Thoughts on Sam Adams beers?

I like SA, but recently I had a Latitude 48 that gave me an instant raging headache.

 

Like most of the other responses Sam Adams tends to put on some solid, reliable, if slightly unremarkable beers. The value of the big mix packs is great and they are a good bridge for people that are scared of leaving the familiar territory of BMC.

Plus my daughter likes their light lager


sam adams by quirkzoo, on Flickr

*disclaimer, The bottle was taken out of the recycling and did not have beer in it. Underage drinking is not funny.

 

It was just too much dried corn. I wanted more sweet and smooth with a touch of noble hop, but it was just like slop corn. i took that out of the review because it was too derogatory.

 

same for me, then it kind of fell behind for a reason I still dont understand. I thought it sold well.

 

Interesting. I only had Alpine Spring on draft and it tasted like a Munich Helles to me; I didn’t personally perceive any corn taste. For my palate a cracker/bready taste was the dominant flavor.

The Sam Adams description of this beer:

“Brewed especially for the season, this bright citrusy unfiltered lager is both satisfying and refreshing. It’s the perfect transition from winter’s heavier brews to the lighter beers of summer. Borne of our brewers’ many trips to Germany, Alpine Spring features a unique blend of lager attributes: the balanced maltiness and hoppiness of a Helles, the smoothness and slightly higher alcohol of a traditional spring bock, and the unfiltered appearance of a Kellerbier. The beer is brewed with Tettnang Noble hops to add a unique, bright orange-citrusy aroma and flavor.”

Cheers!

 

if youre ever around Columbus, OH in the summer, you should try Columbus Brewing Summer Teeth. Same exact idea, only wayyyyy better.

 

Thanks for the tip; I am a big fan of Kellerbiers. The description of Summer Teeth from Columbus Brewery sounds tasty:

“A crisp, unfiltered Kellerbier. This traditional Bavarian style beer originated from the small artisanal breweries of Franconia, where Kellerbier is still a favorite beverage in the local beer gardens.”

I recently purchased a six-pack of Southampton Keller Pils which is very tasty; I highly recommend that beer if you like Kellerbiers.

I read your review of Summer Teeth where you mention: “The smell is loaded with corn and adjunct with no bitterness whatsoever. The taste is super drinkable, with the taste dominated by corn and grain.”

Since Columbus Brewery mentions “this traditional Bavarian style beer”, I and am pretty sure that they did not use corn (adjuncts) in the making of this beer. It seems that you are ‘sensitive’ to perceiving corn tastes where no corn is utilized? Everybody’s palate is indeed unique.

Cheers!

 

Great entry level craft beer. Rarely mind blowing but rarely awful. Deserves props for getting many of us in the game.

 

never thought of that. I do tend to throw out adjuncts and corn out alot in reviews. I think I associate a light, airy, sweet, dry taste/feeling with corn/adjuncts. What do you think that taste actually is?

 

Like myself.

 

Oh boy, you are asking to wrong guy.

I have a difficult time describing flavor/aroma and consequently I personally do not generate BA beer reviews. I do discuss beer flavor/aroma in threads however so needless to say I am not consistent in this regard.

Permit me to make the following ‘suggestions’ based upon my palate (and my feeble ability to articulate flavor/aroma). When I drink beers like Munich Helles and Kellerbiers the flavor/aromas that I typically perceive come off as an overall bready/malty flavor. Words that are probably appropriate in this regard would be toasty, cracker, and the ubiquitous word of bready.

I homebrew Classic American Pilsners where corn is used as an adjunct. Depending on which lager strain I use the corn flavor may be noticeable or not. When it is noticeable I usually describe it as a sweet graininess.

So, to my palate a Munich Helles/Kellerbier does not necessarily have a ‘sweetness’ component to it (although I have drank some Munich Helles beers that are on the sweet side).

I wish I was better ‘at this game’.

Cheers!

 

I think Ill start using sweet graininess. Its definitely more accurate anyway

I always take suggestions from people, and just because you arent an expert doesnt make you wrong. I just needed a new wordy way to say it.

Thanks bud!

 

Honest opinion: I'm rarely upset when I buy Sam Adams beer, but I'm never blown away. The have the resources to make world class examples of any and every style, but instead we get mediocrity.

 

I really enjoyed their Brick Red and 26.2 when I was in Boston. Mmm.. OF COURSE with my luck, I found them to both be my top two Sam Adams beers, and it's 12 hours away by car.

 

But.....if available in a store would you buy them over other beers of the same style?

 

Yeah I had Brick Red at their brewery in Boston. Pretty good. I have to go 2711 miles if I want it again...

 

Wrong person to ask. I'm new to beer. My primary focus as a newbie has been Sam Adams because it's widely available. I'm starting to try some Bell's and Founders as well.

I know and have figured since having them S.A. doesn't make WORLD CLASS beers, but there's no denying they're a hell of a lot better than BMC's.

 

They certainly are and I have absolutely nothing against them. I try most everything they put out and never discourage people from drinking it. I personally though find them underwhelming more often than the other big craft brewers (Sierra, New Belgium etc)

 

As with lots of others here, It's in the "Things I'd rather drink than BMC" category. Would I buy an SA IPA over say Two Hearted or White Rajah... hell no.

 

I'm cool with Sam Adams. The only time I'll order them is if I'm with friends and they don't have any craft on tap. Sam Adams and Yuengling are my go-to macro breweries.

That being said, I'm always kind of settling when I go with Sam Adams or Yuengling and I would always choose Sierra Nevada or Stone (the more available craft breweries around me) over them if given the chance.