they were contract brewed in Ipswich.

Very drinkable and much tastier than an ordinary "Light" product. Nothing special about the smell and very little lacing appearance-wise. Somewhat lacking in body - no offensive aftertaste. Better than a macro lager but nothing of note to enable it to stand out.

In summary, I'd be willing to buy the brand again but not at an $11 price tag when a brand like Prima Pils can be purchased at a lower price. The romance associated with a connection to the glamour of the Nantucket name doesn't automatically command a higher price unless the product is a superior one.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2010 23:48:02 | More by Greenlabel