Mike Loves Beer

Name – Summer Love
Country – United States
Type – American Blonde Ale

Obviously summer is in full effect.  A couple days ago was the mid summer classic, the MLB All Star Game, and my Phillies stars had a good showing.  Halladay pitched a perfect 2 innings.  Lee gave up the only AL run but still worked good.  And Hamels, Victorine and Polanco actually showed up to the festivities.  That’s more than some AL shortstops can say.

So as a bit of a celebration I am reviewing Victory’s Summer Love today.  The label shows all things that you think about when it comes to summer.  It’s got baseball, camping, ice cream, cooking out and more.  And of course with Victory being from right outside Philadelphia this is a tip of the cap to the City of Brotherly Love.  So let’s dive in.

I pour it into my traditional pint glass and it comes out a very clear yellow color.  There is a very thin white head that is gone pretty quickly.

The nose is filled with grains and lemon zest.  Hints of orange and a slight grassy smell round it out.

The taste is a really very similar to the smell.  It’s grainy with some nice citrus notes in there.  Crisp finish.  It’s quite full bodied for a blonde ale as well.

As I’ve mentioned before I really enjoy a good beer that is perfect for a hot, humid day like we have in Florida all the time.  So this one actually fits that bill perfectly.  It has flavor and body for what many call a dull style.

I’m actually now thinking that all the images on the label are actually ideas of great things to pair Summer Love with.  It’s great out at a ball game.  Out camping?  Why not bring a sixer along with you.  Slaving over the grill to feed hungry friends and family?  Have a pair of tongs in one hand and this in another.  See they all work.

So if you like a refreshing beer in this heat or are a sucker for stuff reminding you of your birthplace (I’m both), then Summer Love is a good choice.  Pick some up before the leaves start falling.  Or in Florida when summer just continues into winter, which isn’t really winter but kind of spring.  Oh just go try it.

Grade - B

Name – Chatoe Rogue First Growth Single Malt Ale
Country – United States
Type – American Blonde Ale

Appearance – Poured a slightly hazy orangish amber color with a big white head that left some lacing on the glass.

Smell – The main smell picked up is lemon with some grainy and black pepper notes.

Taste – Quite a complex taste.  It is sweet with the lemon flavor pretty strong but there is a honey presence as well.  There is some hop presence mixed in there along with the black pepper.  A little yeasty taste as well as it finishes dry and crisp.

This is my first sampling of the home grown Rogue ingredient brews and I have to say I enjoyed it.  Blonde ales are normally my thing but this one was very nice and I think it is great for the upcoming summer, or the already present summer in South Florida.  After some disappointments from Rogue in some of my last samplings I was happy to get a hit here on this one.

Overall Grade – B+

Name – Shipyard Export Ale
Country – United States
Type – American Blonde Ale

Appearance – Pours a very clear amber color with a big frothy white head.  Leaves some lacing on the glass.

Smell – The smell is grainy and sweet.  Some hints of caramel.

Taste – Sweet and buttery.  Toffee and caramel are present.  A lot like a pub ale.  There is some graininess to it as well.

A pretty enjoyable brew.  Not a lot of ales out there like this style.  It reminds me a lot of Boddingtons as well as the Shipyard Nitro.  Sweet and smooth taste.  Not a lot else to say other than I enjoyed it and would definitely have it again especially since it is carried at local Miller’s Ale Houses now on tap.

Overall Grade – B+