Summer Beer - Snoqualmie Falls Brewing Company & Taproom

RedDiamond

Oregon

3.7/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I grabbed a pint of this “Summer Beer” with little thought as to what the beer’s actual identity was. I suppose I imagined it to be yet another of this season’s crop of golden ales – something light, easy, summery. But as I settled into the pint it occurred to me that I didn’t know the answer to a very fundamental question; was this an ale or a lager? The body felt too full for a lager and though not clouded, it was also not as clear as a lagered beer. Still, the taste kept saying lager.

Well, it turns out Snoqualmie’s Summer Beer is a little of both. It’s a pre-prohibition pils recipe brewed with corn and fermented with ale yeast at cold temperatures. A good old bastard beer – warm-yellow with a cap of “Snoqualmie snow” as I like to call the frothy head and eager-to-please lace that habitually appear on most Snoqualmie beers. The aroma is distant, dilute and earthy, and the taste accents early addition Saaz hops. A nice golden ale that stealthily assimilates into mainstream lager territory. Think of it as sort of a grassy cream ale, or simply Snoqualmie’s Summer Beer.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2007 05:12:36 | More by RedDiamond

woemad

Washington

4.13/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had a pint on-tap to accompany a meatball calzone at Bennedito's in Spokane.

Poured a hazy copper color with a decent white head. Good head retention with rings of lace left behind. Good looking beer.

The smell was both spicy and herbal. I usually don't expect much from pale summer seasonals, so I was glad to note a hop profile in the nose. Bready malts were also on hand, but the lion's share of the smell could be categorized as hoppy.

The taste was similar to the smell. This is a somewhat hoppy pale ale, with the hops providing a bitter, slightly herbal character, but with sufficient malt backing that it doesn't sail off into IPA land. The finish was slightly dry.

This beer had a fairly light body with a somewhat prickly mouthfeel characteristic of the style.

A very drinkable beer that hit the spot on a hot afternoon. I'll remember this one next time I find it on-tap in warm weather.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2007 22:40:09 | More by woemad

jreitman

California

4.22/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(at brewery from notes) Very nice aroma was noticable from a good distance. Malt sweetness is present but not dominant. Good amount of Saaz bitterness gives the beer a nice kick. A very quality brew.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2002 17:16:45 | More by jreitman

markh814

1.48/5  rDev -60.8%
look: 2 | smell: 1 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

A- Copper colored, not as clear as i like

S- Aroma similar to most but a musky back smell. almost as basement water

T- a little sour, musky and not very good at all

M- Light bodied, ok at first but a wet swampy finish

O - pretty much a drain pour. maybe if it was the only thing around and i was really thirsty i would hold my nose and finish it.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 11:47:30 | More by markh814

mdfb79

New York

3/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Girlfriend's parents pick this us for me recently on their trip to Washington. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into a pilsener glass. Bottle says it's a pilsner.

a - Pours a couldy bright yellow color with two fingers plus of fluffy white head and moderate carbonation evident. Spotty lacing left on the glass and a few whisps of white head remain throughout drinking it.

s - Smells of bready malts, grains, light floral notes, and light fruity malts. Pretty nice actually.

t - Tastes of grains, bready malts, wheat, and biscuit. A lot blander than the nose, and a step down, though not awful.

m - Medium mody and moderate carbonation. Pretty easy to drink.

o - Overall a decent beer, though nothing special. Definitely more of an American Adjunct lager than a pilsner, and for that style, not too bad at all. No skunkiness and some nice floral and sweetness in the nose. Not something I'd seek out again, but could be a good local alternative for the BMC crowd.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 21:26:52 | More by mdfb79

beertunes

Washington

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into hourglass pilsner glass. Poured a clean golden yellow with a bit of chill haze. the beer had a tall, fluffy white head that had very good retention and lacing.

The beer had a very nice grainy aroma with a gentle blend of hops. The flavor was also sharp and crisp, with that pleasant grain dominating.

The body full, yet light and crisp. Drinkkability was excellent, the beer went down smooth and easy, I'll be having more of these over the course of the summer.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2010 22:59:08 | More by beertunes

flagmantho

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 22oz bomber into a pint glass.

Appearance: light straw color, although slightly darker than other beers of the style. Head is two fingers of pillowy white foam. Not bad.

Smell: slightly grainy malt aroma; slightly grassy as well. Hops are a little funky and floral; a pretty well-balanced combination, I'd say.

Taste: grainy and refreshing. The grain doesn't go as far into sourness as some other examples of this style. Bitterness comes in at the end and seems harsh. This beer isn't fantastic, but it's near the top for the style.

Mouthfeel: light to medium-light body; not a lot of character. Carbonation is there but it doesn't seem fizzy or creamy or anything; just plain.

Drinkability: well, this is a refreshing brew. I'm sure on a hot day I could guzzle this stuff. Still, there's a hair too much alcohol to make this a quenching session brew. It's alright, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2010 04:17:43 | More by flagmantho

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a nice yellow color with good carbonation and a nice white head.

S: Grains, some citrus and light hops

T: Grains, citrus, lemon and some toasted notes but very subtle

M: Nice, clean with light grains, hops but as crisp as I like from a pils.

D: Good. Worth a shot

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2010 05:28:37 | More by barleywinefiend

AnneB

Washington

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

OK, this is my first review and I'm kinda nervous. Another sip of beer and a big breath...

Poured beautifully. Nice head, nice lacing all the way down the glass. Color is very light/golden. Carbonation is nice and continues throughout the beer drinking experience.

Smell is... citrusy.

I like the taste of this beer. Citrus is followed by hops. At one point I tasted a grassy note. Definitely drinkable. Mouthfeel is smooth with some carbonation.

Nothing about this beer jumped out at me as astonishingly good or bad.

(Friendly tips about reviewing, esp. about describing smell/taste, welcome)

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2009 04:44:37 | More by AnneB

ckeegan04

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Clean golden color with a thick foamy white head. Head has good retention and lacing.

S - Faint aroma of grains and boiled corn. Very weak aroma. A light sweetness lingers in the nose as well.

T - Light grainy sweetness initailly. A very very faint spicy hoppiness comes through mid-drink but the taste is dominated by a grainy sweetness.

M/D - Light bodied and very crisp. Well carbonated and very easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2008 23:36:33 | More by ckeegan04

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Snoqualmie- Summer Beer

Big thanks to thethrone(Adam) for this 1!

A- Bright clear yellow with a huge frothy white head.
S- Sweet lemony citrus rind, lemon/ honey malt, and a touch of earthy pine hops.
T- Big sweet lemon/ honey tea malt with a surprizing piney hop finish!
M- Sweet yet smooth with a crisp dry bite in the end. Very refreshing.

Overall- Delicious! A smooth refreshing summer beer with a dash of IPA-like Citrus/ pine hops. Very flavorful! (Thanks Adam!)

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2008 20:42:59 | More by NJpadreFan

froghop

Washington

3.7/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

pours a semi-hazy, golden orange with a medium size white head, good lacing.

smell is faint, citrus, grain, some yeast, some hops.

taste is nicely crisp, sour malt, grain, some citrus, somewhat nutty, grass, ends slightly bitter and dry, becomes more bitter as it warms.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2008 01:13:21 | More by froghop

mikeale

Maine

4.38/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I was visiting my wife's family's freinds and while we were visiting one of them gave my a mixed six pack of Snoqualmie beers and a logo pint glass!

A. yellow body, white head. some lacing

S. soft malt faint hops lemon hints a typical summer beer

T. lemon, corn, bitter

M. crisp, clean, refrishing.

D. Highly drinkable, its not a hop bomb or an extreme beer but very good.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2008 02:01:14 | More by mikeale

RJLarse

Washington

3.45/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I bought a couple of bombers of Snoqualmie Summer Beer at the brewery while passing through the area. Poured in to a pint glass.

Pours a bright yellow/gold color and is slightly hazy. A foamy white head caps the brew and is quite resilient.

Smell is a little earthy and a little sour at the same time. There is a lager-like perfume scent, and a bit of a grain aroma along side.

The taste is bitter, and tastes a little like dandelion greens. Thdere is a bit of an acerbic bite to this one.

Mouthfeel is crisp, full-bodied and dry.

Not exactly what I was expecting in a golden summer ale. The dry bitterness gives it average drinkability. I'd have it again, but the style is a little unusual.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2008 22:35:05 | More by RJLarse

brentk56

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a clear light golden color with a magnificent head that retains well and coats the glass with lace

Smell: Spicy saaz hops, lemony and grainy, with a touch of corn

Taste: Starts out with a spicy, lemony flavor that builds in fruitiness by mid-palate, with some orange peel as well; after the swallow, the cracker malt makes an appearance to mellow out the spicy flavor; the corn flavor makes an appearance, to, but the finish is crisp and dry

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with prickly carbonation

Drinkability: Very different for a summer beer but a creative effort that is well worth seeking out

Thanks, TheBungyo, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2007 20:11:36 | More by brentk56

carln26

Missouri

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

I originally had this on tap at the brewery a few weeks ago. Recently had a chance to revisit out of the bottle. Bright gold to copper in color with a fluffy white head. A nice lace is left on the rim as the head settles into the glass. The nose has some light citrus, just a little grapefruit and orange. This is followed by caramel sweetness and just a touch of green apple. The flavor has the caramel up front, but is followed by a mild citrus hop flavor. This gives it just a slight bitterness. Nice light and smooth mouth feel. Great drinkability. Good summer beer. Not up there with Oberon or Skinny Dip, but a nice refreshing beer none the less.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2006 00:07:09 | More by carln26

tozerm

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

At first this reminded me of a "lighter" witte beer. But then I realized it didn't have the herbal characteristics typical of witte's. Good malt backbone, nice bright hop flavor that is more of an essence than a prominent flavor. Very easy drinking and thirst quenching. The bomber was just the right size on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2006 05:34:20 | More by tozerm

beerceller99

Louisiana

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz. bottle purchased at the brewery. Pours a clear straw color with little head. Mild aroma of bready yeast and floral hops. Light to medium bodied and nicely carbonated. It has a pleasantly mild bread and butter grain taste followed by a hint of perfumy hop flavor. Has a slight spicy bitterness to finish. Highly refreshing, this brew is perfect for the warmer months.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2004 02:24:15 | More by beerceller99

garthwaite

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Sampled for a 22 oz bomber provided courtesy of skyhand. Gorgeous, delicate light golden with a perfectly formed creamy white head that laced beautifully. Crisp, herbal aroma of classic spicy czech hop varieties mixed with a slightly unexpected background of sweet fruit (apricot, pear). Flavor continues on this theme. Exceedingly fresh, crisp, & clean with generous amounts of herbal, peppery hops. Bready malts balance this brew out nicely, with more sweet pear and hints of orange rind. With the name "Summer Beer", I'm slightly confused as to which style this real fits into (not that it really matters). I'm not picking up any of the classic american hop varieties, actually it seems to display quite a few characteristics of a good fresh (and heavily hopped) pilsner. Of course, with the sweet fruit, I don't think pils is the right classification (though it does seem closer than American Pale Ale). Anyhow, this one is certainly an exceptionally drinkable, refreshing, & bright brew that is a treat on a hot day. Many thanks for this one.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2004 19:35:50 | More by garthwaite

RoyalT

Ohio

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – Cloudy yellow body underneath a full, lingering head that laced the glass.

Smell – Light, rind-oriented, citrus-style hops make up the backbone of this nose.

Taste – The citrus hops that come out in the flavor are a bit more balanced by a short but sharp bitterness and a tinge of sweetness. Aptly named, this is indeed a light, citrusy summer pale ale.

Mouthfeel – A little under carbonated for the style, IMHO, but generally nice on the tongue and cheeks.

Drinkability – This goes down well in the summer. I opened this bottle after cleaning out my garage on a 70+ degree day.

Comments – Well done for the style. It didn’t try to do too much, but got the job done.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2003 02:16:50 | More by RoyalT