Samuel Adams Boston Lager (image © Christopher Vigliotti)

Beer-a-Day #242

Samuel Adams Boston Lager® is the best example of the fundamental characteristics of a great beer, offering a full, rich flavor that is both balanced and complex. It is brewed using a decoction mash, a time consuming, traditional four vessel brewing process discarded by many contemporary brewers. This process brings forth a rich sweetness from the malt that makes it well worth the effort. Samuel Adams Boston Lager® also uses only the finest of ingredients including two row barley, as well as German Noble aroma hops. The exclusive use of two row barley not only imparts a full, smooth body but also gives the beer a wide spectrum of malt flavor ranging from slightly sweet to caramel to slightly roasted. The Noble hops varieties, Hallertau Mittelfruh and Tettnang Tettnanger, add a wide range of floral, piney and citrus notes, which are present from the aroma, through the flavor, to the lingering smooth finish.  We take great pride in the Noble hops used in our beers.  They are hand selected by Jim Koch and our other brewers from the world’s oldest hops growing area.  Among the world’s most expensive, they cost twenty times as much as other hops.

For all its ubiquity, I seldom drink Sam Adams Boston Lager, and haven’t ever written about it. I suppose it’s because, for me, Boston Lager was the “gateway” to better beer and I haven’t looked back. Or maybe it’s because back in the day I had so much of it. Either way, it’s my selection for today. Armed with my Samuel Adams “Better Glass” I’m looking forward to this.

It pours clear and golden, like good honey. Head is white and craggy and retreats relatively quickly. The nucleation sites on the bottom of the glass are providing a non-stop flow of bubbles. A bunch of floral in the aroma as well as some toastiness. Body is light, but still has substance. More toastiness in the finish. That’s some good stuff.

Samuel Adams