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This time of year, I am torn when it comes to picking beers. My mind says go for a fall beer, like a pumpkin ale or an Oktoberfest. Should I drink a summer ale? Or maybe a Belgian pale ale? Which way do I go, George? Which way should I go?
Speaking of beer distributors, they don’t make my decision any easier since they start stocking fall beers in August. Something seems wrong about an Oktoberfest available when it is 80 degrees outside? To me it’s un-American to drink an Oktoberfest in August.
I hit Wyoming Valley Beverage to pick up a case of beer. After several minutes of pondering, I chose a case of SBC Golden Cold Lager. I really like the flavor and its lower ABV. Mrs. Meister likes it too. When I purchase beer, I always have to keep the Mrs. in mind or there will be hell to pay. Golden Cold Lager is an all-day drinking beer. When I approached the counter to pay, the owner asked me how I liked this SBC product and I told him I enjoyed it. He then bent down and handed me a bottle of SBC Sunny Spot Grapefruit Shady and asked if I had tried this one yet? I told him that I had not but was interested. He gave me the bottle and asked me to let him know what I thought. I was happy to oblige but in the back of my mind I was thinking grapefruit and beer don’t seem to be a good combination.
When I got home I put all my beer in the basement fridge, which is stocked with beer and nothing else other than a bottle or two of wine and Bailys Irish Cream. When I got to my Sunny Spot I thought that I should put it in my kitchen fridge in a spot where I would remember it was there.
I did some yard work, showered and was ready to crack open a Golden Cold. This was not the day to taste the Sunny Spot. Why? I don’t know. On Monday, I thought to myself, get you pen and paper out because now is the time to put the Sunny Spot on the spot. I went into the kitchen, grabbed a nice pilsner glass and my Sunny Spot and headed to the patio.
Sight: As I poured my beer I saw a nice golden color with some haze throughout which reminded me of a wit beer. The head poured white and was very slight, maybe a half finger in thickness. The head disappeared quickly which made this look like a glass of carbonated grapefruit juice. I was somewhat skeptical at this point.
Smell: I lifted my glass to take a whiff and I got an orchard full of grapefruit. Not much on any beer aromas, just a lot of grapefruit. I thought to myself this is a grapefruit summer shandy and this is what it should smell like. Now it’s time for the true test.
Taste: With my first sip I tasted the sweet, yet tart, grapefruit flavors along with slight hints of malts on the back side. Believe me when I tell you, I am not a grapefruit fan by any means, but I really liked this beer. The flavors were not overwhelming in any way but blended well to make for a smooth, refreshing summer time beer.
I enjoyed the SBC Sunny Spot Grapefruit Shandy. If you are interested in a nice smooth thirst quenching summer beer, this is it. I would recommend drinking a shandy on the deck or patio along with some smoked salmon, boiled tiny red potatoes and green beans. It also pairs up nice with other fish and pork entrees. If you want to hang onto summer for just a little bit longer, pick up a case at Wyoming Valley Beverage or at the SBC Brewery in Pittston. If you are not sure, take a run up to the SBC Tasting Room to give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
