Twilight Summer Ale - Deschutes Brewery

barnzy78

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle, freshness date is smudged. but I know it's pretty fresh. Golden body with a tall, frothy, white head, good retention and excellent lacing. Fruity aroma with grass, faint mandarin orange and citrus. Tastes are biscuity, fruity, citric grapefruit & mandarin, mango, mild pine, grassy, white peppery tingle on the finish. Light-to-medium bodied, pleasant carbonation. Overall, better than expected, and with the addition of the Amarillo hops, this was really nice to drink - very refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 00:30:03 | More by barnzy78

LambicPentameter

Kansas

3.71/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured out of a 12 oz brown bottle into a 16 oz nonic glass. No bottling date, but a "freshest by" date of August 2013.

Appearance - A golden hue with shades of amber throughout as well as tamarind coloring. Topped with a bushy head of two fingers that dissipates slowly over about 15 minutes, leaving a thick curtain of lacing and mottled clumps of carbonation resting atop the liquid.

Smell - Grassy and herbal, with definite hoppiness. Notes of water cracker, lemon zest and other light fruits. Wish it was a little more aromatic though. Hard to pick up much at all.

Taste - Slightly bitter, with a balance of malt and lemongrass. Some notes of alcoholic phenols as well with a finish that is clean but a tad pungent.

Mouthfeel - Crisp and bright, with light carbonation and body.

Overall, a solid summer blonde ale. Not my favorite style, but this is a good representative of it. Would be great for hot weather.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 03:27:20 | More by LambicPentameter

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.61/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

A - Pale gold, mostly clear, white head has good retention and lacing.

S/T/M - Bright citrus hops, not entirely aggressive, but complimentary to the light body and high carbonation (which feels a touch too high). Pale, cracker malt sweetness, a bit of caramel too, little yeastiness. Finishes with a moderate pine bitterness.

O - A blonde/pale ale hybrid that's fairly easy drinking, with a light body and subtle complexities.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 12:43:43 | More by garuda

SteveTheDog

California

4.09/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

I think this is a perfect beer for grilling outside in the summer. It has a very nice orange appearance With minimal head. The smell and taste both have elements of citrus to them which is perfect on a hot day. It has a very crisp finish and no real lingering unpleasant aftertaste. I think this is just a great summer ale and plan to have more.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 03:43:02 | More by SteveTheDog

kshizzle101

Washington

3.68/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass

A - slightly hazy orange-yellow, 2 inch white head

S - citrus hops up front with a bready malt backbone. slight hint of spice

T - Follows the scent pretty closely, although the citrus is not as pronounced. nice bite from the hops/spice at the end

M - light to medium bodied, pretty much as it should be

Overall - Pretty solid beer. Nothing special, but worth a 6 pack for the price

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 04:18:33 | More by kshizzle101

lighthabit

Oregon

3.59/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

crystal clear light orange, light carbonation coming up from the bottom, two finger white head dies down to thin layer, spotty delicate lacing. smell mild hops, grassy. taste is light summer fare, clean, with a hop level that's very approachable, bit of malt to back it up. low abv makes it ideal for picnics, parties, neighborhood barbecues. a bit thin on mouthfeel, but for the style and intended audience i think it's fine. it does have more body than bmc offers, so again, no issues here.

add a 4th of july outing and it'd be great!

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 06:32:30 | More by lighthabit

Algebrew

Arizona

3.81/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Pours a clear, light caramel with a standard white head that dissipates in about two minutes. The head isn't too thick or foamy, just a light bubbly about one finger thick.

Smell: A present, rich citrus hops. Very sweet. Subtle wheat scent.

Taste: The beginning has a soft fruity presence, nothing bitter nor malty; the middle breaches more of the hoppy ground involved, with a very light bitterness; the end fades into a grain with a strong wheat aftertaste. A summer brew, most definitely.

Mouthfeel: A semi-fizzy, light gulp. It's refreshing and slides right down with no bite.

Overall: This is a pretty standard summer ale; wheat, light, refreshing. It does decently well overall. Nothing to get crazy about, just a plainly solid summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 07:19:45 | More by Algebrew

hopsputin

California

3.95/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a: hazy golden caramel with a thick 3 white head

s: sweet malt, sweet citrus, nice bread backbone

t: first sip tastes slightly watery. bitter grapefruit, clean grassy/straw flavor, pretty floral - which is nice. caramel malt and faint tea leaf on the back end. an easy drinker for sure, but could use a little fuller flavors

m: lighter side of medium. medium carbonation

o: as said above, it could use a little fuller flavor. but for a 5% 'summer' ale its a nice beer to have a few while manning the grill. not the best, but a thumbs up.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 01:59:06 | More by hopsputin

BrewBoyR

Missouri

3.8/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a light-gold, nearly orange color with a white head that leaves nice lacing as it recedes. Very nearly clear with a slight haze that dissipates as it warms.

Aroma: Surprisingly sweet and fruity. Reminds me of caramel apple with hits of pear and slight orange and pineapple citrus underneath.

Flavor: Similar to the aroma with focus on juicy, citrusy, slightly grassy and piny hops. Apple, peach, and grapefruit flavor are complemented by caramel and toffee flavors from the malt. Balance is slightly toward the hops, and the moderate bitterness lingers after the dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Light body with moderate-high carbonation and a slight astringency.

Overall: An enjoyable, if slightly confusing beer. The intense fruity flavor and aroma, while enjoyable, is not what I expect in a Blonde. Calling this an APA would be a little closer, but still miss the mark. The combination of Amarillo hops and the typical estery English yeast strain they probably used results in a beer that smells and tastes a little like candy. Interesting and drinkable for sure, but I wish it had a little more focus.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2013 23:50:54 | More by BrewBoyR

yodagruv

Texas

3.94/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: clear golden, off white moderate, lacy, somewhat clingy head.

S: orange peel, malt

T: Citrusy, slightly bitter, somewhat malty, some hoppiness

M: clean and slightly carbonated, rather like a carbonated iced tea.

O: Not bad- clear, light, drinkable and pleasant. Smells better than it tastes, which is too bad, but just barely.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 04:19:42 | More by yodagruv

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.99/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle purchased from Whole Foods in SoMa, San Francisco.

Pours a pleasant faintly hazed golden orange, with a frothed, but slightly filmy head of white. Colour is gorgeous though, and there's a surprisingly pleasant weight to the body, leaving fine carbonation when tilted. Overall, it's a pretty nice-looking beer.

Nose is biting with hops, with a very fresh, green character coming through strongly. There's a slightly rubbery tone to it as well: perhaps more of an intensity that accentuates the hop characters. Under this are characters of orange, peach and pepper, but very little sweetness or malt. I'm interested to see how it tastes.

As it happens, the taste is really quite light, but it's also quite pleasant. The hops are also pared back, leaving some fresh vegetative and fruity tones to the palate, but providing no real bitterness. There's a slight mild acid character that forms towards the back of the palate, while the peach and orange characters evanesce on the front. There's also a faint yeasty tone which is the only drawback, but after the first couple of sips, its influence is negligible. Overall, it's very pleasant.

Feel is light, but clear and clean, with a pleasant smoothness.

Overall, this is a very drinkable beer. I could certainly see myself drinking this as part of a very enjoyable session. Were it available in Australia, it would make a pretty damn impeccable beach BBQ beer. Alas.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 00:07:35 | More by lacqueredmouse

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.35/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thin head. With an almost clear, medium straw colored body.
Smells like wheat and roses. Interesting and unexpected.
Mild taste of honey, mild bitterness and a touch of sweetness.
Fizzy texture, moderate carbonation and medium body.
A fine enough drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 05:57:35 | More by Fatehunter

MisterNic

Wyoming

2.58/5  rDev -30.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A - Pours a golden orange color with a two-finger white head.

S - Aroma is sweet and malty with citrus and pineapple notes.

T - Taste is sweet tropical fruit (mango especially). It has a moderate bitterness and a nice malt character

M - Mouthfeel seems a bit thin. Doesn't do much for me.

O - Overall, this is a less-than-average pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 16:21:28 | More by MisterNic

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer has a nice orange amber hue with fair carbonation. A light thin foamy head sits on top. Aroma find some citrusy hop bouquet and malts, but quiet light on the nose. To me the flavor was very light on the palette with hops balancing malts nicely. But the flavor is weak and light like a light, say an light APA. There are no faults that I can detect. A desent all purpose beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 00:08:05 | More by micromaniac129

Vashtar

Texas

3.85/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance is foggy and pale yellow, but the head retention is good and it laces nicely.

The smell is hoppy and earthy. It's nice, but it's very wheat.

It has a fruity, yeast taste. It's pleasing, happy, and drinkable.

The mouthfeel is smooth and like velvet. Consistant

Overall, it's a nice, drinkable beer, but it becomes a bit monotonous, and I wouldn't want more than one at a time.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 01:17:59 | More by Vashtar

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A very good summer ale even 4 months late. Pours a golden bright orange with a 1/2 inch of head. Lacing ring sticks around though out the entire beer. Smell is mild but consists of hoppy citrus and grapefruit twang with a mild yeasty sweet balance.

Taste is simple with hops shining though (as crisp as ever) with matching fruity yeast and a mild walnut taste. Mouth feel is kind of on the heavy side delivering a light medium feel which might hurt session ability.

Overall this beer was well worth the mix in match price. These guys really know how to make good beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2012 01:46:37 | More by DrDemento456

Mosstrooper

California

3.78/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 12oz bottle into Guinness tulip pint glass.

Appearance: Slightly hazy blonde color with a creamy, medium-sized white head that dissipates quickly and leaves behind some large spots of lace.

Smell: Citrus and floral aromas backed up by nuttiness.

Taste: Starts of with toasty flavors, rounding out to citrus and finishing with a mild earthiness.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with sharp carbonation and a watery, refreshing finish.

Overall: A flavorful, easy-drinking beer. This is very refreshing, I can definitely see how this fits well as a summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 00:23:25 | More by Mosstrooper

portia99

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle (best by 9/12/12) courtesy of Wasatch...thanks John! Poured into a Dogfish Head signature glass.

A - Pours a hazy orangey golden color with a thin finger of fluffy white head that lingers briefly and falls to leave an uneven collar and sparse lacing on the glass.

S - Yeasty, bready malt up front with light citrusy hops on top. Overall fruity in aroma and balanced well between malt and hops.

T - Nice balance here too...a low bitterness throughout with sweet, caramel, yeasty bread malt flavors. Fruity, citrusy, mild yeasty esters. Smooth.

M - Medium body with a mid-level carbonation that gives a good fizzy tingle on the tongue. Lower level bitterness and excellent balance...very smooth - definitely an easy drinker.

O - Overall a good, light and crisp summer beer...easy drinking but with plenty of flavor too. Another fine brew from Deschutes...glad to have tried this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 22:45:30 | More by portia99

Megahertz

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a French Jelly glass. Best by 12/13/12.

A - Deep gold to light amber, slightly hazy, with a massive pillowy white head.

S - Faint orange rind and fresh grass with considerable toasted bread maltiness.

T - Malt-forward with toasted bread and biscuit transitioning into clean orangey hop flavor. Finish is faintly sweet.

M - Medium body with mild carbonation.

O - A good all around summer brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 20:18:25 | More by Megahertz

brystmar

Texas

3.55/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Erik for the extra!

Golden orange pour produces plenty of white head. Tame aroma hints of your typical malt-centric summer ale. Beers that smell like this have serious potential to be boring...

Taste saves the day as creamy malted grains brush up against a lightly hopped backbone. Mildly bitter after you swallow. Clearly well-crafted. Refreshing, sessionable, and tasty. What more could you ask for from a 6-pack in the summer?

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 23:52:21 | More by brystmar

Nugganooch

California

3.9/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle to standard pint
BB date of 11/22/12

A: Burnished straw gold. Has a soft glow from the light hazing. Very effervescent with a lively finger of near white head. Nice hang time, leaves some light cling down the glass.

S: Smells of ripened peach and apricot met with some zesty orange. There is a bit of a grainy cereal aroma midway with a kick of tartly spiced yeast. Has a real nice zest quality to it with some lesser floral aromas. Picking up a bit of grapefruit-lime action as well.

T: Taste is firm with lemon, tangerine, and coriander. I get supporting notes of grapefruit and orange towed by a touch of sappy pine. Light florals and more spice. Bitterness level is on the upper-moderate side. Malt is grainy and imparts some biscuit with more of a sourdough-like twang from the tart yeast esters. There is just a kiss of caramel sweetness and a light warming from the alcohol. Otherwise light, dry, hoppy, and refreshing.

M: Very light and thin body with a nice dry crisp snap in the finish. Frothy with a nice hop pucker to the palate and some residual oils coaxing the tongue.

D: Highly drinkable, warm weather fare. This is light, hoppy, with a crisp refreshing bite. Probably my favorite “Summer Seasonal” so far. Drinks more like a hoppy APA than say a traditional Blonde. Good PNW hop varieties and just a dash of something different in the grain/yeast character. Would recommend and will look for this one every summer moving forward.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 20:01:43 | More by Nugganooch

draheim

Washington

3.9/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz (best by 11/6/2012) into a tulip. Pours a coppery color w/ a 2-finger frothy head.

Aroma is floral NW hops and caramel/pale malts. Mango, apricot and spice notes too. I imagine this might have been more pungent when fresh; my fault for waiting.

Taste is clean and light. Really nice grainy quality. Fruity, just the right bitterness. Mouthwatering.

As expected, mouthfeel is clean, crisp, refreshing. Medium body.

Overall, wish I'd bought more of these when summer started - although around here this year, it was kind of hard to figure out when that was exactly. Very nice, drinkable summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2012 01:28:46 | More by draheim

beerpadawan

California

3.88/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A light honey-gold with a very refreshing look to it and a healthy, off-white head.

It is hoppy but not powerfully so in its aroma. Lightly sweet.

The flavor is crisp and the mouthfeel smooth and quaffable. This allows the mild to medium hop flavors and bitterness shine through. It is a nifty combination of American and European hop varieties; I notice cascade type flavors as well as grassy, spicy/green noble type flavors. I guessed the ABV at 4.7 (not that I can identify this with any precision), so to me the flavor of the beer matched its profile before I learned what type of beer it was or its strength. I would say it has a bit more complexity to the hop character than other blonde ales that I can recall at the moment.

I would definitely not be disappointed to find this beer on offer at a BBQ or other sun-laden event.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2012 17:11:10 | More by beerpadawan

jdense

Oregon

3.58/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle purchased as part of Deschutes variety pack :) poured into Dead Guy shaker pint glass after mowing the lawn, 9.3.12.

Hard pour resulted in a bit over a finger white head very small bubbles, well above average lacing over medium gold clear body, multiple streams of grouped bubbles rising from bottom of glass. Significant bready notes in the nose some grassy and light resiny hops. Taste mirrors nose, quite bready ala English Pale Ale, slight bit of resin, floral notes, decent bitterness on back end. Mouthfeel medium, a bit heavy for the style, good effervescence, fairly dry finish. A nice seasonal, but not one I'll go back to by choice.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 00:09:28 | More by jdense

fezmeister

California

3.43/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Yellow-gold, average head. Smells more piney than it tastes. Citric hops are present, pretty mellow (which I noticed when comparing with alternating sips of a pale), but balanced with sweet malts that don't cling with plenty of carbonation for a nice summer beer. Nothing special, but an easy summer drinker.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2012 01:01:58 | More by fezmeister