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Samuel Adams Imperial Pilsner

Percentile
96
overall

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
9573.73/5.03.72/5.0Special8.8%99.2Lager 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.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
CoachJT (35), Columbia, South Carolina, USA
2.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/54/102/510/20
Oct 11, 2008  
Beautiful copper color with a nice solid white head. Nice hoppy aroma. This did not really taste like a pilsner to me, and the mild, nondescipt taste was not what I expected from the nose. I was a touch disappointed with this one, since Sam Adams usually turns out above average beer.


ScottB (73), Bristow, Virginia, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/103/515/20
Oct 11, 2008  
Poured a gorgeous light copper with a thin head. The first word that entered my mind upon taking my first sip of this beer was, "Wow!" Big, big hops and strong citrus notes exploded in my mouth. Finished up with a nice tangy bitterness and a hint of malt. This is a well-balanced beer.


 nbutler11 (741), Phoenix, Arizona, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/58/104/515/20
Oct 10, 2008  
Pours a hazy orange color with a creamy off-white head -- much like an IPA. Mild hops on the nose that build in the flavor along with notes of cream, citrus (lemon and orange peel), salt, and a slight amount of yeast. Tasty, but awully dry and out of character for a pilsner.


 Avengedpoet (325), Mesa, Arizona, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/102/516/20
Oct 10, 2008  
Pours a luminescent orange with a quickly dissipating head. Aroma is of heavy noble hops and malt. A nice little surprise from Sam Adams. Tastes like a really alcoholic and hoppy version of the first homebrew that I made. The hop characteristics are very interesting and a nice departure from the usual hop tastes coming out of other "imperial" type brews. Nice all around beer.


 doubleo (1104), San Diego, California, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/103/516/20
Oct 9, 2008  
12oz bottle. Pours clearish, brilliant amber with a thin, crisp white head. Smells crisp and citrusy hoppy with a nice, caramelly sweet malt presence. Tastes sweet and malty right up front and then the hops kick in. Bitter and astringent, slightly resiny and spicy. Complex hop flavors just like the bottle says. Medium body, vibrant carbonation.


 kmeves (1080), Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/515/20
Oct 7, 2008    Updated: Oct 8, 2008
Pours a cloudy pale amber with a medium fluffy white head. Aroma is medium sweet with orange, spicy, light bread and faint caramel. Flavor is orange, spicy, grapefruit. Big time hops in this one, no doubt about that! Medium body, very crisp texture.


 unclemike (834), Ft. Riley, Kansas, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/58/105/514/20
Oct 6, 2008    Updated: Mar 19, 2009
Sam Adams does it again Bravo. Pours out a cloudy golden with an orange hue. Big rocky white head that laces globs as it dies. Smell is very earthy, piney, big hops and a little sweet. Taste is big on hops, bittering, again earthy and piney. Sweet malt provides a nice balance. Full but crisp in the mouth and an outstanding drinkability. ABV is not obvious. A big bitter, hoppy delight. Try it! you will love it.


greedycheater (80), Oklahoma, USA
4.4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/59/103/518/20
Oct 5, 2008  
Incredible nose of dry flowers - almost Pine-Sol like. Clear golden color with little carbonation. Passes the tongue very dry. A little salty, with lots of bitterness, something like an olive.



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