Summer Brews

12 July 2008

 

Dan and Brad organized a great mid-July tasting of beers marketed as "summer brews". Prior to the tasting Brad and Marlo put on a great BBQ. Before dinner, Scott presented certificates to 8 dedicated and patient individuals who achieved Member status by attending 5 WBAS functions. Five new friends also attended the event increasing the size of the WBAS organization to 47 individuals (3 Fellows, 19 Members, 24 friends and 1 honorary member). WBAS has more than tripled in size since 2005 and interest in the Society seems to be steadily increasing as more people discover how much fun we are having.

 

Presentation of Certificates

..................................................Jean........................................................................................................Marlo

 

..................................................Ann.........................................................................................................Sharon

 

................................................Lindsey........................................................................................................Rich.

 

............................Chris M. (he was really happy)...................................................................................Sue

 

Pre-Tasting Activities

.....................................Brad, the Grillmaster............................................................................Fellows, Bill and Scott

 

....................................Lindsey and Russell.............................................................................Andrew R B and Nick

 

Tasting Photos

......................................Bob, Deb, and Jeff......................................................................Sue, Chris M, Chris B, Joel

 

................................Doug, Bob, Deb, and Jeff.....................................................................Joel and Andrew S

 

Results

Taster Harpoon Summer Beer (Kolsh) Sierra Nevada Summerfest Troegs Sunshine Pils Otter Creek Summer Bells Oberon Ale Flying Dog Garde Dog Blue Moon Honey Moon Sam Adams Summer Ale New Glarus Spotted Cow Anderson Valley Summer Solstice
Joel
34
23
28
37
39
23
31
30
28
41
Tom H
23
26
25
28
Doug
21
29
27
16
27
18
34
19
10
32
Jeff
21
27
24
30
33
22
37
25
22
36
Rich
22
28
10
17
35
20
37
20
10
37
Bob
30
31
28
32
31
29
28
29
28
39
Debra
22
31
18
26
30
30
40
32
22
40
Marlo
32
24
31
Chris M
35
34
37
41
37
27
35
34
22
27
Dan
30
30
33
31
28
33
24
22
35
40
Sue
30
31
25
34
31
26
37
26
25
32
Chris B
32
30
32
39
35
31
34
36
33
26
Nick
25
27
26
27
39
30
26
29
32
32
Andrew S
35
31
37
40
33
35
34
26
37
Scott
26
27
28
31
34
31
32
33
30
34
Andrew RB
26
27
25
28
41
28
36
Average
27.75
26.73
27.13
30.64
33.79
27.4
33
27.77
24.75
34.93
                 
Lowest
Highest

As an organization dedicated to promoting the enjoyment of fermented malt beverages we felt it was our duty to evaluate this seemingly popular segment of the beverage market. Of the 10 beers sampled, the favorite summer brew was Anderson Valley Summer Solstice followed by Bell's Oberon and Blue Moon Honey Moon. New Glarus Spotted Cow was our least favorite. Doug brought back the Spotted Cow from a recent trip to Wisconsin especially for the tasting. Interestingly it was also his lowest rated beer. The overall opinion was that most of these beers were weak in body and flavor and thus were deserving of the classification: summer beer (aka lawnmower beer).

 

Post-Tasting Photos

........................................Bob.....................................................................Shannon

 

...........................Scott (nice hat), Chris and Billy........................................................................Tom and Chris M

 

..........................Brad (Kids - don't try this at home)............................................................Brad (time out with Cleo)

 

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