Samuel Adams Utopias
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Samuel Adams UtopiasSamuel Adams Utopias
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
American Strong Ale
Ranked #3
ABV:
28%
Score:
99
Ranked #246
Avg:
4.47 | pDev: 11.41%
Reviews:
608
Ratings:
2,829
Status:
Active
Rated:
Feb 27, 2024
Added:
Jul 09, 2005
Wants:
  1,457
Gots:
  545
Truly the epitome of brewing's two thousand year evolution, Samuel Adams Utopias® offers a flavor not just unlike any other beer but unlike any other beverage in the world. Each release is a blend of batches, some having been aged up to 16 years in the barrel room of our Boston Brewery, in a variety of woods. We aged a portion of the beer in hand-selected, single-use bourbon casks from the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery. Some of the latest batches also spent time in Portuguese muscatel finishing casks, as well as sherry, brandy and Cognac casks. This flavorful, slightly fruity brew has a sweet, malty flavor that is reminiscent of a deep, rich vintage port, fine cognac or aged sherry.

2019 Vintage aged in Buffalo Trace barrels and finished in Aquavit, Caracavelos, Ruby Port, Cognac, and Medeira Barrels.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by BEERchitect:
Photo of BEERchitect
Reviewed by BEERchitect from Kentucky

4.92/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Extreme beers don't get any more extreme. ...or higher in quality. ...or more sultry or savory. This year's 10th Anniversary edition satisfies all the sophisticated taste, texture, and pleasure of anyone who believes they have a discerning palate. If, as a craft beer enthusiast, you enjoy the better things in life, then do yourself a favor.

An ounce and a half poured into a small brandy snifter proves to be all of the beer that's needed for full appreciation in taste. Its dark tawny redish brown hue and absolutely stillness allows the beer to relax and mirror port wine in appearance. A casual swirl of the glass allows the brandyish legging to climb up to the glass with a glossy sheen. No carbonation or foam character is necessary- all the complexities are built in to the aroma and taste.

Incredibly strong aromas of brandy-like alcohols weave into a savory mix of maple syrup, molasses, and rich dark fruit. Bordering on sherry, the mouth watering aromas waft over the palate with concentrated red grape, raspberry, plumb, dates, figs, and cashews. Aged oak becomes the common thread that ties all the dense fruit, peppery alcohol, and savory sweet notes together.

Insanely complex flavors of maple, toffee, and sorghum coat the mouth with a film of mature sweetnesses that's toasty and slightly seared to bring out a buttery taste that's devilishly seductive. The sweetness merges with fortified alcohols that stop shy of overly boozy distilled spirits. It's result is a port-like brandy taste that's even more captivating with the oxidized fruits- rum soaked cherries, raspberries, grapes all seem concentrated in taste even as complex sherry, cognac, bourbon, and scotch flavors emerge with each alternating sip. Mild herbal hops give a tea-like roundness to the taste, even as vinous tartness balance the sweet. Dried aged oak and even savory soy sauce and chocolate tastes emerge with elegance, grace, and an obviously masculine quality. This beer begs a pairing with a fine aromatic cigar.

Thin alcohol sweetness seeps into the mouth without the lift of carbonaiton to brace from its full brunt of tooth. Lightly oily and chewy at the same time, the beer's coat is like a rich dessert that's meant for sipping and savoring rather than drinking. Extremely warm, the beer is surprisingly balanced from the fusal heat and rounded off nicely for a smooth and peppery finish. Its closure of alcohol-sweet texture keeps rewarding the taste buds well into the next sip.

After recently having the past five vintages of the beer, its quite obvious that these beers get better and better with each subsequent release. Even as earlier versions are lesser in alcohol, they portray an overall rougher alcohol taste. The more recent versions are smoother, stronger, and more sophisticated in taste- and yes... worth every penny!
Jan 31, 2008
More User Ratings:
Photo of Lexluthor33
Reviewed by Lexluthor33 from New York

4.55/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Deep copper color- no head, no lace.
aroma of alcohol, malts, hints of vanilla and caramel.
taste was sweet with alcohol warmth and smooth hints of barrel flavor.
Some vanilla, caramel and a buttery richness.
Complex and deep with no carbonation and full bodied heavy malts at play.
Over loads the senses yet easy to drink despite high ABV.
This goes well with sweets on a cold winter night.
Some spices in finish maybe nutmeg and a little syrup on the tongue.
Feb 27, 2024
 
Rated: 4.47 by The_Kriek_Freak from Pennsylvania

Feb 24, 2024
 
Rated: 4.36 by Bil_Ganhs from Florida

Feb 02, 2024
 
Rated: 4.88 by Chilmer from Iowa

Jan 22, 2024
 
Rated: 4.66 by Travitten from Iowa

Jan 14, 2024
Photo of MonDak_Joe1953
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota

4.49/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Sample pour from the 2017 vintage bottle.
Dark bourbon brown colored body. Still body. A sheen clings to the glass.
Aroma is very much like fermented turpentine. Some dark fruit and vanilla.
Taste is quick and then evaporates. Full of fruit, from apple to date to cherry. Caramel nugget and vanilla. Strong alcohol.
Thick mouth feel. Smooth. Even with the high ABV% there is no burn. No carbonation.
A little bit of a barleywine and a little bit of a port, with alcohol soaked sweetness. This is the second beer I have rated in 2024.
Jan 02, 2024
Photo of gking19
Reviewed by gking19 from Ohio

4/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
My Utopias was bottled in 2007, number 05260. it was too much maple for me in 2007, but i had maybe 30 mL 12/26/2023 and it has improved a lot. i think i paid $250 USD for it. for as long as it has lasted, it's worth it.... it's making me enter a rating, so i gave it all 4's
Dec 26, 2023
Photo of bbtkd
Reviewed by bbtkd from South Dakota

4.57/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Samuel Adams Utopias 2023 American Strong Ale, 28% ABV. The room temperature 4oz pour is very deep reddish brown, with no head since it's uncarbonated. It leaves an oily sheen on the glass. Aroma is clearly boozy, plus chocolate, red wine, and dark fruit, very unique and enjoyable. Wish I had that in a cologne. Taste is not as good as the aroma, chocolate, wine, and dark fruit, quite boozy, not much sweetness, slight bitterness, and tons of bourbon burn. Mouthfeel is excellent, overall outstanding. Very complex. The bottle cap surprised me, but makes sense.
Dec 24, 2023
Photo of nasty15108
Reviewed by nasty15108 from New York

3.99/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 2019 Utopia bottle into a Glencarin glass.

L - Poured a murky brown Iced Tea color. No carbonation, head or lacing, as to be expected.

S - Alcohol is pretty powerful and in your face, but there is also big aroma of dark dried fruit, Think fig, raisins, dates. etc... Like a strong English Barleywine or a good German Dopplebock.

T- There is definitely some heat from the high ABV, but there is also that delicious dark dried fruit taste with dare I say a bit of cacao? Reminded me a bit of the Chunky candy bar.

MF - The mouthfeel is rather thin and a little oily. That being said, it coats the mouth well and the high AVB lets it linger for awhile.

Overall Utopia is a definite splurge. If you have a Beer Geek friend or 2 and can afford it, it's definitely worth checking out at least once in your life. Is it wildly overpriced, yes, is it mind blowing, no. That being said, after splitting a bottle with a great friend, I have zero regrets,
Dec 23, 2023
Photo of DoctorZombies
Reviewed by DoctorZombies from Florida

4.82/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Poured at 64°. Murky brown pour but settles down to almost full clarity; no head, ring nor lace; heavy legs on swirl. Nose is Sherry, boozy caramel with a phenolic exhale. Entry is boozy hot Sherry like flavor; sugary raisins; sweet caramel malt. Viscous, almost chewy feel; medium plus body; hot mouthfeel from 28% abv; alcohol burn on tip of tongue; face flushing warmth. Overall a power house of a high abv strong ale; potent; looking forward to enjoying this beer many times!
Dec 17, 2023
 
Rated: 4.47 by notchucknorris from California

Oct 28, 2023
 
Rated: 4.54 by mmoore9363 from Arizona

Sep 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by ThaKennster from Texas

Jul 18, 2023
Photo of damndirtyape
Reviewed by damndirtyape from Ohio

4.45/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2017 vintage - shared with me from a friend. Small 2oz pour for each of us. Served in a small 4oz snifter tasting glass.

Appearance: Clear dark amber-copper color. No lacing (there wouldn't be at this ABV).

Smell: Boozy - bourbon barrel notes, honey, toffee. Rich.

Taste: Lots going on. Definitely some barleywine notes, with some bourbon, oak, vanilla, toffee, honey, orange, raisin, and some bitter notes at the finish as well.

Mouthfeel: Surprisingly smooth for something this high in alcohol. Good thickness, no carbonation, dry finish, and only a little warming.

Overall / Drinkability: I can see why some people describe this a more like a brandy than a beer, and I almost want to call it a Barleybrandy. It's got aspects of a Barleywine, but so much more. Glad I got a taste of it. Not sure I could finish a large glass of this though - definitely a slow sipping and savoring beer. Unique and quite tasty.
Apr 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4.92 by mflamar from New York

Apr 17, 2023
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I opened a 2015 bottle about a month ago, this is my third pour. Time for a review.

I love how hybridized this is, it finds such a lovely grey area between beer and liquor. I can see calling this barleywine on steroids. Beautiful cogn/armagnac notes are most prominent but there is room for plenty more. Smokey wood and tobacco, raisin/plum schnapps?, plenty of brown liquor, hints of vanilla and honey, plus...just so much more. The body is wonderfully sticky and viscous.

Damn I wish I didn't like this as much as I do. There is just no way to justify buying another bottle, but this is absolutely worth trying once.
Feb 11, 2023
 
Rated: 4.46 by npendres from Wisconsin

Jan 05, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by woobariny from Massachusetts

Dec 26, 2022
 
Rated: 4.5 by ear-bending from Texas

Dec 10, 2022
Samuel Adams Utopias from Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Beer rating: 99 out of 100 with 2829 ratings