Samuel Adams White Christmas | Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Brewed by:
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Massachusetts, United States
samueladams.com
Style: Witbier
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.80%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
As crisp as the first snowfall of the year, this unfiltered white ale is blended with holiday spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, & orange peel. The familiar citrus and wheat characters of the ale are complemented by the warmth of the spices for a festive brew that's perfect for the season.
Added by TMoney2591 on 10-22-2012
Reviews: 302 | Ratings: 1,656
4.25/5 rDev +22.5%
Poured into a perfect pint.
3.0 A: Lightly hazed yellow orange color. Two fingers of frothy white head. Retention is a touch below average and just a wisp or two of lacing is left.
3.5 S: Quite a pleasant aroma. Big coriander with peppery and slightly bready yeast. Just enough sweetness from a neutral maltiness. Simple, but nice.
3.75 T: It tastes even better than it smells. Coriander and peppery spiciness. Sweet neutral malts. Hints of cinnamon and wintry spices.
4.0 M: Medium body. Pleasantly creamy with good moderate carbonation. Supremely smooth.
5.0 D: Supremely drinkable. I could put this down all night.
★ 638 characters
Poured into a perfect pint.
3.0 A: Lightly hazed yellow orange color. Two fingers of frothy white head. Retention is a touch below average and just a wisp or two of lacing is left.
3.5 S: Quite a pleasant aroma. Big coriander with peppery and slightly bready yeast. Just enough sweetness from a neutral maltiness. Simple, but nice.
3.75 T: It tastes even better than it smells. Coriander and peppery spiciness. Sweet neutral malts. Hints of cinnamon and wintry spices.
4.0 M: Medium body. Pleasantly creamy with good moderate carbonation. Supremely smooth.
5.0 D: Supremely drinkable. I could put this down all night.
★ 638 characters
3.89/5 rDev +12.1%
$1.23 special.
Appearance (3.75) : pours a hazy pineapple-orange body with a dish soapy 2 finger head. Opacity is 80%. Leaves very little on the glass after receding, though.
Smell (4) : this is a wit, alright. Vanilla, orange, spice, wheat. Cinnamon. A little coriander. Yep.
Taste (4) : Cinnamon out front with generous vanilla-orange oddity. The body is yeasty and wheaty, a bit bready too. The finish is dry spice and clove. This is a good wit.
Mouthfeel (3.75) : light to medium bodied, spicy and dry, crisp, lightly stiff. A good mouthfeel for the style. I like the spicy bite.
Overall (3.89) : a must-buy-again. I love wits and this is no exception. Nice, snowy, fluffy, good tasting wit.
★ 703 characters
$1.23 special.
Appearance (3.75) : pours a hazy pineapple-orange body with a dish soapy 2 finger head. Opacity is 80%. Leaves very little on the glass after receding, though.
Smell (4) : this is a wit, alright. Vanilla, orange, spice, wheat. Cinnamon. A little coriander. Yep.
Taste (4) : Cinnamon out front with generous vanilla-orange oddity. The body is yeasty and wheaty, a bit bready too. The finish is dry spice and clove. This is a good wit.
Mouthfeel (3.75) : light to medium bodied, spicy and dry, crisp, lightly stiff. A good mouthfeel for the style. I like the spicy bite.
Overall (3.89) : a must-buy-again. I love wits and this is no exception. Nice, snowy, fluffy, good tasting wit.
★ 703 characters
3.48/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12 oz bottle. Pours a hazy gold color with a medium sized head that slowly dissipates, leaving a bit of lacing.
Smell is of bready malts, holiday spices, some citrus, and some additional dark fruits.
Taste is a nice combination of the aroma, very smooth in the mouth. Nice medium body, easy drinking, but flavorful.
Overall, a solid witbier, a nice lighter winter seasonal.
★ 391 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 12 oz bottle. Pours a hazy gold color with a medium sized head that slowly dissipates, leaving a bit of lacing.
Smell is of bready malts, holiday spices, some citrus, and some additional dark fruits.
Taste is a nice combination of the aroma, very smooth in the mouth. Nice medium body, easy drinking, but flavorful.
Overall, a solid witbier, a nice lighter winter seasonal.
★ 391 characters
3.54/5 rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a nice orange/amber color with a rich foamy cap.
S: Aromatic spices of cinnamon and brown sugar.
T: First sip is exactly what you expected blasts of brown sugar and cinnamon then you get malty caramel and and some very nice light hops.
B: This one's no wimpy beer, top end of med/full body slight lacing down walls of glass.
O: Overall a very good beer they get slightly different after setting for a while, just wanted to check out the aging.
★ 456 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Pours a nice orange/amber color with a rich foamy cap.
S: Aromatic spices of cinnamon and brown sugar.
T: First sip is exactly what you expected blasts of brown sugar and cinnamon then you get malty caramel and and some very nice light hops.
B: This one's no wimpy beer, top end of med/full body slight lacing down walls of glass.
O: Overall a very good beer they get slightly different after setting for a while, just wanted to check out the aging.
★ 456 characters
3.1/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
12 ounce bottle, best before March 2014. Oh well, better late than never! Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a hazy golden/amber color with a half inch off-white head that stayed around for a good amount of time. There's a small amount of lacing. The brew smells like nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and some orange and orange peel. It tastes pretty much just like the aroma, but with the addition of some wheat/bready malt. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit coating with moderate carbonation. Not a bad brew, but I wish I would have been able to try this when it was fresher. Hopefully I'll be able to this upcoming winter!
★ 623 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
12 ounce bottle, best before March 2014. Oh well, better late than never! Served in a pint glass, the beer pours a hazy golden/amber color with a half inch off-white head that stayed around for a good amount of time. There's a small amount of lacing. The brew smells like nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and some orange and orange peel. It tastes pretty much just like the aroma, but with the addition of some wheat/bready malt. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit coating with moderate carbonation. Not a bad brew, but I wish I would have been able to try this when it was fresher. Hopefully I'll be able to this upcoming winter!
★ 623 characters
3.78/5 rDev +8.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Part of the winter pack from 2013 (notes from 2013)
Poured a hazy amber color with a nice white head, that stuck around.
Smells of orange , malt, clove, and spices.
Taste of pepper, orange peel, had a nice balance.
Medium body feel.
Nice beer to snug up in front if the fireplace with.
★ 286 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Part of the winter pack from 2013 (notes from 2013)
Poured a hazy amber color with a nice white head, that stuck around.
Smells of orange , malt, clove, and spices.
Taste of pepper, orange peel, had a nice balance.
Medium body feel.
Nice beer to snug up in front if the fireplace with.
★ 286 characters
3.32/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Picked up a single in early February from Fry's as part of a mixed sixer for $1.50. Best by May 2014.
Beer poured golden orange with a nice white head that has mostly dissipated.
Nose has hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Taste is a wheat base with dashes of cinnamon and slight bitters from the nutmeg and citrus peel.
Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated.
Overall this is not a bad beer, appropriate for the holiday season, worthy of a shot.
★ 440 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Picked up a single in early February from Fry's as part of a mixed sixer for $1.50. Best by May 2014.
Beer poured golden orange with a nice white head that has mostly dissipated.
Nose has hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Taste is a wheat base with dashes of cinnamon and slight bitters from the nutmeg and citrus peel.
Mouthfeel is lightly carbonated.
Overall this is not a bad beer, appropriate for the holiday season, worthy of a shot.
★ 440 characters
3.17/5 rDev -8.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: Golden orange, hazy, but very little sediment is visible. Thick off white head.
Smell: Not too strong, some fruit, citrus.
Taste: Similar to aroma, but stronger. Citrus, some spices.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, well carbonated.
Overall: It did not live up to my expectations. It is not a bad beer, but it falls short. Yet, I would still have it again.
★ 391 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
Poured into a pint glass.
Appearance: Golden orange, hazy, but very little sediment is visible. Thick off white head.
Smell: Not too strong, some fruit, citrus.
Taste: Similar to aroma, but stronger. Citrus, some spices.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, well carbonated.
Overall: It did not live up to my expectations. It is not a bad beer, but it falls short. Yet, I would still have it again.
★ 391 characters
3.5/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Appearance: This beer has a slightly dark cloudy yellow color with a clean white head.
Smell: Smells like cloves and citrus.
Taste: Very faint cinnamon and nutmeg tastes with a dominant orange peel note. strong citrus body and aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and citrusy with a slightly sour aftertaste.
Overall: A prominently orange peel citrus taste with an almost non-existent nutmeg/cinnamon hint. Not to impressive but pretty drinkable.
★ 443 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
Appearance: This beer has a slightly dark cloudy yellow color with a clean white head.
Smell: Smells like cloves and citrus.
Taste: Very faint cinnamon and nutmeg tastes with a dominant orange peel note. strong citrus body and aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and citrusy with a slightly sour aftertaste.
Overall: A prominently orange peel citrus taste with an almost non-existent nutmeg/cinnamon hint. Not to impressive but pretty drinkable.
★ 443 characters
3.84/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Somehow I missed this. When I cracked this one and took a hit it was definitely something new and unique. Not necessarily the most wonderful thing ever, but definitely something that gets your attention.
It is a yellow thing, slightly dark with a thin head. The aroma is of a spiced ale, but nicely balanced. The taste is also a spiced affair, but also mildly bitter. The aftertaste is also a satisfying rich flavor.
Overall, this was a good one I almost missed for the season. I'm glad I took one last look at the bottom of the cooler at my number 2 carry out.
★ 564 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Somehow I missed this. When I cracked this one and took a hit it was definitely something new and unique. Not necessarily the most wonderful thing ever, but definitely something that gets your attention.
It is a yellow thing, slightly dark with a thin head. The aroma is of a spiced ale, but nicely balanced. The taste is also a spiced affair, but also mildly bitter. The aftertaste is also a satisfying rich flavor.
Overall, this was a good one I almost missed for the season. I'm glad I took one last look at the bottom of the cooler at my number 2 carry out.
★ 564 characters
3.5/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A-Translucent bright orange, not much carbonation or head.
S-Oranges, spices, grass. Not much else. Kinda bland almost.
T-Bland. Blah. Not much. Starts with some orange and malt with slight spices. but there really isn't much to it.
M-Lighter, tad watery, not much carbonation.
O-Sam Adams could greatly improve their winter mix pack by replacing this with another Old Fezziwig.
★ 382 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A-Translucent bright orange, not much carbonation or head.
S-Oranges, spices, grass. Not much else. Kinda bland almost.
T-Bland. Blah. Not much. Starts with some orange and malt with slight spices. but there really isn't much to it.
M-Lighter, tad watery, not much carbonation.
O-Sam Adams could greatly improve their winter mix pack by replacing this with another Old Fezziwig.
★ 382 characters
4/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sampling right now on 2/18/14. had this one about 2 years ago and comes in a 'Winter Seasonal' 12-pack. Bottle chilled down to 36 degrees F in my beer cooler and poured into a brandy snifter.
Pours a hazy orange in color with about a 1/2-finger white head. Some spotty lacing is seen. Very pleasant aroma of mixed spices and malt, especially the orange peal coming through. A pleasing taste that isn't bitter and you can taste the spices and orange peal but it is not overwhelming unlike some seasonal brews. I really liked this one and is one of the better Samuel Adams also.
★ 577 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sampling right now on 2/18/14. had this one about 2 years ago and comes in a 'Winter Seasonal' 12-pack. Bottle chilled down to 36 degrees F in my beer cooler and poured into a brandy snifter.
Pours a hazy orange in color with about a 1/2-finger white head. Some spotty lacing is seen. Very pleasant aroma of mixed spices and malt, especially the orange peal coming through. A pleasing taste that isn't bitter and you can taste the spices and orange peal but it is not overwhelming unlike some seasonal brews. I really liked this one and is one of the better Samuel Adams also.
★ 577 characters
3.79/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured out of a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours slightly cloudy orange with a tiny white head. Smells of some wintertime spices and wheat, not overly strong. Tastes of orange and very slight wheat with spice. Beer is light bodied, nice carbonation, nice finish. Overall a very good beer.
★ 301 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured out of a 12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours slightly cloudy orange with a tiny white head. Smells of some wintertime spices and wheat, not overly strong. Tastes of orange and very slight wheat with spice. Beer is light bodied, nice carbonation, nice finish. Overall a very good beer.
★ 301 characters
3.34/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Another SA sampler pk offering. Poured into a pint glass, nice white, creamy head, faded fast, some light lacing. Piss yellow, lightly cloudy, the better witbiers that I have had are usually "thicker".
Smells of nutmeg and honey, heavy on the clove and pretty much tastes the same. Bready, hints of floral, Medium carbonation.
This is an easy wheat to drink and if you are new to the style it would be a pleasant place to start. Smooth, slightly sweet, mostly cloves...easy drinking. Not much else to say, I think it needs more spices on the nose and tongue...it pretty much tastes like a watered down honey/clove wheat. I'd drink a couple out of a sampler but probably wouldn't buy on its own.
★ 697 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Another SA sampler pk offering. Poured into a pint glass, nice white, creamy head, faded fast, some light lacing. Piss yellow, lightly cloudy, the better witbiers that I have had are usually "thicker".
Smells of nutmeg and honey, heavy on the clove and pretty much tastes the same. Bready, hints of floral, Medium carbonation.
This is an easy wheat to drink and if you are new to the style it would be a pleasant place to start. Smooth, slightly sweet, mostly cloves...easy drinking. Not much else to say, I think it needs more spices on the nose and tongue...it pretty much tastes like a watered down honey/clove wheat. I'd drink a couple out of a sampler but probably wouldn't buy on its own.
★ 697 characters
3.5/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Cloudy, light honey (orangish yellow). Minimal lace remains.
Smell: Spice, citrus.
Taste: Spice, tangy citrus. Maybe banana. Honey.
I enjoyed this. It's a relaxing drink. Basically, it feels like a weaker lager with some spices thrown in it. Decent, but obviously nothing you'd praise from the mountain tops. Spices are the dominant theme, but not too dominant. I will get this again next year in the seasonal pack.
★ 429 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Cloudy, light honey (orangish yellow). Minimal lace remains.
Smell: Spice, citrus.
Taste: Spice, tangy citrus. Maybe banana. Honey.
I enjoyed this. It's a relaxing drink. Basically, it feels like a weaker lager with some spices thrown in it. Decent, but obviously nothing you'd praise from the mountain tops. Spices are the dominant theme, but not too dominant. I will get this again next year in the seasonal pack.
★ 429 characters
2.86/5 rDev -17.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
12oz bottle into SA Perfect Pint glass.
A: Pours a lightly cloudy golden with lemon highlights beneath a short lived soft looking bright white head that faded into a fuzzy film. Thin wisps of lace were left down the glass.
S: Clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon are easily noticeable upon first whiff. I get notes of wheat and chalky yeast and a touch of citrus following.
T: Creamy wheat flavors mixed with minerally yeast and syrupy citrus flavors. Cinnamon and nutmeg are still prominent. Everything has kind of a syrupy greasy flavor/feel to it that is a bit off putting. The aftertaste is synthetic and contains notes of black pepper and white grape juice.
M: Very soft and frothy carbonation goes well with a very creamy medium body and smooth mouthfeel. This beer is greasy though and coasts my mouth strangely.
O: A step fuller and creamier than the really bad ones of the style, but I did not care for this one a whole lot more than I care for those. Flavors are as described on the bottle but taste synthetic and syrupy, and everything has an oily texture to it. Not the worst the definitely not the best offering from BBC.
★ 1,131 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
12oz bottle into SA Perfect Pint glass.
A: Pours a lightly cloudy golden with lemon highlights beneath a short lived soft looking bright white head that faded into a fuzzy film. Thin wisps of lace were left down the glass.
S: Clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon are easily noticeable upon first whiff. I get notes of wheat and chalky yeast and a touch of citrus following.
T: Creamy wheat flavors mixed with minerally yeast and syrupy citrus flavors. Cinnamon and nutmeg are still prominent. Everything has kind of a syrupy greasy flavor/feel to it that is a bit off putting. The aftertaste is synthetic and contains notes of black pepper and white grape juice.
M: Very soft and frothy carbonation goes well with a very creamy medium body and smooth mouthfeel. This beer is greasy though and coasts my mouth strangely.
O: A step fuller and creamier than the really bad ones of the style, but I did not care for this one a whole lot more than I care for those. Flavors are as described on the bottle but taste synthetic and syrupy, and everything has an oily texture to it. Not the worst the definitely not the best offering from BBC.
★ 1,131 characters
3.22/5 rDev -7.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Bottle, as part of the winter pack, purchased at Wegmans in Geneseo, NY.
Pours a cloudy honey yellow, with a one inch head, and a little bit of lacing.
Smell like over-ripe banana, orange, and indistinguishable strong spicing.
The taste is similar. This one just doesn't work. A Christmas seasonal wit bier makes no sense to me, honestly. Some cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, some black pepper maybe? Belgian yeast flavors. Citrus flavors. Just a mix of flavors that really don't meld together well.
Light bodied, crisp mouthfeel, low carbonation. Would be more drinkable if it tasted good.
Pass. Sam Adams can't make a white ale/witbier to save their life.
★ 656 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Bottle, as part of the winter pack, purchased at Wegmans in Geneseo, NY.
Pours a cloudy honey yellow, with a one inch head, and a little bit of lacing.
Smell like over-ripe banana, orange, and indistinguishable strong spicing.
The taste is similar. This one just doesn't work. A Christmas seasonal wit bier makes no sense to me, honestly. Some cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, some black pepper maybe? Belgian yeast flavors. Citrus flavors. Just a mix of flavors that really don't meld together well.
Light bodied, crisp mouthfeel, low carbonation. Would be more drinkable if it tasted good.
Pass. Sam Adams can't make a white ale/witbier to save their life.
★ 656 characters
3.93/5 rDev +13.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I tell you, this is a refreshing and warming beer for the cold weather months, if a bit understated. It pours a fairly standard straw-copper with moderate haze and a big but relatively fast-dissipating head, which falls away to moderate lacing on the surface and sides of the glass. Smell is somewhat standard for Boston Beer Company's winter batches: the spice and orange are there, as well as a lot of bread dough and malt smells, as well as a little yeast. Taste is better, however: sweet, but without being cloying, and again the orange and nutmeg mingle nicely with the overall bready taste and somewhat heavy mouthfeel.
Bready qualities predominate in this brew; the first couple are good, but for extended drinking sessions this makes me quite full, as white ales tend to do. This isn't a bad beer by any means, but if it had more spiciness from the right amount and kinds of hops instead of relying solely on nutmeg and cinnamon, and if it were a little bit lighter, this would be a lot better. You can't really go wrong with White Christmas, but there are better white ales out there.
To good health and good beer.
★ 1,126 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
I tell you, this is a refreshing and warming beer for the cold weather months, if a bit understated. It pours a fairly standard straw-copper with moderate haze and a big but relatively fast-dissipating head, which falls away to moderate lacing on the surface and sides of the glass. Smell is somewhat standard for Boston Beer Company's winter batches: the spice and orange are there, as well as a lot of bread dough and malt smells, as well as a little yeast. Taste is better, however: sweet, but without being cloying, and again the orange and nutmeg mingle nicely with the overall bready taste and somewhat heavy mouthfeel.
Bready qualities predominate in this brew; the first couple are good, but for extended drinking sessions this makes me quite full, as white ales tend to do. This isn't a bad beer by any means, but if it had more spiciness from the right amount and kinds of hops instead of relying solely on nutmeg and cinnamon, and if it were a little bit lighter, this would be a lot better. You can't really go wrong with White Christmas, but there are better white ales out there.
To good health and good beer.
★ 1,126 characters
3.94/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Semi cloudy straw color with moderate head and moderate to heavy carbonation. It has a spiced citrus aroma. Balanced spiced taste with slight citrus (orange) and hop notes. Refreshing and smooth. No element is too harsh or stands out excessively. Finishes much light it starts, maybe with a bit more citrus.
★ 307 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Semi cloudy straw color with moderate head and moderate to heavy carbonation. It has a spiced citrus aroma. Balanced spiced taste with slight citrus (orange) and hop notes. Refreshing and smooth. No element is too harsh or stands out excessively. Finishes much light it starts, maybe with a bit more citrus.
★ 307 characters
3.53/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured a slightly hazy golden color with a two finger fluffy white head that receded to a quarter finger white head, leaving little lacing. It looks like a witbier should, very true to style.
Scents of cinnamon and nutmeg, slight vanilla and faint bready malt. Its decent, but very much dominated by spices, less yeasty and bready than a witbier normally smells. Taste begins rather sweet, with lots of sweet malt, sweet spices, mostly nutmeg and cinnamon and slight vanilla. Spices become more prominent in the middle of the sip, sweetness remains. Finish is sweet and spicy with a grainy aftertaste that has hints of vanilla. A good dessert beer, quite sweet, though not up to snuff for a witbier. Good for what it is though. Mouthfeel is light bodied with medium carbonation and a crisp finish. Again, rather true to form, nothing wrong at all. Overall this is a decent witbier and a good Winter dessert beer. It doesn't standout from the crowd of witbiers, but for a sweet dessert beer its quite nice. Its enjoyable, but not amazing, a good middle road beer.
★ 1,062 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured a slightly hazy golden color with a two finger fluffy white head that receded to a quarter finger white head, leaving little lacing. It looks like a witbier should, very true to style.
Scents of cinnamon and nutmeg, slight vanilla and faint bready malt. Its decent, but very much dominated by spices, less yeasty and bready than a witbier normally smells. Taste begins rather sweet, with lots of sweet malt, sweet spices, mostly nutmeg and cinnamon and slight vanilla. Spices become more prominent in the middle of the sip, sweetness remains. Finish is sweet and spicy with a grainy aftertaste that has hints of vanilla. A good dessert beer, quite sweet, though not up to snuff for a witbier. Good for what it is though. Mouthfeel is light bodied with medium carbonation and a crisp finish. Again, rather true to form, nothing wrong at all. Overall this is a decent witbier and a good Winter dessert beer. It doesn't standout from the crowd of witbiers, but for a sweet dessert beer its quite nice. Its enjoyable, but not amazing, a good middle road beer.
★ 1,062 characters
4.28/5 rDev +23.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
The 12oz bottle pours into a glass a sort of dark, hazy caramel color with a nice, tight white head. I really like the aroma on this one. There is the typical corriander and pepper and lemon spice of most SA white ales, but there is also a nice cinnamon and vanilla cookie aroma that is quite nice.
I am really liking the flavor here. More vanilla cookie, cinnamon, nutmeg, breadiness, almost a hint of my favorite pumpkin beer Pumking. There is some kind of aftertaste that I cant explain that is really nice; its like a fresh baked sugar cookie.
I dont know if everyone else is missing something, but I really enjoyed this one. From the first sip to the last, it was tasty. The mouthfeel could use some work: for some reason, festive beer should be more chewy than this one presents. Give me a mixed six of this and Fezziwig and my holidays would be "all set".
★ 866 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
The 12oz bottle pours into a glass a sort of dark, hazy caramel color with a nice, tight white head. I really like the aroma on this one. There is the typical corriander and pepper and lemon spice of most SA white ales, but there is also a nice cinnamon and vanilla cookie aroma that is quite nice.
I am really liking the flavor here. More vanilla cookie, cinnamon, nutmeg, breadiness, almost a hint of my favorite pumpkin beer Pumking. There is some kind of aftertaste that I cant explain that is really nice; its like a fresh baked sugar cookie.
I dont know if everyone else is missing something, but I really enjoyed this one. From the first sip to the last, it was tasty. The mouthfeel could use some work: for some reason, festive beer should be more chewy than this one presents. Give me a mixed six of this and Fezziwig and my holidays would be "all set".
★ 866 characters
3.86/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
appearance: semi-clear golden colored brew, with a decent bit of rising up carbonation. 4\5
aroma: Very malt and spice forward. It smells like cloves, a bit or coriander, and sweet malt. Good, but nothing to boast about. 3.5\5
flavor: The smell does not betray this one, the flavor is all spice and malty goodness. Lots of sweet grainy malty flavor comes first in this brew, with a nice burst of warmth from the spices. A bit of honey flavor on the finish as well. Not too shabby. 4\5
feel: it feels heavy, mostly due to its sweetness, which is helped out by its carbonation. 3.75\5
overall: I was surprised by this beer. It is a surprisingly easy to drink well made witbier. Its flavors follow the wit style quite well, and the final product is actually a fairly decent desert beer (I classify it as such due to how sweet it is). I would be happy to drink it again and found no real problems with it at all. 4\5
★ 916 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
appearance: semi-clear golden colored brew, with a decent bit of rising up carbonation. 4\5
aroma: Very malt and spice forward. It smells like cloves, a bit or coriander, and sweet malt. Good, but nothing to boast about. 3.5\5
flavor: The smell does not betray this one, the flavor is all spice and malty goodness. Lots of sweet grainy malty flavor comes first in this brew, with a nice burst of warmth from the spices. A bit of honey flavor on the finish as well. Not too shabby. 4\5
feel: it feels heavy, mostly due to its sweetness, which is helped out by its carbonation. 3.75\5
overall: I was surprised by this beer. It is a surprisingly easy to drink well made witbier. Its flavors follow the wit style quite well, and the final product is actually a fairly decent desert beer (I classify it as such due to how sweet it is). I would be happy to drink it again and found no real problems with it at all. 4\5
★ 916 characters
3.01/5 rDev -13.3%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
A - Pours out a somewhat cloudy with an almost orange tint.
S - The added cinnamon and nutmeg are very dominant, particularly the nutmeg. I could not sense any malt or hops.
T - As expected, the added spices overwhelm the malt and hops. The finish is very much nutmeg.
M- A very rich mouth feel, almost creamy.
O - I got this as part of case of "Winter Favorites" but it's not a favorite of mine. I don't mind a little spice in seasonal beers but this was just too much. Even a spiced beer should still taste like beer. If you like a lot of spice, this one is for you; otherwise not so much.
★ 595 characters
look: 2.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
A - Pours out a somewhat cloudy with an almost orange tint.
S - The added cinnamon and nutmeg are very dominant, particularly the nutmeg. I could not sense any malt or hops.
T - As expected, the added spices overwhelm the malt and hops. The finish is very much nutmeg.
M- A very rich mouth feel, almost creamy.
O - I got this as part of case of "Winter Favorites" but it's not a favorite of mine. I don't mind a little spice in seasonal beers but this was just too much. Even a spiced beer should still taste like beer. If you like a lot of spice, this one is for you; otherwise not so much.
★ 595 characters
4.62/5 rDev +33.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
So this was a definite yes for me. Upon opening the bottle you get hit with the scent of the spices. The beer tastes just as described and if I could compare it to something it would be a spic cake with hits of beer. I really enjoined this beer however those who don't like heavily spiced beers I would not recommend this.
★ 322 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
So this was a definite yes for me. Upon opening the bottle you get hit with the scent of the spices. The beer tastes just as described and if I could compare it to something it would be a spic cake with hits of beer. I really enjoined this beer however those who don't like heavily spiced beers I would not recommend this.
★ 322 characters
Samuel Adams White Christmas from Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
3.47
out of 5
based on 1,656 ratings.
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
For some reason my first try with this was terrible but after that it became so much better. Has all the components of a beer I like. It was sweet with some hopiness and a tad bitter. But I was expecting a more stronger "holiday" taste. Pleasantly surprised.
★ 258 characters