Hop Sun (Summer Wheat Beer) - Southern Tier Brewing Company

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

3.33/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle.Shaker glass.Enjoyed on jul´11.Bright golden color.White foam. Close,dense with fairly good retention crown.Floral,bready & yeasty aromas.Crisp hoppy & bready flavor.Undelying citric notes,smooth peppery touch. Mildy malts leave hoppy hints in mouth.Slightly buttery,mildy citric palate. Medium body,medium carbonation.Malty finish,hops on the aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 23:08:41 | More by GONZALOYANNA

Ommy

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours clear golden, the head is a bit small but it is fine and brilliant white. The head size doesn't surprise me considering how light the color is.

Nose is a bit muted, but lovely smell of fresh hops with hints of malts. I could say how the sharp hop smell reminds me of lemon peel or something, but I think you get it, this simply just smells like beer. No fruit added, nothing fancy, just good beer :)

The taste is unexpected. On the nose the hops were big, and the malts were muted. The taste very balanced, with the malts coming on a little stronger. I usually don't beers as much when they are on the maltier side, but these are very light and interesting.

Mouthfeel is crisp and light.

Overall this is a great beer to have more than a few of. It is light and easy to drink, without being tasteless.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 20:51:04 | More by Ommy

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Golden tan and crystal clear, 1.5 finger head and pretty decent lace.

Smell is grassy, grainy, malty, and lemony with a tinge of hop zest.

Taste is quite nice, the lemon comes through subtly but right away, followed by a nice grainy wheat flavor and a nicely balanced addition of hops.

Body is light to drink but almost full in the mouth, lemony malts finish it off.

Overall it's quite tasty stuff. I'm really beginning to like this brewery, going to several of their beers as regular choices.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 22:54:09 | More by AlCaponeJunior

drabmuh

Maryland

3.53/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

At the time of this review, this is the #7 beer on the beeradvocate.com "Top Beers - American Pale Wheat Ale" list. Served from a bottle without a date on it into a New Belgium globe glass.

Beer is yellow with a mild haze, lazy thin white head small bubbles, some lacing moderate carbonation. Looks fine.

Aroma is a little like hop candy, sweet and a little citrusy, minor malt, minor yeast.

Beer is medium in body, pretty sweet, light on the finish and bitterness, light on the hops throughout, basically a little candied orange peel and that's about it, not a repeat.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2012 01:11:08 | More by drabmuh

vfgccp

New York

3.45/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A – Loose bubble on a white head. Ok retention and lace. Light, clear, pale gold body.

S – Light wheat with a bitter, lemony oregano center.

T – Bright acidity and lemon zest up front. Wheat center. Lightly buttery, lemony-sweet finish.

M – Low carbonation. Smooth with a medium light body.

O – Not bad, but the low carbonation hurts the profile.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 17:12:12 | More by vfgccp

buschbeer

Ohio

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle
Served in a pint glass

A - It pours a hazy, golden color. It briefly had an inch of off white head.

S - There is a big floral presence. I also get biscuit and toffee.

T - It starts out sweet, almost like honey. Then I get some citrus and floral hops to end it up.

M - Moderate and pretty smooth. Low carbonation.

O - It was actually better than I anticipated. It had a lot of flavor for the style. It was a little on the hoppy side but quite good.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 22:33:36 | More by buschbeer

Neorebel

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Clear golden color - a bit too 'clear' for a wheat beer in my opinion. Soapy head with little to no retention on the glass. Nice fruity aroma with lemon and a subtle coconut scent coming through. The taste is grainy yet bittersweet and refreshing. Nice light mouthfeel and a good finish. A flavorful beer that is definitely good for the summer I'm sure but all in all nothing to write home about.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2011 19:39:08 | More by Neorebel

atlason

New York

3.08/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from bottle into flute.

A: Slightly opaque straw. LIttle head but quite decent lacing.

S: Citrus and coriander.

T: Pretty bitter hops, wheat malt and some spritzy dry lemonade.

M: Nice doughy mouthfeel with fairly low carbonation.

Overall this is a fresh and interesting American wheat but I really don't like this much hop bitterness in my wheat beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 05:20:21 | More by atlason

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Clear pale amber body under an inch of frothy white foam; average retention, but excellent lace. Attractive.

S: Spicy, almost tart wheat balanced nicely with pure lemony hops. Very refreshing aroma.

T: Sweet wheat up front, followed by some spiciness and plenty of those tasty lemony hops. A clear hint of coconut, strangely enough. Clean, lightly bitter finish. Nothing overwhelming, but thoroughly pleasant and appropriate for the style.

M: Light, frothy, smooth. Excellent.

O: My hopes weren't too high for this one (APWAs often leave me cold, and I only bought this one since it was on clearance), but it really impressed me. The hoppiness gave it real character, and the overall package was both flavorful and refreshing. Next summer I'll be sure to pick up a fresh sixer of this.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 01:00:42 | More by woosterbill

rdub

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into my favorite pint glass. Foamy head disippating quickly into a thin layer of foam. Nice bright color, appealing look. Little bit of typical banana clove smell mixed with a nice hop presence. I really liked the mix of traditional wheat flavor and hops. The mouthfeel was great and easy drinking. I loved this and will seek it out next summer.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 22:51:51 | More by rdub

keanex

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into my pint glass.

A: Slightly hazy golden beer with a 1 finger foamy head that dissipates quickly into a thick lacing.

S: Citrusy with light hops and a nice wheat scent.

T: Citrus foretaste, then crisp wheat flavors roll over the tongue and finish nice florally and hoppy.

M: Medium-High carbonation, medium bodied.

O: My favorite summer beer so far. Very refreshing and easy to down.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 14:26:27 | More by keanex

auroracrisis

Kentucky

3.88/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottled on 6/8/11

Pale blonde with a tiny head that dissipates soon there after. Lively carbonation with bubbles dancing to the top.

Soft sweeter wheat aroma with a hint of grassy hops. A little bit of vanilla and wheat bread in the background.

Again with the soft wheat flavors with a nice earthy, grassy hoppyness. More vanilla on the end as well, and leaves a sweet taste in your mouth.

Crisp, soft thin-medium body with moderate carbonation.

Nice soft wheat flavors with a grassy hoppyness. A nice soft, crisp drinking beer that's great for the summer time.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 00:11:14 | More by auroracrisis

bamojr

Virginia

3.13/5  rDev -18.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Golden clear in color with a frothy head.
Smells a hint of hops but nothing to strong in the nose.
Crisp and light, hint of bitter. Floral flavors . This is a good summer beer that is easily drinkable, but I don't notice anything that makes me like it more than just a average beer. This is really just an average beer .

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2011 22:47:02 | More by bamojr

mgbickel

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes...summer 2010

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Solo plastic cup...ugh...

1.5 fingers of snow white head gathered on top of the clear, golden straw body. Decent retention from the foam with moderate lacing.

The nose finds citrus hops, sweet bread and honeysuckle...all sitting on a grainy/grassy backbone.

Floral flavors lead off the taste. The honeysuckle from the nose comes out in the middle and lemony hops finish this out. Just as the nose indicates, the background is wheat/grains and present throughout.

Light bodied, refreshing and well carbonated.

A very nice summer offering...very drinkable and refreshing. In line with, but, a tick below Lil' Sumpin and two ticks below Gumballhead

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 19:33:02 | More by mgbickel

bilyboy65

Colorado

4.18/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is a really nice wheat ale. I like the pale dryness of the beer over the yeasty fruityness of a lot of other wheats.

A - Has a golden delicious color and a nice white head. Beautiful column of carbonation floating to the top. Not a lot of trails marking the glass though.

S - Nice dry hoppyness. Notes of some grains and lemon.

T - Like a beer....Slight bitterness on the finish. Slight bread and lemon notes. Mostly just dry hops. Beautiful.

M - Very light in the mouth, but has a surprising oil trail as it passes over the tongue.

O - Very enjoyable beer anytime. I can understand why this would be a summer beer though as it would do wonders on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2011 01:58:26 | More by bilyboy65

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle, bottled on 5/4/11. Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a clear light gold color with about a half inch white head that went away pretty quickly. There's a decent amount of lacing. Aroma is a bit light overall, the brew smells like wheat, lemon peel and sweet malt. The taste is pretty much the same as the aroma, but there's the addition of some grassy hops. Luckily the taste is much stronger than the aroma is. Mouthfeel/body is light, it's crisp and easy to drink with moderate carbonation. I think it's a decent brew, but next time I'll have to try a fresher bottle. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 23:26:20 | More by bluejacket74

zeledonia

Minnesota

3.15/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

No date on the bottle, though it's a summer release, and I know it's this year's.

Pours a light golden yellow, the color (appropriately) of mid-summer wheat. Clear as a window. One-finger white head, disappears fast, almost no lacing. No apparent carbonation - even my Duvel tulip can't coax bubbles out of it.

Smell is the high point. Some grainy harvest wheat, some lightly fruity hops (lemon and peach). Smells peppy and refreshing.

The taste doesn't follow up well. Some very faint wheat flavors, some grassy hops. There's just not much to it, nothing to excite me, nothing to grab onto. Not much flavor at all. Not bad, but not good.

Light-bodied. Finish is fairly dry and quick. Pretty flat; I can get some carbonation if I try, but I have to work for it.

For me, this is a "meh" beer. It's not bad, but I don't like it all that much. I've been drinking a lot of wheat ales this summer, and this is not in the upper tier of those I've had. Not much complexity to the flavor, mouthfeel is blah, and it's just not all that refreshing (which I want from a summer wheat).

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2011 03:07:29 | More by zeledonia

mattkoon

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

this is the 3rd beer that I have had from southern tier. All 3 have been very good. The Hop Sun summer seasonal is a great combo of hoppiness and smooth drinkability. The color is a beautiful golden. The smell is sweet citrus and hops. The flavor delivers. The sweet lemon and orange blends well with the piney hoppiness. The only regret I have is that I discovered this beer so late in the summer, it's time for the fall beers to start rollin out, and I can't wait.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2011 22:11:40 | More by mattkoon

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.8/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Sampled on August 15, 2011. The pour is pale yellow with short lived fizzy white head that diminishes to nothing in no time. It is the lemon gras that takes oiver the aroma on first whiff so it is very summer-like in that regard. The wheat and hops are more subdued. The light body doesn't make you have to try to hard on a hot summer day. The taste is also zinging with lemon with muted malt flavor and a pungent but clean hop finish. A nice way to enjoy the dog days of August.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 23:04:54 | More by puboflyons

ncfranklin

Alabama

3.73/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a tulip

A: Sunshine gold. Finger white frothy head. Ya, looks like a wheat beer.

S: Smell of wheat rain and some light grassy hop.

T: Strong in the wheat flavor, with only a light hop note in the middle. Very moderate bitterness, then a sweeter malty finish.

M: Light body, and quite smooth. Not greatly carbonated, just enough to give a level of crispness.

D: Hm. Maybe the "hop" in this "Hop Sun" would be more pronounced fresher. Overall however, it's a very drinkable wheat beer with a well pronounced wheat taste.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2011 14:05:47 | More by ncfranklin

gskitt

New York

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a shiny, clear sunny color, effervescent, head is fluffy and white, sticks around for a while. Smell is of toasted wheat, some citrus notes, even floral as well. Taste comes across in the form of a very balanced wheat and citrus combination. Has a tang to it. Crisp and refreshing. Southern Tier rarely fails to disappoint. A new summer favorite.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 23:12:35 | More by gskitt

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass.

Appearance: Bright and clear straw golden yellow with a lot of bubbles. Big three finger white head with good retention and lots of lacing.

Smell: Strong aroma of citrus and floral hops with a background of wheat and bready malts. Good hints of lemon and orange and maybe a little honey. Hops smell pretty strong for a summer wheat ale. Smells a lot like a pale ale.

Taste: Bright kick of citrus and floral hops up front followed by a bready base of wheat and caramel malts. Some orange, lemon, and a little pine. Mildly bitter and sweet. By far the most hop driven summer ale I've had. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. Very crisp and smooth.

Overall: This really impressed me. This brew does a great job upping the hop flavors while still maintaining a light wheat body. Probably the best summer ale I've tasted so far.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 04:23:25 | More by MattyG85

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: clear yellow gold. Fleeting white head dissipates to a collar of lace.
S:some lemony citrus and light tropical fruit along with biscuity, crackery malts.
T: lightly sweet bready malts are balanced out by a smooth hop bitterness, maybe a slight lemony twang from the wheat.
M: light bodied, crisp and frothy.
O: I like the american hop presence and lack of a big presence from the wheat or yeast. Sort of a poor man's gumballhead.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2011 16:45:05 | More by MrMcGibblets

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Clear yellow with a one finger head that has decent retention and lacing down the glass. Good look considering style.

S - Bright hops in the aroma with tangerine and floral notes, with some grainy wheat in the background.

T - Nice melding of flavors with light citrus hops followed by a slight wheat twang in the middle, finishing with a lingering caramel sweetness in the aftertaste.

M - Light body, medium carb level. Feels nice and smooth across the palate. I was expecting a highly carbed beer, but this works nicely. Finishes mostly crisp and clean.

O - I'm not a fan of the style overall, but this drank very well on a hot day. I'd get it again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2011 14:36:38 | More by garuda

PDXHops

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Growler poured into a weizen glass. Bright see-thru yellow with a fizzy white head that soon reduces to a skim. This actually sticks around pretty well and leaves some scattered lace.

Yeasty and husky grains aplenty along with a nice snappy lemon presence in the nose. Along with the lemony bite of wheat, a combo of earthy/spicy/citric hop notes make for quite a flavorful brew. Some lingering sweetness blunts the crispness of the finish, but it's overall pretty lively and goes down easy. Nice choice for escaping the heat on my front porch.

Serving type: growler

08-02-2011 19:26:09 | More by PDXHops