Review: Samuel Adams White Ale

Samuel Adams White Ale (‘08)

Brewery: Samuel Adams Brewery, Boston, MA www.samueladams.com

Nose: Light citrus overtones mixed with a fresh, grainy base dominate the fragrance of this beer.

Color: A pleasant sunset golden color. Clearly an unfiltered white ale yet not nearly as ‘hazy’ as others.

Taste: As this is Samuel Adams version of a traditional Belgian White Ale certain expectations are carried and met...the hazy golden color, the presence of citrus, and a light, refreshing taste. These traditional characteristics are notably evident in the early stages of the taste. The initial flavor is of the citrus components of the beer...light and not too acidic. This is followed nicely by a smooth hit of the wheat flavor which forms the base for the beer itself. It’s as this stage that this particular white ale slides a bit more towards the malt range of the spectrum...but only towards the finish and in a very tasteful way. To this drinker this is what makes this particular White Ale unique. Many Whites (notably those that are not 'authentic' Belgian Whites) will tend to emphasize the citrus and ‘crispness’ of the style almost to a fault. The Sam Adams White, however, achieves much more of a balance and gives the beer a flavor which may appeal more to drinkers of ‘traditional’ ales or those who tend to shy away from the fruit suggestions within the typical description of a Belgian White. The wheat flavor quickly gives way to a full flavored yet light finish, which is remarkably clean and refreshing.

To me, the Samuel Adams White Ale (as does many of the Sam Adams seasonals) tends to evolve slightly from year to year. I recall last years having greater emphasis on the heavier tones within the beer. While still enjoyable, I believe this years beer is not only superior to the ‘07 variety but also comes much closer to the pure idea of a Belgian White. A very nice and recommended highlight within the family of Samuel Adams seasonals.

Review: Moylan's Moylander Double IPA

Beer: Moylander Double IPA

Brewery: Moylan's Brewing Co., Novato, CA www.moylans.com

Nose: The nose of this beer yields but a hint of the hop complexity held within. Floral with hints of fresh pine needles giving way to a somewhat sharp bitterness towards the back of the inhale. As a real fan of bold hop fragrances I could spend hours just smelling this beer.

Color: The initial pour yields a nice level of carbonation with a full, lustrous head following a proper pour. A deep, rich, full dark gold color is prevalent throughout. Very inviting.

Taste: The label explains that this IPA includes ‘double hops, double malt’. While the double malt may very well be present the first tasting of this beer will emphasize hops, hops, and more hops. The initial tastings will reveal a pronounced, grapefruit style bitterness yielding sharply to a lingering hop aftertaste. The natural carbonation makes itself evident early in the drink, quickly fading into the dry, almost earthy or wooden hop flavor which dominates the beer. Further enjoyment will reveal more of the malt backbone of the beer...strong, firm, yet always in the background in comparison to it’s more flashy and boisterous hop brethren within the taste. The brief encounter with the malt, however, immediately after the initial hop rush and just prior to the lingering floral hop aftertaste, provides the beer with the contrast which will have hop lovers or those passionate about ‘big’ beers jumping for joy. It is this contrast which makes the hops seem otherworldly in their boldness and complexity. The aftertaste, predictably, is almost as powerful as the beer itself initially before reclining slowly to a slightly more muted, yet still evident, hop presence which will probably last just about as long as you would like it to last, or maybe even longer.

Face it...this is a hop lover’s beer, no doubt, but those willing to try something a little more adventurous and ‘big’ will find a beer of unique complexity and character. Each sip reveals more to enjoy about this lovely and, to some, disturbingly hoppy California style IPA. Remarkable...