Bottle/Tap: Bottle

I had no idea that Saranac made a summer beer and was excited to pick one up and take it home.  In college I was introduced to Saranac by their Black and Tan which was the cheapest six-pack at any store.  I’ve sampled several of their beers and was glad to add this to my list.  You may recall the shandy that I reviewed last summer, this beer falls in the same category.

If you mix a light lager with lemonade, you have what many Europeans call a shandy, a refreshing beverage that doesn’t have the high alcohol content of drinking a regular beer.  I had no idea what a shandy was when I reviewed last summer’s offering and was corrected by a reader, for which I am grateful.  Now that I have a better idea of the ale I can post a better review.

This tasted like a lighter beer mixed with Country Time Lemonade, but it was neither very sweet or bitter.  The flavor was in the middle range and tasted very good.  It does have the overpowering smell of lemons but do not let that deter you.  You can view these beers as a vacation from your normal summer ales.  They taste better, and you can probably have a few more without the nasty side effects.

I have yet to make one of these on my own.  I have heard that if you mix a half pint of Amstel with lemonade or limeade you have a very delicious concoction.  That sounds just as deadly as a Snake Bite, half lager and half cider, which you also should look into.  Enjoy this beer and others from Saranac’s summer pack, trust me you won’t be disappointed.

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