Thoughts on Sam Adams beers?

Imperial White
Imperial Stout
Imperial Wee Heavy
Imperial Bock
13th Hour
2004-2008 Chocolate Bock... since then it's just a shit show of what it once was
Cream Stout
Holiday Porter... very over looked brew
Old Fezziwig
Long Shot Dark Night in Munich
L.S. Five Crown RIS
L.S. Secret Alt

Not a huge fan... I'd pass over 95% of these if something even just a bit more tasty strolled by...
I can't handle any of their IPA/Pale/Lager... blah blah blah... I'd rather drink PBR! No wonder they're down over 20%...
They keep coming up with stuff that sucks... and moving forward with it! It reminds me of the Yanks and the Red Sox... Tons of $, wants results... but not hiring the right people to get it done!!! Fuck Em!!!

 

I respect the name SA has made for itself, and I appreciate that they continue to produce interesting beers despite their mainstream success. Their Imperial Series beers are what got me into craft beer in the first place. I am also thankful that because of their success, I can usually find one of their beers so that I don't have to drink a BMC-type beer.
I have revisited their Imperial Series (which now includes a Wee Heavy) since I've broadened my horizons and I have also tried a few of their Limited Release and other series. With a much greater frame of reference now, I find their real craft-y beers to be "good" - not bad, but also not great. I finish them, but would not re-buy most of them, simply because I have found other beers that I prefer.

 

I thought Alpine Spring was fantastic, and I agree with those that feel Cherry Wheat is awful! I couldn't even finish a whole one, and I ended up giving the other one I had on hand to a friend (who loves sweet/very fruity beers, so she loved it).

 

When I was in Santa Fe and in Maui I picked up the SA's mixed packs because they represented the best value ( about $13 in both places) in getting a bunch of well made beers in a 12 pack. I like how SAs is often ahead of the style curve ( Whitewater IPA, Tasman IPA, SA's Verloren ( Gose) and Belgian Session) and offers those beers at a good price. In BC we only get the lager and some seasonals but I would love for the mixed packs to show up in our stores

 

I just spent a week in a cabin in the mountains of New Mexico. Found this in the fridge - dated 2005. Drank it, and actually enjoyed it, although the smokiness had become prevalent and was moving toward a burnt taste.



In general, I like SA. I have some in the fridge, and go to it when I just want "a beer" and nothing too complicated. I'm just selective as to what of theirs I buy, and am pretty happy that way.

 

is it just me or was the Noble Pils hard to find this year? When it was first released about 2 years ago, I really enjoyed it, but I don't see 6 packs of it when I go to my beer shop.

 

I honestly don't think I have had one bad Sam Adams beer. I have a much greater respect for Sam recently because almost all of their beers have a nice balance and complexity to them. They are neither too gimmicky or 'over the top', unlike many craft brewers today. Just a good, all around brewery with a huge and diverse line up of beers. Personal favorites include: White Ale, Dunkelweizen, Holiday Porter, Old Fez.

 

I have six packs at the grocery store down my street, and it's also in the Summer Variety Pack I got.

Not a bad beer.

 

Alpine Spring is great. I think it is an excellent lager. I don't want to say there is hate on this site for it, but I don't understand how people can say it is "god awful" in any way shape or form. I for one wish it was year round.

 

I thought this beer was pretty solid. Easy mindless drinking. That's what Sam is...

 

SA Boston Ale is my favorite American beer. Noble Pils is excellent. Boston Lager and Old Fezziweg are very good.

 

they got me interested in craft brews they continue to brew quality/affordable craft brew they started the beer Renaissance decades ago cheers to Jim Koch and SA

 

I drink a lot of Boston Lager. Fresh, it's hard to beat when I've got the hankerin' for it.

 

Sam Adams makes excellent beers. Just because they don't bash you in the face with extreme flavor, doesn't mean that they're not well-composed beers. In fact, I find that Sam Adams falters most in the Imperial series, with that damn Imperial White possibly being their worst beer.

 

I think they nailed it with the Noble Pils, which is my favorite SA brew by a long shot.

And speaking of long shots, their 2012 Longshot dunkel was really good too.

Otherwise I go along with those who find SA brews solid but unremarkable. If I'm at a bar I never order a Sam except for those not uncommon instances in which it's the only non-BMC brew available, in which case I *always* order a Sam.

 

I just had Summer Ale again because it's in my Variety Pack. I have no idea why I used to enjoy it so much. And with Oberon sitting right next to it at the store for the same price, I have no incentive to choose Summer Ale.

 

Just like most breweries, they have products that in my opinion range bad to good. I am always down to try new SA beers when they come out.

 

Why haven't they brewed more of this? One of my all-time fav pilsners.

 

Sam Adams will always have a special place in my heart. SA Boston Lager was the first beer I had that wasn't a BMC beer or Heineken. Since expanding my horizons I have not sought out too much SA beers, but I totally respect them for what they are. They are a great stepping stone company, and when I'm at places like the 99 or Chili's I will always go for SA over any of the other beers places like that have. Jim Koch and Bob Cannon are responsible for broadening the horizons of thousands upon thousands of beer drinkers, and for that I thank them for showing me that beer didn't mean skunky corn flavored piss.

 

Basically. Sam Adam's is the first beer I also had that didn't suck. Just had another Boston Lager a bit ago ... it really is a good beer.