Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

 

My favorite go to beer.

 

 

 

Well, they basically watered down the old Boston Lager, which didn't need any "remastering" in the first place. It tastes like the old version except less of everything: not as malty, not as hoppy, less of a cinnamon note.... Just less. I rate it compared to the old version so it's rated a lot less. They are obviously dumbing it down for the light beer drinker, which is a pathetic thing to do.

Sam Adams Boston Lager, new version, draft at a restaurant dinner in August, 2023. Overall a good beer with dinner. This is the newer version of Sam Adams. It has a good head and lacing; the body is a healthy amber. Flavor has a hint of roasted malt. The aftertaste has a minor pleasant bitterness. I can't directly compare to the "old" Sam. From memory, the new one is more to my taste, with a smoother flavor.

This is the remastered version. Drinking on the national day of Massachusetts in my home state of Massachusetts.

12 oz can acclimated to 46°F and poured into a pilsner glass.

Pours a somewhat hazy, medium amber color, with a 2.5 finger, long lasting, foamy white head, leaving medium lacing.

Initial aroma is heavy on malt and yeast, some spicy phenols coming out. After agitating, the year dominates the foreground, with maybe a slightly caramely quality found hiding behind?

Initial taste before swallowing is a little bland, yeasty with a definite dry floral spice. After swallowing I'm met with a mild hop and malt bitterness, slightly soapy and not dry. Malt is not just bitter, presenting caramely and very bready. Some grainy taste to it.

Mouthfeel is frothy, due in what I suspect is in large part due to the satisfying carbonation. Additionally a little choppy or rough, but not at all bad, it's a lager and it feels like one.

Overall it's a solid beer, not trying to be anything it's not. Excellent if you want just a lager

Likely to buy for the national day of Boston and Massachusetts once a year, but not otherwise, I don't remember how much a single was, but I doubt it was cheap enough to make me reconsider. Sorry Sam Adams.

It's unfortunate that they felt the need to change this beer as I found it nicely refreshing before. Is it more refreshing now? Maybe, but I don't think it tastes as good. There is a lack of the expected caramel notes and it's a bit too high on the hops and carb for me. Still better than aot of macro options though.

Anytime you set a standard, you are entitled to change that standard. Boston Lager wants to compete in a bigger market and tweaked their formula. That didn’t immediately make it a terrible beer. It’s a little more hoppy, a tad sweeter, a little more approachable.
If my airport restaurant choices are Bud Light or Boston Lager.,. well.,.

Boston Lager was the beer that made me actually appreciate my drink. Before that I would drink anything, but once I tasted Boston Lager something was different and wonderful. Now it's "remastered" and it's absolutely ruined... It's still better than some, I'm sure, but I won't be buying any more.

 

WOW. I know Todd is old enough to be familiar with the New Coke debacle. No need to say anything else. After well over 30 years of drinking and touting Sam Adams Lager, I'm finished. Very disappointing. Especially since current craze for hops will be a relatively short-lived trend.
Incidentally, best SA beer for my money was Boston Ale on tap.

Epic fail. I miss the caramel notes and the Tettnanger(?) hops that typified this beer. Won't be purchasing this in the future

Why destroy this beer? I understand that at 50 I am no longer in the hip demographic, but I came to know better beer in my youth through this beverage. Bearded, chubby, 35 year old dudes, that wear their t- shirts a size to small have plenty of options. You could have left one for the rest…tastes like a hoppy Yuengling.

About 35 years ago SA was my first experience with a “craft beer” after years of drinking Michelob and National I’m hi is Aaron available for Sean? I have a question to you is Sean Davies still here and he is still there is he available? That would be great. I’ll take Sean thank you bye-bye show me the other guy is Premium. I really loved SA for many years but moved on to true craft brews. Last week at a family get together they offered SA. I was anxious to taste this again but was shocked at what swill this had become. The beer looked thin, and tasted of cereal grains. Thought I had time traveled back to Michelob days. Really hope they don’t completely destroy Dogfish Head.

I haven’t had the non nerfed version of Samuel Adam Boston Lager since around 2008. So it’s hard for me to compare the original with the “Cost Cutting” opps I meant “Remastered” version. But it tastes mostly like I remembered, maybe a bit more watery now though. It’s a mighty fine beer that I’ve kind of been craving more of lately. I just wish since it’s now beer flavored seltzer water, that they’d slash the price a tad bit.

Style: Vienna Lager | Tap/Can/Bottle: Bottle | Abv: 5% | Rating: 3.5

This is like the New Coke or the Star Wars Specialized Edition all over again.
Why in the world would you mess with the original recipe that is the flagship for your brand?
The Remastered Sam Adams is OK, I don't hate it but I definitely preferred the original.
If you want to come out with a new flavor, then come out with a new flavor. Leave the original as is.

With that said, the remastered version is dryer, a bit hoppier, less sweet and less malty. The carbonation is about the same, the mouthfeel is a bit thinner.

I probably won't be buying the new Sam Adams anymore as there are superior options available.

The Remaster should be Demastered. The rich, creamy amber of old has been replaced with a more bitter and dry, lite ESB. I’m halfway through my 1st 12 pack. Wondering if I can make it to the end…..

Update: solution- add lime.

Why change a great beer? It now tastes like an IPA. I poured the last half out. I signed up for this site just to leave a review.