Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

3.84/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

(From old notes)

Black liquid.

Nice tan head; minimal lace.

Pleasant cinnamon/nutmeg nose.

Medium thick mouthfeel.

Nice cinnamon flavor, simple but effective.

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4.43/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout brewed by Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams), with an ABV of 9.00% This English Sweet/Milk Stout pours out of a 22oz bottle into a pint beer glass a deep brown color with a nice off white head. This brew has the look of coffee, not saying that is a bad thing. The smell is rich with spices, cinnamon and ginger. Then a nice mix of roasted grains and malts. Mild on hop bitterness, in the smell of this brew. So far this is a nice inviting brew. Now for the taste, it is Bold with flavors. You pick up on a lot roasted grains and malts. Then a nice amount of spices, the cinnamon and ginger is a nice touch to this brew. The body of Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout is a medium to heavy, but not to heavy. It is really hard to pick up on the 9.00% ABV in this brew, it is just that smooth. This brew would go nice with dinner or on a cold winter day. The mouth feel is Bold, Roasted, Spicy, Rich, Clean Smooth and Refreshing. Overall I am going to give Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout a 4.50 out of 5. I would definitely look this brew up again giving the opportunity to. Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams), did a super nice job with this Stout.

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3.78/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Deep, black body, with a massive, coarse, tan head, which retains very well. Thick sheets of unbroken lacing adorns the glass walls.

Aroma: The aroma presents spiced Christmas dark bread, with the ginger and cloves being forward.

Taste: Opens with a surge of spices and dark bread, like the spiced breads made for Christmas.Prominent among the spices are ginger, cloves, and cinnamon. The earthy notes may be from the nutmeg, or perhaps from the hops. The ABV of 9% is very well concealed, presenting no taste, and only a slight warming. Though East Kent Goldings and Fuggles hops are present, they offer little in the way of presence, other than a counterbalance to the sweet and spicy flavors. There is a slight cola-like aftertaste.

Mouth feel: Very rich and full, soft and quite pleasing.

Drinkability/notes: Quite wonderful, the blend of the coffee and dark malt is quite harmonious and pleasing. This would be a fine dessert beer.

Presentation: Packaged in a custom twenty-two ounce brown glass bomber, with a pry-off crown, served in a New Belgium Brewing chalice.

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4.19/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured cold from a 22-ounce "bomber" into a snifter. Deep opaque chestnut-colored body, with a tentative pour yielding a finger or so of dark tan head that left some spotty lacing. This sample had a couple of years on it, and it stood the test of time quite well. Big aromas and flavors of dark caramel, dark-roast coffee beans, molasses, and licorice, with clove and cinnamon dominating the spice profile. Medium in mouthfeel, with surprisingly little alcohol warmth. There is a ton of spiciness on the finish, mainly clove and nutmeg with their attendant astringence. Seems to be well attenuated, without much residual sweetness for the style. This is an excellent to outstanding beer, and would make a fine accompaniment to a holiday meat-and-cheese tray.

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3.7/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a clear mug, the appearance was dark brown close to black color with a two finger's worth of white foamy head that took it's time in dissipating. Left a messy foamy lace running here and there.
The aroma had some milk chocolate, mild "winter spices" of allspice, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, cardamom, clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. Little bit of earthiness at the end.
The flavor was moderately sweet with a gentle spicy contour rolling inwards for a slight balance. Aftertaste seemed to have a blend of milk and dark chocolate with all of those previously mentioned spices laying down in this one.
The mouthfeel was about medium bodied with a fair sessionability about it. Spices didn't get in the way in any sort of overly harsh way that I sometimes expect in "spicy beers." Carbonation felt fine. ABV felt on par.
Overall, almost a Winter Warmer in it's make up, but well, honestly, I didn't mind this one for me, possibly again as there's not much of this style in my state. Might be better during colder weather.

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4.37/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Dark brown opaque with three fingers of brown head that lasts about ten minutes. Nice rings of lace on the glass.
Smell is spicy with dark roasted malts.
Taste is ginger cloves cinnamon and nutmeg in that order. Lots of rich dark malts and a bit of the Fuggles at the end.
Mouthfeel is medium to full with good carbonation. Finish is bittersweet and medium dry.
Overall a fine spiced Stout. Maybe a bit high on the abv at 9.0%.

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4.27/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Caveat Emptor: I'm not a stout aficionado so I'm likely off

I really enjoyed. Subtle gingerbread taste with an accompaniment of spices and subtle hops. IMAO, a good gateway stout; b/c of this I will likely move on to others... worth a try.

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4.19/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I finally tried this bomber off the close out rack and was very impressed overall as I'm not a huge Sam Adams fan, plus I didn't think I would like the Gingerbread.
The beer guy told me these were from last season, so they have about a year of aging . For the $3.99 a bomber price I am going back and buying the remaining bottles :)

These are a dark black oil with little head but lots of lacing .
A wonderful stout for now and then , but definitely not a daily drinker .
Overall I couldn't be happier for a tasty stout that has some kick at 9 abv ;)
My beer steal deal of the week !!

Give it a try as you will not be disappointed :)

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4.1/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

**
01/30/2013 (back when it was Merry Mischief)

Bottle to Goblet.

AROMA: Ginger,Lemon cranberry or pomegranate.
LOOK: Dark black pour, creamy head. Thick looking with legs.
TASTE: Toast and coffee in the taste in addition to the ginger/gingerbread in the aroma. A sharp bite, late.
FEEL: thick

Overall, a really nice holiday beer….too bad it took me until almost February to try it. I think this is more of what the old fezziwig ale should be.

**

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3.84/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

I got this one for $3 at the Wine and spirits. Soo not much to lose!!!!

It very dark with a big tanned head. It smells like Wine Mulling Spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, coffee and chocolate. The taste is pretty much the same as the smell. Very light and sweet mouth feel. Can't really taste the 9% abc. This would have been even better on a Winter evening. Plus the price I paid makes this beer taste much better!!!!

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4.16/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sam Adams Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout. Nothing wrong with lots of head after a hard day at work. Strong gingerbread nose and taste, slightly bitter, pretty drinkable, the 9% ABV doesn't come through at all. If you like gingerbread and stouts, you'll like this. Lots of beers say they have a certain taste but you can't pick it out - so it's more a hint than taste. Not this! The best Sam Adams I've had, though haven't had Utopias yet. Too bad they don't sell these in 12oz four or six packs.

Edit: Holy crap, does this one sneak up on you, stealth 9% ABV goes down too well....

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3.29/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

L - Dark brown with a tank head and nice lacing
A - Molasses, and lots of it, with a hint of gingerbread and some booze.
T - Follows the nose, but the ginger flavor comes through a little more.
F - Medium body with a very sweet finish.
Overall - too sweet for me and the molasses smell and taste were a bit too much.
*Wife enjoyed more than me.

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3.9/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

From the bottle, it pours a very dark brown/black with a vibrant tan head, dissipating to a ring around the glass. Gingerbread in the nose. The same for the mouth. Feels ok.

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3.94/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

APPEARANCE: Black. Even with a flashlight held up to it, just a trace of ruby around the edges. Slow, small bubbles rising. 2 fingers+ Tan creamy head that lingers and settles down to a nice layer on top. Very nice lacing down the glass for a 9% beer.
AROMA: Do get a good dose of gingerbread. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a kind of strange cola smell. Molasses as well.
TASTE: Basically, everything I mentioned in the aroma, and lots of it. Slight bit of alcohol, too.
FEEL: Medium full body. A little oily/slick, slightly drying on finish, medium carbonation/just enough.
OVERALL: If you want a nice holiday spiced stout you should consider this one. It's not exactly like eating a gingerbread cookie, but all the flavors are there.

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4.06/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Couldn't pass this up on sale for $3.5 per bomber.

Look is very dark, almost black and oily. Big lively head settle to a single finger, then finally settle to a thin layer with fairly dense ring. Good lacing... excellent looking.

Smell is all spice. Nutmeg and cloves dominate the nose.

Taste follows the nose, lots of spices and it would definitely go well with some holiday cookies, snow and a fire... unfortunately its already February and 80 degrees in Texas. No bother, I can imagine.

Feel is rather thin for the amount of flavor packed in, I would prefer it to have some more body.

Overall, this is a very interesting brew. It reminds me a bit of Stone Xocoveza without the peppers.

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3.57/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Pours dark black with a one finger dark tan head, with good retention and lacing. I could smell the ginger immediately as soon as I poured the beer from the glass. There is also cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and dark roasted malt.

Taste just like it smells. The spices are stronger than I would like, and I wish there would have been some chocolate.

Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. there is a strong ginger aftertaste. I'm glad I had a chance to try this, but don't know if I would pick it up again. The spices seem to overpower the rest of the beer.

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3.85/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle of Samuel Adams Merry Maker stout served in a Belgian snifter.

Pours dark brown, opaque in the glass with ruby edges. OK head and lacing.

Aroma: appealing mix of gingerbread and dark roasted grains with a good bit of alcohol.

Flavor: largely follows the aroma, but less boozy and more ginger.

O: improves with warming.

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4.31/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 ounce bottle poured into wine glass
No bottled by or best buy
Appearance: Black very dark brown head some lacing
Smell: toasted grains, scent of gingerbread and pumpkin spice
Taste: very good, sour aftertaste
Mouth feel: Creamy a little bit fizzy
Overall: very good beer, very fragrant beer
January 24, 2016

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3.69/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Very drinkable for a 9% stout, I'd have guessed it was more in the neighborhood of 6 or 7%. The lactose seems to really smooth it out, but the flavor isn't as big as you'd expect. As it warms a hint of alcohol edge comes out, but the big flavors are molasses, clove, and fresh ginger. Roasted grain plays a secondary role. Interesting beer to try, but I wouldn't get another.

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4/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2015 vintage. 22oz bottle poured into a tulip. Pours a very dark brown, looks black, with a nice dark khaki head that leaves great retention and solid lacing. The aromas are very sweet and dominated by ginger. It does literally smell like a gingerbread cookie. Cinnamon is there. Some chocolate and cocoa malts are in the mix, but the ginger dominates. The flavors are very nice. More ginger along with cinnamon and nutmeg. Possibly some clove in the mix. I'm picking up some coffee. Very roasty. More cocoa along with some hints of vanilla. It's on the sweeter side, but it's absolutely not cloying. Everything is balanced. Alcohol goes unnoticed. Mouthfeel is very nice. It's full-bodied, but not like a milkshake. It's creamy with moderate carbonation. Very smooth.

This is a very nice offering by Sam Adams. It's perfect for the holiday season and during the cold weather. Enjoyable stuff. Well done.

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4.46/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Wow. Too smooth to be 9%. I'm honestly impressed with the gingerbread flavor; I didn't think it would taste good, but it has such a high quality taste and very balanced in this stout. I'm not sure if I've ever had a 9% beer go down so smooth, so I'm giving this a high rating.

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3.96/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Samuel Adams - Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout. 9% ABV. 22oz bomber split between two snifter.

Look: Body is dark brown into black, with a fair finger head of ginger colored foam.

Smell: Strong tones of ginger, nutmeg, brown sugar, cinnamon, and other baking spices. Some faint vanilla and dark roasty malts underneath.

Feel: Medium bodied, with a surprising amount of carbonation.

Taste: Big presence of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other baking spices up front, with vanilla, some pumpkin spices, nuts, and roasted malts showing up midway through. Has a small trace of alcohol taste hidden near the end.

Overall: I have been on the lookout for this, and finally acquired it. Gingerbread has always been one of my favorite flavors, so I was eager to try this. Has all the spices and flavors expected, and blends them together nicely. Although good, I was expecting it to have a little more sweet gingerbread flavor, and a little less carbonation, since it is a Milk Stout after all. Enjoying this with my brother on Christmas night was a great end to the day.

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4.1/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle into a New Belgium snifter. Dark brown pour and black in the glass. About 2 fingers of dark tan foam on top, very rich and dense in appearance. On the nose, strong baking spices (ginger, nutmeg, cardamom) along with notes of vanilla, walnuts, brown sugar, and pepper. There's a dark fruit factor in there that lets you know this is a stout. The taste follows suit, only intensified. Strong baking spices (ginger!, along with pumpkin and nutmeg) up front with notes of roasted nuts, caramel, vanilla, and sweet baker's chocolate trailing beneath. Nice feel - smooth enough, albeit a bit watery for my liking. The alcohol is hidden very well, which is always a plus.

Overall, pretty darn good. This beer is as well-balanced as you could ask for without losing the sharpness of each ingredient. I drank this with my brother on Christmas after dinner, and it was a perfect night cap.

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3.99/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

I am very pleasantly surprised. I picked this up because it looked like it was worth a shot at the low price point. I had expectations of an overly-spiced stout, but I was wrong. Very well-balanced. Glad I gave this try. I will definitely pick up more next Christmas.

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3.78/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Dark n pretty, full head with a little tint to it. Smells and tastes like Christmas spices and oaty. Full heavy stout mouth feel. Good for a holiday desert. Worth the try.

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