Beer of the Weekend #486: Twilight Summer Ale
Tonight I went to the Co-op to pick up a four-pack of Tallgrass Pub Ale. It was unavailable so I grabbed a sixer of Twilight Summer Ale, brewed by the Deschutes Brewery of Bend, Oregon.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “BEST BY” date printed on the label is “11/08/13.”
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is gold with a light chill haze. A finger and a half of buttery, eggshell-colored head dissipates slowly.
Smell: Light and inviting. Pale malts, wheat, tangerine, subtle caramel, lemon, light pine resin, and a little grapefruit creeps in as the beer warms.
Taste: Light and dry, it mostly mirrors the aroma: pale malts, subtle caramel, tangerine, pine, lemon, and grapefruit. Light pepper spice is introduced at the end as the bitterness takes affect, and creamy vanilla emerges as well. Very surprising.
Drinkability: This is a good, tasty brew. Though on the lighter side, it offers a lot of flavor.
Fun facts about TSA (which won’t be frisking you at the airport):
-Style: BA classifies it as “American Blonde Ale.” However, among the beer’s accolades is “World’s Best Seasonal Pale Ale” at the 2012 World Beer Awards, a gold in the bitter category at the 2005 North American Beer Awards, a gold for “English-Style Golden Ale (Summer Ale)” at the 2012 European Beer Star, and another gold as a bitter at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival.
-Price: $7.99/sixer at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: The beer’s webpage suggests “Salt and Pepper Grilled King Salmon with a Lemon Twist, Marinated Calamari Salad.”
-IBU: 35.
-Calories: 162 per 12-ounce serving.
-TSA is available from May to September.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “BEST BY” date printed on the label is “11/08/13.”
Appearance: Poured into a pint glass. The color is gold with a light chill haze. A finger and a half of buttery, eggshell-colored head dissipates slowly.
Smell: Light and inviting. Pale malts, wheat, tangerine, subtle caramel, lemon, light pine resin, and a little grapefruit creeps in as the beer warms.
Taste: Light and dry, it mostly mirrors the aroma: pale malts, subtle caramel, tangerine, pine, lemon, and grapefruit. Light pepper spice is introduced at the end as the bitterness takes affect, and creamy vanilla emerges as well. Very surprising.
Drinkability: This is a good, tasty brew. Though on the lighter side, it offers a lot of flavor.
Fun facts about TSA (which won’t be frisking you at the airport):
-Style: BA classifies it as “American Blonde Ale.” However, among the beer’s accolades is “World’s Best Seasonal Pale Ale” at the 2012 World Beer Awards, a gold in the bitter category at the 2005 North American Beer Awards, a gold for “English-Style Golden Ale (Summer Ale)” at the 2012 European Beer Star, and another gold as a bitter at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival.
-Price: $7.99/sixer at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.
-Alcohol content: 5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: The beer’s webpage suggests “Salt and Pepper Grilled King Salmon with a Lemon Twist, Marinated Calamari Salad.”
-IBU: 35.
-Calories: 162 per 12-ounce serving.
-TSA is available from May to September.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
