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 Sam Adams Summer Ale
by erik lars myers
 Brewer: Boston Beer Company, Jamaica Plain, MA
Style: Wheat Ale
I guess, to be quite honest, I'm a little disappointed in those Sam Adams guys.
Sam Adams Boston Lager was the first beer I ever had that wasn't a Budweiser, Bug Light, Miller Lite, PBR or Schaeffer's. It absolutely blew me away at the time. But, like a crack addict who, at one point could do with just a quick hit, it now takes me a whole pipe and then some to get my high. I just want more from it.
These guys keep putting out new beers, and I keep buying them. I guess that means their business model is working. Still, with the exception of a just a few of their brews, I won't go get them again.
Such, is Sam's Summer Ale.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but up until this point wasn't their Summer Ale a really light, very tasty, Pale Ale? This year, swaying with last year's preponderance for Wheat Ale's in the microbrew market, what we've got is: "Wheat Ale brewed with Lemon and Grains of Paradise."
I have no idea what a Grain of Paradise is.
What you've got here is a mediocre wheat ale. Since it's brewed with lemon does that mean you don't have to squeeze one in? Nah. Go for it. I only get the faintest bit of lemon on the taste and, like Lemon Pepsi, it doesn't taste anywhere near the refreshing lovliness that is a fresh lemon squeezed into a wheat ale.
Is it bad? No. It's fine. Definitely drinkable. I just have such high expectations from Jim Koch and the rest of the fine people over at Sam Adams that I'm always a little let down when they serve up something that isn't exceptional. They've already got a Hefeweissen, and their usual Sam Summer was great -- I'm not sure why they felt they had to replace it with this.
I'd say, if it's an option to have one somewhere, give it a try. But if you're looking for something exceptional, spend your time elsewhere.
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