Samuel Adams Imperial Pilsner

	Percentile
	96
	overall

Brewed by Boston Beer Company
Style: European Strong Lager
Boston, Massachusetts USA

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

Broad Distribution
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Ratings	Average	Score	Seasonal	ABV	Style Pctl	Serve in
957	3.73/5.0	3.72/5.0	Special	8.8%	99.2	Lager glass

Commercial Description:
2005 info:This lager is made with fresh Bavarian hops, straight off the vines from the 2005 harvest in Germany, and packs an 8.8 percent alcohol content that's twice as strong as most popular beers.
Boston Beer Co. is brewing only 60,000 24-oz. bottles, which are due to begin arriving in stores in November.

2007 release info:
Yes, we're a little obsessed with hops. Every autumn for over twenty years, Jim Koch has traveled to one of the oldest hop-growing regions in the world, the Hallertau region of Bavaria in Germany, to hand-select Noble Bavarian hops, including the Hallertau Mittelfrueh variety. This special variety is considered to be one of the best in the world, prized for its unique taste and aroma. Samuel Adams® Hallertau Imperial Pilsner is a celebration of these extraordinary hops. This beer is one of the hoppiest in the world, without being overly bitter. With the first sip, you will experience an explosion of some of the world's finest hops. And we mean “explosion” in a good way. Brewed as a showcase for the hops, this bold brew highlights the spicy, citrus flavors and aromas of the Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops that are abundant in the recipe. The intense hops flavor is balanced with the slight sweetness from the malt. The brew remains pleasantly well-balanced from beginning to end, due to the quality of the hops, and continues to always be, well, "hoppy," providing hop lovers with an amazing beer drinking experience.
Available in 12oz. bottles.

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crowderm (277), Recklinghausen, Germany

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	15/20

Oct 28, 2008

Deep copper pour with a thin white head. Aroma of apricots, iced tea, grass and pine hops. Flavor begins very sweet, like nestea with liquid caramel mixed in. Then, mid sip an awesome hop bitterness meets and balances the sweetness with notes of pepper, ash, pine,and grass. Throughout all this the bitterness remains intense, but restrained and elegant, drifting off into a very nice spicy hop finish. Medium-full bodied palate with some lively carbonation and an alcohol tingle. Good brew.

afireinside96 (819), Mountville, Pennsylvania, USA

3.6	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.6	7/10	3/5	8/10	3/5	15/20

Oct 27, 2008

Bottled as ’’Hallertau Imperial Pilsner’’ 8.1% abv, served in a footed pilsner glass. Pours a hazy sunset orange color topped by a half inch of head. Smells of bread and dried apricots. At first sip you are greeted by intense sweetness then as the liquid goes toward the back of the mouth it turns very bitter. Has flavors of orange, persimmon, and grass. Leaves some very nice lace. One of the first Sam Adams beers that I have had in awhile that I didn’t pour out in disgust. Nicely done.

FunkyBrewster (443), Chicago, Illinois, USA

3.8	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.8	7/10	3/5	9/10	3/5	16/20

Oct 26, 2008

Pours a dark gold with a reddish hue and a pillowy white head. Aroma is hoppy of course but not bitter, mostly sweet and fruity hops. A lot of pineapple and some pine as well. As it warms I am noticing some butter in the nose as well. Flavor starts out with the same sweet and fruity character that is not too overwhelming. Quickly turns heavy on the hops but does not get bitter and provides a nice hop oil sort of character. Bitterness comes in on the finish and is a bit strong but not unpleasant as it seems the natural accompaniment. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Very nice example of a style though it seems nearly and American, specifically northwestern, IPA rather than European strong lager. Definitely a good display of the Hallertau hops.

canary dog (441), Rutland, Vermont, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	16/20

Oct 26, 2008

Sharp and strong, this beer peaks midway each sip with a multi-layered explosion of Hallertau hops and some alcohol. Beer gets friendlier as it warms. Very good.

branspra (210), Arlington, Virginia, USA

3.7	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.7	7/10	5/5	6/10	4/5	15/20

Oct 26, 2008

Bottle. Pours a wonderful orange color with a very large white head. The head is really frothy and just screams drink me. Strong aromas of hops, although there are hints of malts as well. Lively taste that is creamy in the mouth. Aftertaste is strong hops as would be expected, although it would be nice to have some other flavors. All in all a very good beer worth drinking.

Trev (858), Lakeville, Minnesota, USA

3.7	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.7	8/10	4/5	7/10	4/5	14/20

Oct 25, 2008

pours a orange gold with a medium tight off white head. Aroma is grassy and pine hop, toasted malt, a little tea and leather. Flavour is pine and floral hop bitterness, some sourish earthy toasted malt, I don’t get a lot of malt sweetness in the body. Heavy hop completely covers that. Finishes slightly dry with a lingering pine and just a hint of alc.

ditmier (1053), Boise, Idaho, USA

3.4	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.4	6/10	3/5	7/10	3/5	15/20

Oct 25, 2008

2008 Bottle - Pous a dark yellow with a lasting off white head....strong lacing, aroma is pine resin and sour malt, flavour follows, very well balanced citrus bitterness and caramel malt...a lot of alcohol, works well...very fun to drink...

changeup45 (788), Orlando, Florida, USA

3.9	Aroma	Appearance	Flavor	Palate	Overall
3.9	7/10	4/5	8/10	4/5	16/20

Oct 24, 2008 Updated: Oct 27, 2008

Pours sort of a golden-amber color with a thick off-white head and some pretty good retention. This beer laced well. Very zesty and tart tasting with lots of hops. Definitely some alcohol bite to this. I didn’t notice much malt at all which surprised me based on the style (the few Imperial Pilsners I’ve had were quite malty) but didn’t surprise me because I already knew this was going to be hop heavy. This was interesting and fun to try. Maybe the best Imperial Pilsner I’ve had... better than Rogue, a little better than Clipper City’s and probably a toss up with Dogfish Head.

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