February 06, 2008

Samuel Adam's Black Lager

My latest blogspawn, Petey of Petey’s Powderhorn, sponsored tonight’s selection. He gave it to me at Winter Camp a month ago, and I wanted to wait until he started his blog so I could give him proper credit. Tonight’s brew is Samuel Adam’s Black Lager.

Samuel Adams Black Lager.jpg

Sam Adam’s uses a 12 oz brown bottle, but theirs is custom with the/a signature of Samual Adams molded into the glass. It has a black and gold label with the name of the beer in the middle and a picture of Sam Adams at the bottom.

This is a very dark beer, almost stout like with its very dark brown coloring. What light that passes through has a garnet red coloring to it. There is no floating or impurities; it’s just a thick beer. Almost no head formed when I poured it into the glass. What there was had a tan color with very fine bubbles. It left no lacing on the side of the glass.

The smell is mainly of caramel and chocolate malts. A touch of smokiness and a hint of coffee are also detectable. Chocolate and caramel malts is the main flavor of the beer, a slight hop spice puts a nice finish to it. The aftertaste is mild and fades quickly. What bitterness there is doesn’t last long.

This is a medium to heavy bodied beer. There is a slight creaminess to it that coats the mouth when you drink it. It’s not as thick as your typical stouts, but this isn’t a stout. It’s probably one of the more full-bodied lagers I’ve tasted.

I’m generally not a big Samuel Adam’s fan, but Petey kept telling me to try this one. To be honest, it’s a pretty good beer. I was more than pleasantly surprised with it. It’s almost like it’s trying to be a stout, but fell just short. I really enjoyed this beer and owe Petey one for introducing it to me; I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

Posted by Contagion in Alcohol at February 6, 2008 06:32 PM | TrackBack
Comments

Sounds yummy!

Posted by: Richmond at February 6, 2008 08:35 PM

SCORE!!!!!

I think this counts as my redemption for the Monty Python's Holy Ale.

Even River Scum can have good taste in beer.


Also, that makes two Samuel Adams beers that have beaten the average. Now, if I could just find Utopias.

Posted by: Petey at February 6, 2008 09:12 PM

Great review, but I'd personally give it an 8.

I live in the boondocks, and this is one of the few brews you have reviewed that I can actually buy (and like). Plus side of the boondocks: no city taxes, and I can pee and shoot guns outside...

Posted by: jimmyb at February 6, 2008 10:25 PM

I like the Black Lager a lot

But then i also like their Cream Stout a lot too

Posted by: BloodSpite at February 7, 2008 12:42 PM

When I saw what you were reviewing, I cringed. I love this beer, but I know how stingy you are when grading them.

I'm right there with jimmyb. 7.5 to 8 for me.

Posted by: That 1 Guy at February 8, 2008 05:34 PM