Saga - Summit Brewing Company

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

First had: on tap at Capone's, Norristown, PA

Clear copper pour with a small white head that retained as a ringlet and left a bit of lacing on the glass. Light floral and citrusy hop aromas. Taste of floral and citrus hops once again, grassy, mild pale malts in the background for a good balance; subdued bitterness. Not really exploding with fresh hoppy goodness, but honestly, this did follow a Sculpin, so my palate might have been biased. Light-medium body and definitely easily drinkable, if a little on the thin side.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 03:43:27 | More by Rifugium

Ilafan

Minnesota

4.81/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

As you can tell by my scores ... I flipping LOVE this beer. In fact, it just might be my new favorite. Not just my favorite IPA or beer from Summit ... I mean my favorite beer period!

The pour and the smell are nothing extraordinary or special. It's just like every other IPA.

But the taste is divine. When tasters "talk" or write of perfect balance, they ought to be mentioning Summit Saga IPA. I like hoppy beer, and this beer has plenty of them. Sharp and bitter, the hoppiness satisfies my desire for good IPA. But the hoppiness doesn't overwhelm or become too bitter (ahem ... Surly). The bitter fruit is a counter to the alcohol and bitter malts.

Overall, when I am at my local watering hole of Hopkins Tavern, I ask for a Summit Saga IPA most of the time.

In perfect honesty, I must say that O'Dell's IPA is darn close to this one!

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2013 01:29:37 | More by Ilafan

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.05/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a pint glass

Appearance –The beer is served a lightly hazed golden yellow color with a one finger white head that fades relatively quickly. Upon fading there is a decent level of lace left on the sides of the glass.

Smell – The aroma is heaviest of some sweet caramel and orange as well as a bready malt and a strong hop aroma of a red grapefruit and some lighter pine.

Taste – The taste begins with a bready flavor upfront with flavors of some orange mixed within. Upfront there is also a moderate grapefruit hop grapefruit taste. The grapefruit starts out of medium strength growing stronger and more bitter as the taste advances. While the grapefruit grows stronger, a caramel flavor takes the place of the orange that is present upfront with the orange again joining the caramel at the end. At the end of the taste, the grapefruit which is now quite bitter, mixed with a light piney taste as well as the lighter sweet flavors of citrus and caramel to leave a quite long lingering bitter grapefruit taste on the tongue.

Mouthfeel –The body of the beer is on the medium side with a carbonation level that is rather average. Both are rather good for keeping it on the very drinkable side, but still showcasing some of the nice bitter hop flavors of the brew.

Overall – A pretty nice more bitter lingering IPA. If you are looking for an affordable and bitter grapefruit citrus heavy beer that leaves its mark on your tongue then this is a good choice.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2013 00:00:38 | More by Darkmagus82

dptaylor

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Rereviewing this (scores updated) to say, if you can find this on tap DRINK IT! It is SO much better!

Green Mills all over Mpls and St Paul, most NE Mpls bars, and the Groveland Tap in St Paul, all carry this on tap.

Its almost a tad unpalatable for me in the bottle now, now that I've tried it on tap.

OLD REVIEW:

Living in Minnesota, the local breweries are majorly hyped for those of us around college age -- and it's pretty much just Schell's (which includes Grain Belt) and Summit leading the charge.

I've tried Summit's previous IPA, their aptly named "Summit IPA"... it didn't impress me so much. Disappointing mouthfeel, and a skunky aftertaste that reminded me of cheap malt liquor.

Summit's new IPA offering, Saga, is much better, however. Anyone who has tried Granite City's home brewed IPA will love this, as the two taste nearly identical to me.

Appearance - Golden bronze. Clear. Pours with a large, foamy white head that glazes the glass in lacing.

Smell - Bittersweet, no offensive odors whatsoever.

Taste - Sweet pale malts and bitter hops clash with a bit of caramel influence, with citrus and grapefruit standing out. Very yummy.

Mouthfeel - Just a touch bigger than medium. Moderate amount of carbonation. Makes you crave another sip.

A solid IPA, easily my favorite new offering from Summit. The sweet pale malts are reminiscent of Summit's Pale Ale, which is also a very balanced, delicious brew. Verdict on Saga: Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2013 18:11:53 | More by dptaylor

jmarsh123

Indiana

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Scenic View into a cool Summit pint glass. Apparently we just started getting Summit stuff recently as I've never seen them around IN before.

Pours medium straw color with a generous white head. Good retention and lacing.

Grassy hops and light citrus dominate the nose. Lemon with a touch of grapefruit and a bit of the "soapy" floral aroma. Pretty pleasant if a bit too subtle.

Follows the nose pretty well. A little more resiny in the flavor, but notes of grass, lemon and grapefruit are all noted. Grassy pine on the finish with a little grainy texture. A bit of caramel/biscuit, but definitely leans more toward hops.

Pretty creamy body with appropriate carbonation.

Very solid beer although doesn't have any one factor that I would say stands out.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2012 17:33:42 | More by jmarsh123

jimmah120

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Look is very clear, orange-yellow. Rising bubbles and a sticky white head with good lace. Stinky, earth and pine smell. Bubbly medium feel, tangy citrus pine, a lot of light grain.

Solid IPA, but not really top-tier. Still, by far the best summit IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

10-16-2012 10:08:04 | More by jimmah120

Beerlover

Minnesota

4.7/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

awesome ipa! soo good and different from any of their other stuff. im a huge fan of summits e.p.a. but this stuff is AMAZING! had the privledge of being at the brewery for the relese of this beer, and it was unbeliavable on tap!! not as good in the bottle but still great! hop driven in flavor. aroma is unique and very heavenly. if you dont like summit you have to try this anyway, you wont be dissapointed if you are a hophead like me!

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2012 06:01:52 | More by Beerlover

kjyost

Manitoba (Canada)

3.18/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22 oz pour at Green Mill, Grand Forks.

Amber body with great fluffy white head and stellar lacing. Aromas are substantially more muted than I would have expected for a new IPA on the market. Some floral hop, nutty malt. Taste is very subtle for the style, with no strong hop presence. The bitterness isn't really there for me either. Not what I was expecting nor hoping for. I had drank a Torpedo about an hour before, but I don't think that it wrecked my palate that much, as I had a large pour and food to cleanse the palate... I could have easily mistaken this beer for the EPA... Maybe they forgot to change the tap handle.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2012 21:35:06 | More by kjyost

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Orange-amber, with a decently big head. Retention is decent, with some lacing.
S- The aroma is a hodgepodge of hop aromas, with citrus, herbal, and woody aromas coming through pretty well.
T- There is a bit of light sweet malt, more so than the nose indicated. The hops come through but they are more citrus than anything.
M- Pretty smooth, medium body for style, slightly dry finish.
O- A good IPA. The nose was far more interesting than it ended up tasting, but it's still on the whole pretty good.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2012 22:34:23 | More by jsprain1

midnightowl

4.7/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Summit hit a homerun with their rendition of an American IPA!

S: picked up the tropical fruit flavors right away; mango, passionfruit, apricot and kiwi.

t: piney, citrus, grapefruit popped out in taste with a nice bitter, dry and slight malt finish.

Overall: Well done Summit. Way to prove the naysayers wrong. This will be my go to beer and highly recommend to anyone.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2012 17:39:58 | More by midnightowl

emerge077

Illinois

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

On tap at Green Lady and served in a branded Summit pint.

Hazed amber orange with rising carb trails, frothy layer of white foam that leaves a good amount of lacing. It has some brightness to it, despite the haze. Sticky lace in the glass adheres well.

Citric and floral notes, somewhat subdued at first, but perk up after it warms a little bit. Some woody hop traces surface later on.

Flavors are very balanced, equal bready malt character against some pleasant orange peel and floral hop notes. The advertised tropical character wasn't all that apparent. Clean feel with lightly resinous hop bitterness in the aftertaste. A solid drinkable IPA, though not one i'd characterize as having tropical fruit notes in press materials. Not too far off from Silver Anniversary, which was also a good IPA.

Edit: Tried a bottle and there's a hint of tropical fruit in the aroma, but still pretty subtle. Will get a six most definitely though. The homer contingent is kinda obvious...

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2012 02:56:20 | More by emerge077

JackieTH

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Two ~10 oz pours at this evening's pre-release party at the brewery in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Poured a beautiful, attractive deep orange-amber with an inch of creamy off-white foam that laced up nicely.

Smell is grapefruit/citrus forward with underlying pine, pineapple, berries and caramel malt.

Taste is hop forward with loads of grapefruit pith and pine resins. Mid palate brings mild mango, pineapple and tropical fruit elements, which become more apparent by the second glass. Underlying caramel malt and spice-eartly notes are present around the edges of the tongue.

Body is medium with crisp carbonation. Mouthfeel could be creamier and hold together a bit better. Finish is dry, clean with lingering hop bitterness.

Overall this is a great beer, bonus high marks for drinkability and flavor. One of Summit's best efforts for a year-round offering.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2012 02:10:22 | More by JackieTH

Gipsy_Danger

Illinois

3.96/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a chalice glass.

A: Very nice opaque orange color when poured into a glass. Slight, yet sustained lacing. Half-finger white head dissipates fairly quickly once poured.

S: Strong alcohol, yet hoppy aroma through the nose.

T: Fairly standard IPA taste. Strong initial bitterness that dissipates into a bitter coating on the tongue.

M: Fairly crisp, carbonated sensation upon initial sip that turns into a nice, sustainable, bitter coating.

O: 4/5. Pretty solid iteration of this style.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 02:14:00 | More by Gipsy_Danger

brydeen

Minnesota

3.81/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Bottle poured into a pint

A: Pours a light golden color, with a slight haze to it. A thin white head emerges and sticks around for a while. A little lacing, but not much.

S: Some nice citrus. Pineapple and grapefruit, with a little sweetness. Pleasant, but not overly potent.

T: Nice bitter punch on first sip. Piney and sharp. Little citrus present here. A slight caramely sweetness closes it out.

M: Light bodied and crisp, with light bubbly carbonation.

O: Solid offering, but nothing spectacular. Given the low price though, this is the kind of beer I'd have on hand in the fridge quite regularly. Probably not going to wow anyone, but be very solid for most.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 01:48:35 | More by brydeen

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle. enjoy before 08/17/13.

A: clear. orange more than blond. head is frothy and bright white. retention is good. lacing is spot on. good-looking brew.

S: notes of pine but also a decent amount of citrus. a bit of caramel as well. wisps, nothing serious. appealing aroma.

T: a decent bit or sweet and bitter orange peel. a minor pineyness. green. rounded hop flavor. the bitterness is refreshing even. grain back there but this is mostly about the hops.

D: moderately average amount of carb on a medium body.

D: in the American craft scene more and more AIPA's are being brewed and the bar is getting pushed further and further. while this brew doesn't necessarily stick out of the pack, it is still a well made and tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 01:38:56 | More by Jimmys

TCMike

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a medium gold color. Produced a 2 finger, white head.

The aroma was of citrus, honey, and hops.

The taste was similar, but with a little bit of biscuit flavor. The hop bitterness was very nicely balanced with the light sweetness. It has a medium mouth-feel, and medium carbonation.

This is a very good American IPA. It is easy drinking, affordable, and locally produced. This will be my new "go to" IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 22:14:22 | More by TCMike

JG-90

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

Pours a medium-large head that is creamy and off-white. Settles down to a good sized creamy cap with very good retention. Has moderate/heavy lacing. The beer is a dull golden color. Aroma is bready, piney, grassy, with a bit of grapefruit, though the aroma is slightly subdued.

Taste starts with bread and citrus and finishes with pale malt and pine resin. Has a very clean finish. Body is lighter than average with heavy carbonation for an IPA. Also has a moderate amount of creaminess. Light mouthfeel and lively carbonation make this a refreshing and drinkable IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 19:23:41 | More by JG-90

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.79/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

a clean golden/copper pour with tons of visible carbonatino shooting up the center, 2 fingers of white head leaving behind a nice amount of lacing. smells of grassy and pine hops with some grapefruit and caramel. a bready malt profile with a slight grapefruit citrus hint, los of nice grassy and bittering hop notes. nothing too out of the ordinary, but a very nicely done ipa. medium body with moderate carbonation.. goes down nice and easy.

i feel like this is a nice session ipa, but then again not many people consider 6.4% sessionable. i can see myself having a few too many of these in a night though.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 00:33:08 | More by facundoCNB

Humulus85

Minnesota

4.16/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Summit's year around west coast style IPA. Their EPA was the beer that got me into craft, so I have much love for this brewery. From the 12oz bottle into my tasting snifter. BB 09/27/13.

Pours a clear honey gold with a tight two finger off white head. Solid retention with some really nice lacing.

Tons of hops. Hitting all the notes from citrus to pine to resin. Leaning toward grapefruit. Uses centennial, Amarillo, citra, and rakau hops. Not really familiar with the Rakau, but this is a nice complex hop profile in the nose. Solid pale malt graininess in the background.

Bitterness, grapefruit juice, reisin, pine needles. A bit of tropical fruits. Bready malts in the middle with a touch of caramel. Pretty bitter throughout. Hop oils coat the tongue and leave a hoppy aftertaste.

Medium in body with ample carbonation. Dry in the finish. Again, sticky hop oils coat the mouth.

Overall, this is a solid IPA. Not mind blowing in any way, but it hits all the right notes. The best part about this beer is that it is year around, I can always find it super fresh, and it is sold in 12 packs at no more than $13. Plus I get to give my money to one of my favorite local breweries. Not worth trading for, but if you can get it drink it up. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:06:34 | More by Humulus85

deebo

Minnesota

3.79/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A bottle with a BB date of 8/17/13 poured into a pint glass appears pale golden with a finger of white fluffy head that doesn't have much staying power but sticks to the glass.

I love the aroma of this beer. Hop notes of grapefruit and mango are strongest. There is also a nice clean malt aroma here that has a touch of sweetness. If the taste as is good as the aroma I'm going to love this beer.

Unfortunately for me the taste of the hops is more pine tree like and resiny. The malt is still very clean and has a nice subtle sweetness but is overpowered by the bittering hops.

Mouthfeel of this beer is medium high carbonation with a fairly nice malt backbone. Finish is long and bitter with a resiny/sticky quality.

Overall this is a solid IPA but I prefer those that are more aromatic and don't tend to overpower you with a bitter taste and a pine resin taste. This one isn't like sucking on a pine cone but it is strong enough to hamper my enjoyment. Good one to pair with spicy foods.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 02:34:35 | More by deebo

dakotaben

North Dakota

3.76/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

I thought it had a very nice aroma, but the taste didn't pack quite the kick that I was expecting from the smell. The color, taste, and overall... this beer delivers what I would expect from Summit!

This is a good beer from Summit with all the characteristics of a good IPA and I would drink this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 21:09:23 | More by dakotaben

argock

Virginia

3.76/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12 oz brown bottle into a clear mug. No obvious freshness date. Purchased as a single by my brother Greg at a Minneapolis area bottle shop for $1.99.
Reviewed from notes.

A: LIght copper, clear, with 2-finger off-white nicely rocky head with good retention and solid sticky lacing.

S: Hoppy with grapefruit pith, pine resin, and some earthy notes in the background. Maltiness is nondescript but slightly bready with little to no caramel.

T: More bitter than the aroma shows with solid underlying bready, lightly crackery maltiness and ranging hoppiness including grapefruit, honeysuckle, orange, pine, and resiny finish. Very solid flavor but doesn't distinguish itself from other good IPAs.

M: A little heavier in body than I would have liked -- not bad, I want this to be lighter and a bit drier. Carbonation could be ratcheted up a notch to help with this.

O: A very good beer from Summit and their best IPA to date that I have had the chance to try. A little lighter body and drier finish would really make this more enjoyable, but all in all it is a nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 02:54:51 | More by argock

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.71/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this yet. I drink the crap out of this beer.

First off, $12 for a 12 pack of delicious ipa? Yes, please!

Off white head. Golden orange in color.

Flavors of pine and earthy/floral hops. Bready/biscuity malts. A bit of fruit citrus flavors. The malts show a bit more in this one and balance it out nicely.

Mouthfeel: Bitter and a bit sticky. Medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Overall, an enjoyable ipa that is greatly priced and easy to find around the TC. Glad to see this showing up at the 'divey' bars.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 01:35:55 | More by mothman

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Fresh bottle from Capone's. A bold minty spicy peppery IPA that stands out as the aftertaste is still on my palate some time after consumption. Deep yellow with good retained head. Middling mouthfeel. Good drinkability. Invigorating aroma.Like a 1.5X IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 03:37:08 | More by northyorksammy

GoldHorde

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Summit offerings are readily available here and economical values for non-celebratory weekly imbibes when I don't want to dip into my dark 50F cellar of premium reserve of beers. I usually buy single pick'em 6-packs of premiums for taste test reviews and special conversations with close premium-loving friends. I usually pick 6 IPA's and 6 dark bodies from the local craft beer stores.

Summit's Pale Ale is readily available at local restaurants and festivals (including the State & County Fairs) around town but I usually bought their IPA for economy consumption - being that their beers are a solid level up over US domestics.

Summit's SAGA IPA surprised me, REALLY surprised me - I wasn't expecting a top-shelf IPA at such a drinkable price.

COLOR: Gold haze.
HEAD: Thin but stubborn - definitely within style.
AROMA: Invitingly evergreen - without the slap.
FLAVOR: WOW - THIS is the tame SUMMIT?! NICE JOB! Very nicely right down the middle of the style sheet - so perfectly a hitters pitch that you can easily knock it right out of the park with ease (oh yes, did I mention that baseball season just opened here). Bitter-sweet edge, evergreen echo in aftertaste

I can announce here that I have just found my fall-back domestic. Summit's regular IPA & Pale Ale, while both enjoyable, have that commercially produced "musty" edge taste that US domestics have in aftertaste.

Very nice beer, Summit - here's to YOU!

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 03:25:50 | More by GoldHorde