Brooklyn Summer Ale - Brooklyn Brewery

kylehay2004

Florida

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Thin white head over a straw with golden color.

S: Bread, light lemon and malt.

T: Malt, toasty and bready. Citrus notes.

M: Mildly dry which takes away from the refreshing aspect of many beers in this category. On the lighter side of medium bodied. Moderate carbonation.

Overall: A nice beer. Good choice for canned beer. Not my favorite in the genre but drinkable for those summer months.

Serving type: can

08-03-2011 00:25:22 | More by kylehay2004

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 oz brown bottle, best by date printed on neck

A - Pale golden color, white head that has decent retention and some lacing.

S/T - Light on the nose, but both are similar with pale, grainy malts and just enough grassy, floral hops to give it some bitterness in the finish. I couldn't find too much going on here.

M - Light/medium body, medium carbonation, finishes mostly clean, crisp.

O - Not really what I think of for a summer ale. It wasn't very refreshing, and it drank a little tough towards the end, with the malts being a bit too strong for the hops.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2011 11:20:10 | More by garuda

Mora2000

Texas

3.68/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a medium yellow color with a white head. The aroma is a mix of grain and lemon with some wheat notes. The flavor is a mix of wheat and some perfume from the hops. I also get some grass and orange citrus notes in the flavor. The bitterness is fairly low and the beer is very drinkable. Thin to medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: can

07-29-2011 00:26:24 | More by Mora2000

Sideswipe

California

2.25/5  rDev -37.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12oz can poured into a snifter. Best by Oct 2011 stamped on the bottom.

A- Hazy golden color with a finger of white foam floating atop it. Nice lacing for a pale.

S- Sweet, bready malt aroma predominates.

T- Distinct flavor of the two row malt which is used in this brew sits front and center in the flavor profile. Malt flavor goes bland mid-palate and the beer goes downhill from there. Finish is semi-dry with a somewhat unpleasant aftertaste.

M- Feel is light with a medium level of carbonation.

O- I found this offering from Brooklyn to be extremely one dimensional. Not something I'd willingly have again.

Serving type: can

07-27-2011 01:50:53 | More by Sideswipe

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

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

A - pours a clear marigold yellow with a white pillowy head which had decent enough retention and left specks of lacing.

s - aroma is a bit muted overall but as it warms there is a bit of freshly baked bread, vague spice notes, lightly citrus rustic hop aroma and just a hint of lemon.

T - dry, grainy malt profile. lightly fruity in the in middle with a touch of citrus and lemon. a snappy and clean hop bitterness and a slightly tart finish.

M - lighter bodied with a wet mouthfeel sort of straddling between creamy and watery. moderate carbonation.

O - an easy drinking english style pale ale. simple yet still flavorful.

Serving type: can

07-27-2011 01:25:42 | More by Teleweizen2

EricCioe

Montana

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

This pours pale gold with a thin head that rises and falls leaving little lace. On the nose there is a good deal of crystal malt, pale, wet straw, and grass. In the mouth, those wet grassy and grainy aromas come to life. I can't think of how else to describe it other than how I already have, as there is little in the way of hop bitterness except in a short finish, with a nicely medium body with pleasant carbonation.

Overall, this is a decent brew, but this might be the shortest review I've written in some time. There is just very little to say here good or bad. It's decent, no less, no more.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 00:26:20 | More by EricCioe

zimm421

Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a standard pint glass. Has a below average white head that has a thick consistency, not great staying power and a very minimal amount of lacing.

The nose is bready and yeasty and not much else. Maybe a slight hint of spices. The taste is very uncomplex. Just lots of bready malts and some yeast. A slight hint of lemon and pepper. Not real impressed here. Something that would be good on a hot day but pretty boring other than that.

Mouthfeel is thin to medium bodied, with an average amount of carbonation; very drinkable. Overall, a good summer beer, but other than that, I wouldn't touch it. I understand that's the point of this brew, but I'm looking for a bit more refreshment and taste out of a summer beer. This is also something you need to drink quickly because as it warms it becomes far too sticky and less refreshing and the good qualities really start to disappear.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2011 19:22:01 | More by zimm421

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This beer poured out as a light golden color with a foamy white head on top. The smell of the beer has a touch of lemon zest and malts in there. The taste had a hint of lemon as well and is fairly malty. The mouthfeel is pretty lighter and is decently refreshing. Overall this is a lot like the Sam Adams Summer Wheat but not as good.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2011 21:33:26 | More by Knapp85

BigCheese

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Meh

Golden straw appearance with a thin white head. Leaves minimal lacing.

S: mild, some citrus hops, not much else.

Taste, a bit of sweet molasses malt upfront, followed by a predominantly lemon/citrus hops, slightly metallic/astringent, crisp finish.

M: Very light/thin body, lots of carbonation, very very drinkable, I could drink these till the cows come home.

Overall a decent run of the mill summer ale, Pretty average for the style but certainly not sub par. Not brooklyns best not their worst. Worth trying once, good in hot weather, nothing particularly noteworthy.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2011 22:47:06 | More by BigCheese

mikeylol

Texas

2.75/5  rDev -23.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Pale golden, 1.5 finger head; mediocre head retention, minimal lacing.

S- Pine and grass, hint of citrus, subdued bready malts.

T&M- Medium-light mouthfeel, sweet pale malts with minimal citrus hop bitterness; finishes clean with minimal aftertaste. Quaffable.

O- Can't really say I like this beer. While refreshing and pleasant tasting, leaves no impact and is forgettable the moment you finish.

Notes- Very refreshing in the Texas heat. As a summer seasonal, its an okay choice; would not pick buy again myself though.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 21:32:51 | More by mikeylol

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

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

12oz Bottle

Appearance - Mostly clear amber colour with a large size fizzy off-white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation showing and there is some fair lacing. The head lasted for 5 minutes before it was gone.

Smell – Grains, lemons, light hops, bread, malts

Taste & Mouth - The beer has a high amount of carbonation and most of the taste is made up of lemon juice and zest mixed with breads and grains. There is also a bit of a metallic flavour and some light hops.

Overall – A decent summer refresher but I expected more. It's nice and crisp tasting, just not really memorable in any sort of way. It would work well for camping trips, especially since it comes in cans now.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 14:35:22 | More by spinrsx

renegadeburger

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

got to pick up a nice 12oz can of this stuff on my way to a bbq loved seeing it there and good price too

poured into plastic cup outside immediately thought hey this beer is kinda dark for a summer ale but all good for me

smelled like lemon hops and also some grass a little bit of yeast in there too

taste was damn fine i could have drank this all day one of the best summer beers i had so far this year

nice mouthfeel i would say medium bodied for sure

overall a great beer i would definitely bring this to a bbq again nice one brooklyn

Serving type: can

07-18-2011 14:53:42 | More by renegadeburger

RomaniIteDomum

Florida

3.65/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours yellow with a nice little white head. When you ask someone off the streed to describe "beer", this is probably what they would say it looks like.

The smell is wuite nice. Fresh grain dominates with hints of light citrus and floral notes.

The taste is built around fresh barley that isaugmented by some light notes apple and grape with a kiss of pine.

I like beers with a good presence, yet this is a tad too thick for the sryle. Could use a few more bubbles.

Overall, this was pretty damn drinkable and would be great by the pool.

Serving type: can

07-17-2011 05:50:07 | More by RomaniIteDomum

DavidST

Texas

3.53/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass, best before date of Oct. 2011.

Pours a light golden very clear color with a white head. Smells pretty light, some bready malts with a little citrus hops. Mouth is light with med carbonation. The taste is of bready/biscuity malts, a little citrus on the way down, very light. Overall this was good enough, I'm not much of a summer beer type of person though.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2011 23:44:07 | More by DavidST

ktrillionaire

Florida

4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I'm drinking it out of the can. The aroma is mildly herbal-hoppy and has a faint lemon note as well. It tastes quite a bit like a hopped-up Kolsch, with very pale dry grain notes, minerality, herbal-floral flavors, and a hint of lemon zest. It is not fruity or buttery like I think of an EPA as being. The feel is crisp and refreshing. Good summer beer.

Serving type: can

07-12-2011 22:01:02 | More by ktrillionaire

fsvan

Tennessee

3.6/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into pint glass.

A- Golden, clear. An inch of so of quickly fading white head.

S- Smells nice. Nice blend of toasted, bready malts with piney hops. Definitely in line with the English style of pale ale.

T- Mild flavored, balanced English pale ale. Again, some bready malts, with a decent hop bite. Not incredibly flavorful, but what is there is nice.

M- Mediumish.

O- Very easy drinking. A pleasant, albeit unspectacular beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2011 23:38:50 | More by fsvan

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Pours a golden color. The liquid is quite clear, no haze. About one finger's width of head rises and simmers down to a film but laces decently.

S-A very mellow aroma. Slightly bready, even smaller dose of hops. Quite lemony and citrusy. The smells was pretty muted however. Just rather dull.

T-The flavor is mostly bread and lemon. I have had Summer Seasonals that have just done the same flavor profile considerably better. Just doesn't seem to mingle well with itself. Still easy to imbibe, but just didn't hit the spot on an 85 degree night.

M-Light. Crisp but perhaps not crisp enough. Ample amounts of bubbles. Good feel for the most part.

O/D-Just not my favorite Summer seasonal. Give me a handful of other Summer brews before this. A bit bland. Funky looking can. Doesn't make up for the flavor. Not awful, but I would recommend a few others before this.

Serving type: can

07-10-2011 23:02:43 | More by VelvetExtract

PicoPapa

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap. Pours a translucent light amber color with an inch of head. Fair amount of lacing. Aroma is sweet. Picking up on grains, citrus hops, and caramel. Taste is a light hop bitterness with the flavor of grains. Maybe a hint of lemon peel. Crisp, flavorful summer beer. Good amount of flavor for a summer beer. Overall, its a solid warm weather beer. Worth seeking out.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2011 16:56:18 | More by PicoPapa

perrymarcus

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle served in a standard pint glass.

pours a clear golden tone while yielding a 1" foamy, off-white head. so-so retention; not much lacing to speak of.

nose is middling. subtle notes of bready malts and some hoppiness, but overall pretty average.

flavor delivers more characteristics along the same lines. bready/toasty malt... muted hops - a touch of citrus in the background... OK tasting, not blowing me away. medium bodied mouthfeel with average carbonation.

overall, a fine, inoffensive summer ale. fits the bill for a refreshing, "good to enjoy during a summer BBQ" type of beer, but won't bowl you over with flavor. for my money there are better summery brews out there.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 22:49:02 | More by perrymarcus

Cresant

Kentucky

3.03/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured this 12 oz. brown bottle into a Sam Adams glass. Dated best by OCT 2011. The body was clear and light golden. Whispy white head left only spots of lacing.

The smell was light biscuity malts and a bit of crushed peppercorn. Faint lemons, spicy.

The taste reflects the aroma. Finishes fruity and tangy with only hints of bitterness. Very drinkable and approachable for non-craft beer drinkers. Seems a bit spicy for an English Pale Ale. It is a nice summer beer and I would buy it again.

The mouthfeel was light in body with plenty of refreshing carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 02:33:50 | More by Cresant

Merchant46

Minnesota

2.05/5  rDev -42.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

About the only thing they got right on this beer is the carbonation. If you live here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it'll remind of a high-end version of Schmidt, particularly with the aftertaste (that's not a good thing). Only thing is, Schmidt costs half of what this beer does. Other than a slight grapefruit tang, it's bitterness has no complexity and almost no malt to offset it, so it's watery and unsatisfying. They were going for crisp and refreshing and fell short. Right now, I'm regretting passing up the Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager (which I know is good). Sometimes you try a new beer against your suspicions, and it pays off. This was not one of those occasions. I know Beer Advocate requests that we respect what the brewer was going after, but in a case like this where you get a cheap tasting beer for an expensive price, people deserve to know.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2011 17:10:28 | More by Merchant46

kevo237

Louisiana

3.35/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer had no head and had a reddish tint to an already pale lager look. Smelled slightly hoppy and citrusy.

Taste was decent. Definitely in the summer style. I felt like it was a cross between an IPA and a stronger Blue Moon. It was just hoppy enough that faded and lent way to a citrus taste. It was refreshing and light, but ultimately not my thing.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2011 01:28:43 | More by kevo237

nickfl

Florida

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

A - Pours with one finger of white foam on a deep golden body with decent clarity. The head settles down quite quickly and leaves little lace on the glass.

S - Bready malt notes, accompanied by some lightly musty hop aromas.

T - Biscuit and toast malt character up front with a bit of husky grain character. Some grassy hops show up in the middle with more toast and a hint of bitterness. The beer finishes out with a good dose of toasted malt and light bitterness as well as some musty hop notes that linger on the palate.

M - Medium-thick body, moderate carbonation, and a somewhat dry finish.

D - Not a bad beer, but really nothing particularly special. The malt is fairly strong throughout, with enough hops to balance, but really not much character over and above that. A pretty passable beer for hot weather, but if you want to put some effort into it, you wouldn't have much trouble finding something better.

Serving type: can

07-03-2011 06:45:41 | More by nickfl

ToasterChef

Maine

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A chilled can is poured into a pint glass. The beer is colored light straw and has a small white head. The low serving temperature has caused the sides of the glass to fog up with condensation.

Slightly sweet malts make up the aroma, with some mild hop bitterness.

The flavor is mild and refreshing. Some pale malts and a bit of grassy hops balance out well.

Medium body and average carbonation. A slight sweetness doesn't cause any stickiness, but does leave a small coat that packs a lot of flavor.

This is an enjoyable summer beer, especially in can form. My wife and I have gone through the 12 pack quickly. I would purchase this beer again.

Serving type: can

07-03-2011 01:15:04 | More by ToasterChef

JerseyKirk

New Jersey

2.05/5  rDev -42.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A: Pale gold from the 2 row. White 2 finger head.

S: Citrus, faint orange. Really subtle. Nothing overpowering.

T: Malty, juicy, not hoppy. Slight fruit. I feel mostly like I'm drinking fruity water.

M: Mild carbonation and thin.

O: Not impressed. Its not flavorful, its watery. Lawnmower beer. Natty Light with slight fruit at best. Besides Brooklyn has a lot of nerve to charge what they are for all 2 Row and a few hops. Sad.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2011 15:55:36 | More by JerseyKirk