Game Day Beer Review: Shipyard Brewing Export American Blonde Ale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5.10% ABV) Shipyard Export was poured on draft at Miller's Ale House and enjoyed during a recent NFL playoff game.

The beer was a pale yellow color, clear as a bell, and showcased a fluffy white head of foam.

It was mild smelling for sure, with notes of sweet grain predominating.

The beer was toasty upon tasting, with an ultra dry finish. The hops were apparent, and made this beer less sweet tasting than we would have guess upon smelling it. The carbonation was cranked up to maximum, and bubbles tickled the tongue as it went down. B-

Game Day Beer Review: Flying Fish Summer Farmhouse American Blonde Ale

Although the calendar says summer officially ends this week, the weather outside down in South Florida says differently.  In the land of Endless Summer it's okay to drink summer ales all year 'round, so we feel fairly justified in our next selection.  It's from a South Jersey brewer that we don't see alot of down this way, but on the strength of this offering we wish we did:

Flying Fish Summer Farmhouse Ale poured from the bottle a bright, crystal clear yellowish/orange color, adorned with a fluffy white head.  The beer smelled lightly of yeast, with a very mild citrus scent also apparent.

Summer Farmhouse Ale began sweetly, with the taste of citrus and green apples dominating the middle, before the spicy yeast made itself evident on the aftertaste. It was crisp and clean tasting, and a nice beer to have on a sunny Florida day, whether it's summer or not.  B

Game Day Beer Review: New Belgium Brewing Somersault American Blonde Ale

Photo by o_sam_o on Flickr

I drank this next beer while sitting in the Ajax Tavern at the world famous Little Nell Hotel in Aspen, Colorado.  Although the Little Nell didn't blow me away, the bar was cool and the beer was refreshingly cold on a hot summer day:

Beer: Somersault American Blonde Ale

Brewery: New Belgium Brewing

ABV: 5.20%

Color: Deep orange, with a slight white head. Plenty of carbonation noticeable.

Smell:  Faint. Maybe citrus.

Taste: Fresh, citrusy taste. Lemon first, followed by a surprising ginger spiciness.

Overall: A very good summer-y beer B+

Game Day Beer Review: Victory Summer Love American Blonde Ale

(5.20% ABV) Summer Love pours a translucent gold, with a thick white head of foam. The head sticks around awhile before departing slowly, leaving behind some very decent lacing to remember it by.

The beer smells of straw and hops. I'm getting a hint of some slight lemon, too.  It smells like Summer to me.

Summer Love has a grassy bitterness right off the bat that lasts -- it starts with hops and finishes with a bitter citrus favor, maybe like from an orange rind. It's got a very clean taste, one I intend to come back to time and again over the next couple of months. It's another winner from Victory Brewing, a Pennsylvania classic that's consistently turning out great beers. A-