Samuel Adams Tetravis (Barrel Room Collection)
Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)

August 17th, 2015 - Samuel Adams' foray foray into heavy, burly beers usually ends with my teeth shivering, but the Tetravis is actually milder than I expected considering the label. I also let it warm a bit to let the beer unfurl at its natural pace. Thankfully, it is not especially sweet, but still gives notes of strawberry and cherry. The flavor is also milder than anticipated, but still sweet, followed by a shadow of sour. The aftertaste is where the sour element really gets to appear, crisp and bright like an apple slice. But what the beer lacks is a richer set of esters from the yeast. I do appreciate the restraint from Sam Adams, though.

 

2014 bottle. Consumed in 2025. Poured a cloudy, murky dark brown color with a small, khaki-colored head of foam. It left sudsy lacing. It smelled of raisin, plum, toffee and caramel. This held up really well. Nice dried fruit taste with toasted caramel and toffee.

 

 

Very good. Rich. Bold flavor.

Pours a semi-clear, reddish brown color with an off-white head that fades to nearly nothing. Smell is dark fruit and grain. Taste is dark fruits and tartness up front, leads into a variety of spice flavors, black pepper, and molasses. Finish is fairly clean. Medium-heavy body. Nice quad, some quality flavors. Would go well with a rich dinner, like beef or lamb roast. Maybe pair with duck or goose.

 

 

Making this short and sweet. If you don’t have it get it! Really sweet very refreshing and pairs well with beef, extremely great beer by an expert brewing company!

 

 

The translucent black and violet color mask the lightness of its taste—but it is neither thin nor cloying.

It is strong and complex.

The black currant is perfectly subtle and the spices endure its presence on the tongue. It avoids being tart and lingers with the allure of wanting to solve a puzzle.

**Update**
Upon trying another bottle, I found it to be a bit heavier and cloying, and I was unable to detect the black currant. I'm a bit disappointed at this inconsistency, but hopefully it's just a fluke. I've updated my rating from 4.38 to 4.08.