Cherry Wheat

Again, Sam Adams is a pretty reliable brewer. They're not likely to produce anybody's favorite beer, but when you open a Sam Adams beer, you're not likely to get swill, either.

I remember clearly the first time I bought Cherry Wheat. It was late 2007. The rain was turning to snow, and I was driving the Volkswagen. Dinner was spaghetti. I stopped into the sleazy corner liquor store looking for something a little different. This was what they had. I also picked up some free Budweiser posters with Latin flair to send to Nog.

When I got home and opened up my first bottle, the sweet smell rose into my nostrils and I looked into the mist at the top of the bottle, I was struck by the thought that it would be cool to always be opening a new, untasted beer. "More happy love! More happy, happy love!" And it was probably in that moment that the first seeds of this 300 beer year began.

Having tried it a second time, it was still a pretty OK beer. Swheat and tart. If you like mild fruit beers, this is a good one for you. Otherwise, I wouldn't go out of your way to try it.

Chocolate Bock

Another one I had at the Halloween party. This one I had late at night, and it certainly was not a good choice for that time of night. As far as the taste goes, I remember it being perhaps a little more bitter than it oughta be. Probably one of the worst beers from this generally reliable brewer.

Old Fezziwig

I'm putting this in out of sequence b/c I'd forgotten it. I actually drank this beer at David's Halloween party, which I think was on the 30th. Not bad, but not the best winter warmer I've ever had.

Winter Lager

A winter lager is an intriguing idea, but it's got to be something a little more special to win me over.

Holiday Porter

See my previous post for my feelings about Sam Adams' beers generally. This one holds true to that categorization.

White Ale

Sam Adams' White Ale is reasonable. Sam Adams produces consistent beers that generally fall to the middle of the style--good, but nothing to rave about.

Lemon Pepper Saison

A nice little saison from Sam Adams' Longshot series. A decent saison.

Mile High Barley Wine Ale

My first example of the style, I didn't know quite what to think of it at first. But for as high as the alcohol content is, it drinks pretty easily, and by the end I was nicely toasted and enjoyed the last of the beer.

Black Lager

This lager is indeed very black, and it's really pretty tasty, too.

Sam Adams Octoberfest

In contrast to a couple of other Eastern Breweries I have mentioned, Sam Adams generally provides a consistently good product. This is no exception, a really tasty amber lager. If Shipyard and Sarnac represent the competition, no wonder Sam Adams was able to get the lion's share of the beer market in the East.

Blackberry Wheat

Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams Boston Lager