Summer Of Lager - Cisco Brewers Inc.

brentk56

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a hazy golden color with a big, rocky head that quickly fades without a trace of lace

Smell: A hint of cracked wheat

Taste: Bready, up front, with a growing fruity character; after the swallow, the fruit and the herbal hop flavors emerge; there is an underlying sweetness that is surprising

Mouthfeel: Medium body with spritzy carbonation

Drinkability: Not what I was expecting at all, as this tastes more like an ale rather than a lager; very unusual, but I rather enjoyed it

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2009 18:07:31 | More by brentk56

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Carefully poured from a longstanding 750ml bottle, the Summer of Lager is a crystal-clear deep-gold with an orange-ish cast. It's frothy bright-white head holds exceptionally well, no doubt buoyed by the steadily streaming effervescent carbonation from below; and it leaves wide sheets of thin but solid lace about the glass. The nose is clean, bright and fresh just like summer, with notes of malt, cut-grass, and flowers. The body is medium with a dextrinous edge; and it's zesty and then creamy across the palate with a very fine-bubbled, natural (it's bottle-conditioned), effervescent carbonation. The flavor reveals a sweetish, slightly toasty and "juicy" malt (typical of Munich malt) that's laced with grassy, floral, and subtly spicy hops; and balanced by a low-key bitterness that's just enough to dry it in the finish leaving the palate refreshed and ready for another sip. It's rich without being satiating, and it's immensely drinkable. It's very well done, and the 6.25% alcohol is never noticeable! It's certainly worth trying, and probably one of Cisco's best beers!

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2004 21:22:06 | More by NeroFiddled

metter98

New York

3.68/5  rDev -0.3%
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

WesWes

New York

4.1/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a hazy pale gold color with a thick frothy white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a light pale malt scent with a slight lemony zest and a dry lager yeast aroma. The taste is good. It has a light and fruity pale malt flavor with a tart finish. It is lemony and quite refreshing. The mouthfeel is good. It is a low bodied beer with good carbonation. This is an excellent lager and a real summer time treat. It's the first beer I've had from these guys. I hope they're all this good.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2005 01:11:24 | More by WesWes

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.88/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a bright gold color, with a short white head that fades slowly and leaves a thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains lager yeast, light caramelized malts and a good amount of hops.

T: The taste starts out bready from flavors of lager yeast and a hearty but not too heavy malt character. Then some mild citrus and malt sweetness comes in. The hops presence is good for the style and brings a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly bready.

M: Crisp and smooth, light-to-medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

O: Tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, mild kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer to pound down for a while when you’re looking for something simple.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 00:33:09 | More by TheManiacalOne

Gavage

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -3.8%
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

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had a pint at Liberty St Tavern. I assumed this was a pilsner, based on the strong, spicy hop character. It's not overpowering, but provide a tasty balance to the mild toasty grains. The beer didn't have soft bready feel of a classic helles, but that doesn't really matter, this is a fine lager worth enjoying over the summer.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2011 01:54:35 | More by tempest

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Modest starting head that settles quickly to a single layer of bubbles which leave a handful of spots. Light gold color and clear.

Grassy and grainy aromas. Some pale malted barley aroma and faint, faint hop.

Fresh summer beer with little of the malt showing up on the taste. Mature hop bitterness in the swallow, lingers well. The body is quite light, naturally. Lots of spritz. A good beer for a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 21:47:24 | More by smcolw

Jason

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -7%
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

mdfb79

New York

3.35/5  rDev -9.2%
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

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +0.3%
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

plaid75

New York

3.68/5  rDev -0.3%
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

Brad007

Vermont

4.35/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a light golden color with a two-finger head into my glass. Good presentation/color for this example.

Sweet, grainy, buttered bread greets the nose. Fresh. Very inviting. I do think it reminds me a lot of a cream ale, even if they are not related.

A light hop grassiness greets the taste buds, followed by more of that sweet, buttery malt. Mmmmm. Just the right balance of hops and malt here.

Lingering buttered bread and hops on the palate. Finishes very clean.

This is a winner for the style. Easy to drink and highly enjoyable. I'd prefer this over a macro.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 00:57:48 | More by Brad007

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a hazy golden with a huge fluffy white head. Smells of lager yeast and wildflower honey as well as a hint of some Belgian yeast notes as well. The taste is quite interesting, with a lager yeast background but then strong notes of the wildflower honey as well. Floral, sweet, and slightly waxy. Some bitterneess at the end. Still picking up some Belgian notes of clove, banana, and candi sugar but it is only relatively faint. Mouthfeel is full and creamy. This was given to me by a bouncer after being confiscated at a concert, and it was quite a bit better than I thought it would be.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2008 16:21:08 | More by Georgiabeer

avalon07

South Carolina

3.83/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: Had this beer on-tap at Gene's Haufbrau, poured into a pint glass. Had a copper color and a clear consistency. There was an inch of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: Smelled of citrus, malt, and some esters. Not quite what I expected considering the style, but good nonetheless.

T: Tasted of malt (quite a bit as you might expect), a tinge of citrus (but not too much), and a slight estery quality as well. Like the aroma, this wasn't what I expected, but not bad otherwise. Not particularly complex but pretty tasty.

M: A well-carbonated beer with a dry finish. Light-bodied.

O: Not your typical Munich Helles Lager, but worth a shot. A good summer beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2013 12:28:43 | More by avalon07

hopdog

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -15.2%
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

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.03/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I got this brew in a trade with corey0212. Thanks Corey!

22oz bottle served in a standard pint glass.

L - cloudy, golden yellow color with a big head of white foam bubbles that left a sheeting of lace behind.

S - earthy, malty sweetness.

T - heavy malt flavor most of the way with a gentle touch of bitterness on the finish.

F - medium bodied with a good carbonation feel.

D - goes down smooth and easy.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2008 02:08:55 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Looks like a good Helles lager. Bright crisp yellow with a 1/2 inch of sticky white good stuff.

S - Mild German malts, toasty and good with a great deal of herbal hop balance.

T - Straight up this beer is crisp. Hops are sharp yet subtle with flavors of bready and toast malts.

M - Light and crisp a great beer.

Overall a pretty exceptional Helles lager. Would buy again if given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 05:06:47 | More by DrDemento456

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a can at Northern Soul in Hoboken, NJ

A: Pours a crystal clear golden orange in color with moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a two finger tall creamy white head that very slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer with a thicker ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate aromas of caramel malts, lager yeast, wheat, and hops (citrus/orange + lemon and floral).

T: Flavor is similar to the smell, there is a biscuit and caramel malt body with just a subtle hint of wheat. On top of that malt body, there is a fairly strong presence of hop flavors - citrus/orange/lemon and floral. There are also some light hints of lager yeast spice.

M: Light to medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Clean, crisp, and smooth.

O: Very enjoyable and quite easy to drink - very refreshing and one I would gladly have again.

Serving type: can

07-19-2012 01:51:45 | More by dbrauneis

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev -1.6%
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

cjgator3

Florida

3.95/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle

A- Pours a golden yellow color with an off-white head.

S- The aroma is pale malts, fresh citrus notes (lemon), and hops. 

T- The taste is light and crisp but has a really nice refreshing flavor. Pale malts, citrus and spicy hops in the finish make up the flavor profile. 

M- The mouthfeel is light bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

O- Overall, this is a fantastic summer beer. It is light bodied and highly drinkable, but has enough flavor to make a very nice session beer without getting bored. Did not know this was over 6% ABV, that surprised me! It is very drinkable! Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 03:28:48 | More by cjgator3

mdaschaf

Washington

3.83/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Review from notes.Had a few of these at a BBQ over Memorial Day Weekend.

A: Pours a clear golden color with a nice two finger white head on top. Pretty good retention, lasting for a few minutes, leaving behind some streaky lacing.

S: Faint citrus and grassy hops, some grain, and a little bit of spice comes forward. Pretty clean.

T: Some grain and bready malt upfront with some grassy hops that balance the malt nicely. There is some faint fruit, mostly lemon and a little apple.

M: Light to medium bodied, very crisp and easy drinking.

O: Was quite enjoyable, perfect for the BBQ and sipping around the pool, especially in cans. At the time did not realize it was 6.25%, very nice for that abv.

Serving type: can

05-29-2012 21:25:23 | More by mdaschaf

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue VI:

The "lightest" of their beers, it's brewed in October with Belgian lager malt, German Munich malt, some wheat malt, Mt. Hood hops and Hallertau hybrid hops, lagered and then sold the following summer.

Pours a hazy golden color with tons of carbonation that creates a billowy and tight foam that seeks to escape the glass. The nose is soft and bready, with a slight musty and husky character, faint vinous and herbal notes. Body is thicker than expected--full and round and a bit viscous, very creamy and smooth on the palate too. More bready malt characters--bready dominates the brew--followed by a light sweetness, grape note from the Munich malt and herbal hop flavor that's got a slight spicy kick to it. Sweet cereal grains toward the finish, which turn a bit coarse, dry and grainy ... oh, and moreish--Cisco was right.

Summer of Lager is a fantastic lager that comes in at just under 6 percent alcohol by volume and is full of flavor, while maintaining its balance and subtleties--as a good lager should. Definitely a must try for lagerheads or anyone wanting to try a solid interpretation of a German Munich Helles.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2010 13:42:43 | More by BeerAdvocate

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.93/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sampled on July 17, 2011. It has a pale yellow pour which is a little cloudy and there is virtually no head or lacing. The aroma is moderately malty with a citrus zing backing it up. The overall weught of the body is around medium but there is a nice smooth feel to it. The taste tends to be on the bitter side with a light hopped balance. Likeable.

Serving type: bottle

07-17-2011 19:20:55 | More by puboflyons

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
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