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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?  
 Sparky27 (1583), Phoenix, Arizona, USA
3.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/514/20
Feb 14, 2008  
Bottle. Old label – 2007?. Pours a hazy orange color like a hefe with light head and a little bit of lacing. Nose is hops at first, than more malt than hops as it warms. Palate is malt with a hop bite, but not as intense as the label says. Dry, bitter aftertaste. An ok beer.


 swanmann (305), Norman, Oklahoma, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/105/58/104/516/20
Feb 12, 2008  
The bottle poured opaque apple juice color with somewhat sustained 1/2 inch cream colored foam, delicate lacing. The nose has a very spicy hop bouquet, slight citrus, with more complexity as it warms. The flavor is all about the hops. Definitely bitter, peppery, but still flavorful, approaching balance with a hint of sweetness. Full bodied, delicious and well-crafted.


dmruth (25), Portland, Oregon, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/517/20
Feb 12, 2008  
12 oz 2007 batch. Pours cloudy with an orange hue. The beer as a floral aroma with a noticeable alcohol smell. The flavor is quite hoppy with a hint of herbs and citrus. The beer as a substantial feel on the palate that is pleasant. A very nice and balanced beer.


 marcus (1848), Sacramento, California, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/105/517/20
Feb 12, 2008  
This golden ale poured with a thin off-white head, eliciting a floral aroma. The flavor is very hoppy with a long bitter finish, and is quite substantial for a pilsner. This is an excellent beer for hopheads and a pretty satisfying brew for others - an impressive efffort from Samuel Adams.


 Hoptagon (137), Arlington, Virginia, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/104/517/20
Feb 12, 2008  
12oz bottle. 2007 batch. Pours a murky orange color with a thin lacy head that quickly disappears. Strong whiff of Noble hops in the nose with a slight bit of alcohol present. Hops dominate the flavor of this beer, but aren’t overdone. More of a pine and grassy flavor to the hops in this Imperial Pilsner than the big citrus character found in most Imperial IPAs. I’m a huge fan of this style because they are a little more dry and have a crispness to them that is lacking in many of the Imperial IPAs. Body is impressively light to back an 8.8% beer with this type of hop kick. Overall by far the best of the current offerings from Sam Adams. Wish it were available year round.


 Hazmatt (363), Virginia, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/58/104/519/20
Feb 12, 2008    Updated: May 5, 2008
Bottle 2007. Pours a golden amber colored brew w/ a slightly reddish hue. Very robust aroma with pungent hops, deep malt scents and alcohol. Flavor is similiar to double IPA or barleywine, but with a crisper palate. Supper hoppy, nice alc strength, full bodied, a fine sipping beer.


 grandridge (222), Port Clinton, Ohio, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/105/516/20
Feb 12, 2008  
12 oz bottle with best by date before January 2008. Pours cloudy light amber with thick head that fades to a thin lace. Nose is hops/grain with citrus. Mouthfeel is thick and leaves a nice coating in the mouth. Flavor is rich with hops and citrus finish. The 8.8% is balanced nicely with the hops and adds a nice edge that agrees with the hoppy flavor. The best I’ve had from Sam Adams. (the other contender from Sam Adams is the Cream Stout)


 RichJ7 (1175), Cullman, Alabama, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/103/516/20
Feb 11, 2008  
Cloudy orange/gold in colr with a half-inch fluffy white head. Nice Hallertau hop nose, piney and citrusy. Flavor is hop heavy but smooth, balanced very well with the malt character. makes me wish Sam Adams brewed Imperial styles exclusively. Very good.



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