Samuel Adams - Juniper IPA, Cherry Chocolate Bock, Winter Lager & Merry Maker - A First Tasting

It’s always cool when a box arrives from Santa Adams…..aka our pal Jim Koch at Samuel Adams…so it was exciting to get an early Christmas gift from Jim “Santa Clause” Koch.  Today we get an early peek at four different beers coming from Samuel Adams just in time for the holiday season.

First up we sampled Samuel Adams Classic Winter Lager…and to make it even cooler, Samuel Adams included an Ugly Sweater Koozie just for the occasion.  Of course I put the Koozie on first before we sampled the beer!  Winter Lager is a dark wheat bock, and the color and aroma doesn’t betray that style…except for something unexpected (in a good way).  Winter Lager also uses an Indonesian &  Vietnamese cinnamon blend as well as orange peel and ginger, so it has a decidedly spicy winter finish.  Yes it’s very malty  however the spices and orange peel add a nice balance, and with the Koozie in place I took my time to sample a range of temperatures.  Winter Lager uses 5 malts as well as Hallertau, Mittlefreuh, & Spalt Spalter Noble hops and it sneaks in at 5.6% ABV.  Available in Nov & Dec in 6-packs, 12-packs (bottles and cans) and on draft…be sure to try this one before it’s gone.

Next I lined up my Ugly Sweater Koozie on Samuel Adams Cherry Chocolate Bock….but this was a bock of a different color.  Based on Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock recipe, this beer adds tart cherries and cocoa nibs to the party.  Cherry Chocolate Bock has great mouthfeel with a sweet milk chocolate beginning and a finishing note of tart cherries.  I really liked the mix of sweet and tart, and I finished this beer long before the Koozie let it warm up too much.  I also found some sweet notes of dark fruit and a touch of dry coffee which I suspect came from the dark malts as well as the Tettnang Tettnanger, and Spalt Spalter Noble hops.  Available Nov and Dec as part of the Samuel Adams Winter Favorites Variety 12-Pack…this is a must try holiday beer.

I chose to jump next to the Merry Maker Gingerbread Stout and the sequencing was perfect.  This beer (formerly known as Merry Mischief) uses dark roasted malts as well as traditional English hops like East Kent Goldings & Fuggles, but don’t expect to find an obvious hoppy flavor in this one.  This rich and creamy stout is dark, and loaded withy flavors of gingerbread cookies, chocolate, clove, cinnamon and nutmeg and it even finishes with a hazel nut complexity and some subtle boozy flavors.  Merry Maker is full-bodied, malty and a touch earthy and at 9% ABV, you’ll want to share this with friends and family.  Merry Maker was released in Nov in 22oz bottles in limited quantities, so don’t delay finding and sharing this one.

Anyone that knows me knew in advance that I’d save the Juniper IPA for last…but not for the reasons you’d think.  I know sampling tradition would put the IPA ahead of the other dark and malty beers, but with Juniper berries on board, I decided to sample and savor Samuel Adams Juniper IPA last.  To say this IPA has a piney-hoppy character would be an understatement.  Juniper IPA plays on the resinous juniper berries but finishes with a brite and almost citrusy finish.  I was expecting dank & resinous all the way, but it finishes nicely.  After three other beers, we also decided to pair this up with some Gorgonzola and Bleu cheese and the mix was heavenly.  Juniper IPA is an easy-IPA-Drinking 5.8% ABV and it is also part of the Samuel Adams Winter Favorites Variety 12-Pack…giving you yet another reason to go check out this great holiday variety pack.

I’ll admit I lean toward the Juniper IPA as my favorite, but only with the Merry Maker, Cherry Chocolate Bock & Winter Lager a close malty-second.  I did revisit the Merry Maker with some Vermont Goat Cheese and I can confirm it’s also a fabulous mix.  ’Tis the season for enjoying great beers with friends and family, so whether you’ve been naughty or nice, be sure to add these Samuel Adams beers to your holiday shopping list!
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