Surviving the weeklong classroom yawn that is syllabus week deserves a celebratory beer. And since we’re at Syracuse University, why not choose one loaded in citrusy school pride?

Lost Coast Brewery’s Tangerine Wheat Ale is brewed year-round in sunny California, and that’s pretty much exactly what it reminded me of: a bottled-up beachside vacation. When the impending snow-pocalypse begins, I’ll definitely have to remember that.

Popping the cap with my trusty SU bottle opener, I was instantly hit with the citrusy scent — and that’s saying something, because my smelling skills are generally not up to par. So I knew the flavor would be strong, but I just hoped it wouldn’t be too strong.

Thankfully, it tasted as sweet and refreshing as it smelled. It’s slightly on the hoppy side, or lighter side, but the tanginess of the tangerine balanced it out nicely and left a satisfying tingle on my tongue.

The beer reminded me of a more-citrusy Blue Moon Belgian White. The bottle’s packaging claims it contains “a hint of tangerine,” but it’s much more intense, like popping an alcoholic tangerine Fruit Gusher snack in your mouth — which should totally exist in real life.

After melting all day in the heat, I’m definitely not ashamed to say I practically chugged my first one. And at 5.5 percent alcohol by volume, it’s an easy beer to drink a large amount of in a short amount of time.

If you’re a star in the kitchen, the packaging suggests using Tangerine Wheat in your cooking, maybe for marinating vegetables or barbecuing pork.

Or if you’re like me and you’d rather just drink it, grab a six-pack and enjoy this perfectly citrusy brew while showing off Orange pride tailgating for Friday’s football season opener against Villanova University. The Princeton Review didn’t rank us No. 1 party school for nothing.

Published on August 28, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Kristin: klross01@syr.edu | @kriskross22