Twilight Summer Ale - Deschutes Brewery

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

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at rogue in Vancouver.

A: 1/4" soapy white head over cloudy copper liquid.

S: Lemon and floral hops.

T: Sweet biscuity malt, citrusy hop flavors including tangerine and lemon as well as grassy hops. Some bitterness is present in the after taste that is quite soapy.

M: Medium to thin viscosity and a medium level of foamy carbonation.

O: Drinkable, but unbalanced toward the sweeter end of the spectrum. Could use some non soapy bitterness to add more complexity.

Serving type: on-tap

07-07-2012 22:48:57 | More by DaftCaskBC

dgilks

Australia

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

Clear golden colour with a small, short-lasted, white head. No lacing.

Light, malty aroma with a hint of floral hops. Okay.

Crisp, pale malt with some nice bitterness. A touch earthy. Interesting.

Medium-light body with moderate carbonation.

A light, crisp summer ale. Very good and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

10-10-2011 02:15:42 | More by dgilks

emmasdad

Colorado

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

Nice orange color, crystal clear, with a nice cap of bright white foam. Somewhat bready on the nose, with just a bit of fruity hops. Nicely balanced on the palate, with good sweet malt balanced nicely against the mild hops. Drinkable, especially nice on a warm, spring Saturday afternoon.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2011 03:25:11 | More by emmasdad

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at the pub in Bend, after some nice waterfall-tourin' in the area...

This beer appears a clear glassy golden hue, with one finger of thin foamy ecru head, which leaves some ebbing painted lace around the glass as it recedes. It smells mildly of grassy, fresh floral, and citrus hops, stalked by a soft sweet pale maltiness. The taste is bready, grainy malt, and somewhat bitter leafy, floral hops. The carbonation is average, the body on the light side, with a pleasant zing to it, that precludes absolute smoothness, but encourages immediate replenishment. It finishes more towards the bitter, of the soft earthy type.

Summer vacation, long day outdoors - so, a light ale with a decent, but not decadent bitterness, sure goes down like 'twas nothing at all, in a good way.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2011 06:45:32 | More by biboergosum

MNPostal

Minnesota

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

Enjoyed this outside on a nice sunny afternoon at Pracna in Minneapolis.
I was looking for a good summer beer to enjoy and chose this one. I am a big fan of the darker Deschutes beers so I thought I would try this off of the list. It was a little hoppier then I was expecting, but not bad. It was enjoyable, but not what I was craving. I would try it again, but nothing I am going to go out of my way to get.

Serving type: on-tap

06-27-2011 04:08:06 | More by MNPostal

Franch

New York

3.25/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

not a fan at all, however, everyone else i was with loved it. it's a summer seasonal american blonde ale. it was like a watery pale ale with a hint of sweetness behind it. very drinkable except for the overcarbonation, which was pervasive. i could see knocking back a good 10 of these in an hour, the drinkability was that good, but i wouldn't enjoy it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2011 04:40:27 | More by Franch

ChopperSmith

Minnesota

3.23/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at Pizza Luce in Minneapolis in a standard clear pint glass.

Look: Barely hazy golden in color. Very little foam, but decent carbonation and a one finger tan head that left minimal lacing.

Smell: Sweet with a little citrus hops, a slight lemon scent.

Taste: Light, fresh, slightly hoppy with a little lemon-like citrus flavor. This is a light and low ABV brew for summer, and that's how it tastes...like a watered down Pale Ale with a little malt or wheat sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Light-to-medium-body. A little over-carbonated.

Drinkability: It's OK for a light summer beer. A little too light on the flavors for me, but not bad. It's light and refreshing, and I'd have one on tap on a hot day...but probably wouldn't do a session with this one.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2011 23:54:31 | More by ChopperSmith

Thorpe429

Illinois

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

Reviewed from notes.

Pours is a moderate golden color with a slight amount of haze. White head with good retention. Nice ringy lacing on the way down. Nose is some light citrus hops and a bit of bread. Nothing terribly complicated, but it works well in the nose. At the same time, the taste seems a bit too tame. Good feel with a nice balance. Perfect level of bitterness to drink quite a few of during a sitting.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2010 22:54:52 | More by Thorpe429

hughesm4

Ohio

2.98/5  rDev -19.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Had on tap at the Portland pub.
a-Standard golden brown with a light head.
s-Smell was very weak, had a slight citrus smell but that is all. Reminded me of early spring.
t-Most of the taste was right up front. There was a slight citrus flavor and was followed by a weak malt taste.
m/d-Light bodied, even for a pale ale. It went down fairly smooth, but isn't on the top of my to drink list. This my least favorite beer that I had at the pub.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2010 22:51:37 | More by hughesm4

beertunes

Washington

3.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in straight pint glass. Poured a clear light copper color with 1/4inch of white head that had medium retention and OK lacing.

The aroma was a fairly balanced and neutral blend of grainy malt and soft hops. On the tongue, the grain flavor was the leader with some hops on the finish. The flavors combined into a nicely crisp taste.

The body was medium for the style with a crisp, dry finish. Drinkability was pretty good, but with so many better examples of the style (including a couple of my favorites, from the same brewery) I'm not sure how often I'll grab this.

Overall, an average example of the style, and one I'd enjoy out by the river or at a cookout, but honestly, I'd probably just grab a Mirror Pond before this.

Edit 8/4/11: This has been on tap at one of my locals with a small number of taps, so I've been drinking fairly regularly the last few weeks. And I've been really enjoying it a lot. I still prefer the Mirror Pond, but I just went and bumped up all the number scores on this beer. Strongly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

06-04-2010 19:17:07 | More by beertunes

bagpiper2005

Idaho

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pour: Goldenrod with 1-fingered white head that left minimal lacing on the glass.

Smell: Citrus and piney hops dominate with underlying backbone of sweet pale malts.

Taste: Citrus hops dominate the palate with an underlying pale malt sweetness and slightly bready.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium with very active carbonation.

Drinkability: Goes down easily, quaffable.

Final Notes: A nice summer beer: light and refreshing with a little bit of substance. Could be better, but it's decent.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2010 23:47:44 | More by bagpiper2005

katybee

Oregon

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

Poured a pale golden color, bright transluscent with thick creamy head, (beautiful after experiencing some of the flatter stouts, therefore its high marks!) little tracing.

Little nose to speak of, but pungent citrus hops with a hint of malty aftertaste rolling off the tongue giving the flavor a unique character. A good session beer, quaffable, but with a little more there to savor.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2009 20:38:23 | More by katybee

DiabolikDUB

Oregon

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

Draught @ the Portland Brew Pub poured into Imperial Pint glass.

Pours a faint golden orange with a creamy white head that lasts and eventually creates a nice ring on the edges of the glass. Aroma has orange peel, lemon zest and some sweet caramel malts. Flavor is very light with citrus hops and caramel malt. It has a medium body with plenty of carbonation. Definitely a sessionable ale, a bit sweet but I won't hold that against it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2009 00:18:12 | More by DiabolikDUB

SurlyDuff

Oregon

4.43/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My favorite of Deschutes 4 seasonals. The others being buzzsaw brown (spring), jubelale(winter), and cindercone red(fall).

Wonderful on a camping trip or a hot summer day! Light straw color in appearance.

The aroma is fresh cascade hops, florals, fresh cut grass, straw.

Taste is a bit light, but make sure you drink this one on a hot summer day and you'll fall in love. Bright finish with well balanced hops.

Available in a 24-pack during the summer, and also on-tap at their Public house as well as some brewpubs in Portland and Bend.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2008 02:03:05 | More by SurlyDuff

barleywinefiend

Washington

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

Poured a golden yellow color, slight citrus in the taste. The smell is pretty faint, maybe honey and some lemon. This beer is very drinkable and again confirms to me that I can’t go wrong with a new Deschutes beer. Very smooth and GOOD!! Really GOOD!!

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2008 06:42:31 | More by barleywinefiend

Floydster

California

3.68/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Pint from Naja's Place in Redondo Beach

Poured a golden color with orange accents and a 1/2 inch white head

Smell had some hints of citrus, partcularly oranges

Taste was dry for an APA, but nice bite to it

Could drink a whole lot of these, very light and tasty

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2007 05:57:04 | More by Floydster

John1985

Tennessee

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had a couple of pints at the Hilton in Seattle. Nice medium gold color with a decent head that laced down the glass. Not much aroma, but a nice fresh burst of flavor-smooth malt with a decent hop bite that tingled on the aftertaste. Ample bodied but light enough to be an ideal summer quaffer. A pretty straight forward enjoyable ale.

Serving type: on-tap

09-01-2007 10:42:38 | More by John1985

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A pour by the bartender gave this beer a slight head atop an amber/ light golden body. Aroma cut through my entree with pine and resin, a hint of citrus.
Tastes a bit oily, but is very solid. A first hit of the hops gives way to a bit of malt sweetness. This is brief, but noticeable.
A clean finish gets rid of the malt residue and provides nice drinkability. Good for muggy summer nights.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2007 02:23:37 | More by Mebuzzard

MiScusi

California

3.4/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured a hazy straw color. The smell is mostly earthy earthy hops, hay-like. There is a medium bitterness that comes through at the start, but you get a lot of earthy taste overwhelming everything else. As much as I wanted to like this beer I couldn't. I was really looking forward to this summer style refreshing hoppy beer but I couldn't get myself to dig the flavors going on here.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2007 02:43:16 | More by MiScusi

atigerlife

Hawaii

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

Suprised to see this on tap so grabbed a pitcher....

Pours a nice golden color with a thick, creamy white head. Lots of lacing. Head has good lasting power. Decent amount of carbonation seen rising.

Aroma is of hops, sweetness that is somewhat perfumy and hay.

Taste of hops and malts. Sweetness still lingers. Some apricots and peaches. Somewhat grassy.

Mouthfeel was lightly cleansing, clean, with a dry finish.

Overall, quite drinkable. Nicely refreshing and quite an interesting taste that is nicely balanced.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2006 18:58:29 | More by atigerlife

goschool

California

3.53/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Westwood Brew Co.

The appearance is golden with a 1/4 inch white head. The nose has piney hops and bread grains. This beer straddles the line between a pale ale and a blonde ale. There's almost no malt backbone, but there is some piney and herbal hop bitterness. It's a good summer seasonal, although you have to admit, most summer seasonals tend to be light and easy drinking, rather than flavorful and exciting.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2006 19:59:39 | More by goschool

msubulldog25

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap pour (1/2 pint glass) at the Mountain Room of Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR. (free samples given prior to the brewery tour!)

A: Mostly clear golden/straw color, thin head & thin lace, little head retention.

S: Some bready malt, some citrus hop.

T: Tasty & skillful balance of malt & hops. Slight bitterness with a sourdough bready malt finish.

M: Carbonation seemed low to moderate. Light, crisp & clean finish.

D: Very easy to drink, especially as a summer seasonal. Definitely session beer-worthy.

Serving type: on-tap

07-05-2006 18:57:02 | More by msubulldog25

RedDiamond

Oregon

3.08/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

It is, as the bartender informed me, “a light golden ale.” Sure enough, my Twilight lived up to the bartender’s word. It was light bodied and golden in appearance with a thin head and no discernable odor. It’s also a bit hazy.

As Twilight warms (Deschutes consistently serves their beers too cold) a light malty sweetness unfolds in the taste and aroma. There's not much else to say about this beer. It is gentle and fair enough though rather routine.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2004 08:41:12 | More by RedDiamond

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