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Michael Bury's picture

Judge's Review: 85 Rating - Sum'r Ale by Uinta Brewing

August, 2018
Judges Rating: 
85
Aroma: 
20 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
34 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
8 / 10
Overall Impression: 
17 / 20

Sum’r Ale by Uinta Brewing Company is being evaluated as a Blond Ale (Category 18A in the 2015 BJCP Guidelines).

Sum’r Ale pours with a golden color that is amplified by its nearly brilliant clarity. The persistent ivory head lasts through three-quarters of the pint and is a direct result of the effervescent carbonation. Upon first sniff you’ll get lemon pith and moderate floral hops. Malt is supportive but clearly in the background with hints of honey and graham cracker. Light stone fruit akin to peaches provides a bit more intrigue to the beer.

Similar to the aroma, the flavor is more hop-forward with lemon zest, perfume and herbal hops that dominate over the low grainy, crackery malt. The zest turns more into pith in the aftertaste, which lingers for quite some time after a dry finish. Fermentation was squeaky-clean, which allows the hop character to come forward. 

This Sum’r ale is quite refreshing, especially on a hot summer day after polishing off a bit of yardwork. The hops are front and center and the medium-plus bitterness is a tad too high for style. With a bit more malt or esters from fermentation, this beer would become extremely quaffable.