Samuel Adams Winter Lager - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

yesyouam

New York

3.53/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Samuel Adams Winter Lager is a super clear amber beer with a soft, thin, off white head that leaves nice lacing. It has a light aroma of light grain, orange peel and ginger. It has a smooth, medium body with a light, slightly watery finish. The mouth is left just a little gritty. It's lightly flavored with malt and orange peel. There's a little bitterness after the swallow. This is where the ginger and cardamom come out. This is just kind of a simple session beer. It doesn't have a lot of personality, but it's certainly quaffable.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 01:55:25 | More by yesyouam

CardiacNP

Louisiana

3.36/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

A nice seasonal from Sam Adams. Nothing to jump up and down about, but a very solid craft beer. Subtle Citrus notes and like spice flavors ... well balanced with the hop bitterness. Golden color with a white head. Clean mouthfeel. Rather Crisp for a winter lager.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 01:46:32 | More by CardiacNP

thlayli87

New Jersey

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

A - Orange-brown with 2 finger pillowy head. Lots of lacing on the glass.

S - Citrus, lemon, orange, clove, cinnamon.

T - Biscuity with a hint of cherry flavor as it warms. Prominent lemon zest and some nutmeg.

M - Light body, slight stickiness. Nothing especially remarkable.

O - Good seasonal variation on the ubiquitous Boston lager. Nothing spectacular, but solid. I'll definitely enjoy this brew again next winter.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:37:17 | More by thlayli87

AAG

Texas

3.56/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a cold bottle into a standard pint glass. Didn't get a chance to sample this "Winter Lager" during the winter months but the end of March will have to be good enough! Bottle marked with "enjoy before May."

Appearance - Dark, honey color; can barely see through it but not entirely opaque; nice 2-finger head which dissipated nicely leaving impressive frothing on the edges of the pint-glass throughout.

Smell - Smells very nice; mix of ginger, spices, orange-zest; a little bit of cinnamon. Very impressive smell.

Taste - Thick, almost creamy; a perfect winter beer; leaves a warm feeling in your mouth; tastes a little bit like honey and ginger; can't really identify the cinnamon that I thought I smelled before taking my first sip.

Mouthfeel - Very nice; smooth on the palate; refreshing and warm; don't love the aftertaste.

Overall - For an easily accessible beer that falls into the "pop" category, I am very impressed. Great tasting beer; smooth; warm; spicy, and refreshing. An easy sell for those not willing to venture into more adventurous beers. Nice work, Sam...

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 00:48:20 | More by AAG

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.59/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

12 Oz bottle into a plastic beaker on 5 Feb 2013 in my hotel room in San Francisco's Fishermans Wharf.

Cool amber red body with an off-white head that hung around for a while in my tooth brush holder.

Malty molasses rule the nose and taste: semi-sweet toffee notes and caramel hints ensure the hops don't really get a look in anywhere within the brew although there is a slight bitter feel towards the end of each sip.

Body depth OK and overall not a bad beer at all.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 21:13:04 | More by BlackHaddock

neophilus

Massachusetts

3.41/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Caramel colored pour with a thick, off white head. Light aroma carries toasty malt to the nose. The toasty sweet malt continues through the flavor with the first sip. Hops are subdued but balanced - the hop bitterness is firm. Spices don't show up till the end - it finishes with light spicing of citrus and a faint warmth from cinnamon. Medium thin body. Finishes with light malt sweetness paired against oily hop bitterness.

Spices are subdued, toasted malt flavor dominates. Lighter bodied than I would expect from a bock but the firm hop bitterness and medium-thin body make this easy drinking and you could easily reach for another one.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 18:02:00 | More by neophilus

delta490

Virginia

3.41/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured a 12 oz. bottle into a Samuel Adams glass. Deep copper with a thick creamy white head. Lingers on and leaves some lacing. Aroma is winter-esque spices, but nothing really stands out. It all just sort of blends. The taste is about the same. There is definitely some winter spice aciton here, but at the end, there isn't really anything distinct and it sort of tastes muddled. It's certainly not bad, but I just feel like focusing on one or two of the seasonal spices would make this beer more distinct.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 10:21:26 | More by delta490

Mojo

Alabama

3.7/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12inch bottle ->World Market tulip

This beer pours up a deep clear amber with a one finger foamy white head, a little bit of retention and a moderate amount of lacing. The nose is pretty mild. I basically only get a nebulous hard to describe freshness. Taste is good,but sort of one dimensional. There is a dry taste upfront followed by a dry bitter metallic finish. Mouthfeel is undistinctive,but inoffensive. Okay, but I don't feel the need to have more.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 03:06:47 | More by Mojo

mralphabet

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Sam Adams Perfect pint glass

A: Poured a clear copper with a fingers worth of creamy head that settles to a nice thin layer with spotty lacing from start to finish.

S: I'm getting cinnamon, toffee, a little nutmeg and a little bread.

T: Taste follows the smells... strong toffee, cinnamon, nutmeg and bread mixed in.. I'm also getting a slight metallic taste in the finish.

M: Mid bodied with a light carbonation. Starts creamy but ends a little sharp.

O: Again not a bad little beer from Sam Adams, nice spice characters with good malty body, good ABV so you could put down 2 or 3 with no problem.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 02:20:47 | More by mralphabet

wiscokid920

Wisconsin

3.91/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into Pint Glass

A- Deep dark copper with compact creamy 2 finger head with nice retention and lacing.

S- Clean and crisp. Bready/biscuity notes up frong with some lingering cinnamon, orange zest and ginger

T- Smooth and malt forward. Ends with a crisped spiced character. Burn sugary molasses, toasted buiscuit malts, cinnamon. Slight hop balancing act which gives life to the orange zestiness.

M- Thick, chewy, up front and ends smooth, crisp with slight grainy carbonated feel.

O- Fairly complex brew in regards to all the flavors and ingredients that seem to be highlighted but it's very well balanced considering. I have had SA brews that seem to be overwhelmed by artificial flavorings...Chocolate Bock, Cherry Wheat to name a few...but this one seems to be the real deal.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2013 03:59:36 | More by wiscokid920

Ben_From_AZ

4.84/5  rDev +33.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

This is my favorite beer of all. I wish it was not a seasonal brew. It flies of the store shelves. The flavor is stronger than the regular Boston Lager and the taste is pleasant without feeling heavy. I like lagers so this hits the spot. Please Mr. Adams consider making this a year round brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 08:04:48 | More by Ben_From_AZ

yamar68

Minnesota

3.34/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Ruby gold body filled with classic lager type beading... a finger of tannish yellow carbonation retains rather well and leaves a good bit of lacing behind.

Nutty malts, faint cappuccino notes, dry grassy hops, vanilla with a bit of spice.

It takes a similar direction on the palate with the addition of an odd artificial tasting starch flavor. Smooth biscuit and faint vanilla... the finish is strange but brief.

Thanks to my uncle for the tick I guess.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 05:57:52 | More by yamar68

scot_chale

Minnesota

2.8/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- It's a little reddish for a bock. It's copper, but it's got an almost neon red hue to it. Carbonation is flying around. 1 inch of creamy white head that don't hang around too long.

S- not a strong aroma, you have to get right in and dig it out. It's a caramelly, nutty, sweet malt smell. It's pleasant, but faint.

T- It's hard to define. It's very balanced, but almost to the point where there isn't any flavor at all. I get the malt aroma in the flavor profile, but it's as faint as the aroma is. The spices it advertised (cinnamon, ginger, orange peel) are present if you have them in mind, but aren't obvious to an unobservant tongue.

M- Spritzy. The carbonation overwhelms everything about how the beer sits in your mouth. It's crisp and dry, so there for very lagery.

O- This is another example of a great beer for those who have never gone beyond the light lager. It has some malt flavor, without being overwhelming. There's nothing here to scare anyone away. For myself, I will never buy this, but for the style and for what it is, it serves a purpose.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 05:31:25 | More by scot_chale

Sark

Montana

3.45/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- two finger creamy head with good retention and an dark copper-orange hue

Smell- light spice with bready overtones, noble hop notes too

Taste- light sweet barely malt with a hint of spice at the end, could ask for just a touch of hop power

Mouthfeel- light-medium bodied

Overall- good for sessions and campfires with roasted hotdogs

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 04:52:41 | More by Sark

jondeelee

Massachusetts

3.46/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Winter Lager opens to a bready nose with decent touches of sweetness and spice, the initial aromas quickly fading to a plainer base of cereal grains, with light sweetness and spice. The grain notes are probably the most noticeable, with Grape Nuts cereal, biscuit, toast, and wet hay dominating. Sugars come in second place, but are rather faint after the first blush wears off, adding some berry and apricot notes, these mixing with a light grapefruit hit from the hops. The spices mainly come across as peppery and somewhat indistinguishable due to weakness, though bits of ginger and orange do come through. As a whole, the nose is decent, but weak, and dominated excessively by grain notes, the sugars and spice almost falling by the wayside. It’s a shame that the initial aromas couldn’t last a bit longer.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a decent grain and sugar hit, with toast, biscuit, and Grape Nuts cereal coming from the former, and the latter adding a nice caramel blast, as well as light berry, orange, and apricot fruit esters. The spices seem to come in around mid-mouthful, with ginger and white pepper making the biggest noise, and the cinnamon mainly adding a touch more spice, as well as pepper, but almost indistinguishably so. In subsequent mouthfuls the peppery spices take a larger role, giving an almost rye-like quality to the beer, and the sugars unfortunately move into the background, leaving peppery spice and toast as the main notes. The aftertaste is a continuation of the peppery toast, with some light fruit esters and a touch of grapefruit remaining, and lingers for a short while. Mouthfeel is medium-light to medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, the initial perceptions given by both the aroma and the taste were very nice. Unfortunately, subsequent examples of both couldn’t live up the promise, and the beer came across as more watery than expected. There are still good flavors in here, but they needed to be cranked up a notch to be noticed—especially the sugars, which are almost lost.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 20:51:04 | More by jondeelee

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

4.75/5  rDev +30.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

I once heard a story about this beer that went like this: " Samuel Adams Winter Lager is the same beer as Samuel Adams Octoberfest, they just change the labels". The story came up from a relative over a holiday meal, and he was a bartender for Famous Daves Barbeque. I told him he was full of s***, and that probably his boss told him that to switch tap handles to sell the winter lager faster.

Malty, Harvest notes.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 15:16:17 | More by FlatRabbitRed

mpedara429

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours out a coppery red in color. Very clear. A thin layer of off white head. Little to no lacing.

S: Pungent ginger in a sweet caramel malt backbone.

T: Similar to the nose. A little bit spicy and bready. It is pretty well balanced from spicy/tart ginger and sweet malt.

M: A medium and creamy body with carbonation a bit on the lighter side.

O: Not an overall fan of Sam Adams, but this is a good choice for a party or a lame bar where your options are limited and you want to throw back a few. It is very drinkable and a lot less commercial tasting than some of their other seasonal brews.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 05:03:09 | More by mpedara429

microbrewlover

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This brew pours a solid copper color with a thin head which lasts a while, very little lacing on the glass.

There is not much to the nose; a little bit of a ginger smell. That is about all.

The taste comes alive with gingerbread, orange, wheatgrass with a little carmel in the middle and just enough hop backbone to keep this brew from tasting too sweet. Everthing is well blended and the flavors hit the tongue in order.

The mouthfeel is crisp and clean with a little bit of a bready chewy quality. Some hop oil remains on the tongue after swallowing but there is no bitterness. Good carbonation

Overall this is a well blended and easy to drink Bock. It is not as flavor packed as some of the other Bocks I have tasted but it is hard to beat for the money.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 02:10:41 | More by microbrewlover

DrinkMoreBigBeers

Michigan

4.01/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Nice big 2 finger white frothy head with a bunch of tiny bubbles. It poured out crystal clear mahogany and left average lacing on the glace.

S. - On the nose I get a nice light spicy malt aroma. It comprises of a nice bready, ginger/cinnamon hint.

T - It comes across somewhat sweet with a beautiful caramel flavor on the back end as the beer warms. It also has the nice sweet spiciness to it, which kinda reminds me of a ginger bread cookie. Really smooth with no alcohol bite to it at all.

M - The mouth is a slick chewy full to medium bodied beer. It is delightful with the right amount of carbonation to it.

O - A great winter beer with some warming qualities to it. This lager is clean crisp and quit satisfying all while being one that I could drink a few of. This will be one, I will look forward to in the colder months for now on. Give it a try you will not be disappointed, Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 22:11:18 | More by DrinkMoreBigBeers

SerialHiker

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a deep auburn red...some nice mother-of-pearl head did form, but didn't last long...(4/5)

Smell: A dull malt aroma...you really have to get your nose in the glass and it does come alive as it warms in my hand...there is some sweet malt, candy, raisin, brown sugar, classic winter spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)...(2.5/5)

Taste: Heavy sweet malt beginning...the candy and winter spice flavors do present themselves in the middle but still only playing a background role, disappearing in the third phase...there is little sign of hops or any real bitterness...(3/5)

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body, it is a bit watery...light carbonation does form, but doesn't linger...no real bitterness in the after taste, it finishes with a crisp malt taste (if that makes sense)...with it being so water, the flavors don't last long after swallowing...(2.5/5)

Overall: I'm surprised by this beer...it's definitely a bavarian style lager first, rich sweet malt base, with some winter spices added for flavor almost as an after thought...it's not overly sweet at any point, the candy is subtle, maybe too subtle and the spices are very muted (too muted)...while it is a winter seasonal ale, i would say it's the most basic christmas/winter seasonal i've had this year...if you like lagers and a bit of variety, you'll like this beer...but, if you like that candy sweetness that reminds you of christmas or sitting by a fireplace, this one may not fulfill your needs...it's worth trying because the malt flavor is drinkable, but i'm surprised how muted the other flavors are...(3/5)

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 02:21:07 | More by SerialHiker

Damian

Massachusetts

3.64/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Drank from a 12 fl. oz. bottle
For brewery-fresh taste, enjoy before month notched APR
Served in a pint glass

Thanks to my dad for saving me one of each beer from the Winter Classics Variety Pack.

A dense, foamy, two-finger rocky cap of tan colored froth topped the crystal clear amber liquid. The head slowly fell to a thick cap. A drippy curtain of sticky lacing coated the glass.

Crisp, dry, powdery yeast notes dominated the aroma initially. As the head fell, spices and orange zest came forth. Touch of ginger. Caramel malts lent some sweetness.

The flavor profile was a touch more muted than the nose. Caramel malts came through on the front end. Generic spice notes appeared in the center. Some citrus zest as well. There was a slightly buttery quality on the back end that signified this as being a lager. Earthy hops appeared in the finish.

The mouthfeel was a bit of a letdown. It was somewhat thin with a crisp, bubbly effervescence.

Sam Adams has been making a number of respectable beers lately, along with a lot of forgettable, nondescript standbys. This beer definitely qualifies as one of the latter.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 03:36:22 | More by Damian

superspak

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into pilsener glass, best before May 2013. Pours crystal clear reddish copper color with a nice 1-2 finger fairly dense off white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lingers. Spotty soapy lacing clings down the glass, with a nice amount of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of apple, pear, caramel, ginger, toast, grass, cracker, light pepper, and herbal. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and solid complexity. Taste of apple, pear, caramel, toast, cracker, grass, ginger, light cinnamon, light citrus, and light herbal spiciness. Lingering notes of light fruits, caramel, toast, bread, grass, ginger, light cinnamon, and light herbal on the finish for a short bit. Nice flavor balance with a fair amount of robustness; with a nice subtle balance of the added spices; with zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a lightly creamy and very smooth mouthfeel that is good. Alcohol is well hidden with only a slight warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a good bock style. Good flavor balance with a fair amount of robustness; and extremely smooth to drink. This was a nicely enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 05:37:59 | More by superspak

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

3.58/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “enjoy before month notched” is “MAY.”

Appearance: Poured into a flute. The color is ruddy copper. A finger of eggshell-colored head dissipated fairly quickly to leave a very thin skim and a bubbly ring around the edge.

Smell: Caramel, toffee, brown sugar, cherry licorice, apple, a little dark fruit (perhaps raspberry or fig), and grassy hops.

Taste: The malts give way to a much more generalized beer bitterness. They begin to emerge after it has warmed a bit, though. Toasted malts, caramel, toffee, brown sugar — which are punctuated with an average bite for the aftertaste. The apple, cherry licorice, and other fruity flavors come in late.

Drinkability: A solid brew. Upon first impression, it is not too festive or wintery but it is tasty drinking. It will do the job.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 04:53:35 | More by TheQuietMan22

GeoffTBreashears

3.73/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Firstly this beer is always a favorite of mine for the winter season. Upon pouring from a bottle there was a beautiful thick foamy head, however there was very little retention as the head dissipated quickly, leaving almost nothing more than a thin film of foam. The appearance held a nice dark amber color.

The smell was a malty sweet scent. Very appealing.

The taste was a nice balance of malt and spices...cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. Light hops, enough to create a slight spicy bitterness that was very nice, especially on a cold winters night. Being a winter lager the beer was a bit thicker and heavier than most, but perfect for the season. The carbonation was not at all overbearing and seemed to be at just the right balance.

Overall I would highly recommend that this beer at least be given a try during the winter months. It is definitely the most widely distributed and most well known winter brew, but don't let this deter you from giving it a try, as I'm sure it will come to hold a regular spot in your fridge over the cold season.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 03:27:53 | More by GeoffTBreashears

Mgm54

New York

3.75/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Serving Type - 12oz Bottle

A - love the color of it, a nice deep brown/amber. Great color for a winter beer

S - malt, a lot of malt, some spices. good smell for a winter beer.

T - nice malty base with a good portion spices. Not to complex, but it just hit a sweet spot. Very seasonable, a nice taste when your not looking for something big to drink.

M - nice malty, thick mouth feel. does the job well

O - this beer is great in the right time, and comes at a great price too. I always grab a few 12 packs of this every winter. A must try if you havn't

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 08:22:12 | More by Mgm54