Reviews are done by Jim Matt, our Head Brewer, who is also a veteran FoBAB judge, GABF judge, and BJCP Master judge.

What better way to celebrate the gorgeous weather than with a brand new beer Summer (5.5% | 44 IBU)? This single hopped pale ale features the Australian Summer hops offering up fruity notes of apricot and melon.

Malts: 2-row, wheat

Hops: Au Summer

Tell us more about the Au Summer hop: Australian Summer was developed in Tasmania in 1997 as a result of open pollination of Czech Saaz hops.  When one grows a particular hop in an environment that is not native, it can develop different flavor and aroma characteristics.

Are there any distinct characteristics to this beer?

The Summer hop has stone fruit and tropical fruit characteristics that are distinctly different than the spicy and floral character of its ancestor Saaz.

What makes you excited about this beer?

We always get a little giddy here when we have the chance to try a new hop, and Summer is no exception!

Appearance: Light yellow with a light haze and moderately persistent white head.

Smell: Medium-light hop aroma with a light floral character. Low malt aroma with a slightly grainy note. Some peach, melon and plum hop aromas tend to emerge as the sample warms.

Taste: Low grainy malt flavor with a slight wheaty “tang.” Medium hop flavor that has some peach and apricot flavors, dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Light body, slight grainy astringency, very crisp.

Overall: An excellent beer for summer, showcasing its namesake hop!

What foods would pair well with Summer?

Grilled chicken fajitas or Spanish Paella.

Ideal glassware for Summer?

A tulip style glass.