Samuel Adams Winter Lager

Brewed by Boston Beer Company
Style: Weizen Bock
Boston, Massachusetts USA

Release 2003

The color as it comes fresh from the bottle a pellucid burnished copper with a mastodonic head that is frothy in texture and the color light tan with a thick sealing sheet of lace. Nose is sweet malt, fresh and pleasing to the senses with the start lightly sweet and decently malted, top is fair to middling in feel. Finish is modestly carbonated, the hops relatively unobtrusive in their spiciness, quite dry aftertaste, another of those benign beers that are just plain good to drink when you’re not in the mood for a “Bad Boy” beer. I’ve always found Samuel Adams beers to be quite drinkable and always a good session beer.

When it comes to Winter Seasonal brews I tend to prefer the highly spiced ones like Anchor OSA or the big body, hoppy brews like Sierra Celebration. But in a more subtle way, this seasonal is a true classic. Kind of a weisse-bock style; therefore very malty and caramel like. Creamy smooth with the hops and spices used very much in the background. Fairly big body with a warming alcohol presence. Great fireside beer.

Very clean taste to this beer. The flavor goes away then come back after, and come back with a nice bitterness.

Refreshing and pleasant, although it doesn’t offer the unique profile of a truly distinguished beer. Still nice to have in the refrigerator, and a perfect beer to offer or recommend to friends who are hesitant about stronger-flavored brews.

In individual parts, this beer is really good, but it's not spectacular in any individual aspect.

Bottled. Dark wheat beer with winter spices (cinnamon, ginger and orange peel) - sounds delicious. The beer itself is full-bodied with long coffee aftertaste. I couldn’t "catch" any traces of spices or wheat in the palate, unfortunately.