Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout | Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Brewed by:
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Massachusetts, United States
samueladams.com
Style: English Sweet / Milk Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.00%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
Formerly known as Merry Mischief
Added by Tilley4 on 10-20-2012
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Ratings: 1,326 | Reviews: 271
3.73/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
2.83/5 rDev -23.7%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
It tastes like Christmas in my mouth.
37 characters
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
It tastes like Christmas in my mouth.
37 characters
3.56/5 rDev -4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Tastes exactly like liquid gingerbread with a bitter dry finish. Not my thing.
79 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Tastes exactly like liquid gingerbread with a bitter dry finish. Not my thing.
79 characters
3.78/5 rDev +1.9%
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.
1,088 characters
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.
1,088 characters
4.19/5 rDev +12.9%
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.
759 characters
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.
759 characters
3.5/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.7/5 rDev -0.3%
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.
1,026 characters
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.
1,026 characters
3.31/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.94/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.25/5 rDev +14.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.37/5 rDev +17.8%
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%.
429 characters
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%.
429 characters
4.27/5 rDev +15.1%
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.
242 characters
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.
242 characters
3.79/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
4.13/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12/03/2016
10 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
12/03/2016
10 characters
3.64/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
4.19/5 rDev +12.9%
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 :)
635 characters
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 :)
635 characters
4.1/5 rDev +10.5%
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.
**
462 characters
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.
**
462 characters
3.75/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.84/5 rDev +3.5%
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!!!!
419 characters
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!!!!
419 characters
Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout from Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Beer rating:
3.71 out of
5 with
1,326 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.