Beat the Summer Heat With a Trio of Summer Beers

Summer is blazing in Missouri.  We have been in the 90s but the heat index is usually above 100° F.  It boggles my mind when people from other parts of the country do not know what a heat index is.  Let me put it in simple terms, it's not so much the heat as it is the humidity.  When it is 90°, it feels like 100°.  How much fun is that?  I may or may not know these goofballs, but they do have the right idea.  I meant the kiddie pool and a beer...what were you thinking?

When it is this hot I cannot go with a big heavy beer, I want something lighter.  I have been leaning towards lagers lately, but there are plenty of ales that can fit the bill.  For this holiday weekend I have chosen Anchor Summer Beer, Sierra Nevada Summerfest, and Schlafly Summer Lager.

I'm starting off with Anchor Summer Beer.  12 oz bottle poured into a tall weissbier glass. Huge fluffy merengue white head takes up nearly half the glass. It does not recede so much as float on the surface. Little puffs of foam spot the glass. Body color is a clear bright straw yellow.

Smell has a tart and grainy wheat aroma. It's like freshly malted wheat, which has some lemon grass character. Taste has a more mild lemon flavor up front then moves to biting graininess. There is a dry biscuit character to the malt. Hops add a green herbal quality.

Mouthfeel is light and clean. A very dry finish leaves me wanting more. This is at a session-able ABV of 4.6%, so more is a good thing.

Next is Sierra Nevada Summerfest Lager.  Poured into a traditional pilsener glass. The initial head jumps to the lip of the glass. Takes a few smaller draws to get the full bottle in the glass. Head quickly recedes with no real lacing to speak of. Color is clear golden yellow. Not much carbonation.

Smell is a grassy hops with a mild spicy malt balance. Taste is also quite grassy. Bit of lemon and a toasty biscuit notes. There is an apple peel sweetness.

Mouthfeel is a bit of a disappointment for me. Generally I like a lager to be pretty crisp and clean with the carbonation, and this is almost flat. It is still pretty drinkable, I was able to put three down without noticing much. I just had higher expectations.

Finally we have Schlafly Summer Lager.  12 oz can poured into a Schlafly pint glass. Not a lot of head on this pour and no lacing either. Generally I would like to see more head in a lager. Color is a clear pale yellow with corkscrews of carbonation spinning around.

Smell has a light green grass aroma with pale malts giving of a hint of graininess. Taste has a slight lemon and bay leaf start, but then the hops kick in with a peppery finish. Nice surprising spiciness. Pretty aggressive finish to a mild start.

Mouthfeel is a little heavier than a Pilsener. The spicy kick adds a new dimension to a crisp finish. I had this with some spicy Pad Thai, delicious combo. I look forward to cracking open a can after mowing the lawn.

Of all three I would have to say my favorite is the Schlafly Summer Lager.  I think the flavor is more balanced and there is more of a dry crispness I am looking for in a hot weather beer.  Hope everyone has a fun holiday weekend and go back to work next week with all of your fingers.