Summer Of Lager - Cisco Brewers Inc.

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

2.5/5  rDev -32.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Surprisingly cloudy yellow-gold body, like pulpy orange juice. Huge white head fills half of my hourglass pilsner glass, with a whip cream finish above the rim. Looks like its going to lace extremely well.

Bready, yeasty aroma, with a hint of pepper ?

Taste begins lighty sweet, but finishes with a strong dash of lemon-orange sour twang, with a mild hop bite in-between.

Suitable light/medium mouthfeel. Drinkability suffers from the finishing citrus sour note.

It seems more ale-ish than lager-ish. Maybe an alright summer beer, but if you're looking for a classic helles, this is not it.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2006 21:59:54 | More by RonfromJersey

Jwaks

Connecticut

2.65/5  rDev -28.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Serving 750ml bottle

Summer of Lager exhibits a pale golden body sporting a churing column of medium sized bubbles that slowly march toward a thin bone-white foamy cap resting just below an abundant collection of sticky white late.

The highly aromatic nose is reminiscent of a belgian pale ale more than a summer lager boasting redolences of spicy yeast, restrained sour apple, heady pale malts, acidic citrus rind, mild floral hops and a hint of tannic white wine.

Spicy yeast, sour citrus fruit, and white grape tannins dominate through to the off-dry finish revealing bready pale malt and dry spice.

Overall mouthfeel is quite fine for a summer seasonal displaying a light to medium body and light finish and refreshing character.

Overpowering sour and acid flavors as well as a higher than normal alcohol content dash any hopes of this being a blockbuster summer seasonal or a session beer. Drinkability is average at best. Overall, this is a solid brew good for a one time experience, though it could be closer to the attempted style with a bit more depth and character.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2007 23:39:19 | More by Jwaks

VoodooBear

Puerto Rico

2.88/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Presentation: 12 oz. green can, served in a Samuel Adams pint glass.

Appearance: Two finger white colored head. Cloudy yellow color.

Smell: It has a complex, earthy and musky smell. Malts and hops are the dominant scents. There are grain and herbal notes in there too.

Taste: There's a good balance between the malt sweetness and hop bitterness (which are the main flavors), with a herbal touch in the background.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, light, and easy to drink. There's not a lot of carbonation and it finishes dry.

Overall: It's a very flavorful and complex beer. While it is refreshing and easy to drink, this lager is way more complicated than the horde of ales that define the summer season. This is either good or bad, depending on what you're expecting from the brew. If you're tired of the typical summer ale and thirst for something different, it's a good thing. If you just want something simple, quenching and refreshing for the summer months, it's bad. Either way, no one who appreciates beer would have a hard time enjoying it all the same.

Serving type: can

01-15-2013 07:45:53 | More by VoodooBear

wobblynoggin

New Jersey

3.08/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

This one needed to be savored a bit before understsnding some of it's complexities. The beer changes drastically from first cold sip, to second sip, and then changes again after it warms up a little (not warm, just not ice cold as it was when I first poured it), where it tastes best.

The appearance is impressive. Best part of the beer in my opinion. It is orange/gold in color, noticeable carbonation, and a lacey head that takes a few minutes to die down. Even after the head clears there is a couple millimeter foam left on the top. I like that.

The smell is a bit musky for a lager...grassy, and full. Kind if smells like a good day of little league baseball...dirty, as it was mentioned in another review. That may be the best way to explain it.

Taste - well at first I was immediately reminded of lemons, it's sour...that flavor stays as it warms up, but other overtones pop in, such as the hops, and grassiness. This may be off base but I sense a similarity to the old Matts beer balls out of New York State I drank as a kid...maybe because I drank those in the summer too...but it brought me back to that.

Mouth feel - This I rated high, more because it has a lot of different things going on that impressed me. The sour lemony grassiness stays on the tip of your tongue and lips, while the dryness is noted on the very back of the tongue and roof of your mouth. After drinking it a while there is almost a numbness on the back of the tongue and roof of your mouth, and the flavor lingers in the nose. I like how the mouth feel and smell of this beer worked on the 2 senses.

Drinkability - A little too sour for my liking. Doesn't make me dislike the beer, but doesn't make me want to drink that much of it. That's okay, as not every beer is meant to be enjoyed in quantity, although most lagers have better drinkability than this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2006 19:55:11 | More by wobblynoggin

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Serving size: 750ml bottle.

Poured a medium golden color with a large sized white head. Aromas of citrus, yeasty, and grains. Tastes of tart lemons, other citrus, some what fruity, and bready. For me, the body was a little on the thinner side.

Notes from and tasted on: 03/12/08.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2009 20:20:25 | More by hopdog

Satchboogie

New Hampshire

3.18/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A: Pours light gold, clear, with about a finger of soda-looking white head that quickly dissipates. Little lacing.

S: Light malts (biscuit) with a hint of sourness, earthy and slightly floral hops.

T: Much more malty than the nose implied. Has a sourness, really almost like a bit of funk, right upfront on the tip of the tongue. It fades rather quickly though to the malty middle. Finish is very light with a touch of sweetness and bitterness.

M: Light bodied, moderate carbonation, very slight bitterness, somewhat of a clean finish.

O: A fairly easy drinking Lager with a slightly strange sour/musty character that I'm really not digging too much.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2011 23:04:13 | More by Satchboogie

corey0212

Massachusetts

3.2/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a transparent light gold color, soapy-white head, and lots of sticky lacing. Crazy-active carbonation is putting on a show in the glass. Sort of a lemony/earthy quality to the nose on this beer, a little on the sour side. Taste is nice...a good, clean and moderately bitter hop presence. Maybe a tiny bit of green apple in the taste, too. Really good mouthfeel, bubbles almost feel "cleansing", in a way. Goes down smooth. I like it. Not my favorite Cisco beer at all (and I'm a BIG fan!), but I'm glad I tried it, and it's worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2008 23:10:40 | More by corey0212

Tschnab

New York

3.23/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a golden straw color with a white head that dissipates slowly. Aroma is mostly cereal grains and a clean grassy aroma. A light citrusy note comes through on the end of the nose. This is all goes into a pretty nice flavor on the taste, with a clean grassy brightness that makes way to a lime zest like finish, all the while being anchored by a cereal grain like maltiness. Very solid lager here. Easy to pound these without thinking about it.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 18:50:50 | More by Tschnab

3.25/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Opened a 750ml bottle, no information on bottling or drink by dates. Poured a clear gold color with about 1 finger of head. Aroma was malt/yeast then a slight citrus note. I think I also picked up bananas and some other fruit. Starting to get a cold, so ability to smell could be broken at this time. Taste was a whack in the face with an orange. As I drank this moved to a more general citrus flavor, but it was far stronger than the aroma led me to expect. The mouthfeel didn't do a lot for me, in that I thought the carbonation was too much. The "tingle" interfered with the taste. Overall, I felt that this beer was too citrusy. Not bad, but not one I am going to seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2006 15:37:23 | More by

Steverus

Louisiana

3.25/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured for a bottle into pint glass. Nice tawny straw color looks a colorful for a lager.

Smell is pretty standard, a bit strong on caramel to help it remain distinguished from other standard lagers.

Quite frankly taste is not much better than your standard lager. If you're looking for something that lingers a bit on your pallet and presents a bit more robustly, this is your lager.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 01:38:23 | More by Steverus

Thads324

Connecticut

3.3/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A : pours a slightly hazy and bubbly golden yellow. A little bit of tight bubbled white head with super serious lacing everywhere.

S : crisp bready malt and german yeast. a bit of grassy aroma with a hint of musty hop. slightly sweet.

T : starts nicely with a good solid malt that is crisp and clean. A slight hop bitterness in the middle that carries through to the end, where there is a weird grassy taste. finishes clean and crisp with a nice hop lingering. Can't tell if the vegetal/grass flavor is from the hops or not, but it is no cool. Everything else is however.

M : a full body and nice drinkability. highly carbonated which is nice for a hot day like today.

Overall a great beer if the weird grassiness was toned down. still pretty good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2011 19:39:05 | More by Thads324

mdfb79

New York

3.35/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From 06/17/12 notes. Picked this up in NJ at Oak Tree Discount. Poured from a 12 oz. can into a tulip.

a - Pour a clear golden amber color with one finger of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of wheat, floral notes, light fruit, and light herbal notes. Pretty nice nose, kind of light.

t - Tastes of wheat, grains, pale malts, floral hops. Even lighter than the nose, a bit average to me.

m - Light body and moderate carbonation. Easy to drink body.

o - Overall a decent helles lager. I liked the nose, though the taste was a bit average. Nice for a summer day, would have again but wouldn't seek it out.

Serving type: can

06-19-2012 18:12:36 | More by mdfb79

jsanford

Georgia

3.38/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, light copper with a dense white head that settles to a nice cap. Aromas of grainy malt, faintly herbal hops, and a touch of buttered popcorn and sweet caramel. Taste consists of more lightly grainy malt, caramel, and herbal, grassy hops with just a touch of bitterness in the finish. Quite easy-drinking. Mouthfeel is smooth and crisp, with a medium-thin body and good carbonation. Really nice Lager overall, perfect for...the Summer. They should name it that or something.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 01:00:19 | More by jsanford

Jason

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz brown bottle with no freshness date. One can only assume that if it is still summer the summer seasonals are still good.

Pale yellow color glows in the light, chunky white lace. Smells of fresh animal feed grain, thick grassy nose with some fresh herbs in the back. Smooth with a crisp snap. Very grainy but not too rough and certainly not astringent. Mouthful of fresh grass, hint of apple skin ... mealy. A lot of flavor packed into this lager, lots of grassy flavor. Semi-dry finish.

Not too shabby, perhaps not rough but still pretty raw tasting. Worth a try though one was good enough for me.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 01:56:40 | More by Jason

JackStraw22

Virginia

3.48/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750ml bottle
Appearance: Slightly cloudy golden/straw body. Huge frothy white head that sticks around. Good lacing.

Smell: Slight spicy aroma, light lemon zest. Sweet, but light and refreshing.

Taste/Feel: Nice and crisp in the mouth. Sweet almost tart taste. It's not overpowering, though, very refreshing. Some tart/lemony tastes feel artificial, but this tastes natural and fitting. As it warms, the lemony taste gets a little unbalanced, as does the yeasty/bready flavors. Too bad.

Good summer beer, goes well with some pizza.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2005 23:55:36 | More by JackStraw22

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a honeyed gold with a gigantic towering thick head. This is not a shaken bottle or over-carbonated. Terrific look.

Light bready scents and some citric tart aromas. Maybe some yeast.

Light malt flavors combined with some yeasty-bread like qualities with a tart edge. Some mineral notes and a light bitter finish. This would be good fish and chips brew, for sure.

Lighter bodied, but not thin. Decent carbonation throughout.

Overall, not too bad. the tartness of this one is a bit offsetting, and makes me take smaller sips than expected. I think this is probably a good brew for around the grill, or with hot weather fare. Not sure if I'd have this again. I don't hate it, but not unique or good enough for me to have this instead of something else.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2009 12:49:17 | More by OtherShoe2

horshack7

Massachusetts

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

Appearance: Poured into a Pilsner glass is a golden color with a good two fingers of head. As the head thins out thick lacing is left behind.

Aroma: Citrus hops and some floral hops with traces of orange and lemon peel. Light maltiness that's on the biscuity side.

Taste: Crispy mouthfeel with a nice biscuity dryness on the palate. Lemon and some orange peel. Malts are bready with twinge of rye.

Notes: Good and drinkable with a good dry finish with a wisp buttery texture. Cheers.

Serving type: can

07-14-2012 03:32:44 | More by horshack7

Gavage

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: pours a golden color with a 1/2" head that lasts a while. Some spotty lacing develops.

Smell: tart green apples and citrus are detectable.

Taste: bready malt, butter, green apples, honey, light grassiness, and a mild bitterness.

Mouthfeel: crisp from start to finish. Short malty aftertaste. Light to medium in body.

Drinkability: not bad, but a little too buttery for my tastes. Worth a look.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2006 23:51:17 | More by Gavage

ZeroSignal

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle with no date, poured into a SA Perfect Pint

A - Bright golden pour with a finger's worth of white head. Retention is minimal and leaves a loose lace.

S - Malty nose, somewhat bready with a light, fruity edge.

T&M - Roasted malts abound, with a decent dose of a spicy hop presence that provides some balance, but seems to mostly make itself known in the otherwise clean finish. Lighter bodied, with just a hint of fruitiness that adds a bit to the lighter feel.

O - An overall decent offering. Clean flavors, easy to drink, and pretty tasty. Nothing that's going to knock your socks off, but well done.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 03:26:06 | More by ZeroSignal

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured on-tap and served in a tumbler pint, the beer is a crisp, orange-gold color with a filmy white head. Aromas of toasted oats and butter blended along the nose. The beer's flavors are light and smooth, with a dry hopped bitterness at the end of the palate. Honey and toasted oats throughout, as well. The aftertaste is slgihtly resiny, with a roasted character. Smooth bodied finish, making this a tasty, very easy drinking brew.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2012 22:47:49 | More by GarthDanielson

grittybrews

Washington

3.65/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a rich orange with a finger of white head. Aroma of lemon, hints of orange, and grain.

Moderate carbonation and a crisp mouthfeel. Light caramel up front with mild floral notes followed by biscuit and a bit of lemon bitterness on the tail end.

Nice overall, pretty dry and refreshing without being overly thin.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 16:21:43 | More by grittybrews

plaid75

New York

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a light copper hue with a two and a half finger foamy white head. There was very good retention and sticky lacing.

The smell featured a spicy aromatic noble hop and a soft husky grain aroma.

The taste consisted of an upfront hop spiciness but quickly soften by virtue of the creamy doughy malts.

The mouthfeel was light yet creamy.

Overall a very nice Munich Helles. Solid ABV and very drinkable. Not the ideal summer beer, but tasty nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2006 05:02:27 | More by plaid75

metter98

New York

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: The beer is relatively clear dark yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high off white head that died down, leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and lacy webs of bubbles down the sides of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of spicy hops in the nose.
T: Flavors of bready malts and spicy hops are present in the taste, which also has a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and clean on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is easy to drink and has a good balance between malts and hops, neither of which seems to stand out in particular.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 23:46:30 | More by metter98

DrewSnyc667

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A: Bright orange color, not typical of the helles style. Very little head that doesn't really stick at all to the glass. After a sip, there is very little of the head left. a few columns of activity

S: Butter and skunk typical of the helles style. Very floral and spicy

T: Big bavarian style malt with bitter czech hops Almost like a mild czech pilsener, very very nice

M: Big bitter bite keeps the palate really well balanced and refreshed

O: A little early in the season, but this is a really good beer for the summer

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 22:14:04 | More by DrewSnyc667

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: bottle from Pinocchio's beer garden, Media, PA

Ok, so I waited on this one a bit too long, it being mid-October when I finally got around to cracking it open. Pours into a shaker, a clear bronzed yellow with a slight chill haze, and a nice foamy white head that recedes to a thin layer leaving a bit of lace behind. I really like the aroma: honey and a touch of yeast funk, bready with a touch of hops. Crisp taste of grains and toasted bread, light floral hop bitterness for a dry finish and overall nice balance. Light mouthfeel, a tad metallic in the aftertaste, but definitely refreshing and drinkable overall.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2011 22:05:33 | More by Rifugium