-
Stop lurking! Stay logged in to search, review beers, post in our forums, see less ads, and more.
— Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Samuel Adams Winter Lager (2001-2019)
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
- Massachusetts, United States
- Style:
- Bock
- ABV:
- 5.6%
- Score:
- 81
- Avg:
- 3.59 | pDev: 13.65%
- Reviews:
- 2,082
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jan 10, 2023
- Added:
- Jan 25, 2001
- Wants:
- 119
- Gots:
- 1,504
SCORE
81
Good
81
Good


Notes:
Festive Bock with Spices.
Winter Lager's rich malt notes and accents of cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel are just the right companion for decking the halls, your holiday table, your fridge, your hand... You get the picture, no matter what or how you celebrate, do it with a Winter Lager.
Winter Lager's rich malt notes and accents of cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel are just the right companion for decking the halls, your holiday table, your fridge, your hand... You get the picture, no matter what or how you celebrate, do it with a Winter Lager.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
2.94/5 rDev -18.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
2.94/5 rDev -18.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
355 ml bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 5.5%. Chestnut-coloured beer, moderate off-white head. The aroma has some caramel, dust and grass. Fizzy mouthfeel. The flavour has plenty of caramel but is not too sweet, also notes of brown bread, the spice addition (cinnamon, ginger, orange peel) is fairly moderate and quite mild. The bitterness is low. Certainly drinkable, but not really great.
May 16, 2021Reviewed by RyanK252 from California
3.77/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Bottle poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass
A: Pours copper amber with a frothy light khaki head that settles to a thin layer and leaves a little light lacing.
S: Toasty, bready, solid hit of spice, dark fruit, slightly earthy, and some toffee sweetness.
T: Follows the nose, leads with big toasty bready malt, spice comes right out, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, orange peel is more subtle, dark fruit, plum and fig, a bit earthy, rounded out with toffee sweetness.
M: On the fuller side of medium body, moderate carbonation, slight creaminess. More body than you'd expect for a 5.6% lager.
O: It's been quite a while since I've had this one. I can understand some people not being super into how heavily spiced it is, but on a cold festive night it hits the spot.
Feb 22, 2021A: Pours copper amber with a frothy light khaki head that settles to a thin layer and leaves a little light lacing.
S: Toasty, bready, solid hit of spice, dark fruit, slightly earthy, and some toffee sweetness.
T: Follows the nose, leads with big toasty bready malt, spice comes right out, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, orange peel is more subtle, dark fruit, plum and fig, a bit earthy, rounded out with toffee sweetness.
M: On the fuller side of medium body, moderate carbonation, slight creaminess. More body than you'd expect for a 5.6% lager.
O: It's been quite a while since I've had this one. I can understand some people not being super into how heavily spiced it is, but on a cold festive night it hits the spot.
Rated by TheRougeBastard from North Carolina
3.5/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Christmas in a bottle!
Feb 14, 2021Reviewed by blazerkor from Nevada
3.34/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.34/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
So they say they brewed this one with cinnamon, ginger and orange peel... I'm not getting any of that in the smell. Just bready malts and that's it.
It tastes like it smells. It's so much like their Boston Lager but maybe a little brighter. So really really malty with a little hops coming in late.
It's not too thin and it's smooth with sudsy carbonation. There is a small bight of bitterness on the finish but it's gone quickly.
Pretty basic, it definitely doesn't live up to the complex flavors the label promises. I'll give it a 3.5 out of 6.
Jan 08, 2021It tastes like it smells. It's so much like their Boston Lager but maybe a little brighter. So really really malty with a little hops coming in late.
It's not too thin and it's smooth with sudsy carbonation. There is a small bight of bitterness on the finish but it's gone quickly.
Pretty basic, it definitely doesn't live up to the complex flavors the label promises. I'll give it a 3.5 out of 6.
Reviewed by 1009 from Massachusetts
3.74/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.74/5 rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
I've been reading Jim Koch's book lately, so I was craving a good ol' Sam Adams and found this in my fridge. They claim this is a newer/improved version of the classic brew, but honestly still just as satisfied with it as I was last Winter. It pours into a nice amber/caramel like color with a foamy white head. The beer gives off malty and toasted aromas as you lift to your nose. The taste that follows gives hints of caramel, maltiness, and slight cinnamon and nutmeg notes. Very nice traditional Christmas holiday tastes. A very smooth beer, not overly carbonated. A wonderful treat for the holiday season!
Dec 06, 2020Reviewed by jwp777 from Oklahoma
4.09/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle:
Pours a clear, semi-dark amber color. Head is off white and bubbly but the bubbles are small and quite dense. Starts about 3/4 inch thick and retains well. No lacing.
Smell is probably my favorite part of this beer (that’s rare). Instant waves of toasty malts, freshly baked bread, cinnamon, and a sharpness from the ginger. I get just enough orange peel to balance, but not til the end.
Taste more or less follows the nose. Finish is toasty and medium length.
Mouthfeel is fairly light, but not watery. Carbonation is fairly low, but it still manages to be a bit crisp. Very clean throughout. It’s like eating perfectly baked wheat bread that’s just out of the oven. I could probably drink it in warm weather too but it’s exactly what I need to combat the bitter Oklahoma cold.
Overall - my favorite Sam Adams brew and, for me, a good representation of the style.
Dec 01, 2020Pours a clear, semi-dark amber color. Head is off white and bubbly but the bubbles are small and quite dense. Starts about 3/4 inch thick and retains well. No lacing.
Smell is probably my favorite part of this beer (that’s rare). Instant waves of toasty malts, freshly baked bread, cinnamon, and a sharpness from the ginger. I get just enough orange peel to balance, but not til the end.
Taste more or less follows the nose. Finish is toasty and medium length.
Mouthfeel is fairly light, but not watery. Carbonation is fairly low, but it still manages to be a bit crisp. Very clean throughout. It’s like eating perfectly baked wheat bread that’s just out of the oven. I could probably drink it in warm weather too but it’s exactly what I need to combat the bitter Oklahoma cold.
Overall - my favorite Sam Adams brew and, for me, a good representation of the style.
Reviewed by Shelbs90 from Montana
3.88/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
smells toasty. very amber looking. it tastes very good. i really love this beer. smooth and nutty taste. not very carbonated which is nice. can’t taste ginger but can taste the citrus. could be a summer beer as well
Nov 20, 2020Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon
4/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Look: Nearly clear amber in color with a dense off-white head that settles to a lid, leaving great lacing as it recedes
Aroma: Warm bread, orange peel, ginger root, a little toffee, wafts of cinnamon, and some dried dark fruits
Taste: Rich and deep bready malt, toffee, and dark fruits come on first and joined shortly after by orange, ginger, and cinnamon. The spices along with bready malt are prominent in the middle and closes soft and clean with orange peel notes showing up again
Mouthfeel: Full, clean throughout, medium-high carbonation, and a soft and clean finish
Overall: Tasty stuff here. A delicious and well-made spiced bock and one of my favorite winter seasonal beers throughout the years. I didn’t realize until I saw the bottle that its recipe had been tweaked and I’d love to do a blind side-by-side between the old and new one but no biggie, this is very good regardless
Nov 18, 2020Aroma: Warm bread, orange peel, ginger root, a little toffee, wafts of cinnamon, and some dried dark fruits
Taste: Rich and deep bready malt, toffee, and dark fruits come on first and joined shortly after by orange, ginger, and cinnamon. The spices along with bready malt are prominent in the middle and closes soft and clean with orange peel notes showing up again
Mouthfeel: Full, clean throughout, medium-high carbonation, and a soft and clean finish
Overall: Tasty stuff here. A delicious and well-made spiced bock and one of my favorite winter seasonal beers throughout the years. I didn’t realize until I saw the bottle that its recipe had been tweaked and I’d love to do a blind side-by-side between the old and new one but no biggie, this is very good regardless
Reviewed by Iamaskier from Idaho
3.31/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.31/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Pours with good carbonation but surprisingly poor head. Smell is light and sweet, hints of orange. Taste begins with a mild caramel malt and turns to a slight hoppy orange peel that lingers. Overall a decent dinner beer that I’d put above a blue moon and below a fat tire.
Nov 17, 2020Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
3.57/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.57/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle. Label is notched for best by APR (2021). This is the 2020 release.
Deep amber colored body. Clear. Half a finger of off white head just stays there. Strings and spots of lacing stay on the sipping side after each sip.
Aroma of light roasted malt, with an accent from the orange peel. Spices are not expressive.
Taste is of a rich lager malt, with orange. The cinnamon and ginger make a brief appearance at the end of each sip.
Slightly heavy mouth feel, with a smooth, creamy touch. Very good carbonation.
A comfortable beer to drink, and reminds one of the spices of the holidays. Less expressive than some of the other holiday beer releases. Beautiful look in the glass.
Nov 14, 2020Deep amber colored body. Clear. Half a finger of off white head just stays there. Strings and spots of lacing stay on the sipping side after each sip.
Aroma of light roasted malt, with an accent from the orange peel. Spices are not expressive.
Taste is of a rich lager malt, with orange. The cinnamon and ginger make a brief appearance at the end of each sip.
Slightly heavy mouth feel, with a smooth, creamy touch. Very good carbonation.
A comfortable beer to drink, and reminds one of the spices of the holidays. Less expressive than some of the other holiday beer releases. Beautiful look in the glass.
Reviewed by odannyob from Colorado
3.47/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
3.47/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Pretty flavorful on a quiet, sunny, mid-November, late morning taste test, from a cold glass bottle to a 12 oz. clear glass tumbler to my curious taste buds. Yup. Not bad, a'tall. Not 100% sure, so think I'll have another, just so I can be accurate w/my assessment.
Has a very smooth warmth to it, too. Kinda comforting.
Nov 12, 2020Has a very smooth warmth to it, too. Kinda comforting.
Reviewed by aBosslyElephant from Florida
2.7/5 rDev -24.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2.7/5 rDev -24.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
L- Warm amber coloring with a hint of a beige tinted foam
S- Smells like hops, not much winter
T- Not much unique tastes, but just a small generic spice aftertaste
M- like water
O- It's aight, I would drink again but I wouldn't buy again
Nov 05, 2020S- Smells like hops, not much winter
T- Not much unique tastes, but just a small generic spice aftertaste
M- like water
O- It's aight, I would drink again but I wouldn't buy again
Reviewed by ATL6245 from Georgia
3.99/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Reformulated 2020 version
Appearance: Clear amber, off white head with good retention. Slow rising bubbles
Aroma: Caramel and toasted malt.
Flavor & Aftertaste: Caramel and toasted malt notes. Cinnamon spices noticeable. Orange peel a little hidden.
Sweet malt backbone. Restrained bitterness.
Mouth-feel: Full bodied, smooth and well rounded. Low carbonation. Nice long finish with spiciness lingering.
Overall: I loved the 2019 version, so I was afraid they might screw this up. It's just as good. Drinks nice & smooth. spices compliment the malt & hops. Not bitter. I really like the crisp finish with the spiciness lingering well after the malt & hops. It a solid choice if you are not sure what to take to a Holiday party or just want something to enjoy that has low alcohol on cold winter nights. A big, bold Imperial Stout is not always preferred.
Nov 03, 2020Appearance: Clear amber, off white head with good retention. Slow rising bubbles
Aroma: Caramel and toasted malt.
Flavor & Aftertaste: Caramel and toasted malt notes. Cinnamon spices noticeable. Orange peel a little hidden.
Sweet malt backbone. Restrained bitterness.
Mouth-feel: Full bodied, smooth and well rounded. Low carbonation. Nice long finish with spiciness lingering.
Overall: I loved the 2019 version, so I was afraid they might screw this up. It's just as good. Drinks nice & smooth. spices compliment the malt & hops. Not bitter. I really like the crisp finish with the spiciness lingering well after the malt & hops. It a solid choice if you are not sure what to take to a Holiday party or just want something to enjoy that has low alcohol on cold winter nights. A big, bold Imperial Stout is not always preferred.
Reviewed by Danzifer from Ohio
3.67/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.67/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
They claimed to have improved the recipe so let's give it a try. I remember it was already good previously.
It's deep reddish amber, fizzy, decent head. Smells of roasted malt with a hint of citrus. Tastes predominantly of sweet spices followed by a huge malty backbone. Delicious. Mouthfeel is a little on the thick side. Overall, a good beer.
Nov 02, 2020It's deep reddish amber, fizzy, decent head. Smells of roasted malt with a hint of citrus. Tastes predominantly of sweet spices followed by a huge malty backbone. Delicious. Mouthfeel is a little on the thick side. Overall, a good beer.
Samuel Adams Winter Lager (2001-2019) from Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Beer rating:
81 out of
100 with
6310 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!