Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Brewed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Style: Premium Lager
Chico, California USA

bottle. Pours a crystal-clear light golden color with a pretty decent (for a lager!) head- thick, 3/4" with enough active carbonation to keep a layer on throughout. Aromas of bready malt with some yeasty twang and a light kiss of floral hops. Flavor improves over the aroma- nice crisp smooth toasty malt flavor without much sweetness that blends well with a middling amount of hop action- light but crisp bitterness with some nice floral and light citrus flavors. Superbly even, crisp and clean on the palate. A great summer session brew- nothing over the top, but hits the style mark spot on and is dangerously drinkable.

I was expecting more, the smell really got to me though, smelled of seafood, or the see. Maybe too citrus. Although, a very smooth and enjoyable lager, to pound on a hot day. Poured yellow, with very little carbonation. Crisp and refreshing, but lacking taste and depth, fairly watery.

Bottle of 08 release. Very clear, golden, some white head. Aroma is pilsner malt, pale malt. Flavor is the same, very german / czech tasting, lots of pilsner character. Light and refreshing, good summer beer.

This beer was lacking the flavor i was expecting and had a slightly bitter aftertaste. Not the best lager Ive had from this particular brewer.

Golden color......very fluffy head, though it fades a little fast. Slightly floral, slightly bitter aroma. Light malt flavor hits first in the front......mouthfeel contains a noticeable crispness. Mild hop bite quickly follows in the back, with a faint bitter finish.

On tap. Had in a plastic cup at a baseball game, so a little difficult to rate appearance, but looked like a nice golden orange color with a persistant thin white head. Standard lager flavor with a strong note of earthy hops, maybe a little sour or tangy. Does not has the sort of crispness one normally thinks of with summer beers, a little rich and heavy tasting. Would probably go well with barbecue.

7/3/08 From 12oz bottle. Aroma is sour pils-like malt that shows a slightly stale noble hop character. Appearance is clear gold with a very well maintained white head. Flavor is a pleasant surprise with a sweet malt character forward that is low on corniness, but sourness on the finish is a little high. Bittering is moderate with much fresher flora than the aroma. Mouthfeel is a bit tangy, low bodied with a moderate carb feel. Overall, a bit of a letdown; the noble hops in this quantity and possibly quality are detracting; I would not consider this superior to the higher quality macros (yes, they do exist with a little objectivity, IMHO)

Pours pale yellow with a white head. Lagery aroma with a hint of lemon and straw. Very malty lager flavor with a hint of something tangy. Doesnt really appeal to me.