Sam Adams Boston Lager

[unholyinferno]

I just tried Sam Adams Boston Lager. It has a full-bodied crisp taste with a bite. It is definitely a good beer. I think I've sworn off Miller for good. I've tried Sam Adams Black Lager, Summer Ale and Boston Lager, and I think I'll be sticking with Sam Adams for a while. Is there any other beer anyone would recommend or does Sam Adams do for a "real" beer drinker?

[fretlessman71]

Sam Adams will do nicely, yes - but the fun is in the hunt! It's rare that all here agree on a particular beer, and none of us are wrong - it's all opinion and conjecture. If you see an interesting bottle at the store, get it and post your notes here. As you go, you'll get an idea of what you like and what you don't - for example, I'm partial to porters, and don't much care for brown or amber ales. Which is odd, because some people can't tell the difference between a brown and a porter. It just so happens that the difference between the two is nearly negligible to many, but huge to my palate. That's life, I guess. Happy hunting!

[steveh]

In your area, look for the Dogfish Head beers, Victory, Brooklyn, Geary's -- even Sierra Nevada, Bells, and Gooose Island labels. I think I even mentioned Red Hook to you once before, but their styles aren't always spectacular - though the ESB is always a good bet. Good luck, enjoy!

S.

[Mill Rat]

If you liked the SABL, you may want to try Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Pilsner Urquell. Neither have roasted grain, and both have a significant hops presence (that's the "bite" you describe). As fret said, happy hunting.

Make sure the PU is in a closed box or has not been exposed to light too long, as extended exposure to daylight or fluorescents will skunk it. If you can find it in cans, no worries.

[unholyinferno]

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is next on my list. What does Pilsner mean?

[unholyinferno]

And what are hops?

[steveh]

Wow, a real beer newbie....we can mold him in our own image!! Bwahahaha! Ahem, sorry.

Seriously, Pilsner is a style of bottom fermented beer originated in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Miller Lite claims to be a "true Pilsner beer," but it's far removed from the real thing.

Hops are the spice in a beer, adding the bitter bite that may be strong; as in SABL or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, or may be a mellow accent to the malts (sweet); as in a Sierra Nevada Summerfest or a Spaten Helles.

If you want to read up, check this link, it has good guidelines and definitions to styles: http://www.bjcp.org/styles04/

S.

[fretlessman71]

You may not have noticed the hops before in Miller, because there really wasn't that much in there to begin with...

[unholyinferno]

The flavor in Sam Adams Boston Lager is so bold. It's a delicious beer.

[steveh]

Originally posted by unholyinferno
The flavor in Sam Adams Boston Lager is so bold....

I think it's time for our friend to try an Imperial Stout. ;)

S.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by steveh
I think it's time for our friend to try an Imperial Stout. ;)

S.

no yet - not if SABL is bold. I will say the SABL will ruin your palate for other brews.

[steveh]

Originally posted by HogieWan
I will say the SABL will ruin your palate for other brews.

How so?

S.

[sundontlie]

I used to LOVE malty beers... then slowly over time I got into hops, and now i love them too.. a lot of my friends were the same way.. I'd recommend trying Celebrator, it was my first "favorite" beer.. malty beers would generally be Bocks, Octoberfests (should be out very soon!) Stouts, Porters, Marzen and many more.. now i'd consider these styles "heavy" especially in the summer but back then they went down like water all year long..

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by steveh
How so?

S.

there's something about the hop flavor in that beer that makes any beer I have after it not taste right.

[wortchillergoal]

I think that Sam Adams Boston Ale is an underrated beer. Unholyinferno may want to try that if he can find it. Around here, it is no on the shelf as much as the lager.

I also have to agree with HogieWan, but for different reasons. Some of the more full flavored and full bodied beers may be too much for the starting palate. Let him work his way up.

[unholyinferno]

Do liquor stores do special orders or are only stocked items available? If a liquor store doesn't have the Boston Ale can they order it?

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by unholyinferno
Do liquor stores do special orders or are only stocked items available? If a liquor store doesn't have the Boston Ale can they order it?

Go ask the store you wish to shop. Any good businessman will be glad to help you out. The only way there might be a small problem is if he has miminum order size he has to meet.

[steveh]

Originally posted by HogieWan
...that makes any beer I have after it not taste right.

Ahh, I thought you meant permanently ruined!

Yeah, the Hallertauer is over the top in the BL.

S.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by HogieWan
Not yet - not if SABL is bold.

I think steveh is just trying to prove a point, in his own subtle way (maybe in drawing a parallel to the old Crocodile Dundee line regarding knives?)...

I will say the SABL will ruin your palate for other brews.
That's right - it's all part of Jim Koch's MASTER PLAN!!!!!! MUHUHUHAAHAAHAAHAAHAAAAAA!!!!!!! :D

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by steveh
Ahh, I thought you meant permanently ruined!

Yeah, the Hallertauer is over the top in the BL.

S.

sorry - I was talking session-wise

[barleyburps]

If you find any of clipper city's full sail line, I think you'll like them as well. They are from baltimore. . .

[barleyburps]

there's a world of beer out there. . .your journey is just beginning. . . .

[barleyburps]

oops. . .I goofed, I meant to say to try clipper city's Heavy Seas Line - very good beer. Full Sail is an entirely different brewery, and I've not had the pleasure of trying their offerings.

[fatboy570]

Boston Brewery (Samuel Adams) Oktoberfest is also good, malty with a not too harsh hop flavor, and their Double Bock is also quite tasty, although not as good in my opinion as Paulaner Double Bock. With fall approaching, Skullsplitter (barleywine) is also a good choice. Guiness Extra is good in the fall when tastes turn to the dark side, and Youngs Double Chocolate Stout is one of my favorites, but I like stouts year round

[ratman03]

Originally posted by unholyinferno
Is there any other beer anyone would recommend or does Sam Adams do for a "real" beer drinker?

In the northeast, also look for:

Ipswich Ale (Ipswich, MA)

Smuttynose (NH)

Shipyard IPA (ME)

And while we're talking Sam Adams, I'd be remiss if I didn't plug the Cream Stout, that most unheralded dark horse of the Boston Beer line (even more so than Boston Ale).