We are steadily moving towards our 100th review here at Beertastic: this is 94! I have a couple of Sam Adams reviews in the queue now seeing as their 12-pack sampler was the most affordable option at the grocery store this week *sigh*. Although very well known (and with significant TV ad time) Sam Adams still puts out many many solid craft beers, many of which we have reviewed here. Unfortunately the coolest/most extreme ones (utopias!) aren’t quite in my price range, so for now, the newbies in the 12-pack sampler it is. Cheers!

Brewery Hometown: Boston, MA

Appearance: Pours with a strong tan head that collapses into a delicious looking cream foam. Body is dark and roasted looking. Not quite ‘black’ but dark dark brown, reddish edges when help up to the light. Strong lacing.

Aroma: Strong roasted notes from the caramel and chocolate malts. Possibly a semi-sweet brown sugar tail. Well done, but not overly exciting. Very light on the hops. Further down the glass (minus the head) the aroma darkened to just smokey malts, nice.

Taste: Dark and clean. The roasted malts are at center stage here. Barely any hops (beyond light bittering). Very easy on the pallet, not chalky or overly bitter like many roasted malt/chocolate brews come across. FYI this is in the style of a German Schwarzbier, which literally translates to “Black Beer.” Despite being possibly the most metal beer style ever, the taste remains overall light and refreshing. I imagine it’s a beer where you’ll drink, nod, squint your eyes and whisper…’nice’. It may not light up your tastebuds every sip, but you’ll have zero complaints.

Alcohol: 4.9%

Drink one or all?: 2 or 3. Smooth.

Cost: Guessing $7/sixer

Overall: 16/20. You’ll be sad when it is gone. So have more than one.