By Chris Maza chrism@thereminder.com Many people have that one place they fondly call their summer vacation spot. Whether it's for a day, a weekend or longer, there's that one place that they always go to when they need to get away. For a great many people in the Bay State, that spot is Cape Cod. I am not one of those great many people. For years growing up my family would head south to Wildwood, N.J., for summer vacations. Truthfully, in the years I can remember, I can probably count on one hand the times I have been to the Cape. It had been years until last year when I attended a 50th anniversary celebration that took place there. Why do I tell you this? I'm using it as my built-in excuse for never having visited the Cape Cod Beer Company or having tried their beer. Reminder Publications Managing Editor G. Michael Dobbs graciously gave me a gift of three bottles for Christmas this year. It certainly proved to be the gift that will keep on giving because those will not be the last Cape Cod beers I have. Cape Cod Beach Blonde The Beach Blonde is what I would call a perfect summer beer in the fact that I think a very diverse group of beer drinkers would find it to their liking. It pours a light golden color with a thin white head and has a malty, somewhat fruity nose to it. To taste, it features the same grainy malts, accented by hints of citrus and maybe some other fruits. With its light mouth feel and vivacious carbonation, it drinks especially smooth. It's a terrific beer on a warm day, whether it be at the ocean or on your own front porch. Cape Cod IPA In a time when it seems that beer companies are trying to see just how bitter they can possibly make a beer, the Cape Cod IPA, I think, does a great job capturing the original essence of the India Pale Ale style. It's a very attractive beer, pouring copper with a nice head and its nose is actually surprisingly malty, unlike some IPAs that knock you out with hops right off the bat. Like the Beach Blonde, it's an easy drinker, largely because of the great balance between the malts and hops Cape Cod brewers have nailed down. Cape Cod Red The point has already been well-stated here, but it never hurts to say it again — Cape Cod Beer has done a great job of making their beers in the manner the styles were intended. The Cape Cod Red pours a great deep red with a thick head. It doesn't offer a lot in terms of a nose, but don't let that fool you. The taste of the beer is anything but light, with nice caramel and roasted malt tones and a little bit of hoppy bitterness on the back end. A good, but not overly heavy carbonation and a smooth, medium mouth feel make this a terrific take on the style.