Planet S Magazine in Saskatoon has just put out its “Summer Drinks” issue looking at liquid libations of all forms and the tools we need to sip them. My contribution was two-fold. First, I explored how people could kick the Corona habit and partake in summer-minded beer that also offer quality and flavour (and no skunk). I realize most of the readers of this blog long since got the Corona monkey off their back (if they ever had it), but I think the article remains useful for the majority of beer drinkers.
I hasten to add that choosing to drink Corona or Bud Light Lime is not a crime, and that I can actually understand why people turn to them, especially in the summer. I am careful to say so in the article. The goal of the piece is to gently coax those folks over a step to beer that is light and refreshing, but offer some interesting character. Take a look at the article for my suggestions.
The second piece, found on the same webpage, is a short discussion about lime/lemon wedges and beer. That age old debate of what to do with the little chunk of citrus fruit perched on your glass in a bar. I try to explain WHY bartenders to that to us (and the poor, hacked up fruit) and offer some ideas for whether to use or discard. I, personally, throw it away. But I am curious why others might choose to drop it into their beer? If you are a lime user, leave a comment on why.
July 19, 2010 at 7:32 AM
Adds a sense of crispness, as well as a natural, unobtrusive sweetening to lagers that may, in some moods, come to the palate in a boring way.
July 19, 2010 at 2:34 PM
Hi Susan,
Thanks for offering your perspective. I completely understand how a bit of lime might sharpen a beer that might otherwise seem kind of flat and boring. That makes sense to me, and I totally respect that choice. I love how beer is so accepting of diverse tastes!
Cheers.
Jason
July 19, 2010 at 7:48 PM
Enjoyed your article. I think use of a fruit wedge is sometimes habit. For example, I’ve always squeezed lemon into a pint of Grasshopper and probably always will. Sitting on a patio with a Grasshopper sans lemon just seems wrong to me. However, I wouldn’t do the same for, say, Velvet Fog.
Refreshing summer brews I’m enjoying right now: Samuel Adams Summer Ale (contains lemon zest, no wedge required) and Anchor Summer Beer.
July 20, 2010 at 8:40 AM
I freak out when I order a wheat beer and it comes with a piece of fruit hanging on the rim of the glass. I throw it out as soon as I can, but it’s usually too late and it has ruined the head. It’s my own fault for forgetting to tell the server not to put one in, but I really wish they would have the courtesy to ask first if I want a piece of dirty fruit in my beer.
I suppose fruit belongs in bland beers like Corona or Grasshopper, it helps cut the sweetness, but I’d never consider drinking either. Fruit has no place in flavourful beers like hefes or wits – it boggles the mind why they serve an orange slice with Rickards White/Blue Moon, as it is already an “orange bomb” with almost no spice to balance.
This summer, I’ve been drinking a ton of a simple, light saison I brewed (about 4.5%, 100% 2-row, finished with goldings) – incredible flavour, dry, crisp and refreshing. I love it, though I think I’ll switch to noble-hybrids next time around.