Tasting Week 7: Sam Adams Winter Lager

Variety: Draught

Region: Boston, MA

Country: USA

Year: 2011

Price: $4.00 (Happy Hour)

Food?: Paired with hot wings.

Brewery Review:  

Bold and rich with a touch of holiday spic.  The first thing one notices about a Samuel Adams Winter Lager is the deep ruby color.  Then comes the magical aroma which promises something special on the tongue.  The cinnamon, ginger, and hint of citrus from the orange peel blend with the roasty sweetness of the malts to deliver a warming, spicy flavor.  On the palate Samuel Adams Winter Lager is rich and full bodied, robust and warming, a wonderful way to enjoy the cold evenings that come with the season. 

My Review:

I have always been a fan of Sam Adams Oktoberfest, and was looking for a replacement this winter, and discovered the Winter Lager Brew.  Similar to the Oktoberfest, this beer is in-between a light and dark, and features the warm, spicy notes of the fall/winter season.  What I noticed to be dramatically different in the Winter Lager, is the fruitier notes vs. the purely spicy notes of the Oktoberfest.  I also found the Winter Lager to be a bit more "hoppy" and thicker - there's nothing like a warm, thick, beer blanket to keep you happy on a cold winter night.  The Winter Lager is also the perfect friend to cool down some hot and spicy Buffalo Wild Wings!