Samuel Adams Imperial Line

Imperial Stout, Double Bock, Wee Heavy are pretty good but they are all way too thick, heavy, and boozy for me to want to drink them all the time. Btw the official name for the Imperial Line is called Small Batch Series I think. Those are the higher abv beers you can only get in bombers or 4 packs.

 

I just picked up a 4 of "Imperial Series Wee Heavy" last week. No date anywhere. Have not seen the Double Bock that was packaged the same that I got early last year. Aging a couple of each

 

I actually walked into a beer distributor yesterday and they had about 6 Infinium sitting on the shelf. I was wondering if they released it again or if they were just old.

 

Good riddance; the imperial stout wasn't horrible but definitely had some of that soy sauce thing going on, and the imperial white was just a pointless boozy mess. Koch's comments are strange, especially since they're doing a national push for their new "west coast style" IPA. Apparently a ~60 IBU beer takes a lot of effort to make, but 80+ IBUs makes it a stupid hop bomb.
He can justify it any way he wants I guess, but it's
clear he's looking to satisfy investors and keep the
stock prices up, rather than making beers for the craft drinker

 

I have 2 bottles of Infinium at home that I never opened. I wasn't a big fan of the one bottle I got and was bummed I spent mid-$20 something on the other two.

BM if you want to talk more...

 

I second this. I was highly impressed. I think it's one of the better Scotch ales out there.

 

100% agree. That anise dimension makes it unique and delicious IMO

 

Didn't like the Wee Heavy, but I liked the stout and the Imperial White is just something I feel like people should try.

 

Its funny how Jim Koch says all that stuff about hopped up beers during the release of Rebel IPA... if its a west coast style, it should pretty much be a hop bomb. Sounds like hypocrisy to me... The whole tone of what he was saying just sounds like whoops you totally caught me, now how do I turn it around make it seem like Im not doing what Im (probably) doing? I ALMOST didnt buy some Rebel IPA today. Almost. Cant wait to try it lol

 

Rebel IPA is 45 IBUs, has little bitterness, and basically tries to just get across the more citrusy flavors in a beer without the bitterness. West Coast IPA, or even IPA in general was the worst thing to call it. Just a damn good pale ale.

Not Earth changing amazing but dangerously drinkable at 6.5%

 

Did you see these by you in New York?

 

I have a few Imperial Stouts from 2/3 years ago that are quite tasty.

Also, I was at Walgreen yesterday and they had 4 packs of Wee Heavy, Imperial and Double bock for $4-6 for a 4 pack. Not sure what was up if they were discontinued or what.

 

Yeah at a place in Bellerose, Queens. I think it's called Bellerose Beverage.

 

The only barrel room collection I never got to try was the American Kriek.

 

Those are very low prices. 10 dollars a 4 pack here in Mass.

 

Just tried the Double Bock the other day and thought it was excellent! Has anyone had experience aging them?

 

I thought the small batch 4pks were ok, I know that SA can make good gateway craft & decent big beers but I really thought for the most part the small batch stuff was OTT on all points just for the sake of it. Which like some others here I found to be overly boozy, syrupy and thick in the mouthfeel, not sure if that's what they were going for but for me it didn't translate to repeat purchasing beyond the first of each 4 pack.
I still find their original Scotch Ale to be my favorite along with their Quad Bock in the cobalt blue bottles from years ago

 

Im glad Im not the only one who thought they were too syrupy. I have no idea why they make them like that. Its a turnoff for sure.

 

The Imperial White was indeed a boozy mess.

Imperial Stout is below average for the style. Not bad but too much dark fruit, not enough roastiness for my taste. Still have a bottle or two in the cellar. I think the Longshot Imperial Stout from 2 years ago is superior.

I bought 3 cases of the Double Bock (at different times) shortly after it was first re-released in 4 packs because it was being sold for the same price as the regular Sam Adams line. I still have at least one 4 pack left. That would make it about 5 years old. Huge, malty, sweet. Ages well, but being one of my least favorite styles and that I haven't drank one in a over a year, possibly two, I can't speak of any recent experience.