St. Arnold’s Summer Pils

As the mesquite smoke floats off the coals, past the sizzling steaks, and into my eyes, I retreat into the garage and pop open the beer cooler. After a long day of grilling, I need something to hydrate me long enough to finish off the rib-eyes. My cooler homes a plurality of beer types from different regions; perhaps, I should have a big IPA, a nutty brown, a cellared barley wine, or a black lager? Oh I know, that bottle of Stone Smoked Porter a friend gave me would be perfect! Wait, no, If I drank that bomber without him Robert, he would kill me.

My sister walks in and asks, “Hey Kev, do you have a Bud Light?” I love my sister, but sometimes I just don’t know how we are related. Note: she drinks Malibu and Coke or Cherry Vodka Sours, so complex flavors are not of the utmost concern. “Of course I don’t have a Bud Light, but why don’t you pour yourself a glass of water and have the dog piss in it instead”, came my hot headed response. As she nonverbally expressed her displeasure, I reached for a beer she would enjoy I realized that I really wanted was something easy drinking as well. In reality, her choice of beer was much more fitting for the warm spring temperature and the smells of fresh cut grass mixed and the grill. Lucky, I always keep a six pack of the latest local Texas seasonal beers in the cooler, so it was a logical choice when I pulled out two bottles of Saint Arnold’s Summer PIls, the traditional summer offering from Texas’s oldest micro-brewery.

I will admit that as I was finishing the steaks, I drank the first few beers strait out of the bottle. But, after the dinner guest had left and the last of the dishes were done, I was able to sit down a truly analyze this light and tasty Texas summer brew. The beer pours a very clear light gold. The clarity of the beer is so perfect that I can hold the beer to the light and look up through the side of the glass and observe the fizzy white head dissipate from below. The head poured was a vigorous thick white but didn’t hang out for the party, as it disappeared very quickly.

The beer has a very light nose; in fact, it was so light that I got a nose full of brew as I leaned in for a better sniff. After cleaning my nose, I was able to pick up on a light malty aroma highlighted by sour citrus and sweet lemongrass notes.

Initially, the beer dances off the tip of the tongue and is defined by high carbonation with an underpinning of black pepper spiciness. Midway through the taste of the beer becomes so light that hardly any flavors stand out, but the end of the taste reveals the hops show and their floral little green heads. The finish ends with a light, but hop-flavored finish that s perfect for this otherwise simple beer.

Overall I found this beer to be quite drinkable and refreshing. While the beer could have a little more to offer between the hoppy finish and carbonated spiced initial taste, It is a shame that this beer only ranks in the 35 percentile on ratebeer.com and a B from beeradvocate.com. These low rankings likely come from the predisposition of beer nerds to dismiss lighter brews in favor of the big, the bold, and the dark, overlooking the light, refreshing, and drinkable artisanal brews. I will admit that we here at Drink Dogma have manifested the same beer snobbery, but with the changes of the seasons and the arrival of family cookouts, I suggest you take my sister’s lead and reach for something light and refreshing, the Saint Arnold’s Summer Pils would be a great place to start. If you want to try one on tap, swing by the bar and have us pour you one.