Sipping spring suds in the sun

Editor’s note: This is part one in a two-part series on spring and summer brews. In part two, read about how to throw a beer-tasting party.

EAGLE-VAIL — Cloudless summer afternoons nearly demand a cold frosty beer and a sun-drenched deck. So what makes for a good summertime brew? Chris Assad, a beer distributor for C.R. Goodman and a bartender at dish! restaurant in Edwards, said the number one thing is refreshment.

“The best summer brews have a refreshing quality to them — something that cools you down, something you can drink out on a Colorado sunny deck,” Assad said. “Lots of beers taste good but won’t give you that refreshment.”

Assad recommends spring wheat beers — “raspberry wheat, honey wheat, there are a thousand wheats,” he said.

In honor of the downright hot afternoons headed our way and in the name of “work,” the A&E department (plus a smattering of significant others and lucky friends) ditched work a little early last Friday to sample (mostly) Colorado breweries spring and summer offerings.

Here’s our not-so-scientific findings. Cheers!

Ska Brewing, True Blonde/Durango

What the brewery said: “A crisp Blonde Ale. Golden in color, medium in body — she’s brewed with the help and the honey of Durango’s Honeyville bees.”

What we thought: Our group of eight was divided, though the majority thought it was a good, easy drinking light beer.

“Blah. Two steps above Budweiser, but with a cool label. It’s good if you like light beers at microbrewery prices.”

“Extremely smooth — I could drink this all day.”

“Crisp and light, even better with a lemon. I could drink more than one on a deck while the sun sets.”

“Not a strong aroma. It has kind of a dead finish. I give it a 6.9.”

New Belgium, Springboard Ale/Fort Collins

What the brewery said: “This ale is brewed with Wormwood, Goji berries and Schisandra. Deftly, this spring brewed venture lands on its feet. Springboard combines oats, ancient Chinese herbs and Mt. Hood hops to maintain a balanced equilibrium for such an exhilirating ale. This cloudy blonde has a spirited threshold, and a creamy body, followed by a refreshingly dry finish.”

What we thought: Again, division.

“It sits heavy, I’m not sure I could drink a whole bottle.”

“It’s the color of gasoline and almost has a nondescript flavor — tastes like every other American lager.”

“Bitter — it sticks in the mouth. New Belgium took a wrong turn with this one.”

“Like light Fat Tire, but infused with lemon peels. I like it — I give it a 6.9.”

“Coming soon” seasonal brews to look for — Breckenridge Brewery SummerBright Ale This is Breckenridge Brewery’s fifth year producing SummerBright, its seasonal summer golden ale. About 50 pounds of lemon and orange zest are used in the brew, said Steve Kurowski of Breckenridge Brewery. “It’s not a lot, you don’t really taste the lemon and orange peel in there, it just gives it a sharp, crisp kind of finish that really helps cut through some of that summer barbecue.” Look for the brew at Beaver Liquors and West Vail Liquors in the coming weeks. — Dogfishead Aprihop Beer Chris Assad, local beer distributor for C.R. Goodman and dish! bartender, called this apricot ale “one of the best beers I’ve had in my mouth,” and his favorite spring- and summer-time beer. The fruity spring seasonal beer from Delaware should be arriving on liquor store shelves this week at Avon Liquors, Beaver Liquors, West Vail Liquors and Grappa Fine Wine and Spirits.

Avery Brewing, Karma Ale/Boulder

What the brewery said: “We believe in Karma. We suspect most of you do, too. It truly is a global concept. Very simply put, ‘you get what you give.’ Inspired by this principle and the wonderful farmhouse and pale ales of Belgium, we’ve created Karma Ale, a decidedly fruity and estery ale, intricate in body and nose, all driven by a unique Belgian yeast strain. Remember, good things DO happen to good people. Here’s to being good!”

What we thought: For the most part, people liked this Belgian Ale.

“The best among the bunch. If I didn’t say so, I’d probably get hit by a bus.”

“Great flavor of hops without being bitter or heavy.”

“I give it a 6.5.”

“It’s kind of sour — a nothing beer.”

“The beer to get your karma on. It’s O.K. — not my personal fave.”

Blue Moon, Spring Ale/Golden

What the brewery said: “This amber wheat ale is brewed with four varieties of specialty malts and an infusion of exotic Kieffer lime leaves and lime peel to bring out the freshness of spring.”

What we thought: Even people that didn’t like the original Blue Moon, liked this seasonal.

“Fruity and refreshing. I like it.”

“This is pretty good, normally Blue Moon makes me want to vomit.”

“It’s a soft, citrusy beer with a clean finish. You could come close to being able to bong it.”

“Light beer, but not wimpy. It’s the kind of beer you can drink on a hot summer day and not feel bogged down.”

Left Hand Brewing Company, Juju Ginger/Longmont

What the brewery said: “Light-bodied with a bit of sweetness from the malt backbone, Juju Ginger finishes very mellow — the perfect thirst quencher to a wicked hot day.”

What we thought: This beer, considered an herb/spice ale by the brewery, made almost everyone think of raw fish.

“Where’s the wasabi?”

“It tastes great but like most novelty beers, I couldn’t drink more than one.”

“Tastes better than it smells.”

“What’s a Juju? If you like ginger, I’m sure it’d be a hit, but it’s just not for me.”

“Take me to Masato’s.”

“Holy ginger Batman! It’s not bad, considering I don’t like ginger.”

Bristol’s Beehive, Honey Wheat/Colorado Springs

What the brewery said: “Colorado Springs honey and a unique blend give this American wheat a delicious complexity. Beehive is a refreshingly gentle ale, with a honey-gold color and just a suggestion of sweetness in the finish.”



What we thought: We tasted this beer toward the end, and people either loved it or hated it.

“Sweet and forbidden, not very heavy.”

“Smoother than I expected from the smell. It’s actually pretty good.”

“Bready but good. I give it a 7.4.”

“Nope.”

Fort Collins Brewery, Spring Bock/Fort Collins

What the brewery said: “This beer was brewed last fall and lagered for over 4 months in our cellar. Always a favorite but in very limited supplies only on the Front Range. Come celebrate the end of this nasty Winter with our Spring Bock.”

What we thought: Nearly everyone agreed on this beer’s carmel popcorn/molasses-type resemblance.

“Not sure if I like it, I couldn’t have more than one, that’s for sure.”

“Heavy on the berry aroma. Full body with a sharp, sweet finish. I like it — 7.5.”

“It tastes like burnt caramel sugar and mollasses. Too full and heavy for summer.”

“It takes me back to Germany, 1992.”

“I liked it. Drink half a bottle before making up your mind.”

Honorable mention from across the pond

Spaten’s Franziskaner Weissbier

Munich, Germany

This Deutshland staple was one of the groups favorite summertime brew choices.

“Solid German beer.”

“Lemony goodness, this beer is tasty.”

“Absolutely the finest beer on the planet. That is all.”

Caramie Schnell can be reached at 748-2984 or cschnell@vaildaily.com.