Sam Adams

[Flamebuster]

When you guys are talking about an Sam Adams Brown Ale I am confused because they don't list that as one of their beers on their web site. Are you referring to the generic reference of Brown Ale being anything made as ale and is brown in color such as Scotch Ale?

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by HogieWan
[B (I make the dough and the sauce - I'll eventually make the cheese, too)


You should definitely start making the cheese. I just started making my own and it is very easy. You can make mozzerella in about an hour.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by Stodbrew
You should definitely start making the cheese. I just started making my own and it is very easy. You can make mozzerella in about an hour.


I knew it was quick, but my wife keeps asking "Do you have to MAKE everything?"

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Flamebuster
When you guys are talking about an Sam Adams Brown Ale I am confused because they don't list that as one of their beers on their web site. Are you referring to the generic reference of Brown Ale being anything made as ale and is brown in color such as Scotch Ale?

Their site hasn't been updated with some of their newer beers (I don't think Imperial Pilsner is listed either). The Brown Ale was part of a taste test where beer lovers could vote on the next year round Sam Adams beer. I believe the other beer in the running was a Bohemian Pilsner. I know tasting and voting took place at the GABF in Colorado, though I'm not sure if that was the only venue to do this.

Based on my experience with the two styles and not having had the luxury of actually tasting the two beers, I'd have leaned toward the Bo Pils. Tough to find a quality. tasty domestic pilsner with widespread availability.

Cheers!

[HarkJohnny]

for more info on the Brown Ale:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/27514/

[corkybstewart]

Hogiewan:Very surprised by the cranberry lambic

Of the sampler, that was probably my favorite. Actually I've only drank the first of the 6 selections. Overall I wasn't very impressed with samapler. None of it was bad, there are just a lot of better beers on the market.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by corkybstewart
Overall I wasn't very impressed with samapler. None of it was bad, there are just a lot of better beers on the market.

Nothing jumped out as spectacular, but SA makes some good beer and I've never been able to get the holiday sampler. Thanks again.

[corkybstewart]

Glad to be of service. The thing that surprised me about the cranberry lambic is that I liked it at all. It really is a pleasant beer. I couldn't drink it all the time, but I've never developed a taste for fruit beer. My philosophy is "beer in a bottle, fruit in a bowl".

[Insidious Rex]

You liked it that much? I came away from it feeling 'this is a good cooking beer...' Couldnt see myself drinking another one. And generally I enjoy a well done lambic.

[HogieWan]

Not that it was that great of a beer, I just thought I wouldn't like it. I figured it would be a sweet and fruity and no beer taste.

[Seymour]

Just haven't been able to bring myself to try the Cranberry Lambic. Now the Black Lager and the Scotch Ale I quite enjoyed.

[corkybstewart]

I enjoyed it, but I think there would only be a few occasions that might call for a beer like this, and I can't think of any offhand, but it wasn't bad. I'll try the other bottle sometime this week-who knows, I might change my mind.

[corkybstewart]

I tried Yuengling over the holidays and I think it is very much like the Sam Adams-good but uninspiring. I did introduce several family members to the Yuengling lager and they were all very impressed, but then they're BMC drinkers at best. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the SA or Yuengling at a fbar or restaraunt with limited choices, but I wouldn't go out of my way for them.

[Flamebuster]

Thanks, I will look for it at BevMo the next time I am in there. I live in California and finding east coast beers can be difficult. We used to find a lot of Sam products but now it seems all that is available is the lager, which is ok and certainly better than any of the big three and the seasonals such as summer ale.

I have found and tried the Black lager and it was good but I haven't seen the others. Our selection in the Holiday collection was the same as years past - lager, Cranberry limbic, etc. Not even the Scotch Ale, which I have wanted to taste for some time.

Oh well, at least we have some decent breweries here in the west. :)

[Flamebuster]

I tried the Yuengling once when I was in D.C. and it was on tap at a small watering hole neat the capital. I was OK, but I agree not inspiring at all. I think it would be a good everyday beer for summer because it was light and you could drink several. But then so is Rolling Rock and it is available everywhere here in CA and is usually on sale for 10 bucks a 12 pack.

[xscotto]

I agree with ratman03, I've always had a healthy respect for Sam Adams. They are largely responsible for leading the micro revolution back in the 80's. In all the time I've been of beer drinking age (too long) their flagship beers have changed very little if any, to my palate anyway. They're HUGE now, and I think they've maintained their quality very well and resisted being taken over by AB, Miller or Coors who would surely have run them into the ground.

Boston Lager is still an amazingly smooth and well balanced beer. I like to think it sets the standard for what an American lager should be, closer to our brewing heritage, instead of the fizzy yellow stuff. I don't drink them very often, but when I do get one I'm always blown away at how good they are. SA beers also have a unique quality, they all (except for the black lager) seem to taste like- an SA beer no matter what the style, or if it's an ale or a lager. That's a tough trick to pull off.

They are definately a MACRO brewer nowdays, which given their competition makes them the BEST American macro there is. They're in almost every grocery store and restaurant in the country, which thankfully gives us an alternative from the fizzy yellow guys. In that sense they've carved out a nitch for themselves, a place sometimes only they occupy. So I think it's unfair to compare them to some of the smaller and possibly more adventurous micros, its apples and oranges bigtime.

I don't work for them either, but that's my $00.2.

[Flamebuster]

I understand the Brown ale will be available in California in Feb or March. I am looking forward to trying it along with the Scotch Ale.

[Sladek]

This weekend at my paint store they had tastings of Sam Adams' Black Lager, Bock, and White Ale. I was impressed with the Black Lager and the Bock, though I'm not a regular Bock drinker. The White was interesting; hibiscus, anise, rose hips, etc. Sam Adams certainly isn't the best of these styles, but I commend them for having such a broad range.

[chazwicke]

I saw a commercial for SA today. I did not realize that they brew 18 different brews.

[Flamebuster]

I guess a lot of their brew doesn't make too far from the brewery, which is the case for a lot of brewers.

I am not a big fan of bocks either but theirs is OK. I do like their white and pale ales but we don't see them too often here in Southern CA. Sometimes you can find them at a specialty store but I have never see anyone carry the complete line.

I tried to find the brewery when I was in Boston a few years ago but that is another story that is best told over a cool one
.:)

[ClockworkOrange]

I was always a fan of SA cream stout but haven't tried many of their newer offerings. I've seen the brewmaster's collection sampler around and might pick it up next time along with the cream stout

[fretlessman71]

The Imp Pils is very nice. Check it out.

[newportstorm]

Samuel Adams was at the Extreme Beer Fest in Boston on Saturday. They were pouring a Barleywine, a Sahti (very refreshing!) and Utopias among others. Jim Koch was roaming around, even stopping at the A-B table to chat (cordial or attack mode?). Bottle up that Sahti and I'll be first in line for a case.

Cheers!

[threecb]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
The Imp Pils is very nice. Check it out.

I agree with that. I went back to score more the other week and it was all gone. I was bummed because I was going to pick up a half dozen.

[threecb]

Originally posted by newportstorm
a Sahti (very refreshing!)

Could you describe the sahti? I know Heavyweight had one last year, but I missed it and have been curious about the style.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by threecb
I agree with that. I went back to score more the other week and it was all gone. I was bummed because I was going to pick up a half dozen.

I concur. I might still have one bottle left.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by newportstorm
[B]Samuel Adams was at the Extreme Beer Fest in Boston on Saturday. /B]


How was the fest anyway? Gotta report for us?

[HarkJohnny]

Originally posted by Flamebuster
I guess a lot of their brew doesn't make too far from the brewery, which is the case for a lot of brewers.

I am not a big fan of bocks either but theirs is OK. I do like their white and pale ales but we don't see them too often here in Southern CA. Sometimes you can find them at a specialty store but I have never see anyone carry the complete line.
.:)

heck I LIVE in Cincinnati where they have their largest brew plant and i can barely find the newer stuff. Though lately I've had the new Brown, Scotch, 06 Bock and Cream Stout. All pretty dang good.

Even seen some of the Chocolate Bocks around (i know they did a second year of it, but I don't know if these are the old ones or not) and still haven't found the Imp Pils

[newportstorm]

The Sahti was nice. Hazy golden, some light banana aroma/flavor, light on the juniper flavors, pretty clean and easy drinking. Some noted that it didn't really nail the style, but hell if I care. So drainkable and refreshing - perfect summertime drinker.

The Fest was good. Beyond sold out. Pretty crowded right from the time general admission was let in (1pm). Thankfully, I bought VIP tickets and got in at 12noon-ish - much less crowded. No way could I try even 1/4 of the beers available. Tried 14-15 different ones and called it a day, sober and feeling fine. Great food (including veggie options) from Sunset Grille and the Waffle Haus (mmmm...sugar waffles). Some hijinks - The Tap tossing hops around like Mardi Gras beads, it seemed. Some comedy - Offshore Ale Co. reps releasing "fog" from dry ice and wearing robes when they unveiled their Fogcutter Porter, a breakfast beer made with coffee. Deelish! Free waters for VIPs (gotta stay hydrated). Etc. Etc.

Best beers, personally, were the Sahti, Fogcutter Porter, Harpoon Kellerbier (unfiltered lager) and Milly's Tavern 4th Anniversary on cask (Pale Ale hybrid with Chinook, Columbus, Kent and Target hops)

There will be some tweaks to the next fest in June - American Beer Fest. 2 day festival - VIP session on Friday night with limited tickets. Actually, I believe they are reducing the overall number of tickets to relieve some of the crowding.

Always a good time!

[mookow]

Originally posted by HarkJohnny
heck I LIVE in Cincinnati where they have their largest brew plant and i can barely find the newer stuff. Though lately I've had the new Brown, Scotch, 06 Bock and Cream Stout. All pretty dang good.

Even seen some of the Chocolate Bocks around (i know they did a second year of it, but I don't know if these are the old ones or not) and still haven't found the Imp Pils

Last time I was at the paint store they still had a couple bottles left. Personally, I think it is probably past it's prime (I had one soon after it was released, and one in January, and the first one I had was much better). Sure, it has a ton of hops and 8.8% ABV to help preserve it, but the hops are supposed to taste fresh, not mellow, in this beer. I think mine had a best consumed by date of January.

Anyways, if you want to set up either a trade or just pay me for it, I'll see if there are any left. No promises on my being able to lay my hands on one. Let me know.

[ClockworkOrange]

I saw the Imperial Pilsner the other day at the store but couldn't justify spending $60 due to it's best by date being Jan 06

[threecb]

Originally posted by ClockworkOrange
I saw the Imperial Pilsner the other day at the store but couldn't justify spending $60 due to it's best by date being Jan 06

$60!?! What was this, a jeroboam? I paid $4.99 for the bomber. It was delicious. I went back for more and they were all gone.

[ClockworkOrange]

It was $60 for a case of 12 bombers.

[threecb]

Oh, yeah, yer in PA! Duh.

[ClockworkOrange]

Yeah, it's hard to find a single bomber of something like that at the six pack shops here. Usually only the mainstream stuff (quarts & 40's). I'll be in Philly this weekend so a stop at the Foodery is a must. They have a killer selection of singles to build your own six pack(s) as well as lots of bombers.

[ClockworkOrange]

Recently revisited the Cream Stout and just tried the Black Lager for the first time. Thumbs up to both. Anybody try the Chocolate Bock?

[fretlessman71]

Had it last year - if you like chocolate, it is excellent, and thoroughly unique. Be warned, however; it is VERY chocolaty, certainly more so than many people here would prefer. But I love my chocolate almost as much as I love my beer, so I can hang with it. Beats Young's DCS by a long shot IMHO.

[steveh]

Mmm, if you like chocolate, better to go with the Young's Double-Chocolate - IMO. Just a better flavor all around.

Like the Black Lager, though.

S.

[threecb]

I served the BL at a dinner party recently. My BIL, a die hard Becks Dark drinker, said that he found a great second option in the Black Lager.

He also liked the Harpoon Munich Dark, but we can't get that around here. I brought a case back from Boston when I visited over the New Year Holiday.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by threecb

He also liked the Harpoon Munich Dark, but we can't get that around here. I brought a case back from Boston when I visited over the New Year Holiday.

No Munich Dark in NJ? Not even the distributor can get you a case? Odd. Just grabbed some on sale this week - solid brew. $5 growler fills at the brewery are even better.

Cheers!

[ClockworkOrange]

I just noticed a few singles of the Chocolate bock at a deli the other day but they wanted $21.99 each for them. My local shop has it for $149/ case. What would be reasonable for a single $15?

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by ClockworkOrange
I just noticed a few singles of the Chocolate bock at a deli the other day but they wanted $21.99 each for them. My local shop has it for $149/ case. What would be reasonable for a single $15?

Initial pricing of the first batch was around $15/per. $22 is on the high side - no way I'd pay it. I didn't even bite when a local store blew it out for $9.99. Too sweet for my liking, based on the samples I've had.

Cheers!

[ClockworkOrange]

$22 - That's why it's still sitting there on the shelves and not in my fridge. That amount could get me plenty of Young's DCS. But, if I see it somewhere under $15, I'll probably grab it to give it a try. BTW- That same deli also had a few SA Triple Bocks but there were no dates on the bottles. I have one from 94 as it is stated on the bottle. These must be either 95 or 97(price was $7.50 each)

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by ClockworkOrange
That same deli also had a few SA Triple Bocks but there were no dates on the bottles. I have one from 94 as it is stated on the bottle. These must be either 95 or 97(price was $7.50 each)

I believe both '94 and '95 had dates on them - at least a neck hanger. My guess would be '97 and $7.50 is again, overpriced imo. I've seen them being cleared out elsewhere for under $5.

Cheers!

[threecb]

Originally posted by newportstorm
No Munich Dark in NJ? Not even the distributor can get you a case? Odd. Just grabbed some on sale this week - solid brew. $5 growler fills at the brewery are even better.

It's hard to come by the straight up Ale, too. My wife enjoyed that. Usually it's IPA, UFO and the 100 BBL (not complaining about that!).

I have the NJ region rep's card, but I've be so busy lately that it's low on my priority list.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Had it last year - if you like chocolate, it is excellent, and thoroughly unique. Be warned, however; it is VERY chocolaty, certainly more so than many people here would prefer. But I love my chocolate almost as much as I love my beer, so I can hang with it. Beats Young's DCS by a long shot IMHO.

I was wary of the Chocolate bock but did buy a few bottles last year. I found that I really did like it very much. It was unique. Not something you want all the time but it was good. I also approached their Imperial pils in the same manner and was also very pleased. Both beer brought SA up a notch or two on my respect scale.

[jstrausss]

I took a fast look through this old post and hadn't seen any comments on Sam Adams making a light beer. I would figure that that would be a big discussion on this site when that happened. I'm starting to think the Boston Brewery is becoming just another mass commercial brewery and are now just looking at just sales and not quality beer as they proclaim. Anyone have thoughts about that?

[ratman03]

Originally posted by jstrausss
I took a fast look through this old post and hadn't seen any comments on Sam Adams making a light beer. I would figure that that would be a big discussion on this site when that happened. I'm starting to think the Boston Brewery is becoming just another mass commercial brewery and are now just looking at just sales and not quality beer as they proclaim. Anyone have thoughts about that?

Personally, I do not care for Sam Light. I think it tastes like watered down Sam Adams Lager. I'm sure they had economic reasons for going down this path, but I'll hazard a guess that it was not Koch's first choice.

Boston Beer is a large commercial brewery, but they brew an unusually large range of beers for a producer their size, which is to be commended. The fact that their beer isn't always consistent is a reality of multi-location brewing (at least when you're not employing armies of chemists like macro brewers), but nonetheless their beer is widely available and overall very good.

[dparsons]

Perhaps they took it as a new challenge - to brew a light beer that actually tastes like a beer should. I don't know and I doubt I'll find out. I had a light beer once. Long ago.

Just a comment on the discussion from years back: When your stuck in an airport, Sam Adams is good and its a whole lot better than BMC and BMC Lite.

[fretlessman71]

I enjoy Sam Adams Light. I don't look at it as a masterpiece; I look at it as a beer with more hops than malt, and a beer that I can drink on a very hot day and be very happy with.

One thing to remember about "light" beers (or what the Germans refer to as "diet" beer): Hops don't have calories like malt does, so light beers with character are usually going to lean toward the hoppy side.

I had heard great things about SA's old brew, Lightship, but never had the opportunity to try it.

In the summer you'll find SA Light, Stone Levitation Ale, and New Belgium Skinny Dip in my fridge. All tend to be "light" beers (although Stone will deny that they brewed a light beer to their dying day, taste it and see - and then think long and hard about the name of that beer!). ;)

[PCaravan]

I think I posted on this thread before that after trying SA for the first time I was shocked at how good it was. I still really like it but because it's available everywhere I don't buy it unless it's the only thing offered so I don't get bored with it... same goes for Guinness draft for that matter.

As for SA light, I thought I'd give it a try when my LHBS owner told me that it was also a surprisingly good beer. I went and bought a six pack and had a beer. The other 5 sat in my fridge for a very long time... until I gave it away. It was better than other light beers but it wasn't on par with what I usually drink... not even close.

I do think it's possible for someone to make a lighter calorie beer and still be good. Like fretlessman71 said, just get more of the flavor from the hops... but I sill haven't seen one that worked for me. Guinness is probably the lightes calorie beer I like and it gets its stronger flavors from dark roasted barley and boosts the mouthfeel with nitro... I no it's lower in calorie content than a typical beer but I don't know how it stacks up to the typical "light beers". Anyone know?

[fretlessman71]

It's close. Guinness is 125 calories per 12 oz. serving; most light beers are around 95-100. So do a few pushups while sitting on the barstool and call it good. ;)

[ratman03]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I enjoy Sam Adams Light. I don't look at it as a masterpiece; I look at it as a beer with more hops than malt, and a beer that I can drink on a very hot day and be very happy with.

One thing to remember about "light" beers (or what the Germans refer to as "diet" beer): Hops don't have calories like malt does, so light beers with character are usually going to lean toward the hoppy side.

I had heard great things about SA's old brew, Lightship, but never had the opportunity to try it.

In the summer you'll find SA Light, Stone Levitation Ale, and New Belgium Skinny Dip in my fridge. All tend to be "light" beers (although Stone will deny that they brewed a light beer to their dying day, taste it and see - and then think long and hard about the name of that beer!). ;)

Stone Levitation was not initially a light-bodied beer. However, it is now lighter in body and less hoppy than it originally was (I have confirmed this fact in direct side by side tastings with older bottles of Levitation around the time the beer changed). The *new* Levitation is a shell of its former self; the change coincided with Stone's relocation of their brewing facilities about a year or so ago.

Seeing as the difference between Boston Lager and Sam Light is only 50 calories, I still don't see the purpose of light beer other than as a marketing ploy. SA Light is not highly hopped -- though it may seem that way due to the light body (OG is 9 plato according to the SA website).

One reason I think that it's hard to get a good tasting 'light' beer is that you cannot highly hop a product that is intended to appeal primarily to women and less serious beer drinkers. Perhaps a brewer can offer some input on this.

[fretlessman71]

So maybe it can be said that there's a greater hop-malt ratio in SA Light? I'll buy that. Again, being a serious beer drinker, I don't consider this beer for "serious beer drinking". It's a lawnmower beer with a very light flavor that I much prefer to any of the BMC crapola.

[Flamebuster]

Well said, fretlessman71. I too think of Sam Light as a lawn mowing or flower watering beer. This doesn't make it a bad beer, just not one for a special dinner or sipping beside the fire.

I think the one thing besides making great beer that Sam Adams has done is to show the other brewers that you don't have to remain a small regional brewer to stay true to the tenets of making good beer.

Who knows, maybe with the growth of Sam and other brewers more and more will branch out and offer their products to a wider market so that we may all enjoy the fruits of their labor. Maybe even this will encourage the big three would return to their roots and begin brewing something a little more flavorful.

[Jake]

I have not tried SA Light, but Samuel Adams will be always dear to my heart, being my "break through" beer. I don't buy SA very often anymore because around here they give the beer a premium price. For about a buck more I can buy something that sparks my interest a little more. About the only time I drink SA is when I go some place and their choices consist of a whole bunch of macros and have Heineken and SA as their premium beers for $.75 more.

[chazwicke]

There are plenty of lower alcohol cask ales with tons of flavor being brewed in Britian. I'm not sure of the calorie content of these beers but they sure can be tasty.

[IDrinkBeers]

I like ALL Samuel Adams except for the Cranberry Lambic. I give them away to the panhandlers on my block.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by chazwicke
There are plenty of lower alcohol cask ales with tons of flavor being brewed in Britian. I'm not sure of the calorie content of these beers but they sure can be tasty. I think there are leftover fermentables in beers like this that keep the calorie count up. It's what gives them the sweet character.

[Partsfreak]

It s funny how these things go around. My nephew & I discussed this same topic the other day. We both agreed that SA is a pretty decent beer as a standby. Not what we would crave or persue, but definetly what we would bring to a mass consumption event attended by family & friends who have not moved beyond the robot mass marketed horse urine they are used to. We have had the misfortune of spending the $ on premium beer only to have them run off for some Miller or Corona. What a waste when you cam at least try a Guiness or a Stella "R-toyz". Nothing special.. Just not the robot lube.
my $.02

[skahtboi]

Dunno about the rest of the folks here, but I would much rather have a SA than something as close to swill as I feel Stella Artois is.

[Jake]

I love everything from SA except maybe the Cherry Wheat. That was not a bad beer just not a style I like. SABL is a solid beer but I get board of it really fast. But I guess that is true with any beer you drink a lot. I was drinking a lot of Bell's Obron this summer and the thought of having another don't turn me on at all. But come next spring the first time I see it on the shelf I will buy it with excitement.

[Partsfreak]

Dunno or care what anyone thinks either. Ill drink your share of Stella. Not that theres a big selection in my local grocery stores. We do have a place caleed Total Wine that has a good selection . Its just inconveinient to get to that part of town and pay their high markups.
:rolleyes:

[D0nc0smic]

Total wine has high markups where you are? around here they prices are pretty competitive one most beers and on wine they are buy far the least expensive.

[Partsfreak]

The markup isnt really a big deal to me considering that the store is a specialty item inventory. Ill give them that. Its not unusual tho for me to spend $ 60.00 and be out of beer in a few days. I do wish they would put one closer to my house.
But then again.... That may be keeping me out of trouble.

[Ooompa Loompa]

Wow, I didn't read all the replies to this topic, but I read enough to see that, generally speaking, most people here like SA. I guess I'm just the odd man out. I've tried many of their beers(not all, but still), and the only one that I could stand was the cherry wheat. Everything else literally tasted terrible to me. This coming from a guy who loves craft beer, and is constantly trying different varieties. But, hey, to each their own.

[campenp]

While I am not one to drink much sam adams I recently tried their imperial lager. It is one hell of a beer. They used way to much hallertau hops and it paid off. The hops really round themselves off. It is really a great beer.

Their october fest is also good, but I think that the Great Lakes Brewery october fest is a much better brew. I highly recommend it to anyone in north east ohio that can still find it.

I just tried a wonderful beer, Avery's 14th aniversery brew. It is just so full bodied, i was floored. At 9.34% alchohol I hope you will understand if I am making type o's tonight.

[chazwicke]

I'll concur about the SA Imperial Pils. Tis a fine brew.

[nismo80]

time to bump an old thread... read most of it.

Well since I picked up the winter case to further my exploration with a "decent" name...

I just tried the Lager in the case which I had before. I like it. Now am enjoying one of my Yueng Lagers.


Really disliked the Lamic cranberry.

Winter Lager was okay. I'll have to try it again on a clean palate. I think the Lambic stuck with me affecting my taste buds the rest of the day.

I did not like the Cream Stout. but will also give it another shot with a clean palate.

Holdiday Porter was kinda good. Do all porters have a hint of coffee flavor? I just don't like coffee and never had a full cup. I want to like Porter.... I enjoy Yuengling Black and Tan. So I thought about making a B&T Sam and Yueng haha... wish i knew of a pub with a porter on tap close by.

So How do I advance my taste to like a full range of beers?

edit

Trying the Fezziwig Ale now. I like it a lot.

[steveh]

Originally posted by nismo80
Holdiday Porter was kinda good. Do all porters have a hint of coffee flavor? I just don't like coffee and never had a full cup. I want to like Porter....

Not all Porters hav a coffee flavor, that's from highly roasted malt, try to find some Anchor Porter around -- nice, rich, and smooth.

So How do I advance my taste to like a full range of beers?


As you're discovering, keep sampling and keep notes on what you do and don't like. And also as you've found, order and stronger flavors can screw with your palate for the next beer. Start light in body and flavor and work your way to heavy and strong. Revisit that Stout, I think you'll like it better without the cranberry back!

S.

[Partsfreak]

I just found the Imperial Pils. It reminds me of Fosters Bitter.
Most of the SA beers have the same hoppy flavor which I have always liked but it does seem to make them all taste very similar to one another.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Partsfreak
I just found the Imperial Pils. It reminds me of Fosters Bitter.

:eek:
Please tell me you're kidding.

Most of the SA beers have the same hoppy flavor which I have always liked but it does seem to make them all taste very similar to one another.

I can see the Imperial Pils and the Lager having the same hop character (Halertauer), but not much else as I'm sure they use more appropriate hops for the likes of the ales and others.

Their Spring and Summer -- even the Oktoberfest never tasted similar to the Lager to me.

S.

[ratman03]

Originally posted by nismo80


I did not like the Cream Stout. but will also give it another shot with a clean palate.



Do give it another shot. It is a sweet stout in a British style. It does not taste like a typical American craft-brew stout, so it takes some getting used to. But it is very good, imo.

[ratman03]

Originally posted by Partsfreak
Most of the SA beers have the same hoppy flavor which I have always liked but it does seem to make them all taste very similar to one another.

They do have a certain identifiable character to them, which beers from the same brewer often do. I do not find that their styles tast very similar -- in fact I think they are quite distinct. For example, SA Boston Lager and Boston Ale are completely different tasting beers.

[wildturkey8]

We all owe Mr. Koch our gratitude. He was one of the pioneers of brewing high quality beer. Sam Adams was the first craft beer I had. My favorite is Sam Adams Honey Porter. I am glad his brewery has grown to national proportions. That shows how much our tastes have matured as a nation.:)

[deafcone]

First off. Boston Ale was Sam Adams first beer and it was and is an ale. Boston Lager is a lager. they have several beers that are lagers and some ales. I like the Boston Lager the best and it is close to being my favorite store bought beer. I will not touch miller, coors, bud, strohs, or the other mass produced crap out there after making my own. Other than sam adams, I ask for killians irish red, or summit pale the most. I do drink several different smaller micro brews when I see a new one and Bells kalamazoo stout is moving up on my list of favorites. Sam adams has an irish red ale I really really like also and it ranks as one of the better beers I've had also.

DC

[corysdad]

I will not touch miller, coors, bud, strohs, or the other mass produced crap out there after making my own. Other than sam adams, I ask for killians irish red, or summit pale the most.
DC

Killians Irish Red is made by Coors, in case you didn't know.

[jesskidden]

We all owe Mr. Koch our gratitude. He was one of the pioneers of brewing high quality beer.

"Pioneer"? Kinda hard to be a pioneer when you don't begin until 10-12 years after a movement started.



First off. Boston Ale was Sam Adams first beer and it was and is an ale.


That's funny- the way the Boston Beer Co (http://www.samueladams.com/). (and I) remember it-

"When Samuel Adams® beer first appeared in 1985, people didn’t think Americans could make great beer. They needed convincing. Just six weeks after the first Samuel Adams® Boston Lager was served in Boston...in April, 1985."

"Samuel Adams® Boston Ale was first brewed to celebrate the opening of our Boston Brewery."

"...by 1988, the Company had built a small brewery in Boston."

EDIT- Oh, geez, I didn't notice how old this thread was when I posted(older even than some bottles of the less popular SA beers at some liquor stores I frequent! :D ) , so, I apologize if I've repeated some stuff that was said before...

[deafcone]

"Pioneer"? Kinda hard to be a pioneer when you don't begin until 10-12 years after a movement started.





That's funny- the way the Boston Beer Co (http://www.samueladams.com/). (and I) remember it-

"When Samuel Adams® beer first appeared in 1985, people didn’t think Americans could make great beer. They needed convincing. Just six weeks after the first Samuel Adams® Boston Lager was served in Boston...in April, 1985."

"Samuel Adams® Boston Ale was first brewed to celebrate the opening of our Boston Brewery."

"...by 1988, the Company had built a small brewery in Boston."

EDIT- Oh, geez, I didn't notice how old this thread was when I posted(older even than some bottles of the less popular SA beers at some liquor stores I frequent! :D ) , so, I apologize if I've repeated some stuff that was said before...

Killians...Coors. AHHHH!

As punishment for being wrong on both counts I will have to drink an extra bottle of beer tonight. (sam adams of course)

DC

[dparsons]

Killians...Coors. AHHHH!

As punishment for being wrong on both counts I will have to drink an extra bottle of beer tonight. (sam adams of course)

DC

Oh, no, no, no. You have to drink a random Coors product and a random Craft Beer - blindfolded. If you can't pick out the Craft Beer you have to drink another Coors product and then repeat the test until you pass. If you end up drunk your name will be posted in the beer hall of shame and you will be force to drink BMC products only from then on. :eek:

[steveh]

"Pioneer"? Kinda hard to be a pioneer when you don't begin until 10-12 years after a movement started.

I'd still call him a pioneer with how he's grown his micro to bigger scope and kept good beer brewing. You also have to remember that the "movement" started 10 years before, but moved from west to east (and actually sort of bypassed the midwest in the process).

I remember trying my first Sam Adams in Boston in '85 and had never had one in Chicago, though Anchor was available here.

That's funny- the way the Boston Beer Co (http://www.samueladams.com/). (and I) remember it

That's how I remember it too, but we were old enough to drink then! ;)

S.

[chazwicke]

. You also have to remember that the "movement" started 10 years before, but moved from west to east (and actually sort of bypassed the midwest in the process).
.

True in a general sense. West coasters New Albion and Anchor were the first however the East Coast also had some very early micros. Chesbay, Weeping Radish, New Amsterdam and a few others were pretty darn early. Although they were not breweing in 1980 I believe Chesbay was founded then. And the Midwest had some early tries too. Baderbrau comes to mind.

[steveh]

Unfortunately, I'm probably lumping brew-pubs with micros into my historical perspective.

Baderbrau was well after Sam Adams came into the public eye -- and far from as popular. Sprecher was probably our champion -- I remember seeking out their first location around 1986 or so. I believe Baderbrau came around in 1989 or 1990.

S.

[chazwicke]

I remember getting Sprecher here long ago. We had a few specialty shops that went out of their way to get unusual and hard to find brews. RIP Berose Liquor. At least we still have Chevy Chase which is about the best I've seen. What were those brews out of Iowa? Kessler from Montana was another fairly early micro I recall drinking.

The Brickskeller has long had craft brews from all over. They used to send out a truck on road trips. They brought in Prinz Brau from Alaska. and I drank New Albion's Stout there ca 1979. A year or two ago Mendicino which came like a pheonix from the ashes of New Albion re-created that stout in a very limited bottling and I sampled one of those brews too. Again at a special tasting at the Bricks that featured Fritz Maytag as well.

[jesskidden]

True in a general sense. West coasters New Albion and Anchor were the first however the East Coast also had some very early micros. Chesbay, Weeping Radish, New Amsterdam and a few others were pretty darn early..

Certainly, "New Amsterdam" is the classic Northeast example that pre-dates "Samuel Adams"- since both were contract-brewed by old-line regional breweries (Matt and Pittsburgh) before the owners opened their own "microbreweries" and, besides the dozen or more true "microbreweries" that came before BBC, New Amsterdam is the reason why I don't think Koch's a "pioneer", I suppose.

(Oh, and William Newman Brewing Co. in Albany, NY is pretty much the first true "micro" on the East Coast, I'd say. Koch even did a short stint as a sort of "intern" there, since Newman used to give "classes" to help pay the bills. Koch went on to make some nasty comments on Newman's "short shelf life" in "Ambitious Brew", without noting that the beer was fresh, unpasteurized draught beer packaged in plastic cube-a-tainers.)

While we're on the subject, I've been been putting a webpage together on the very subject of The first decade of craft brewing in US (http://jesskidden.googlepages.com/craftbreweriestimeline) since the subject comes up so often. Haven't updated or completed it yet since dates, as Chazwick noted in his Chesbay comment above, are fluid (some breweries list when they first formed their company or even *thought* about starting their brewery, while I tried to list when their first beer hit the market). Blue breweries are still open and "un-merged", red years are the closing dates. If anyone's got more info or suggestions/corrections, let me know.

[chazwicke]

Ohh I forgot Newmans!! I have some mugs with that logo I got when purchasing his brew. Green logo with gold highlights. I think I still have 2 of them.

[chazwicke]

Baderbrau was well after Sam Adams came into the public eye -- and far from as popular. I believe Baderbrau came around in 1989 or 1990.

S.
Was it really that late? Time fogs the memory. I thought it was terrific brew. I wonder how it might stack up today.

[steveh]

Was it really that late? Time fogs the memory. I thought it was terrific brew. I wonder how it might stack up today.

Yeah, 1990 thru 1997 only, I believe. IIRC, and can dig through my taste memory, Baderbrau was very similar to Sam Adams Boston Lager -- based on a Pilsner, but a bit heavier in body and hopy almost to a fault. It used to fill me up quickly and I'd need to turn to something less bitter.

Goose Island bought the label and brewed it for a while, but they didn't market it too heavily.

Jess -- we need to get your link into a good, more direct forum. Maybe News and Opinion, or just add a new thread to our general discussion area -- it looks like good reading.

S.

[jesskidden]

Jess -- we need to get your link into a good, more direct forum. Maybe News and Opinion, or just add a new thread to our general discussion area -- it looks like good reading.

S.

Yeah, well, as I noted, it's just something I've been fooling with (along with some other pages) and, as the weather gets nicer, I'll probably put it on hold again (if my back ever improves enough to start working in the garden- this getting old is...well, getting old). I guess I don't feel I'm ready to go "public" with it.

But, there's another page I also did a while ago for the William S. Newman Brewing Company (http://jesskidden.googlepages.com/newman%27s), since Chazwicke brought it up ;) I'm jealous that he's got some Newman glasses since, at the time, I was just an unemployed guy hanging out with my cousin's husband in Albany. No money for "luxuries" like brewery-logo-ed mugs - just enough for beer. Look close (click on shot, click again to "zoom in") at the bottom-left photo of Newman at a local bar (Washington St. Tavern, IIRC)- "95¢ a mug" says the sign over his shoulder.

[chazwicke]

http://www.jackcurtin.com/liquiddiet/ambrew/eastwest.htm


I think I drank beer from most of the early pioneer brewers listed here.

[beerking]

Although they were not breweing in 1980 I believe Chesbay was founded then.

True. The caps I have state on them "Est. 1980."

Interestingly, Chesbay and SN started at the same time, and for years they were neck-in-neck in terms of both system size and barrelage.

[beerking]

While we're on the subject, I've been been putting a webpage together on the very subject of The first decade of craft brewing in US (http://jesskidden.googlepages.com/craftbreweriestimeline) since the subject comes up so often. Haven't updated or completed it yet since dates, as Chazwick noted in his Chesbay comment above, are fluid (some breweries list when they first formed their company or even *thought* about starting their brewery, while I tried to list when their first beer hit the market). Blue breweries are still open and "un-merged", red years are the closing dates. If anyone's got more info or suggestions/corrections, let me know.

Interesting. Nice piece of history there.

3 questions:

1. You REALLY consider Redhook and Widmer "unmerged?" I would submit that while the ownership is less than 50%, the magnitude of changes alone warrants them as "merged."
2. Is Millstream really a micro? I thought they were a subsidiary of Miller from the start, much like Blue Moon is for Coors.
3. Wasn't Amana brewing around in that timeframe? I remember stopping there during a visit to my uncle in Cedar Rapids. I think that was before 1985.

[beerking]

Baderbrau was very similar to Sam Adams Boston Lager -- based on a Pilsner, but a bit heavier in body and hopy almost to a fault. It used to fill me up quickly and I'd need to turn to something less bitter.

Lightweight!! :D

[steveh]

2. Is Millstream really a micro? I thought they were a subsidiary of Miller from the start, much like Blue Moon is for Coors.


I think you're mistaking Millstream with something else -- Millstream has been an Iowa micro for many years, no affiliation to Miller that I ever heard.

http://www.millstreambrewing.com/

S.

[steveh]

Lightweight!!

If you read carefully, I didn't say I'd stop drinking, just stop drinking the Baderbrau.

Honestly, just like Sam Adams, too much Hallertauer as bittering hops gets overwhelming after a while. Give me Cascades or Fuggles any day if you're making a hop bomb.

S.

[chazwicke]

3. Wasn't Amana brewing around in that timeframe? I remember stopping there during a visit to my uncle in Cedar Rapids. I think that was before 1985.


Amana beer, Kolonie Brau and Gemeindebrau were beers that were brewed for the Amana Colonies by Cold Spring I think. Way back in the 1970s. They had to stop using the Amana name as it was trademarked so that is when the changed it Gemindebrau. Amana and Kolonie Brau were black cans with white writing. Gemindebrau was green with white and black.

http://www.thebeercandump.com/pull-top-beer-cans/amana-beer/prod_220.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/KOLONIE-BRAU-BEER-CAN-GEMEINDE-AMANA-IOWA-K46_W0QQitemZ190196318605QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.usbeerlabels.com/bestbeerstuff/product_detail.php?prodid=1017

[steveh]

Here's the history:
http://www.millstreambrewing.com/reviving.html

Pickett's involved, but there's no mention of anything actually being called "Amana Brewing." Says Millstream is the first brewery in the area since the 1880s.

S.

[chazwicke]

Here's the history:
http://www.millstreambrewing.com/reviving.html

Pickett's involved, but there's no mention of anything actually being called "Amana Brewing." Says Millstream is the first brewery in the area since the 1880s.

S.

See above Amana beer was contract brewed at Cold Spring before they were forced to change the name because of trade mark problems with Amana appliances.

[steveh]

Interesting, so it's Amana Beer though, not Amana Brewing.

I remember Cold Spring being one of the first regionals I ever tried -- Merchant DuVin was actually distributing around the country. IIRC it wasn't so bad, just not terribly overwhelming.

S.

[chazwicke]

Cold Spring really got into the contract market to survive much like Schell's did in the 70s. I think the Merchant DuVin thing was an attempt to reposition thier beers as premium products much like Dick Yuengling pulled off. Cold Spring was also one of the breweries that produced Billy Beer.

[steveh]

What did Schell's contract? I first remember them from Merchant DuVin distributing their Pilsner around the same time as the Cold Spring, and then I found the regular label Schell's (popularly known as the Deer Beer) at a small distro in Aurora, IL where I'd buy cases on the sly... Good stuff, along the lines of the old Huber stuff from Wisconsin.

S.

[jesskidden]

Interesting. Nice piece of history there.

3 questions:

1. You REALLY consider Redhook and Widmer "unmerged?" I would submit that while the ownership is less than 50%, the magnitude of changes alone warrants them as "merged."



Ah, I don't really have any strong feeling one way or the other on those two breweries (kinda how I feel about their beers, too :D )- since the list is only going to (potentially) cover the first decade and half or so (1976-89 or 90) and since they survived as independents up 'til then... but it's no big deal to change the font color.


Interesting. Nice piece of history there.


2. Is Millstream really a micro? I thought they were a subsidiary of Miller from the start, much like Blue Moon is for Coors.



Millstream's listed as true (ie. not contract brewed) brewery, with one bottling line and one racking line in the Brewers Digest Brewery Directory for 1987 (my main referencesource in most cases- which is why dates are "iffy"). Don't know of any eventual Miller connectiion at all.

[jesskidden]

What did Schell's contract?



Pete's Wicked Ale, for one, according to the Brewers Digest 1989. I'd forgotten that myself tho' IIRC it was his second contract brewery, the first (a micro in California) went bankrupt during the first batch of Pete's.

After that, he bounced around- Stroh, Matt and the short-lived Minnesota (the spun-off-from-Heileman former Schmidt brewery).

[chazwicke]

What did Schell's contract? I first remember them from Merchant DuVin distributing their Pilsner around the same time as the Cold Spring, and then I found the regular label Schell's (popularly known as the Deer Beer) at a small distro in Aurora, IL where I'd buy cases on the sly... Good stuff, along the lines of the old Huber stuff from Wisconsin.

S.


Actually Shell's contracted private label brews / can designs but I think it was usually just Schell's beer in the those cans. In the 1970s they were the most prolific producer of different beer cans than even Pittsburgh and Schmidts of Minn. There had to be well over 100 different cans and that kept them going as a regional. Then they jumped on the repositioning bandwagon and I don't know if the beer is any good now but I can tell you that when Yuengling changed / repositioned it's image the beer did not improve. Yuengling's flagship lager ranks very, very low on my list. ( I love the PA brewery though.) I do recall drinking some Schell's beers that I thought were improved many years ago just after relabeling. And Schell's also always did a bock.

[chazwicke]

There is also another very early small brewery that may have predated New Albion. Prinzbrau from Alaska. They made / canned 2 beers of which the inaugural run was dated and shipped to the Brickskeller for sales. The cans all had a stamp which stated it was the inaugural run with the date which was late 70s. I think it was around the time that the Bricks contracted a 21 can set of wildlife/ endangered species cans from Pittsburgh to be sold at the Bricks only. I recall drinking a lot of the Prinzbrau beers back then. I wonder why you never hear of it mentioned in the early days of the craft movement. They didn't last long.

[steveh]

Pete's Wicked Ale, for one, according to the Brewers Digest 1989.

Yeah -- I guess I do recall that coming from New Ulm. For some reason I had it in my head it was from another, but maybe that was the old Schmidt connection.

Chaz, Dubuque Star used to contract private label stuff a lot, Huber too. There were a few restaurants in Chicago that had their own "brands."

S.

[jesskidden]

There is also another very early small brewery that may have predated New Albion. Prinzbrau from Alaska. They made / canned 2 beers of which the inaugural run was dated and shipped to the Brickskeller for sales. The cans all had a stamp which stated it was the inaugural run with the date which was late 70s. I think it was around the time that the Bricks contracted a 21 can set of wildlife/ endangered species cans from Pittsburgh to be sold at the Bricks only. I recall drinking a lot of the Prinzbrau beers back then. I wonder why you never hear of it mentioned in the early days of the craft movement. They didn't last long.

Yeah, Prinzbrau is a sort of forgotten brewery of the pre-craft era- certainly one of the very few "start-ups" in the US after the immediate post-Repeal era. I guess most don't consider them a "craft brewery" (they certainly weren't a "micro" - the Brewers Digest lists their capacity at 90,000 bbl.).

As I recall it, they were owned by or a subsidiary of a German company- the officers names certainly imply that- Wolfgang Carlo and Konrad Fiedler were president and vice president. I always figured they were up there to sell beer to the pipeline workers (making all that money with nothing to spend it on) but never really read much about it.

They were gone by the 1980 edition. I, too, recall being able to buy there stuff (in NJ)- I guess when the pipeline workers preferred Bud, Coors, Oly and Rainier, they tried to sell it to the can collectors down in the '48.

[beerking]

If you read carefully, I didn't say I'd stop drinking, just stop drinking the Baderbrau.

Honestly, just like Sam Adams, too much Hallertauer as bittering hops gets overwhelming after a while. Give me Cascades or Fuggles any day if you're making a hop bomb.

S.

I was referrring to the hops, not the alcohol. Wasn't really thinking about which hops. Back then I think we all may have suffered hop overload from some of the beers we love today.

[steveh]

I was referrring to the hops, not the alcohol.

I wasn't referring to the alcohol either -- just the flavor and mouth-feel overload!

Back then I think we all may have suffered hop overload from some of the beers we love today.

It all started to really get to me after the 6th shipment of 12 different Pale Ales from Beers Across America -- enough is enough. I canceled my (6 year old) subscription!

S.

[xtalman]

Millstream's listed as true (ie. not contract brewed) brewery, with one bottling line and one racking line in the Brewers Digest Brewery Directory for 1987 (my main referencesource in most cases- which is why dates are "iffy"). Don't know of any eventual Miller connectiion at all.


My guess is beerking may be thinking of Millstone (I think that is the name) with is one of the faux micro's from the BMC guys.

[chazwicke]

It all started to really get to me after the 6th shipment of 12 different Pale Ales from Beers Across America -- enough is enough. I canceled my (6 year old) subscription!

S.


Yeah I cancelled mine after getting many brews that were available in my own area. Is that club still in existence?

[beerking]

My guess is beerking may be thinking of Millstone (I think that is the name) with is one of the faux micro's from the BMC guys.

Actually, I think you are correct.

[beersage]

http://www.samueladams.com/Promotions/Newsletter/2008_v.6/Sam_Adams_Newsletterv2.html#1

The 4th annual Samuel Adams® Beer Lovers Choice™ program will be back at the end of the month. Samuel Adams, brewer and patriot, was one of the founders of democracy in this country. This summer you can exercise your right to choose the next brew in the Samuel Adams® family of beers. The candidates are...

Samuel Adams ® Blackberry Witbier
The aroma has distinct Blackberry notes with a subtle spice character. We brewed a traditional witbier with orange peel and coriander, and then added a hint of blackberry. The flavor is very complex with malt and cereal notes, intense spice and citrus flavors and a smooth, sweet/tart finish.

Samuel Adams® Coffee Stout
This stout is "dry beaned" with coffee beans from Rwanda*. Known as the "land of a thousand hills", Rwanda produces some of the world's finest coffee due to its volcanic soil, high altitude and plentiful rain. We start with a full-bodied stout brewed with a special blend of roasted barley and dark crystal malt, and then age if for two weeks on whole coffee beans- ¾ of a pound per barrel. The result is a rich roasty flavor with a smooth finish.


My money is on the Coffee Stout.

[beerking]

Yeah, we had the first chances to vote at the AHA National Homebrew Conference. The Blackberry Wit is interesting, but the Coffee Stout is better by far.