Thoughts on Sam Adams beers?

I haven't often seen someone take such abuse on this forum for saying something so obviously true. Of course it's silly marketing. It's completely meaningless! If a beer is dry hopped I know to expect significant hop aroma, and if it's single hopped I know to expect flavor that showcases a particular hop variety (maybe even one that I'm already familiar with). "Triple malt" communicates almost nothing. Is it 3x the amount of malt, or is it 3 different varieties (like many many beers) or am I to think "wow, that sounds like a lotta malt!" Must be better than Belhaven!

 

Well said!

 

I feel the same way. Samuel Adams has widely available products. Many bars and restaurants have Samuel Adams Boston Lager on tap. I can get Sierra Nevada Pale Ale at a local restaurant. I was asked if I would like Celebration at that same restaurant last year. I said, "Yes, please." More widely available good American beer is not a bad thing.

 

Didnt mean it in that way at all.

 

There are several of the Sam Adams beers that I enjoy, there are also several that I am less than fond of. There seems to be a disturbing trend on this website that equates success with selling out. Just because a brewery has done well for itself does not mean that they don't make good, flavorful, innovative beers

 

Really enjoyed their IPA deconstructed 12 pack last summer. Hope that's being reissued this year.

 

SABL when fresh is a truly classic and great beer. Many of their other stuff is solid too including Octoberfest and Winter Lager. If someone said to me I'd have to drink all the seasonals because that is all that is available, I'd still be a happy camper.

 

mostly boring stuff to me personally, but i still respect them for what they are

noble pils is their standout imo. i love a good pils and that one when fresh is one of the best.

 

Sam's Scotch Ale is a long time favorite that I wish I could get in a sixer again here in NE Ohio. I've only seen it in 12 pack mixers lately.

 

I've been up and down w/Sam Adams, I was fairly down on them when I joined this site. But after trying more and more, especially their different Imperial Series 4 packs(love the Wee Heavy) which are strong and the Long Shot (A Dark Night in Munich should be a regular bottled beer) series stuff, my feeling on SA has definitely changed for the better even if my buying is still pretty sporadic and choosy. They are definitely a solid gateway to craft beer, their style representations admittedly can be fairly average to underwhelming throughout the mainline. BUT, Sam Adams can make solid big beers as evidenced by the aforementioned Imp. Series and the Long Shot stuff, not to mention the ever changing mixer packs they put out and I'll never forget the cobalt blue bottled quad bock from years ago.

 

Sam Adams was my gateway to craft beer so I continue to support them. I find I don't enjoy many of their styles like I used to, though I still check out all of their seasonal mixed packs when they are released.

My favorite SA beers are Boston Lager, Noble Pils, Cream Stout, Black Lager, Octoberfest, and Old Fezziwig.

I'm looking forward to trying the fat Jack double pumpkin this fall.

 

Noble Pils is world class in my opinion. I also really liked The Vixen. Their Oktoberfest is a good Marzen as well.

 

Overpriced, in this area, so I don't buy it. I am less than 50 miles from their big brewery here in PA, yet their beers cost quite a bit more than in other states, and more than other local options. Yes, it's the messed up PA beer environment, but to buy Sam Adams feels like I'm paying for the advertising.

 

There is not a single SA brew that I enjoy. I keep trying them because I feel that my love of craft beer means I should at least enjoy one of their brews....but alas....I too feel that they are greatly lacking. Its a disappointment every time I drink one and I think I have given up hope.

 

Their standard lager is a beer I'm never looking for, but I always find it in bars with an otherwise all-bmc lineup and I'm always happy (i.e., relieved) to see it and drink it in such situations. Thanks Sam.

Their Noble Pils is a fine beer that I'm happy to drink anytime.

 

Not really a fan of Sam Adams. Though I'm quite fond of their Octoberfest and Noble Pils, and usually buy a few of each throughout the year. But other than that, I usually only drink it when a friend brings a mixed 12 pack to a party, or BBQ.

 

I read a statement, wish I could remember who said it, that in America we admire success, as long as it's not too much success. I think that applies to Sam Adams.

 

SA brews are always solid, always. Maybe never the "best" in their category but still damn good, consistent as hell and very affordable.

 

I love their winter and fall mix packs. Not a fan of their summer and spring packs most of the time. This is not because they put bad beers in those packs, but due to the fact that I haven't been into hoppy beers for a couple of years.

 

What i like about Sam Adams is they are pretty much a go-to brewery for any type of beer you want to try for a transition beer. I transitioned into drinking IPA's by first drinking their boston lager and then their latitute 48. I really liked last year's Octoberfest as well.