Hallertau Imperial Pilsner

Beer: Sam Adam's Hallertau Imperial Pilsner
Brewery location: Boston, MA
Beer Style: Euro Strong Lager
Serving Style: Bottle
ABV: 8.8%


I do have to say that I have respect for the Boston Beer Company. Jim Koch and company continue to create beer that most likely doesn't have a large profit margin and releases it only for a short run. Many craft brewers do it out of love, but for a very large company like BBC to do this several times a year for their size is really nice. They seem to really still have the spirit of craft brewing even though they produce and sell more than just about any other craft brewer. Some people would even go as far as to say that BBC isn't really a craft brewer, but I think that is so far from the truth. They produce an amazing lineup of beer, brew a winning homebrewers beer every year (I know except for this year because of the hop shortage), and produce special beers outside of their regular lineup. I would say the proof is doing in being a craft brewer and not based on size.

I've heard mixed reviews on this beer, but I was at the Hop Shop and decided to pick up two bottles and give it a whirl. This is my second bottle to give a review on. I will be honest that the first beer I wasn't really a fan of and wasn't going to review it all, but the second one things came together a little better for me.

The beer looks very cloudy inside of the bottle before I poured it. The beer pours a nice golden hue, but very hazy. I assume the haziness is from the amount of hops that went into the beer. A decent finger of head started the beer off, and the head retention was great on this beer. Heavy lacing on the walls of the glass and a good blanket of head stayed on the beer the entire time. The nose is full of mostly of hops with some some sugary sweet malt. Biscuity malt is actually my first real flavor that I can pick out easily with heavy complex hop flavor trying to overpower the malt, but that never really happens. The taste is actually a bit on the sweet side but is still fairly balanced with the bitterness of the hops. The beer finishes slightly dry and doesn't coat very well. My biggest complaint for this beer would be the mouthfeel.

I think this is a good offering from the Boston Beer Co. I don't think I would go out of my way to get any more of it though. It was a good offering, but overall wasn't something I would come back to again and again. Still for craft beer people that want to try everything under the sun you should give this beer a chance.

Cheers!
Matt

Sam Adams Octoberfest

Beer: Sam Adams Octoberfest
Brewery Location: Boston, MA
Beer Style: Oktoberfest/Marzen
Serving Style: Bottle
ABV: 5.7%


Marzenbier (literally March beer) is the style of many Oktoberfest beers. There are some like Muncher Oktoberfestbier that are only available during the real Oktoberfest in Munich. Most other that are not sanctioned for the real event are in the style of Marzen. The man that invented "March Beer" brewed it.....wait for it.......wait for it...... IN MARCH!! This is because in Germany at the time refrigeration had not been invented yet and it was far too hot in the summer months for the brewing process. Brewers would brew large batches in the spring months and people could drink it all summer, but with the invention and popularity of the railroads people were heading to Oktoberfest in Munich and this is the beer style that really took on popularity with the people, and it's been that way just about ever since.

I will be honest that I am a fan of Sam Adams. Not really the beer as much as the company. I really think Sam Adams (The Boston Beer Company) is the most visual brewer in the craft beer movement. They are a big company and sell alot of beer, but I think their influence is incalculable. There would still be an amazing craft beer movement without Sam Adams, but I don't think as many people would be drinkers of craft beer. I know several people that Sam Adams was their gateway beer, and they are apt to try one of the varying styles of their beer just because it's a Sam Adams product and that has helped them move onto other craft brewers of the same style of beer. Much of Sam Adam's beer though is actually brewed in Cincinnati and not in Boston. I am not sure where my Octoberfest was brewed, but I just wanted to throw that in. On to the beer:

It pours a mix of orange, copper, and slight amber hue. It's already great as a fall beer. Has a very light off-white head that dissipated very quickly and left minimal lacing on the glass. The smell isn't very pronounced. It does smell fresh and a bit malty. The taste is a bit sweet upfront with toasted bready malt coming through with a very weak hop taste trying to come though. The finish is also a bit sweet for me. The carbonation is light and makes for high drinkability and the mouthfeel is crisp and a bit sticky at points.

This isn't a bad beer, but it's not a great beer either. I wouldn't make a session out of this, and I don't think I will be ordering it anytime soon either.

2.75 out of 5
Cheers!
Matt