Pollyanna Summerly 4Pk

Pollyanna Summerly 4Pk is a raspberry-laden American pale wheat beer from Pollyanna Brewing Company in Lemont, Illinois, packaged as a 4-pack at 4.8% ABV. Rated 86 ("Very Good") on BeerAdvocate and carrying a 3.7 out of 5 on Untappd across more than 10,500 ratings, Summerly has built a loyal following among fruit wheat beer drinkers across the Chicago suburbs and beyond.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%  |  Origin: Lemont, Illinois, USA  |  Style: American Pale Wheat Beer  |  IBU: 13  |  SRM: 3  |  Brewery: Pollyanna Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

Pollyanna Brewing Company operates out of Lemont, Illinois, a small town southwest of Chicago along the historic Illinois & Michigan Canal corridor. Summerly is built on a grain bill of three different American-grown wheat varieties alongside 2-row malt, giving the base beer a soft, pillowy body with restrained bitterness at just 13 IBUs. What separates this from many fruit-flavored wheat beers is the sheer volume of real fruit involved — the brewery uses hundreds of pounds of fresh raspberries per batch rather than relying on extracts or purees, resulting in a beer where the fruit character reads as authentic and layered rather than artificial.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh raspberry dominates immediately, reading ripe and natural rather than candy-like. Behind the fruit sits a subtle, dry earthiness from the wheat and a faint yeast character reminiscent of Belgian wit styles.

Taste: Raspberry arrives on the entry and stays through the entire palate — not just a finishing accent. The mid-palate brings tangy, juicy berry sweetness balanced by the dry wheat base, while the light body and low bitterness keep everything moving forward without heaviness. There is a pleasant tartness that prevents the fruit from tipping into cloying territory.

Finish: Crisp and dry with lingering raspberry tang and moderate carbonation that cleanses the palate. The finish is short and refreshing, inviting another sip almost immediately.

How to Drink Summerly

Summerly is best served cold, straight from the can or poured into a weizen glass to appreciate its pinkish-copper hue. Its low ABV and light body make it an effortless warm-weather session beer. For cocktail-curious drinkers, try a Raspberry Radler by combining Summerly with fresh lemonade for a tart, effervescent cooler. A Beer Mimosa using Summerly in place of champagne alongside orange juice plays the berry and citrus notes off each other nicely. A Shandy Float — Summerly topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — turns the raspberry wheat character into a playful dessert drink.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and patio sessions on hot afternoons
• Introducing non-craft-beer drinkers to fruit wheat styles
• Pairing alongside brunch spreads or light summer meals
• Bringing to a BYOB gathering as a crowd-friendly, low-ABV option

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Summerly taste like? Summerly delivers bright, tangy fresh raspberry flavor from start to finish, supported by a soft, dry wheat base with light tartness and crisp carbonation at just 4.8% ABV.

How does Summerly compare to Goose Island 312 Raspberry? Both are fruit-forward wheat beers from the greater Chicago area, but Summerly leans more heavily on its raspberry character with a noticeably tart, juicy profile, while 312 Raspberry tends to present a milder fruit accent over a more neutral wheat body. Summerly also uses fresh raspberries rather than flavoring, which contributes to its more natural fruit expression.

Is Summerly good for beginners? Absolutely — its low 4.8% ABV, gentle 13 IBU bitterness, and familiar berry flavor make it one of the most approachable craft beers for people who typically prefer ciders, seltzers, or fruit-forward drinks.

Where is Summerly made? Summerly is brewed by Pollyanna Brewing Company in Lemont, Illinois, a suburb located about 30 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The brewery sources its 2-row malt and three wheat varieties from American growers.

What foods pair well with Summerly? Grilled chicken or fish tacos complement the raspberry tartness with smoky, savory contrast. Fresh goat cheese salads echo the beer's tangy character. Lemon bars or raspberry tarts create a harmonious dessert pairing. Light charcuterie boards with mild, creamy cheeses let the fruit shine. Smoked salmon works well, as the beer's acidity cuts through the richness.

What sizes does Summerly come in? Summerly is commonly available as a 4-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format for this seasonal release.

Is Summerly worth the price? Summerly positions as a mid-range craft beer priced in line with other quality fruit wheat ales. The use of hundreds of pounds of fresh raspberries per batch — rather than cheaper extracts — represents genuine production investment that shows in the glass, making it a strong value within its category.

Why Summerly?

The defining feature of Summerly is the brewery's commitment to using massive quantities of fresh raspberries rather than extracts, concentrates, or artificial flavoring — a production choice that is immediately apparent in the aroma and flavor. The triple-wheat grain bill provides a softer, more nuanced base than the single-wheat approach many competitors use, giving the fruit a more elegant platform. With an 86 on BeerAdvocate and over 10,500 Untappd ratings averaging 3.7, Summerly has proven itself as a reliable seasonal standout rather than a one-season novelty. For anyone seeking a genuinely fruit-forward wheat beer that tastes like real raspberries and drinks effortlessly at 4.8% ABV, this is one of the more honest examples the Chicago-area craft scene produces.