So there I was at the Taco Mac in The Prado shopping center in Sandy Springs, Georgia waiting for my good buddy Rob Frye (he of homebrewing and Honest Craft Beer Reviews fame) to arrive. Rob and I were meeting up for a beer and I got there early, so what to do? Order a beer, of course.
One of the first things to get my attention was a newly arrived keg of a beer called Samuel Adams Curious Traveler, described as a fruit beer. What the heck, I decided, it was listed as 4.4% alcohol by volume so a good choice for sipping while I waited. As I am wont to do, I whipped out my phone and did a little research.
As I found out, Curious Traveler is not really a Samuel Adams beer, but seems to be a product of the Traveler Beer Company, whatever that is. Traveler has several beers on the market, including Illusive Traveler (a grapefruit shandy), and Time Traveler (a strawberry shandy). All of their beers appear to be premade shandies.
Not so long ago, I walked into my local Kroger store and happened upon a lone six-pack of Just Beer Project Anytime IPA sitting atop a display of Samuel Adams beers. Anytime IPA is brewed in Burlington, Vermont, by Magic Hat and distributed by Boston Beer, makers of the Samuel Adams line. What does that have to do with Curious Traveler? A lot really, since Curious Traveler is also made by Magic Hat and distributed by Boston Beer. At least that’s what it looks like from the label and Taco Mac’s tag on the beer.
A shandy is generally a drink you make yourself, a mix of lemon soda and lager. It’s an Irish version of the German Radlermass (or vice versa depending on whom you ask). Samuel Adams has a similar beverage really in their Porch Rocker, a beer of similar strength and character. According to the Traveler Beer Company website, Curious Traveler is made with 2-row barley, malted wheat, Hallertau hops and lemon and lime.
My mug of Curious Traveler shandy arrived a cloudy yellow color with a tart, citrusy nose and moderate head formation. Taking a sip, the beer is certainly refreshing enough. It has a crisp biscuity maltiness underneath, lots of lemon citrus, and a tart quenching finish from the heat. This isn’t a hugely complex brew, but hey, it sure would be great on a really hot day. At 4.4% alcohol by volume, it’s easy to drink, and won’t break the bank at the $5.50 I paid for a full mug pour.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft