Not Just Any (New)Port in a Storm

I can't seem to let go of summer. I never want it to end. Therefore, as a way to hang onto it a little longer, here's a review of a Summer Hefeweizen in mid-October when most beer drinkers are well into the fall beers.

I'll start off right away by saying this is a fine Summer Hefeweizen from Newport Storm. Brewed by Coastal Extreme Brewing Company in Newport, Rhode Island. When I say "fine" I don't mean "fine" like your teenage daughter says "fine" when you tell her to turn off her cell phone and do her homework. I mean "fine" like it's used when you describe certain automobiles, old-world craftsmanship or Corinthian leather.

I have a "special place in my heart" for Hefeweizen. It was the first type of craft beer I'd ever tried. It's because of Hefeweizen that I became aware of all the great craft brews out there. It was my "gateway beer".
I've sampled several "Hefe's" since then, and I have to say this one is way up there on the Chart of Deliciousness. I poured it into the glass. A nice chunk of sediment drifted down to the bottom.  I recommend you always pour Hefe's into a glass as opposed to drinking it out of the bottle if you can. That way you're sure your getting all the sediment that adds to the special taste. I immediately noticed the darkish yellow color. Not a "bright" yellow/orange like some Hefe's. The fluffy, white head dissipated quickly. It was half gone by the time I got my camera on and trained into position. But no matter. I could smell the citrus aroma from a foot away. It has a very rich, smooth taste. And no, I didn't drink it with an orange slice or lemon slice. I'm OK with people that do that, but it's not for me. Why sprinkle a spoonful of sugar onto a slice of cake? The cake is better without it!

This is one delightfully tasty Hefeweizen. I gotta hand it to the guys up there in that little bitty state. They know how to make a tasty Hefe.

I have to acknowledge Richard Hunter (aka "Sir Richard) for the unbelievable effort he underwent to get this beer to me. It's only available in summer in certain parts of the northeast. He saved it and packed it with his other luggage when migrating back south from his summer vacation home in Rhode Island. I live in middle Tennessee and he lives in south Alabama on the Gulf Coast. We have a mutual friend in south Alabama who I visited last month. Sir Richard met us in Mobile, AL to make the hand-off. Not only did the package contain this particular beer, but three others from Newport Storm, all of which I plan to review (an Amber Ale, a Pilsener and an IPA). Super duper huge thank you to Sir Richard!

Would I buy this beer again? If only I could

Hoppy To See You Rating: 4.5 | 5
Highest possible rating: 5

Summer Lovin'

Photo: Victory Brewing Company

Summer is over. There's no denying it. The temperature and leaves are dropping and the fall beers are falling onto the shelves. But I grabbed one more summer ale to try before they (and summer) went away– Summer Love Ale from Victory Brewers in Pennsylvania.

For some reason I had high expectations for this beer. Maybe it was the design of the label, maybe the name, I don't know what it was exactly that drew me to this beer in the store, and why I thought it would be good. I wouldn't call it a bad beer by any stretch of the imagination, but I wouldn't call it a great beer by any stretch of the imagination, either. It stays right there in the middle of the road.

When I poured it from the bottle, I found it to have a bright yellow/gold color, and somewhat bubbly head. It has a slight hint of lemon which didn't really do much for me. It does go down easy and is somewhat refreshing. I found it to be just a little bitter, but not distractingly so.

Maybe it was because I had such high expectations for it that I was a little disappointed. I certainly didn't have any trouble drinking any of the six I bought! But I found myself reaching for one of the other beers in the fridge, and often passing on the Summer Love. For the longest time there was one still left after going through two or three other brands of beers that were sharing the fridge. 

Victory brews dozens of other beers and I'm sure I'll be trying many of them. But this one will probably not find it's way into the fridge again. There are just too many great and unknown beers out there to try.

Would I buy this beer again? Not Likely

Hoppy To See You Rating: 2.5 | 5
Highest possible rating: 5