Smooth Sail is an eminently drinkable effort that makes the lawnmower beer format into something that can have a wide array of flavors, refreshing as well as impressing with each subsequent beer. The initial nose of Smooth Sail hides many of the twists and turns that will follow, requiring one to take an exploratory quaff for an introduction. This first sip yields wheat and citrus flavors along with just enough hop zing to keep things crisp and replenished. As Smooth Sail approaches room temperature, a sweeter set of tastes become prevalent. The wheat and grain tasted in the initial sips is given a new lease on life with this shake-up in the overall profile of the ale. I feel that the inclusion of both orange and lemon into this beer is able to provided much-needed depth to a beer style that is fairly straight-forward.
Smooth Sail Summer Ale would be a perfect introduction into pale ales, IPAs, hefeweizens, and fruit beers for those that have only had the chance to have lagers or pilsners in the past. For those that have delved into a wider variety of beer styles, the complexity of Smooth Sail is enough to provide a considerable change of pace from hop bombs and bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts. The low ABV (4.5%) of Smooth Sail makes this a perfect session beer, great for throwing in a cooler for picnics or bonfires; individuals could easily polish off three or four cans for a memorable night.
For a limited time, Smooth Sail is available in cans and on draft. Heavy Seas has a bevy of interesting one-off and seasonal efforts; explore our discussions of their The Greater Pumpkin and Black Cannon. Further information can be taken from the brewery’s domain and social media profiles.
Rating: 8.8/10
Smooth Sail Summer Ale / Wheat Ale/ 4.5% ABV / Heavy Seas / http://www.hsbeer.com