Tangerine Wheat Ale, and a few more...

"A refreshing citrus ale, Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat combines our Lost Coast Harvest Wheat with natural tangerine flavors. Brewed with a combination of wheat and crystal malts, and finished with Perle hops." What the description, found on Lost Coast Brewery's site fails to inform you is that this is orange juice with alcohol and a very slight beer taste. If it is 100 degrees outside with 100 percent humidity this beer would be a great choice. The ultra strong flavor of tangerine was not my favorite, though I could endure a few hours of pool side drinks. The cost is pretty solid, at $1.79 per bottle, and at 5% abv it is a good value craft beer for the price. This beer should be easy to find at places like World Market and other stores that are similar. Probably not going to find it at Meijer, Kroger or other large chain grocery stores though.

Taste = 2 cans
Drinkability = 3 cans
Affordability = 4 cans
Availability = 3 cans

Over all score = 3 cans

The next selection really pissed me off, although it wasn't the beer that pissed me off, it was my ineptness as I spilled 3/4 of it on my picnic table trying to smoke some pork, but I digress. Flying Dog is one of my favorite breweries and their seasonal Woody Creek White is everything I love in a beer. "Refreshing and light citrus notes with subtle wheat, coriander, and orange flavors" this might be the perfect "all day" beer. At 4.8% abv you certainly should be able to handle a few. The price is as nice as the flavor as it runs a mere $1.49 per bottle or $6.99 per six pack. Overall a terrific summer beer that has a very refreshing, clean, crisp flavor. You shouldn't have any trouble finding this beer either as I have seen it at Kroger, and other national chain grocery stores. If you can't find it there, look for it at World Market or your local specialty beer shop.

Taste = 4 cans
Drinkability = 5 cans
Affordability = 5 cans
Availability = 5 cans

Overall Score = 4 3/4 cans

The latest sample is a certified organic brew for all of you "earthy" types. The flavor was very similar to an older version of Bell's Oberon (the newer brew isn't as good as it was) Fish Brewing Company does a great jog with their Fish Tale Organic Blonde Ale, it is "light bodied and golden, and brewed with just a schmatering of rye...it sports subtle spicy tones that complement the honey sweetness of its pale malt to a tee. While the ingredients aren't at all like those contained in Oberon, for some reason I kept thinking of the classic Michigan summer brew as I drank. It had good flavor, but left the malty after taste that I grow tired of after a few beers. It was reasonably priced at $1.99 per bottle or $8.99 for six. I haven't seen it anywhere other than Total Wine so I can't say that is widely available like some of the aforementioned beers so you may have difficulty finding it. The after taste would limit my consumption to 3-4 beers which takes it out of the "all day" category.

Taste = 3 cans
Drinkability = 3 cans
Affordability = 4 cans
Availability = 2 cans

Overall Score =  3 cans

Part 2, 3, and 4

After enjoying some more summer beers this past week it is time evaluate the three different ones I enjoyed. First up from Great Divide Brewying Co. Colette Rustic Farmhouse Ale. This beer had a similar taste to Witte, but had a slightly drier finish as stated on the label: "Brewed with barley, wheat and rice and fermented at high temperatures with a special blend of four different yeast strains, Colette is fruity and slightly tart, with a dry finish..." It was a very refreshing beer and I could certainly enjoy multiple on a hot summer day. At $1.99 a bottle or $7.99 a six pack it is cheaper than Witte. It also packs a 7.3% alcohol content, a lot of bang for your buck. For what it is worth, it won a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2010. Another great thing about the bottle is that it list recommended food pairings for the beer (not essential, but a nice bonus tid bit of info). I am not sure how difficult it would be to find in the local grocery store, and I have only seen it at specialty shops so that is really the only draw back.


Taste = 5 cans
Affordability = 4 cans
Drinkability = 5 cans
Availability = 1 can


Overall score = 3 3/4 cans


Another fantastic beer I sampled recently was Summer Solstice from Anderson Valley Brewing Company. As described on there website: Summer Solstice Seasonal Ale is not just your average summer seasonal. This unique copper colored ale is smooth, malty, and lightly sweet, with a delicate hint of spice for that oh-so-drinkable, extra velvety flavor. I was not expecting what I got when I sampled this beer. It is essentially a summer version of Boddington's in my mind. It has probably been one my favorite beer I have tried recently. This beer is versatile and can be enjoyed on the beach with friends, on the golf course, or just hanging out after some yard work. At 5% abv it is on the lower end of many of the summer seasonals I have tried, but the taste and drinkabilty more than make up for it. It is a bit on the expensive side which would be the only deterrent for an all day drink, at $2.99 a can and $12.99 for six, it is extremely costly considering the lack of punch. Another draw back is the availability, at least here in Durham, I only found it in one store. Another bonus, the brewery is solar powered, that could explain the cost.


Taste = 5 cans
Affordability = 1 can
Drinkability = 5 cans
Availability = 1 can


Overall score = 3 cans

The last of the recent samples is from Kinston, NC and the good folk at Mother Earth Brewing. Sunny Haze has "fruity hints and slight spiciness... creating a crispness that's as energizing as the sun itself. Banana and clove-like aromas add interest and depth to an already impressively well balanced brew." This is the definition of summer and would make an terrific pool side drink. Perhaps the only drawback is the lingering aftertaste that seem to accompany many hefeweizens. At 5% abv it is a little less powerful than others, but living in NC I can find this about anywhere they sell beer, so long as it isn't Food Lion. At $1.49 a can, it is by far the cheapest beer I have tried to date which makes it an even better find. Mother Earth Brewing has long been a favorite of mine and they haven't made a beer I didn't truly enjoy and Summer Haze is no different.

Taste = 3 cans

Affordability = 5 cans

Drinkability = 3 cans

Availability = 5 cans

Overall Score = 4 cans

The Summer Search

What started as a Facebook comment has evolved into a blog that rates beer in several different categories. This rating system will generate the disputed champion of summer beers. Without further ado, here are the criteria and beer can scoring. (1 beer can leaves room for improvement, 5 beer cans is absolutely fantastic):

1. Taste
2. Affordability
3. Drinkability
4. Availability
5. Overall Score

The first entry comes from Brewery Ommegang and is a belgian style white ale. WITTE, as described on the bottle "its light body, frothy head, and a quenching taste blend coriander, sweet orange peel and unmalted wheat into a flavor as bright and soft as summer clouds over a Flanders field." I don't have the faintest idea  what a Flanders field is, but this beer was a great start in the quest for the perfect summer beer. It has an extremely light body and a good smooth finish. The lingering taste is a cross between Oberon and Summer Shandy. At 5.1% alcohol, this Cooperstown, NY brew has the potential to be a great pool side, day long drinking beer. Having tried just one, I was left wanting another and could see myself drinking several more playing a round of golf or just hanging out with friends. While the taste is pretty fantastic, the cost is not. At $2.69 a bottle, or $10.99 a six pack, it is one of the pricier 12oz bottles. Beers of similar cost usually carry a higher alcohol content, thus justifying the higher cost (fewer beers = same "warm fuzzy feeling"). I can't imagine it is an easy beer to find in the neighborhood grocery store either, making that another negative about this excellent tasting white ale.  Overall I was very satisfied with the beer and don't mind paying a bit more for quality beer, but for the price I am pretty sure I can find beer that is comparable in taste, but packs more bang for my buck. If you want a terrific, albeit high priced white ale, then WITTE maybe the beer you are looking for.

Taste = 4 cans

Affordability = 1 can

Drinkability = 4 cans

Availability = 1 can

Overall score = 2 1/2 cans