Samuel Adams Utopias returns

C'mon man, companies never lie!

 

Would honestly love to get a bottle this year, I'd consider it a treat to myself... And company of course.

 

I've already shared most this story on the ba discord, but....When I found out about this beer a year ago or so, I told my dad about it, as he's a fair beer nerd too.

So when this thread started I copied him a link (he lived in TX, where it's available, unlike here) and said if I could find a bottle he'd buy it (not for me to be clear)

So a couple days ago after calling around to 10+ bottle shops, and hearing either sold out, $500 price tag, lottery only, or straight up being lied to about availability, I found a bottle for $256.



I was surprised it came in a box, though I don't think I should've been.
Not sure when or if I'll get to try it, but hunting for it was enjoyable enough, and should I get the opportunity for a taste, I'll certainly share the experience!

 

I've had the oppotunity to sample it on several occasions over the years. And I agree that it's not really any kind of spirit to compare with. it's completely it';s own thing.
I've never had a bottle myself, though it they continue the every 2 years release schedule, the next one will be my 50th birthday, so...

 

If I ever came across one for under 300 bucks, I'd get it.
Unfortunately, I've never seen it for sale locally in my state.
I loved their Triple Bock back in the 90's, which was sort of a precursor to this. Then again, those were only 5 bucks a bottle.
I love big-beers and I cannot lie....

 

Many states have different regulation, licenses, definitions, abv limits, etc., for beer as opposed to those for wine and/or spirits. While they are rarer today, many states once had limits on the alcohol content of beer. For example, from the mid-70s at the start of the craft era:

And, "beer" (as the term is casually used here on BA) is what Utopias is according to the Feds - it is registered under the TTB's label approval (COLA) as #906 - MALT BEVERAGES SPECIALITIES - FLAVORED.

And a much more decorated box than the one I bought about 10 years ago, too. (Note the fine print about the carton).

Don't get me started about that !@#$ glass!

Oh, wait - you don't have to get me started (luckily, 'cause I'd have try to remember all the BS) you can just read about it here.

 

I remember paying $140 moons ago. $280 the other day, out of my comfort zone. I'd rather put the dough to a nice single malt.

 

Do it!

 

I see what you mean, not sure why she said 'Utopias are'. Should have been 'Utopias is'.

 

According to this 2018 pdf from the Oregon Health Authority -
Oregon Alcohol Laws (Oregon Revised Statutes)

 

Missouri is a shocker.

Especially when you realize border state Kansas has some archaic alcohol laws (and has amended some of them in big ways in the past few years.) The fact you can hop across the stateline and buy Utopias there but not buy a 7%+ ABV beer in a convenience store is just so strange to me.

 

The last release, I was fairly serious about picking it up. Not enough to chase, but serious enough that if I saw it at the MSRP price, I'd have bought it.

Two years later and I can't imagine spending that. Despite my growing interest in whiskey, I still haven't spent half of Utopia's MSRP on a single bottle of whiskey.

It doesn't help that it isn't sold in my state, and despite KS being so close, the stores and bars I frequent are nearly all on the wrong side of state line to find Sam Adam's Utopias.