Impressive burnished amber tone, crystal malt palate, and husked wheat dryness make this a first rate low calorie alternative. Though watery, blandly sweet, and unobtrusive, moderate grain flow remains steadfast.
All posts by John Fortunato
SAMUEL ADAMS IRISH RED ALE
Though lacking stylistic distinction, expectant dry hop-spiced bittering and brown sugared caramel malting nicely moderate slightly diacetyl medium body. Recessive black cherry, white grape, and green apple sourness placate fatigued apricot murk and earthen floral-herbal tinge to cracked wheat spine.
SAMUEL ADAMS HOLIDAY PORTER
Lactic chocolate chalking never restricts sugary Christmas spicing, debonair coffee-espresso nicety, mild fig-date souring and sharp nut sear of rocky tan-headed maroon-bodied porter. Frothy mocha-molasses broth deepens seasonal cinnamon-nutmeg clip, scanty coriander-currant dip and peanut-shelled hazelnut, butternut and pecan snips. By phenol vanilla finish, toasted Fuggle hop char embitters tobacco chew spew and ashen tar-like thicket.
SAMUEL ADAMS HEFEWEIZEN ’05
Easygoing hazy amber ’05 version integrates euphoric honeyed wheat biscuit sweetness with gently fizzed floral serenade. Curdled butterscotch midst perfectly complements slightly syrupy slurp.
SAMUEL ADAMS HEFEWEIZEN
Minor cloudiness invades flat, chartreuse, Bavarian-hopped half-wheat knockoff. Mild banana-bubblegum odor fades to metallic shrill as lemon-soured grapefruit snippet reaches wheat-cracked sourdough midst. Candied orange caress and unexpected licorice lament hidden beneath. Dreary peculiarity finds only middling success.
SAMUEL ADAMS HALLERTAU IMPERIAL PILSNER
Busy amber-hazed pils promises ‘enormous, almost reckless quantities of Hallertau hops.’ Pungently perfumed pine-resinous spruce tip frontage drops off as bitter juniper berry slope deepens lingering orange-grapefruit-peach tang. Tertiary pumpernickel, buttered popcorn, muted herb and evergreen illusions awaken citric notions.
SAMUEL ADAMS CREAM STOUT
Moderately rich mahogany-marooned lactose stout issues creamy coffee froth to chocolate-roasted burnt caramel malting, settling into ashen black tar, charcoal and wood charred bitterness as lacey tan engulfs glass. But foamy carbolic fizz and harsh nutty dryness dissolve mocha banter by irresolute coffee bean finish.
SAMUEL ADAMS CRANBERRY LAMBIC
Seasonal lambic (by definition: wheat beer with fruit added) soaks cherry-soured rhubarb pie tartness, sweet Scotch warmth, and thickening dry hop bittering with pureed cranberry piquancy. But its dredged maple flavoring seems lost in cornmeal midst. Hmmm.
SAMUEL ADAMS CHOCOLATE BOCK
Bold Devil’s food cake with mellow mocha creaminess heightened by dark-roasted Ecuadorian cocoa nibs. Perfect for lusty dessert beer enthusiasts with a sweet tooth. Fudgy milk chocolate prevalence invites vanilla creaminess and coffee bean bittering to satiate elegantly smooth bock. Dainty crystal malt reminder, fading citrus dab and smokin’ ash cinders backup chocolate truffle-like cluster. On second passing, caramelized Sugar Daddy, coffee ice cream, chocolate cake and chocolate eclair illusions swelled.
SAMUEL ADAMS CHERRY WHEAT
Sourly juicy Bing cherry thrust and sweet grenadine tingle prevail over carbolic soda-like sugaring to cracked wheat spine. Floral red grape wisp, recessive lemony orange tang, and lithe mulberry illusions add further summertime luster to superb fruit beer. Beats cherry wine. A fine malt beverage Dr. Pepper fans will appreciate.
SAMUEL ADAMS BROWN ALE
Diffidently indifferent ‘English-styled’ brown ale starts poorly, following up unassuming acrid waft with astringent hop toasting, suspect sourdough tier, and phenol hazelnut smear. Gets worse when metallic underside ruins meager chestnut roast.
SAMUEL ADAMS BOSTON LAGER
Versatile pioneering microbrew led revolutionary movement against stifled commercial American breweries by sparking significant trend towards quality craftsmanship in ’80s. Historic amber lager opens with bright spicy citrus aroma, rich maple malting, and pleasant caramel roast embracing gentle barley-oats spine. Iconic matchstick head finish given burnt cherry wood trail, faint orange peel bitterness, and apricot tang for distinctive luster. On tap, gummy wheat gluten mouthfeel discerned. Tried June ’04 bottle seven years hence just for kicks and the perfectly basic lager held up, bringing a sweeter pastry-like cereal graining to thicker hop spicing.