Get acquainted with beers of summer (5-27-2005)
Published: May 27, 2005
Last Modified: December 20, 2005 at 04:27 AM
When the sun pours down and the air crackles, only a beer will do. Good brews abound in this town, and no style befits the heat like a wit or white beer. Look for them at a brewery or pub near you, but ask about the other specialties too. Here's a brief list of some beers to look for this summer.
* Snowshoes White: Midnight Sun Brewing Co. will release the newest incarnation of Snowshoes this month. The Belgian-style wit beer tastes energetic, tart and spicy through the addition of peppercorn and fresh orange peel, along with sour malt to shape the finish. Look for the brewery's Irish red now, and don't forget the coffee porter for the rainy days.
* White Princess and Arctic Wit: The Moose's Tooth Brewing Co. will pour two wits this summer, including the White Princess, which is named after a peak in the Delta Range. When making it, they took 10 percent of the mash (grain malt mixed with water) and let it sit for three days at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A crusty cap formed on top, but the liquid underneath tasted like lemonade. On brew day, they added that tangy juice to the mash. Look for flavors like coriander, black pepper and orange peel. The Arctic Wit will taste less tart and spicy, but it includes some of the same spices, plus a dash of apricot.
* Cream Stout: No matter the time of year, Glacier Brewhouse always serves several dark, strong beers and now has a cream stout on tap. The black, rich and sensuous beer tastes sweet enough for a sunny day yet burly enough to pair with bread pudding. While there, look for barrel-aged beers like the Hungarian oak-aged amber, along with classic summer beers like Bohemian pilsner.
* Farmhouse ale: The Sleeping Lady Brewery will serve saison in July, keeping with the tradition of the style. People in parts of France and Belgium originally made these beers as provisions for summer. They need to be sturdy enough for storage but light enough to quench a summer thirst. Look for a crisp, spicy and robust beer to complement the award-winning lineup always on tap at the Goose.
