BridgePort Summer Squeeze Bright Ale

The Dirt
I've only heard of beers being brewed with lemongrass, but have never tried one until the Summer Squeeze. Brewed with lemongrass and added yuzu fruit juice (an Asian citrus fruit), I was a little hesitant to purchase at first. However, this turned out to be a very light and refreshing brew. On the same level as Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, I probably wouldn't be interested in drinking more than one in a single sitting unless I was at the pool or lake on a hot summer day. And that's what this beer is for - to refresh while relaxing in the sun.

Upon the pour you can certainly smell the lemongrass nose, but it's much more subdued in the beer. The first taste you get is actually the citrus of the yuzu (or so I guess since I have no idea what yuzu tastes like), and the lemongrass becomes more pronounced as the beer finishes. I'd almost describe the overall impression of the beer as a wit but with a different citrus profile. To realize more flavor, try in a large snifter glass.

Worth it?
As with the other BridgePort beers I've reviewed recently, I got this on sale for $5.99. Any BridgePort beer is worth $5.99. At full price, there are plenty of other beers I'd try first, but I would consider if I was going to be outside by the water all day.

The Final Word

 

Alaskan Amber

The Dirt
Alaskan is an elusive brewery for someone who doesn't live in the West. I've had the lucky fortune to experience their stuff while in Arizona and California, and now with living in Colorado. The Amber had been one of my favorites to get when traveling, so it was time to finally buy a 6-pack.

As an amber should, this beer has a great deep amber color. Upon first sip it has a nice crisp malty tone that isn't very sweet, which I like in an amber. Subsequent consumption reveals an accompanying dry hop front end. Although I recall it being far more smooth and crisp in my past experiences (I once called it the crispest beer I ever had), it's still a great beer for grilling out and when in the mood for a no-frills traditional beer.

Worth it?
Alaskan can be expensive. I got this on sale for $7.49 a 6-pack, which was a good deal. I used to be willing to pay anything for this beer, as it was so unbelievably crisp and fresh. That profile has subsided a bit, but it's still a tasty brew worth its pennies when on sale or anytime on draft.

Final Word

Boulder Beer Singletrack Copper Ale

The Dirt
Ahhhh, my first review of a Colorado beer since moving here. So why not start with "Colorado's First Microbrewery"! I decided to give their Copper Ale a try, which is an elusive beer style that really isn't a style. It typically lies along the fuzzy line of a Pale Ale and Amber, often getting the distinction of one or the other depending on if it's hoppier or maltier. Every now and then you find one that falls right in the middle, and that is my definition of a perfect Copper Ale. The best I've had was the now extinct BridgePort Pintail, which one day I'll try to make on my own, but that's another story for another day. Every other Copper Ale has fallen flat in the shadow of the Pintail...until the Singletrack.

Upon the first sip I knew this was a winner. I took a bunch of quick sips to make sure the first was true, and it was. A slight floral hop character from the middle to back, with an almost sweetcorn-like sweet throughout - subtle caramel sweet but you know it's there. That subtle sweet balances perfectly with the hop notes, making the beer refreshing and versatile. You could drink it with anything, or by itself - hell, I drank it while eating Goldfish. Regardless, it'll leave you craving another. And to tie it all together, the color is a nice copper tone. I see this becoming a staple in my Colorado beer lineup.

Worth it?
I bought this on-sale at my local liquor store for $6.99, which was certainly worth it. I can't wait to visit the brewery and load up a growler...I hope they fill growlers...

The Final Word