Samuel Adams Summer Ale - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

mjurney

Texas

3.15/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance:
Golden color, some amber highlight, hazy. Lots of bubble rising up. Thin frothy head.

Aroma:
Lemony, spicy, bready, crisp and clean.

Taste:
Grainy, grassy, hay, bready. There some black pepper and lemon zest. Bitterness is mild. Finish is very dry and chalky. Medium bodied, dry, wet.

Overall:
It's mediocre beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:09:47 | More by mjurney

andjusticeforale

Connecticut

2.81/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

Hazy yellow gold in a Duvel Tulip. Soapy head that dissipates and has moderate stickiness.

lemony bread in the nose, some citrus fruity characteristics, spicy yeast , faint malt and vanilla scented alcohol.

the first sip reveals a light body, a crisp finish, wheat bread aftertaste. There is a nice spiciness, a very nice lightness to the body, no cloying sweetness. Obviously this is a ubiquitous summer beer, usually served in a pint glass. the swirlability in a tulip improved this beer tremendously. Its a nice summer offering, a party beer sure to please those looking for a not too imposing wheat beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 03:53:43 | More by andjusticeforale

Punky_Brewster

Ohio

2.36/5  rDev -29.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Relatively complex for a "summer" ale. Orangish cloudly look. Decent mouthfeel. The smell was very lemony and the taste followed suit. It just had too much lemon taste for me. I was expecting more from this beer, but the lemon flavor overpowered everything else.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 02:32:42 | More by Punky_Brewster

andrewjraab

Michigan

3.64/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A - murky golden orange / yellow. Head quickly dissipates with no retention or stick.

S - lemon zest, wheat, orange peel, spices

T - Wheat, grains, lemon peel, citrus notes, spices, nicely balanced with a creamy mouth feel.

O - Solid summer ale that I could enjoy on a lazy summer day. I'd get this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 01:45:01 | More by andrewjraab

mfnmbvp

Illinois

2.93/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle, no bottled on date present, but the label is notched on the side at best before July 2013. Another beer from the Samuel Adams summer sampler & another seasonal Samuel Adams beer that I wasn't aware existed. Poured into a Firestone Walker pint glass.

A - Pours one finger of bone white froth that disappears within seconds. Body is a murky orange lemon color with some bubbles rushing to the surface, and some sediment floating down to the bottom. No lacing whatsoever.

S - Nose is boring and uninspired. Wheat, earth, grass, & some tart lemon peel, but not enough to keep me interested. A dusty, grainy smelling beer.

T - Taste is of pale grains, with a fair amount of crisp carbonation. Lemon taste is virtually nonexistent though, and I am not really detecting any peppery notes from the grains of paradise used. Pretty lacking in flavor, in my opinion.

M - Goes down smooth & clean, nothing really notable, no lingering flavors, no pervasive dryness.

Overall, a pretty generic and simple tasting beer, not very much unlike the Samuel Adams Porch Rocker, if I am remembering correctly. Inoffensive, and highly drinkable on a hot day, just not bringing anything really new to the table here. I won't have any trouble finishing this beer, but I would only get this as part of the summer sampler pack.

Samuel Adams Summer Ale ---3/5.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 20:44:23 | More by mfnmbvp

delta490

Virginia

3.61/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 12 oz bottle into a Sam Adams glass.
A- Poured a nice slightly cloudy dark straw/light gold with a short-lived creamy white head that lingers around the circumference. Visible carbonation.
S-Has fruity and malty notes, with a small bit of spiciness.
T- Similar sweet fruit and malt notes, with just a little bit of spice underlying it all and some hops on the finish. The fruit is mostly citrusy.
M-The beer is thinner, as befits a summer ale. There is a good bit of carbonation
O- Another solid entry from Boston Beer. While most of their beers don't blow you away, they are all well-made and solid craft beers and I've never had a bad one. This year's Summer Ale is better than those I've had before (which were underwhelming and very bland), so kudos to them for that.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 05:46:46 | More by delta490

screamking

Ohio

3.55/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into pint glass.

This pours a murky golden straw color with a nice sized white foamy head. There's a lot of citrus in the aroma, orange and lemon are the main culprits. I must say its totally one sided but the aroma is very pleasing.

Yup, taste is a wheat pale ale. There doesn't seem to be that big of a distinction between these wheat ales. This is just a typical everyday refreshing beer. This won't blow anybodies socks off but is perfect for sitting on the beach. If found for the right price this is totally worth it on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 00:29:29 | More by screamking

CorvetteMike

Rhode Island

3.38/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

From bottle to glass orange color with 1" head.
a: Orange color, 1" head
s: Light citrusy and wheat smell
t: Smooth sweet bitter lemon taste
m: Light bitter body
o: Not a bad beer. Do prefer other Samuel Adams offerings.

Not my favorite Sam Adams beer

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 00:17:51 | More by CorvetteMike

BradMacMullin

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Springtime....always means Sam Summer. This seems to be everywhere of course in Boston of course. Kind of a go-to beer for many, and I always mildly like it. Typical wheat ale....pours a nice clear color and has a nice crisp taste. Doesn't blow me away by any means, but it is a good beer that is consistent.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 22:38:45 | More by BradMacMullin

justincolts

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy golden light amber color. Light head. Medium head dissipates quickly. Has a light cripsy summer taste. Very drinkable, solid taste. This is all I have to say, this is all I have to say, this is all I have to say. I'm listening to Titus Andronicus right now. Hopefully tickets to Americanarama Bob Dylan, Wilco, and MMJ aren't too expensive. These reviews are largely for myself.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 01:36:07 | More by justincolts

TeamMathis

West Virginia

3.11/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Cloudy, orangish yellow.
Smell: Wheat and lemon citrus.
Taste: Wheat and mainly lemon citrus, but also some orange.
Mouthfeel: --

Overal, the wheat and the lemon citrus seem to make up the majority of smell and taste that this brew has to offer. Yet, both are certainly underwhelming. I would not get this again (but probably will if it comes in next year's summer sampler, which I'm sure it will). It's not a bad drink; probably best enjoyed colder on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 04:37:05 | More by TeamMathis

MickeyBeer

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pint glass

A- Pours a slightly cloudy golden color with about one finger of white head that disappears right away.

S- Maybe I am a bit congested, but I am not picking up on a lot here. A little bit wheaty, citrusy, and sweet. Not very strong on the nose.

T- A good amount of wheat flavor along with lemon. Pretty sweet, and slightly medicinal. No real hop flavor.

M- Smooth and light mouthfeel. A refreshing brew with little carbonation. I could enjoy these in the hot summer weather all day long.

O- A solid wheat ale that is tasty and refreshing. Doesn't exactly blow me away, but it goes down easy and like most Sam Adams beers, it does not disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 00:19:36 | More by MickeyBeer

Utica_Brew_Review

New York

3.23/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Golden yellow color with minimal head and heavy carbonation. Sweet, citrus, and fruity aroma. Tart citrus taste with yeast, bread notes. Peppery spice aftertaste. Light body. Good for times in the summer when you want a summer beer but not a Bud Light with Lime.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 02:33:51 | More by Utica_Brew_Review

retry4z

California

2.28/5  rDev -32.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25

Pours an light transparency orange yellow, with an one finger head that quickly dissipates to an ice- thin layer.

Smell is of an old wear house, with wheat and malt overtones. Light carbonation.

Goes down smoothly, like a soda. With slight citrusy and very mild malt taste. No remaining bitterness. seems like only the tip and the back of my tongue feel any flavor.

Texture is unpleasant, light to medium.

Overall it reminds me of the dullness of a 40s malt liquor without the alcohol punch.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 06:06:47 | More by retry4z

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

1.28/5  rDev -61.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1

This is the one you see in those cool commercials, with the special info on ingredients. Great Brewery, great commercial ... terrible beer... for me anyway!

I personaly do not like citrusy beers ... I love piney, bitter, sour, and extra hopped beers... but not citrus. My butt lips puckered the next day after drinking this! Not cool.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 14:49:36 | More by FlatRabbitRed

hardy008

Minnesota

2.68/5  rDev -20.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

Reviewed from notes.

Pours gold with a bright white head with fair retention and spotty lacing. Smells and taste like lemon. yeast, zest, and wheat. Light bodied, decent carbonation. Not much to like here.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 00:19:01 | More by hardy008

chinchill

South Carolina

3.18/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle (BB date of August 2012 but stored chilled) served in a Sam Adams lager glass. A thin layer of sediment covers the bottom of the bottle.

Pours a hazy golden color with an ample white head that soon settles to a durable top coat. Some spotty lacing is left on the glass.

The aroma is yeasty and fruity, with too much hint of wet bread but overall mildly appealing.
The flavor is similar, sans wet bread, and has a light, zesty lemon feature like the nose. As often happens with "summer" beers, it is light on both flavor and body. On the other hand, it has a nice peppery spice kick and enough flavor to create a lingering, mainly malty/wheaty, aftertaste. Medium+ carbonation is clearly visible in the glass and moderately soft in the mouth.

O: one of the weaker offerings from Boston Beer, yet still at or slightly above average. [3.25]

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 23:36:00 | More by chinchill

mrfrancis

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a relatively clear gold with a thin, creamy white mousse that does not stick around all that long.

S: Very neutral on the nose with a hint of pepper, lemon, and wheat. Not much different from many American wheat ales in this respect.

T: Notes of cream, minerals, and wheat are carefully balanced by subtle lemon peel, grassy hop, straw, and pepper flavors. The finish is crisp and clipped with a nice blend of wheat, mineral, grass, and lemon.

M: Creamier and smoother than one would expect. Somewhat light in body, but not watery. Dryish with solid carbonation. Very drinkable.

O: This is a solid American wheat ale that I feel gets a bit of a bad rap. In all honesty, I can't see how it doesn't stack up favorably to most beers of this style, as it is more flavorful and interesting than most. Not a perfect beer, but definitely one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to fans of wheat beers in general.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 15:44:32 | More by mrfrancis

sweemzander

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz. bottle poured into a nonic.

(A)- Pours a hazy goldenrod color. Some good white froth and lacing.

(S)- A nice dry, but zesty lemon/orange citrus component with a yeasty grainy background.

(T)- Similar to the smell. A zesty grain & yeast bit to it; slightly bitter with subtle lemon.

(M)- A good carbonation level. A good balance too albeit, a slightly bitter, almost grainy mouthfeel.

(O)- You know what? For what this is, it is not that bad. I would drink this in the summer. While I would not actively seek it out, I would not turn it down if offered to me.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 15:11:46 | More by sweemzander

dogfishandi

New York

3.33/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle notched best before OCT.

pours a cloudy yellowish golden color. a decent white head off the pour, settles to a thin layer. some decent lacing. a quick swirl revives some nice creamy head.

simple aroma. lemon zest, some bland cereal grains. thats about it, having a real hard time detecting any peppery spice from the grains of paradise.

about what i expected from the aroma. simple and easy drinking. some nice lemony citrus, lots of grains with hints of wheat, but again, no real pepper (grains of paradise) detectable. a slight hop bite.

light, finishes crisp and refreshing with a nice creamy mouthfeel.

a nice light summer beer, very easy drinking, but i was really looking forward to the peppery flavors from the grains of paradise used. unfortunately they were absent.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 17:32:36 | More by dogfishandi

Moontang

Ontario (Canada)

3.28/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: very cloudy orange, thin head that sticks around for a while.
Smell: strong, malty with hints of citrus, quite nice despite some of that being against the purity law.
Feel: quite viscous and a bit fizzy, rather pleasant.
Taste: rather sour up front, less malt than the smell, and quite crisp from the carbonation.
Drinkability: an acceptable accompaniment to my steak and potatoes, but not really to my taste.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 22:48:52 | More by Moontang

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

2.58/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Samuel Adams® Summer Ale seems to attempt to clone Belgian white beers & it looks like maybe even Blue Moon.

SA describes this ale as "... a summer seasonal uses malted wheat, lemon peel... fruit note reminiscent of mangoes and peaches. ..."

I don't know I just kinda got a dry hoppy beer flavor with a hint of citrus...just a bummer.

Sa has so many beers...I think quality is behind...

So I might Drink this with Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony. #6

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 14:22:39 | More by frankiepop

TrappistJohnMD

Mississippi

3.43/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours hazy straw color with one fingered off white head.

Smell is malty with vague hints of citrus rind. Slight bit of funk presence too.

Taste is malty. Can't detect much of the citrus. Pretty average IMO.

Mouthfeel is light bodied with average carbonation.

Overall this was o.k.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 20:36:17 | More by TrappistJohnMD

wcudwight

North Carolina

3.38/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy yellow orange in color with a very fizzy head that leaves a nice ring of lace on top. Aroma is suprisingly heavy on the malt with a bread dough aroma add in some orange and lemon peel. Kind of taste like a flavorful unsweet tea, heavy on the lemon, with a spice kick. I can't quite figure out what the spice is. I'm guessing "Grains of Paradise" because that's what it says on the bottle. Thin mouthfeel that's perfect for Summertime sessions. Overall not a bad summer beer. Not great but not bad either. Good beach beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 01:55:36 | More by wcudwight

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

355 mL single bottle from the LCBO; best before May 2013 and listed at 5.5% abv.

Pours a cloudy straw yellow with a slight orange tinge. Seated atop is one finger of frothy white head that quickly vanishes, leaving behind a soapy film on the surface and a creamy collar. The aroma is a bit muted, but otherwise enjoyable - bready wheat malts are a little too dominant, with lemon citrus and peppery spice struggling to be detected through the malty sweetness.

Actually a bit tastier than the aroma let on. Bready wheat malt sweetness comprises the backbone, with notes of honey, lemony citrus, white pepper and herbal, grassy hop dryness coming forward during the sip. Spicy, grassy finish that scrubs the palate clean and doesn't linger long. On the light side of medium-bodied, a bit of chew with heavy, biting carbonation; almost a bit too high, but it works well here with the spice so I can dig it. Easy to drink quickly, and a perfect summer patio drink.

I wasn't sure about this stuff, but the first sip intrigued me enough to look a bit further. This is a seriously great summer refresher, with just the right levels of lemon zest, spice, and chewy wheat sweetness. I decided to just get a single bottle of this rather than an entire six-pack, but I am sort of regretting that decision having tasted it.

Final Grade: 3.8, a solid B+. Easily one of the best American-style wheat ales available in this market. I tend to be more of a hefe/wit guy, but this is a nice changeup that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend, or purchase again. A solid brew that is well worth picking up, particularly if you are a fan of wheaty beers in general.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 06:45:27 | More by thehyperduck