Samuel Adams Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

3.84/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by GuyFawkes from Illinois

(From old notes)

Black liquid.

Nice tan head; minimal lace.

Pleasant cinnamon/nutmeg nose.

Medium thick mouthfeel.

Nice cinnamon flavor, simple but effective.

May 14, 2019

4.43/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by nicholas2121 from Ohio

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.

Mar 24, 2019

2.83/5  rDev -23.7%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
by JeannieVolpe from Alabama

It tastes like Christmas in my mouth.

May 20, 2018

3.56/5  rDev -4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by bubseymour from Maryland

Tastes exactly like liquid gingerbread with a bitter dry finish. Not my thing.

Jan 24, 2018

3.78/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by Pegasus from Texas

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.

Jan 07, 2018

4.19/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
by dcotom from Iowa

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.

Dec 24, 2017

3.7/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by Lone_Freighter from Vermont

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.

Sep 24, 2017

4.37/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Spikester from Oregon

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%.

Dec 24, 2016

4.27/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by ANIMOUL from Vermont

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.

Dec 22, 2016

4.13/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

12/03/2016

Dec 04, 2016

4.19/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by BIGPOPPAS from New Jersey

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 :)

Oct 26, 2016

4.1/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by q33jeff from New Jersey

**
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.

**

Oct 22, 2016

3.84/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
by LMO1190 from Florida

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!!!!

Jun 26, 2016

4.21/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by bbtkd from South Dakota

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....

May 01, 2016

3.29/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
by GuitarIPA from Connecticut

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.

Apr 28, 2016

3.9/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by BeerAndGasMasks from Virginia

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.

Apr 12, 2016

3.94/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by matcris from Arizona

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.

Mar 06, 2016