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

dmowen

Iowa

4.58/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Found this at my local beer store and just had to try it. pours a nice dark amber color with a nice light tan head. Good head retention and nice lacing. Very first thought I had as I first smelled it was WOW, pumpkin pie, fresh from the oven! Taste is very much like other dark lagers I have had before but with very slight
hint of spice in the background; a very nice combo. (hang on; off to pour another one!) MMM, second one better than the first!
I would definitly recommend this brew to warm You up on those long cold winter nights(it does have a kick to it so be carefull!!)
A must try!!

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2005 18:12:33 | More by dmowen

JDFish

Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is my favorite brew out of the holiday pack. It has a deep dark red color with medium almond head. Malty smell with some caramel. The flavor and drinkability are off the charts. Not as spicy as some xmas brews, but thats why I love it. Christmas Ale from Great Lakes is very good, but this goes down easier for me. One of my favorite Sam Adams

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2010 03:14:00 | More by JDFish

DDCMember

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +26.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

-12 oz. bottle poured into mug.

A: Reddish Brown. Thick head.

S: Spices, a little grapefruit. Made my mouth water.

T: Very flavorful. Rich taste. Spicy with just a hint of grapefruit bitterness at the end.

M: Medium Body. Well carbonated.

D: Exceptional. I could drink this all day. Very clean, crisp taste. Entices the nose & makes the taste buds want more. Very good Winter beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2011 20:20:43 | More by DDCMember

granger10

Wisconsin

4.55/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Well, the pour was a dark copper red but the head was lacking a bit in size and seemed a little fizzy. The smell has some nice spice to it but was a little strong on the alcohol. That's about all the bad that I have to say about this beer. The taste had an amazing complexity. Caramel malty sweetness upfront followed by a roasted barley flavor that holds for the duration of the drink. The spices are perfect in amount and flavor. There seems to be a good amount of cinnamon, which I love, and ginger but they never get too strong and mix beautifully with the malts and hops, just perfect. Hops are spicy and have a European flavor to them. They seem to come with the spices but pick up towards the finish. Slightly belly warming on the way down, which is the intent of this beer right. Body is medium thick and holds the flavors really well. Very drinkable, but maybe after a few I might grow a little tired but I'm not sure, i guess i gotta try sometime soon to see.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2004 01:43:16 | More by granger10

teamhex

Texas

4.55/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Bottle poured into a frosty mug

A dark amberish color, the head disappears quickly.
Smells of spices, and syrup.
Taste is mostly the spice. The cinnamon in this beer isn't very pronounced but blends well with the other spices to give a unique taste.
Drinkability is a 5.
Cold or Warm its a great beer.
Prefect pair with chicken and spicy food.

Serving type: Bottle poured into mug

Reviewed on: 12-10-2008 16:24:57(My Birthday)

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2008 22:25:07 | More by teamhex

mattdavis452

California

4.53/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: A good, golden color. Filtered. Appealing.

S: Hints of a creamy taste are suggested, and will be followed with delivery on this olfactory promise.

T: Light hints of cream. Drinks well. Perhaps the tiniest suggestion of winter fruits are detectable as well. Very well balanced.

M: Crisp. Delectable. Pretty much everything I could ask for in terms of mouthfeel for this style beer.

D: A definition session beer. Not something like a Chimay Blue Label which one would savor every drop; instead, this is a great beer you can share with friends, both beer advocates and illiterates alike.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2006 08:16:27 | More by mattdavis452

Gehrig

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

One of my favorites from Sam Adams, Winter Lager is a very nice accompaniment to the onset of Winter, a good bock that can go with the season's hearty dinners or with dessert. A terrific amber color, Winter Lager pours a great head--really a beer with a terrific presentation. The taste brings out multiple flavors, with mild citrus, good spices such as ginger and cinnamon, and a strong malty flavor. It finishes well, and is easy to have a few of. An excellent creation from Sam Adams.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2007 05:41:50 | More by Gehrig

Livelaughlovep

Ohio

4.53/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This reminds me a lot of the Octoberfest one. Not that this is a bad thing.

Very gulpable, drinkable. I could easily have a few of these!

Rich golden-brown color, like dark toast... about finger or so head, which left pretty fast. Lacing didn't hang around either.

Malty. Roasty. Wheaty. Just a little sweet. I smell spices & caramel, which I don't particularly taste, but the mouthfeel is wonderful and full.

This is very nice, a good start to my trying of winter brews!

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2008 02:59:30 | More by Livelaughlovep

jackndan

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +24%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sammy Winter 2002: I used to be a summer guy, never skied or liked shoveling snow. But I’m coming around to the fall and winter, and great beers have helped that transition. It always helps to ease the pain to look forward to great O-fest and festival beers. One beer, in fact the first beer I looked forward to, was Sam’s Winter lager.

I’ve heard people say that Sam’s seasonals have been slightly off, but I think Sam’s getting back into their stride with the 2002/03 Winter (not that you’ll see much of it after January 1). Its got a deep ruby amber color, with an off white sticky head. Huge thick lace. The aroma is heavily malted, with spices and rich coffees. The taste, in this fresh batch is a little raw, with assertive malts, well balanced with spices and hops. This is a big/fast seller, and hard to get in Winter. I’ve got to buy an extra twelve and forget about it because it should cellar very well. Wonderful!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2002 23:18:32 | More by jackndan

Jacobob10

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +24%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

When poured, this beer has a deep amber color with a perfect amount of head. Very malty taste that gives it some bite and a little spice. Also, a slight amount of orange can be detected. The 6.94% ABV and rich flavor makes it perfect for sitting around on a cold winter night (which I am fairly used to in Boston). Feels great in your mouth and leaves you wanting another one!

All in all, the Winter Lager is my favorite Sam Adams and one of my favorite beers period!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2004 22:22:07 | More by Jacobob10

Vancer

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +24%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I have this from the sampler pack, but got it last nite, FRESH off the tap! Wow, what a good winter warmer. Great looking 23oz pour, dark burgangy with a sticky ivory head. Ummm, full of malt, winter spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, clove), then a properly blananced hop finish. Can’t wait for more, either on tap or in the bottle.

Good price ($3.25) made this a great sippin’ session brew

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2005 15:37:52 | More by Vancer

OverToad

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +24%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Part of the Winter classics I picked up at Kroger.

First off I'm glad they dropped last years label "Winter Brew" and put back the label "Winter Lager" on it.

This years brew I noticed more Cinnamon that last years which was a nice welcome. I look forward to this bad boy every year from SA.

I love this brew, but of course it takes a back seat to old Fezzie.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2009 19:04:57 | More by OverToad

arboristfish

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +24%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a deep amber color, almost brown with a white head. The aroma smells of caramel malts and a faint hint of hops. The taste is sweet, an interesting combination of hops and malt. The mouthfeel is medium light. Overall this is an outstanding bock.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2010 21:59:54 | More by arboristfish

JDK

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +24%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

*poured a very nice deep red with a 2 finger head.
*medium lacing
*very nice smell... cinnamon, all spice and hops
*you can taste the different spices, I picked up more clove and cinnamon with a lingering taste of hops.
*mouthfeel was perfect for me
Very enjoyable beer but a little on the filling side. 2-3 would be plenty

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2010 02:01:42 | More by JDK

brunrn1

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +24%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beer poured out perfectly, perfect amount of foam that vanished fast. This is a great tasting beer to say the least. This so far has become one of my favorites. Thankfully the keg tubes were cleaned so it did not mess with the taste. Awesome beer period!

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2011 19:16:10 | More by brunrn1

CS1971

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +24%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I love Sam Adams. This is great lager, and it is this type of beer that has got me seeking out lagers now and not just witbiers or reds. Thanks Sam! The flavor is rich, and even though it's filling i still find myself wanting more. Very good brew, I look forward to it every winter.

Serving type: growler

12-03-2011 04:28:15 | More by CS1971

hyuga

North Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2002 edition. A dark amber brew with an off-white head. Head settles and leaves lace, but stays at about 1 cm, which is good enough for me. Sweet spiced aroma of caramel and ginger along with wheat and faint orange peel and hops. The spices combine with the sweetness really well and make the aroma great. Wheat dominates the flavor, making it crisp and refreshing, but alongside that is a caramel sweetness that lets you know that this is more than just a wheat beer. Cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel give a great wintery feel in the spice department. Earthy character from the wheat and the hop bite near the middle. Crisp wheat finish. Alcohol warms, again making this a great cold weather brew. A great beer to sit back with on a winter's night for a nightcap, or to pair with hearty foods at a winter feast. This review is based on my total experience from this beer, not just the sample from this year that I'm currently drinking. It does seem that this year's is not as rich as it has been in the past. However, I do still find it very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2002 00:26:03 | More by hyuga

botham

Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a pilsner. pours a brilliant amber color with a light orange head that takes up a fourth of the glass. moderate lacings here.

smell is sweet and malty, with caramel malts prevailing over the others. a light citrus aura is present as well, alongside a distant spiced character, possibly cinnamon. very well proportioned in the nose.

taste is of caramel malts up front, with the same distant citrus character as well. the spiced character is a bit more pronounced, creating the winter character that this brew claims to contain. finishes on a semi-dry note without much hop character, only residual caramel and a touch of citrus.

mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, with a medium to light body. no alcohol is present, with mild CO2 creating a small bite that adds to the distant spiced character.

drinkability is great. this is a tasty winter lager that warms the stomach and is not filling. another great offering from the guys at the Boston Beer Company. cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2007 01:05:11 | More by botham

Lemke10

Wisconsin

4.47/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I bought this in the Sam Adams 12pk Winter Collection variety pack for about $13 at Woodman's in Janesville, WI in mid Fall 2010.

This Winter Lager pours a medium dark amber color with a good long lasting head. Right away you take in the scents of malts and hops. Upon tasting there is a fantastic mixture of spices. Absolutely delightful on a cold winter night.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 05:59:00 | More by Lemke10

xXTequila

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This years Winter Lager is practically another style of beer compared to last years batch.
Deep dark red/brown. The head sits thin but height wise but its thick like a chunk of heavy cream.
Thick sweet malt, rum, caramel, and raisins.
The perfect beer for a snowy night.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2001 08:49:38 | More by xXTequila

inebrius

Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Deep, burnished ochre under a light khaki head that leaves a maze of lace. Bouquet of chocolate pound cake and gingerbread cookies. Big and caramely malt spine coats your throat but is quelled by a nice earthy hop flavor. Smooth, spicy, balanced and seriously drinkable. A top notch Winter brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2002 06:36:19 | More by inebrius

BeerBob

Nebraska

4.45/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Sam Adams Winter Lager pours a deep copper from a 12oz brown glass bottle. Lovely light tan head is rocky and goes to over two fingers, never really going away while lacing the glass walls on the way down.

Nose is a fragrant wheat malt with hints of “Curacao orange peel, cinnamon and fresh ginger”. Palate is a sweet mixture of wheat malt with hints of “Curacao orange peel, cinnamon and fresh ginger”.

In past years I have gone through obscene amounts of this very good stuff, and look forward to each and every year when I can get my hands on it.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2002 17:57:43 | More by BeerBob

metallistout

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I could have swore that this beer tasted different a couple of years ago. Still a good brew, but I thought that it had more hop presence in it.

Pours a reddish copper color, with a large foamy head that stuck around for a pretty long while.

Smells of orange, cinnamon, ginger, pine?, and malty tones.

Tastes mostly of malt, a decent amount hops, but mostly spices of the aromas nature.

Deffinately taste the spices and malt, a good beer, but I would prefer maybe a little more hops. I had to review this beer over because I drank it a different temperature(let it warm up a little)and it had much more flavor. I was thinking that it needed to be really cold like most lagers, but you can pretty much drink it at ale temperatures.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2005 02:23:21 | More by metallistout

DoubleJ

California

4.45/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

As winter leaves, so does this beer. I was lucky to catch a bottle of this on sale at Town and Country Liquor, as I won't be able to find this regularly until November or so. On to the beer:

Pours a dark amber color. I love the smell of this brew, very spicy, warming, and unique. I know they use numerous spices in this brew, but the cinnamon stands out above the rest. Going down, it's rich, thick, and hearty.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2007 04:19:35 | More by DoubleJ

1099

Texas

4.45/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I wish this was available year-round, so I've taken to keeping a few extra bottle around to have during the summer time.

I sampled this for the first time this past Holiday season. I poured it from a bottle into a pilsner glass. It poured a very nice, very dark caramel color. While pouring it, I took time to sniff at it- and I was IMPRESSED to say the least. Smelled of winter spices and malt.

The taste was very impressive like the smell. It basically tastes like regular Sam with the extra spice. The spice definitley does the job of warming you up; I was feeling nice and warm and cheery after a couple of bottles.

Both mouthfeel and drinkability are quite good.

Another very nice offering from the Boston Beer Company.

Keep it coming!

Prost!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2008 09:45:31 | More by 1099