Twilight Summer Ale - Deschutes Brewery

JEdmund

Kansas

4.45/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bright, sunset orange; hazy; good head and lacing

Bright hop notes, seems like Cascade and maybe Amarillo—definitely citrus. Wonderful orange aroma—very inviting.

Orange flavor abounds! Really good ale here. Light enough in body but plenty of flavor to enjoy. Another extra tasty brew by Descutes. A noticeable and enjoyable amount of biscuit malt flavor to balance and even accent the hops. Finish has a good herbal or maybe stone-fruit quality; it’s drying and flavorful. Really like it. Especially love the malt side to this bright and hoppy beer; it’s tremendously balanced and drinkable. Exceptional flavor in the finish. (Website says Northern Brewer, Amarillo, Cascade, Tettnang, Brambling Cross hops were used.)

Awesome summer seasonal! I may like this even more than Mirror Pond and Inversion. So easy to drink and oh so enjoyable as well. This one just jumped into my top 5 for 2012 so far.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2012 02:25:19 | More by JEdmund

Jason

Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz brown bottle with a "Best By" freshness date on the label.

LOOK: Sudsy foam leaves behind some white lacing on the glass, shiny golden color shows off its clarity

SMELL: Oily hops, citrus, white tea leaves, blond tobacco, a little fruity, biscuity

TASTE: Decent smoothness, moderate body, toasted grain, citrusy hop, mild malt sweetness, drying bitterness, earthy tobacco, finishes semi-dry

A downright well balanced APA, light enough to quaff in the dead of summer and flavorful enough to keep your taste buds in check.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2012 00:41:08 | More by Jason

DovaliHops

California

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

Pours a clear golden color with a large white head that disappears quickly. Scent is a well-balanced blend of hops and malt...with a bit of grain. Some faint citrus aromas. Taste is quite refreshing...almost like German malts with a nice hop presence. Some light citrus hop notes with balancing carmel malt. Nothing too much going on here, just a refreshing easy-drinkin beer. Mouthfeel is light and crisp. Drinkability is high. Overall, this is a good session beer. Like I said, not much going on, but a good summer beer for when you're out mowing the lawn.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 06:26:18 | More by DovaliHops

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

2.48/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours clear gold with 2-3 fingers of fluffy white head. Light carbonation.

N: Not too much going on in the nose. Very light Pilsner-like malts and that's pretty much it.

T: Incredibly light flavor. I can only taste pilsner malts along with a slight floral bitterness. Maybe a zip of pine?

M: Light-medium bodied, creamy and smooth.

O: Muh. Very bland. Not much going on at all. Miller-Bud-Coors drinking would probably like this.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 01:37:17 | More by justintcoons

czfreeman

Michigan

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

Beautiful SF day.
Pours a lemony copper tone almost orange in tone. Light medium head is nice.
Smell is orange, juicy hop foward. Citrus fruits, tangerines, valencia orange. Grain bill plays a subtle tone in the background, adding just enough of a background for the pleasant hop profile.
Taste is light, but well balanced and not overly fruity. Little biscuit, orange, and pepper, especially in the finish. I detect pale and carapils malts in there as well, Amarillo hops serve to spice and add a nice kick.
Body is medium, refreeshing and really overall a nice find. A great summer beer that will now take its place in my summer lineup among Anchor summer and Sierra Nevada offerings.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 23:47:20 | More by czfreeman

kflorence

California

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

A: Pours a golden, copper in color with a finger of thick, creamy white foam atop. A good amount of carbonation is present and there's plenty of lacing around the glass edge as you drink. Inviting and looks to be refreshing.

S: A good mixture of citrus, pine resin, honey and lightly toasted malts attack the nose. Seems to be fairly balanced, but slightly hop-forward, especially as it warms.

T: Much as the aroma led me to believe, this one is pretty well balanced, but slightly hop-forward. Zesty citrus blends with the lightly toasted malts before unveiling a more grainy, pine resin and barley backbone. Definitely has the flavor of a Deschutes brew, especially in the malts.

M: Definitely on the lighter side. Body feels pretty thin, almost watery. Although there was ample carbonation on the pour, it almost feels a bit flat as you get to the last of it. I could definitely use a bit more chewiness. The lightness does lend to its drinkability, however, I think this is the weak point of the brew.

O: Overall, I felt this beer to be pretty much as advertised: a great end-of-the-day summer brew that will satisfy your cravings for flavor but also be light enough to have a few. Not the most flavorful or complex offering from this brewery, but it fills a niche quite well. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 01:14:38 | More by kflorence

BucannonXC5

California

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

Poured from a 12-oz. bottle into a pint glass. About two fingers of head. Color was pale honey, somewhat clear. Cloudy white lacing that was even across the top. Wet uneven film on the sides.

Smelled grassy wheat notes up front. Some wheat grass and light honey. Also some light lemon citrus notes. Pretty much what I expected in a summer brew.

Tasted what I expected, much like the smell minus the lemon. Wheat grass and honey ruled the day here. Grainy and grassy.

Light body. Thin, watery texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt finish. Somewhat refreshing and watery.

Pretty much your typical summer brew. You always hope for more, but they rarely come through.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 04:50:55 | More by BucannonXC5

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.78/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a medium yellow-orange amber. Thin white head that dissipates to a ring, light lacing. Light aroma of herbal hops and sweet malt, not intense, but pleasant. Taste is dry hops and very light sweet malt, citus and pine. Subdued flavors, but does not feel watered down. Light to medium bodied. A pleasant, simple, subtle ale with a nice balance of flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 04:14:08 | More by LiquidAmber

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

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

Just past the Best Before Date of Dec. 12 2011, I missed this one in the fridge.

A - Pours a lightly hazy golden colour, finger of head with some retention and sporadic lacing.

S - Mild on the nose, leafy citrus notes, slightly musty and a hint of caramel on the finish.

T - Nice citrus hop presence, leafy and earthy (much like implied by the nose), a tad mild but great for a summer ale. Hint of bready malt lingers alongside the bitter leafy notes.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and wet.

O - This is a tasty summer ale and very suitable for the style. The flavours are mild yet satisfying. I could easily down quite a few of these on a hot summer's day and certainly won't overwhelm the palette.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 02:06:29 | More by andrenaline

Tone

Missouri

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

Pours a hazy, golden/copper color. 1/2 inch head of a white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of slight wheat, sweet malt, citrus hops, and a hint of pine. Fits the style of an American Blonde Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of citrus hops, slight pine, sweet malt, and a hint of wheat. Overall, an easy-drinking beer. Good feel, appearance, body, and aroma.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 01:17:29 | More by Tone

dansmcd

Australia

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

A - One finger of fizzy/creamy head sits on the light clear orange body. Streaky lacing around the glass.

S - Nice fruity hop aroma of grapefruit and ripe peach.

T - Mostly orange and lemon flavours. Reasonably hoppy and bitter with the prominent Amarillo hops.

M - Moderate and creamy bodied. Crisp also.

O - Nice session beer that I would be happy to throw down at any time of year.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 08:20:09 | More by dansmcd

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

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

A - fairly hazy golden, thumb of soapy head held its own
S - strong citrus and floral aromas, light herbals with some fresh biscuit
T - strong citrus and grassy hops, grainy and slightly mineral like finish
M - light with strong carbonation kick, becomes very dry with a teeth coating feel
O - a definite summer brew with bright hop flavours and big carbonation, the dry factor would suggest having another on a hot day

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 05:30:31 | More by joemcgrath27

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

djeucalyptus

Oregon

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

pours a nice light caramel golden hue with a bright white thick two-finger head with good retention and ample lace.

aroma is subdued but approachable, with a nice malt backbone, pleasant earthy hops with a balanced floral and citrusy hop nose.

taste is nicely malty, with some bready, doughy malt, followed by a fairly potent hop kick. lemon and calamansi. hoppy for what i am expecting, but still delicious.

mouth is clean, crisp and refrehing. but seriously, it is. ample carbonation, smooth bitterness, just all around solid.

a great summer brew, twilight never fails to hit the spot. as with most deschutes (and most pnw breweries) it's definitely on the hoppy side, but that's not a bad thing.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 18:54:07 | More by djeucalyptus

codfeast

California

4.03/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle to pint.

A: Light orange, thin head, and minimal lacing.

S: Orange, sweet cream, malt, and lots of floral notes. Smell is quite sweet.

T: Sweet malt, dariy, with lots of floral taste that takes a bitter turn, lingering bitter finish.

M: Medium to light body, medium to high carbination. nice dry finish.

O: I would have to say my least favorite of the Deschutes seasonals. That being said I think that red chair and jubelale are outstanding beers. So the twilight is certianly worth your time and money, a very nice summer beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 01:42:45 | More by codfeast

ADZA

Australia

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

Pours a hazy golden yellow hue which leaves a two finger head and heaps of lacing,the smell is citrus hops,lychee,passionfruit and a touch of toffee malts,the mouthfeel is light bodied and sessionable with tastes of passionfruit,lychee,citrus zest,piney hops,toffee,paw-paw and finished with a lemon grass spicy hop dry bitterness and overall like the label states its definately a true summer ale easy drinking still with flavour and great for next to the BBQ on a hot summers day cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 06:54:36 | More by ADZA

azdback

Arizona

3.6/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Samuel Adams Boston Lager glass. Bright orange, almost yellow, color. Crystal clear and full of tiny carbonation bubbles. Head is two fingers, frothy and bright white. Lace is extremely sticky.

Smell is of earthy notes. Grass and yeast. Some bright citrus smells of lemon.

Taste is light malts and some bread. Some light citrus notes. A bit sweeter than the smell. I would say the citrus is more of an orange in the taste.

Mouth is very light and bright. Quite refreshing and what a Summer Ale should be.

Overall I enjoyed this for what it is. A summer ale that is to be drank while doing lawn work. Long live summer.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 04:50:55 | More by azdback

mgbickel

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A gift from Twigg in the Epic Insanity FFL BIF. Thanks Greg!

12oz bottle with a best by date fo 08/26/2011...meh...a few days can't hurt!

Poured into a Duvel Tulip. A single finger of bone colored head formed on top of the hazy, golden body. After a quick dissipation, the bubbles left slight trails on the glass walls.

The nose has light citrus aromas combined with sweet honey and grains.

The sweetness hits your palate first...this fades into a slightly bitter hop bite before turning grainy/malty at the finish. I am guessing that the hops play a bigger role in a fresher offering.

Light-medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

This is a pretty decent offering that I found both tasty and refreshing. Not the best summer beer out there, but worth a try for sure!

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 03:30:47 | More by mgbickel

Siggy125

California

3.33/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

poured from 12oz bottle to taster glass. Beautiful goldenrod in color. Bright white head. A single finger of carbonation, faded pretty fast.

Smells of light citrus on the nose, subtle malts, mild hops. Not the customary summer ale aromas.

Tastes of citrus and grassy hops. More hop presence than the typical summer ale. Orang rind like citrus bitterness. Mild maltiness. ABV pretty subdued.

Overall, not a bad beer. I wouldnt quite call it a summer ale. More of a pale ale to me. Still, a good drinker on a warm day.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 01:51:23 | More by Siggy125

depechemode1983

Texas

3.13/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Pours out amber in color with a frothy white head. Retention is great as well as lacing.

S - Nose is mainly bitter. Lots of bitter orange with just a touch of sweetness. Grains are pushing through as well. Finish is floral and clean.

T - Bitter citrus hops are dominant with grainy undertones and an orange sweetness. Seems to be a bit grassy as well. Not really what I was expecting. Seems closer to a light tasting pale ale.

M - Mouth feel is decent. Medium bodied with nice carbonation going on. Its crisp and clean.

O - Pretty average beer. Nothing really stands out. A lot different than other Blonde Ales Ive had.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2011 01:07:32 | More by depechemode1983

TheDudeRules

Minnesota

3.45/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into my Surly pint.

Dark honey color. About six feet of off white head. My nose is in danger from it. Lacing remains cemented to my glass. Smell is light citrus and slight bread. Pretty hop forward on the palate for a summer beer. Explodes on the tongue then really cuts to a dry finish. Not thirst quenching for a summer beer. Drinks fairly easy though. The beer is rather ho hum. Nothing shines or is out of the ordinary bad. Rather simple and average. A tick, but nothing more.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 17:03:16 | More by TheDudeRules

harrymel

Washington

2.88/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Best by: 09DEC11

A: Pours a toasted blonde ale with two fingers of white foam which dissipates over a couple minutes to a quilt of the same. Spotty lacing. Excellent clarity.

S: Grainy and woody. Plenty of grassy and alfalfa like hops. Sweet crystal malt underneath with a hint of corn.

T: Nice sweet malt profile with just enough hops to keep this one dry and fruity. There is a hint of red delicious apple meats in the background.

M: Medium on heavy for the style with lively carbonation. Finish is mouth watering.

O: Decent beer, a bit heavy for the style IMO. A little too much sweet malts, a little too much body.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 09:32:29 | More by harrymel

kcopelan002

Texas

3.1/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pick this up this weekend. After drinking I was a little let down. A- Drank from the bottle so I never saw the color. S- desent , not over powering T-nothing noticable till the bitter finish M- smooth O- decent beer but expected better. Next time ill try another summer ale.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 00:56:00 | More by kcopelan002

kojevergas

California

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

33cl brown glass bottle served into glass mug in Denver Colorado. Me mate caught the lid in the nose opening it; it might be just a touch overcarbonated. Reviewed live.

A: Four finger head of slight cream, fair thickness, and good retention. Colour is a clear yellow.

Sm: Bittering hops, bright lemony citrus ester hops, and cream. A moderate strength aroma.

T: Well handled bittering hops alongside pleasant citrus ester hops and a mild cream undertone. The climax features some pine and orange peel. It's certainly a pleasant summer seasonal. It isn't horribly complex, but it's certainly effective and refreshing. Pleasant and partakable.

Mf: Smooth and wet, but slightly coarse between the first and second acts. Complements the flavours of the body.

Dr: Very pleasant, refreshing, and drinkable. Quite affordable as part of a sampler pack. I'd have it again.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 04:49:50 | More by kojevergas