Samuel Adams Norse Legend Sahti
Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)

For the second part of New Samuel Adams Beer Sunday, It's Gonna Be a Long Trail (Week 706), I am delving into the depths. This was one that I hunted down & then set aside, forgotten until today. Kenny Longshore was a fellow plankowner & shipmate aboard the USS Normandy (CG-60) as well as a fellow member of the SDBG. We attended the 25-year reunion in Norfolk, VA in 2014 & upon returning to his home in Whidbey Island, WA, he laid down for a nap & never awoke. I went back to Norfolk to assist in scattering his ashes at sea from the fantail of the Normandy & his widow was telling me about how much he enjoyed following my exploits. When I returned home, his ghost was awaiting me, perched atop a box of beer near my kitchen door & he is a regular visitor when I am drinking at home. We are joined by other fallen shipmates & even my late Pops on occasion, but Kenny is a regular. He kept pointing down towards the box upon which he was perched & it suddenly dawned on me.

From the Bottle: "Enjoy it now or age it to further develop rich and unique flavors"; "Ale brewed with Juniper Berries and aged on Juniper Berries"; "Fresh, Bold & Lively"; "Legend has it that barrels of this ancient brew were found on Viking ships. This Nordic ale took root in Finland becoming one of the oldest continually brewed styles. Deep amber in color, this rugged brew's distinctive aroma and flavor comes from aging on a bed of juniper berries. The herbal, woodsy, and ripe citrus character of the juniper enlivens a sturdy and smooth malt backbone for a fresh and flavorful brew."; "At Samuel Adams we love experimenting. This series of limited edition brews represents some of our favorite small batch creations."

I was again hesitant in Pop!ping the cap on an ancient bottle like this, but once more, nothing untoward occurred. I began a slow, gentle C-line pour into my largest S.A. glass & the notched bottom caused wondrous nucleation. This formed just under three fingers of dense, foamy, rocky, light-tan head with very good retention that left wondrous lacing in its wake. Color was Deep Amber/Light Copper to Copper (SRM = > 13, < 17) with NE-quality clarity. Nose had a woody, piney, resinous quality & my mouth was watering as a result! It kind of smelled like Christmas with a Blue Fir or Douglas Fir-like pine tip quality. Mmm. Mouthfeel was medium-to-full, not quite creamy, but on the approach. The taste was very bready, like dark Brown Bread rising as it proofed, with a woody, piney resinousness that was akin to a Spruce Ale (& why isn't that a style?). I loved the way that its time in the bottle had allowed it to smooth out and mellow. It had a very pleasant mintiness that I am sure was much sharper when it was newly bottled. Spending time with it (& I did, given the bottle's size) allowed it to warm and it took on a surprising light tartness. Surprising until I re-read the Style entry. I suppose that given the open-air nature of its traditional brewing process & the use of untreated wood, it should have occurred to me, but it didn't. It began to take on a lemony tang, but this only served to enhance its inherent mintiness. Fin(n)ish was semi-dry, definitely not sweet, but not totally dry, either. At long last, it hit me - Stollen Bread! Or at least, Stollen Bread as it was being prepared, not yet baked since the breadiness was more doughy than baked. Dang, but this was a revelation!

 

Poured into a mug (for the style), the appearance was a stiff amber color to it and a rim of a white foamy head that slid off at a decent pace. Messy lace.
The aroma had nice blend of stiff malts, light cherry, some sweet spruce/juniper glossiness and some earthiness.
The flavor was the blend of the prior mentioned aromas - some sweetness popping over some bready and earthiness. Sly tart little aftertaste.
The mouthfeel was between light and medium bodied with a fair sessionability about it. Carbonation felt low and fine. ABV felt appropriate.
Overall, pretty nice stab at a style that isn't usually found in the US. Good job, SA!

 

 

**
04/20/13
Bottle to pint glass.
AROMA: Black Cherry, Mold, Mildew; Juniper/Gin aroma is there but faint.
LOOK: Color is medium reddish brown.
TASTE: Flavors are those from the aroma, plus a smokey peat flavor, and maybe something that resembles Cola.
FEEL: A bit flat, lacking life. While I'm not always a fan of Sam Adams, their limited edition brews are for the most part pretty good. This is no exception

**

I was so glad to see that Sam Adams did a special re-release of this Small Batch Beer. Poured in a traditional stein glass, very small head of foam. Very minimal lacing with a beautiful deep Amber color. The smell is fantastic as well, fruity but bitter, with distinct woodsy notes to balance this unique smell. The feel is different than the smell would suggest, being thinner and more carbonated, more like a German Hefeweizen. The taste has similarity to the smell , however with apparent citrusy notes and an interesting note of pine but without the hoppiness (as this style does not include hops in the brewing process). Overall I held no expectations for this beer only because I am completely new to the style. I definitely enjoyed the unique experience, and would recommend this small batch to anyone who can get their hands on it. Also do some research on this primitive Beer style, very interesting read!

750ml bottle. Served in a snifter glass.

Pours a darker ruby-brown body, one finger white head, thick collar, good retention and bits of lacing. Smells of nutty brown malt, toffee, juniper, touch of lemon, mild herbal spiciness. It's interesting to say the least. Flavour works pretty well, with a nice brown malt nuttiness, a bit of caramel and toffee sweetness, balanced out a bit by a slight herbal bitterness and a fair amount of juniper. This is a very different beer, but in some ways it is sort of like a brown ale with adjuncts. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, good carbonation, a bit slick and sticky on the finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Says review optional. It is not