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.
SAMUEL ADAMS BLACK LAGER
Unfulfillingly bland mahogany-hued Schwarzbier turns sourly dark fruited, leaving tart cocoa powdered cola nuttiness, vapid caramelized chocolate stead and brief coffee-oiled scour in a mess. Ancillary molasses-marshmallow-vanilla sweetness and spicy Bavarian hop bittering lighten tertiary hazelnut-pecan resonation, fig-date dash, and wood smoked-charcoal snippet inundating dryly coarse mocha finish. Another indistinct black lager caught betwixt brown ale, porter and stout stylings.
(SAMSON) CRYSTAL LAGER
Soft hop sass, dainty crystal malt caress, and buttery diacetyl flow of pale-toned light-bodied lager gets a wee bit trite by moderately bitter off-dry finish.
(SAMSON) CRYSTAL DIPLOMAT DARK LAGER
Tawny fizzy-hopped medium body lets chocolate-y malt aridity and creamy caramel subtlety deluge silky yeast sweetness as lingering Brussels lace coats the mug. Distant dry rye wheat clip turns earthy by mocha finish.
SAMSON BUDWEISER DARK LAGER
Second largest Budweis brewery in Czech Republic (formerly Burgerbrau) sure has a winner with this emphatic lager. Smoked wood dryness deepens fig-plum tagline above subtle hop-roasted caramel-malted graining and walnut-chestnut illusions as crisp water lightens brisk flow.
SAMICHLAUS MALT LIQUEUR
Hefty 14% alcohol content stimulates robust upper crust winter-brewed “malt liqueur” now crafted from original Hurlimann recipe in Austria. Simultaneous cognac warmth and plump raisin aromatics surge through delightful barleywine peculiarity, propelling its ripened black cherry combustion. Chewy caramel creaminess creates ripe prune arousal, gooey maple syrup ascension and back-throated chocolate undertones. Tertiary almondine, armagnac and brandy illusions add complexity. 2012 version upped the brown-sugared dark fruiting, chocolate-covered raisin sweetness and butterscotch-candied vanilla swipe. On tap at Ambulance, 2022, medicinal cherry whiskey entry picked up fig-raisin-prune insistence, caramelized chocolate syruping, confectionery hard-candy glaze and wispy peach liqueur spell. An absolutely first class dessert lager perfect for sipping.