Eutopia

[Kalleh1]

I just saw an ad about Sam Adams's new Eutopia. Apparently, it is an 'after-dinner' beer that goes for $100/bottle. Has anyone tried it?

I had to laugh at the newscaster who was describing it. She looked all confused and said that it isn't carbonated. Then she said, "How is that beer then?" Geez!

[fretlessman71]

How is she a newscaster then if she says stupid stuff like that? Oh well; 'tis our job to educate, not chastise. Hope she learned something. :)

[steveh]

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/9840/

With all of the local members in the midwest, maybe we should pitch in on a bottle. Let's see, $10 from 10 people - looks like the bottle is 12 ounces, 1.2 oz. per person... maybe we just get a sixer of Big Foot each at the same price and we all have 6 bottles! ;)

BTW - isn't this about the third year Sam's had "brewed" this?

S.

[brewcrew76]

Not sure how many, but they have made it a couple times in past years. I tried it last night at a tasting. It was pretty good but I could not justify spending that much on it. I would rather have a case of something else than a bottle for that price. It was very brandy/cognac like. I think the review by Gclarkage on the link Steveh posted is right on.

[Kalleh1]

I tried it last night at a tasting.
First of all, aren't you lucky? Do they have any tastings that are public? I'd love to go to one!

But secondly, what did it taste like??? I can't imagine spending $100 on a bottle, but apparently it has a huge alcohol content. What is the alcohol content again? Did it taste really strong?

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
First of all, aren't you lucky? Do they have any tastings that are public? I'd love to go to one!

But secondly, what did it taste like??? I can't imagine spending $100 on a bottle, but apparently it has a huge alcohol content. What is the alcohol content again? Did it taste really strong?

Beer Advocate Fests have had limited sampling of the Utopias. Interesting, but not worth $100+ (seen it for as much as $130).

A group of BAs also arranged for a private tour of the brewery in Boston, given by Jim Koch himself, for next weekend. Said to include a surprise or two? Maybe a Utopias tasting? Tour filled up quickly, though.

Taste? ABV%? Reviews? Check steveh's link - it's a good start.

Cheers!

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by steveh
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/9840/

With all of the local members in the midwest, maybe we should pitch in on a bottle. Let's see, $10 from 10 people - looks like the bottle is 12 ounces, 1.2 oz. per person... maybe we just get a sixer of Big Foot each at the same price and we all have 6 bottles! ;)

BTW - isn't this about the third year Sam's had "brewed" this?

S.

I believe the bottle is larger than 12 oz. - unique shape for sure, but closer to 20 would be my guess.

It's been brewed twice before this vintage (2002 & 2003):

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/index/date/all/utopias/

I also have better ways to spend $100+ on beer. But Utopias is far from a traditional beer. Drinking two bottles of Bigfoot (or more) in a night can be done without ill effects. Drinking even half as much Utopias would spell trouble. A whole different animal.

From the SA website:

"The latest in our strong brews, Samuel Adams Utopias™ has been brewed in two small limited batches to date. The first batch which was released in 2001 as Samuel Adams Utopias MMII™ topped out at 24% ABV, while the second batch which was released in 2003 as Samuel Adams Utopias™ pushed the alcohol to 25% ABV. Both batches were released only once and in limited quantities."

"Samuel Adams Utopias™ was brewed at a very high gravity using a wide variety of malted barley and a touch of maple syrup. It was then fermented and conditioned in a blend of scotch, bourbon, port and cognac casks for up to ten months using a pair of proprietary yeast strains we developed at our Boston Brewery."

"Truly the epitome of brewing's two thousand year evolution, Samuel Adams Utopias™ offers a flavor not just unlike any other beer but unlike any other beverage in the world. Its warm, sweet flavor is richly highlighted with hints of vanilla, oak and caramel. Our 2003 batch topped out at a record breaking 25% ABV, beating the records that Samuel Adams® Triple Bock® and Samuel Adams® Millennium had set before it. And like those groundbreaking brews, Samuel Adams Utopias™ is not carbonated and should be served at room temperature. In one of many examples where Samuel Adams Utopias™ pushed the boundaries of beer, it received the highest recommendation (96-100 points) from the prestigious Wine Enthusiast Magazine (November, 2003 edition)."

[brewcrew76]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
First of all, aren't you lucky? Do they have any tastings that are public? I'd love to go to one!

But secondly, what did it taste like??? I can't imagine spending $100 on a bottle, but apparently it has a huge alcohol content. What is the alcohol content again? Did it taste really strong?

The tasting was open to the public at Sam's liquor store. I think it is a once a year event, $35 - 100 beers. I currently do not know of any other tastings coming up in the Chicago area.

I believe the alcohol content is 25%. I tried many beers that night so I don't want to give a formal review but the first couple reviews in Steveh's link are pretty much dead on. It is like a very smooth brandy/cognac without the heavy alcohol taste a brandy/cognac would have. I highly recommend trying it but can not justify spending $100+ for it.

[chazwicke]

I just checked my inventory thread and found that I have these special edition SA beers:

3 Samuel Adams Utopias 2003 Copper Bottle
1 Samuel Adams Utopias MMII 2001 Copper Bottle
23 Samuel Adams Triplebock 1994
23 Samuel Adams Triplebock 1995


I will most likely open some of them when we do the DC area Realbeer tasting.

I guess I'm the only one who really does not mind dropping a c note for a beer. I can think of a few over the years that I think were worth that.

I think you can find Utopias on Ebay currently. Nifty collectable bottles.

[Kalleh1]

Sorry, I had missed Steve's Beer Advocate link.

I'd want to taste it first, Chaz, but if good enough, I'd buy it. How long would it keep, though? On the program where they discussed it, it was served like an after-dinner drink would be.

The tasting was open to the public at Sam's liquor store. I think it is a once a year event, $35 - 100 beers.
Oh...I love Sam's! Could you please let me know if they have another? I've always wanted to go to a beer tasting.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Kalleh1
How long would it keep, though? On the program where they discussed it, it was served like an after-dinner drink would be.

It's not carbonated and you're right, it is served like a cognac or after dinner drink is small servings (2 oz. or so). Recapping for future drinking shouldn't be a problem.

Originally posted by Kalleh1
Oh...I love Sam's! Could you please let me know if they have another? I've always wanted to go to a beer tasting.

Looks like Sam's has an email newsletter - might include news about tastings/events:

http://www.samswine.com/Help/Contact.aspx

One thing that irritates me about huge stores like Sam's are bold claims like this:
"Sam's Beer Selection is certainly the largest you'll find in the country. From your favorite macro-brew to the hardist to find Trappist ale we're bound to have exactly what your're looking for: any producer in any country, any style and any size. "

ANY? I call BS. Far too many breweries in the US alone to be covered in one store, let alone the world. Why not just say we have a massive selection and will try to special order anything we don't carry and leave it at that?

Cheers!

[Bruno_78]

I think when they exaggerate like that, it's then called "marketing".

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
I think when they exaggerate like that, it's then called "marketing".

I shopped at Sams when I was there and it was indeed a great beer store. We have some like it in our area too. The best thing about it was it's location right across the street from Goose Island.

[Bruno_78]

Chicago is a great Beertropolis.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/9840/

With all of the local members in the midwest, maybe we should pitch in on a bottle. Let's see, $10 from 10 people - looks like the bottle is 12 ounces, 1.2 oz. per person...
S.

...at the Realbeer convention, we can all do a shot...

[Kalleh1]

From your favorite macro-brew to the hardist to find Trappist ale we're bound to have exactly what your're looking for: any producer in any country, any style and any size. "
I agree newportstorm; that is a huge exaggeration! It is almost comical because about a year ago when I first learned about good beer, Richard had recommended Fuller's 1845. I called Sam's, and they said it would be "impossible" to get. They gave some distributor problem as a reason. I can be persistent! I even e-mailed Fuller's in England. However, I finally got my tiny local liquor store to order it. They now carry it all the time because it sells like crazy! Sam's finally figured out how to get it because they now have it.