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

JustinAniello

Connecticut

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

A - Pours a dark copper with a thin head, dissipating to a thin cap and lacing.

S - Browned caramel from the roasted malts and spices, mostly clove and ginger.

T - Lightly sweet toffee, turning to a heavy breadiness to cloves and other spices.

M - Medium body and medium/light carbonation. Goes well with the flavors.

O - A decent winter beer, nice malt flavors and spice medley. Good to have on a cool night with dinner, though there are better options for the season.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 01:24:58 | More by JustinAniello

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: It has a nice copper/amber color to it. It has a thin white head (came like that) but I swirled it after drinking a bit and got a decent head and it leaves some lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitly give out hints of sweet bready malts, caramel, spices and a slight fruitiness.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a sweet malt character, nice spices, a bit of caramel and light hops giving it a very slight bitterness.

Mouthfeel: It has a low/medium carbonation with a sweet overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with decent flavors and aromas.

Serving type: on-tap

12-05-2011 19:49:54 | More by SebD

StonedTrippin

Colorado

2.95/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

not crisp and cold and refreshing like most lagers, and not even fully seasonally applicable due to its average abv and dumbed down flavor. sam makes some epic beers, but this ones just average. pours a light indian brown color into that funny sam adams glassware, good head. smells like a malt bomb, but tastes a bit cinnamon and clove spice, thick mouthfeel drags it down and sits in the gut. not a good session lager. of the winter brews the cream stout and the scotch murder this one. id say pass it by but its so damn common in the northeast...

Serving type: on-tap

12-02-2011 04:47:38 | More by StonedTrippin

jtierney89

New Jersey

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

Pours a clear amber colors with an off white head. All im picking up on the nose is some cinnamon and a slight maltiness. Big spicy maltiness up front with flavors including cinnamon, nutmeg, and buttered toasted. Finishes clean with a slight metallic taste leftover in the mouth (very moderate though). The finish also leaves a nice buttery flavor on the bag of the tongue. Definitely makes for a decent winter session beer. Better than expected.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2011 01:34:32 | More by jtierney89

miket163

Texas

3.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had two of these on tap in a standard American Pint glass. Poured a nice dark mahogany with fluffy tan head and had some nice lacing. The nose was that of a typical bock: dark bread (rye in particular), faint autumn spices, and a touch of wood.

The taste was actually very nice...almost identical to the nose: rye, oak, clove, dark malts, and a very nice hop bite. This was a very balanced beer from BBC. I enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2011 00:34:51 | More by miket163

Agold

Pennsylvania

3.08/5  rDev -15.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Flight delayed so airport barhopping is the activity du jour. Last bar had hop devil. Not super happy I left. Brown liquid is topped with a very thin film of head. No lacing. Aroma is minimal can pick up on some spice, but it is pretty neutral. Flavor has some breathless along with some clovey cinnamon spice. I also think of banana bread with this one. Nice, but not great. Minimal hop presence at best. Mouthfeel is pretty nice. Good carb. Light and refreshing. What I expected, wanted, and got from BBC. Overall, "meh" is a good description of this beer. It's good enough, but nothing I would get if I could find an average alternative.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 23:19:43 | More by Agold

UCLABrewN84

California

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

On tap at Schooners Patio Grille in Santa Clarita, CA.

Pours a clear dark brown with a 1 inch foamy tan head that settles to a film on the top of the beer. Random dots and streaks of lace form on the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt/grain and a variety of winter spices. Not much going on in the smell department. Taste is of malt/grain, some citrus flavors, and a lot of different spices (cinnamon, clove, etc.). There is a slight bitterness from the spices with each sip but it quickly fades. This beer has a bubbly level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is pretty good Winter beer but nothing too special really.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 06:37:49 | More by UCLABrewN84

stephenjmoore

Maryland

3.28/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Deep amber color with a light tan head.

S- Malt mostly with a hint of spices. Some ginger notes.

T- Malty lager taste some spice flavors coming through. The ginger seems to be the most promonant in both taste and smell.

M- Pretty well carbonated, smooth and easier to drink.

O- I find this one to be very similar to the Boston Lager, but with a little more of the spice notes.

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2011 22:19:46 | More by stephenjmoore

boilermakerbrew

Indiana

3.4/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Came to me with a 3 finger fizzy head. The head was slightly tan. The overall appearance was a deep, translucent amber.

S- There was a nutty aroma to this on the whole. A little malt in there, but nor hops scent.

T- Was fairly disappointed with the taste. Some grassy flavors and a slight nutty flavor. No hops bitterness in there, but some malt tastes.

M- Lots of carbonation. Really light for the style. It was almost watery and went down fairly easy.

Overall, I was not impressed with this beer. It was very light in the mouthfeel category and the taste was just lacking. I was surprised to learn this is a bock, because it is one of my more favored styles, but I was sorely disappointed.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 03:46:00 | More by boilermakerbrew

DeutscheJeff

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had this served in a 25 ounce glass, I really enjoyed the first few sips, but after that this beer became a bit too much for my stomach. Certainly a better beer in a 12 or 16 ounce size, but I will happily try it again. Samuel Adams once again provides a great tasting beer for the mass market.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2011 06:23:30 | More by DeutscheJeff

jb413

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

My first taste of this style.

A - Poured an attractive dark mocha-ish/amber hue with a small light khaki head and little lacing.

S - Dark wheat with some spice notes. I remember some ginger in the nose. Good strength, smelled good.

T - Nice mix of roasty flavor with the spice profile. Neither one outweighs the other. The spices are not overdone.

MF - This is a medium-bodied beer, good amount of carbonation and and a nice finish.

O - Very nice on cold nights, I have nothing to compare it to yet in the style, but I liked this beer for sure. Looking forward to trying others.

Serving type: on-tap

11-13-2011 18:00:38 | More by jb413

bigdeuce

Pennsylvania

1.88/5  rDev -48.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

I don't know what Mr. Koch and the Boston Beer Co. did to this terrific brew from around circa 2003-2005 but this is horrific and I will never purchase this garbage again. Pours a decent head. Scents of some toasty winter spices, ie cinnamon and nutmeg. Smells decently. Very thin, has been totally dummied from original recipe. The flavors are one of a true winter warmer but not accentuated properly.

This beer used to be a 7% ACTUAL wheat bock with a thick body, and a hearty, meaty flavor to it. I used to look forward to this one every year but will NOT purchase this ever again until I see the 7% abv slapped back on the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

11-11-2011 23:02:41 | More by bigdeuce

UDbeernut

New York

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

On tap at the dutch, deep amber small off white head with moderate retention. Nose of cereal and light grass. Malty cerealness caresses the palate balanced with lightly cutting bitterness. Flowery and grass. Medium bodied and quiet enjoyable of this mid fall day.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2011 20:26:58 | More by UDbeernut

gtermi

Texas

3.65/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is a nice orredish orange, with a very thin head.

S: I am picking up a lot of spiece and some malt.

T: The beer has a nice amount of malt, spices and also some sweetness on the finish.

M: The beer is pretty carbonated. I dont really care for highly carbonated beers, but it isnt bad. It is easy to drink.

O: I find this to be a very average beer. It is a good winter beer and gives your body a warm feeling.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2011 01:32:26 | More by gtermi

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a standard pint glass.
It pours a dark ruby-hued amber color with a solid 2" beige head and plenty of web and trailing lacing.
The first smell is sweet wet malt and nut bread. A light whiff of mixed fruit cup with a hint of nutmeg and peppery spice follows.
If there was a liquid bock honey granola bar, this would be the recipe, less a mild taste of white rum and raisins.
A bit of lime-like citrus taste pulls through in the aftertaste.
All in all, a solid Bock...not spectacular...but a solid brew.

Serving type: on-tap

10-30-2011 15:49:28 | More by BeerResearcher

BeerLover99

New Jersey

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

A: dark tan/amber body, finger head, patch lacing

S: malt, cinnamon, hint of ginger, lemon zest, roasted nuts

T: mild sweet citrus, malt, ginger, lemon zest,
dry sweet finish

M: med/light body, semi-dry mouth

O: Nice Sam Adams Seasonal brew available
everywhere and worth getting. Fine
gateway brew for Fat Tire lovers.

GOOD, HAVE SOME!

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2011 20:10:00 | More by BeerLover99

ktrillionaire

Florida

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(From backlog.) On-tap at Carraba's. Looking at the pour, it seems just like Boston Lager: bronze liquid with a smallish ecru cap, and radiant translucence. There is a small amount of hop character in the nose, which plays out as fruity-floral and spicy on the palate, atop a dry and biscuity malt base. Again, I see very little difference between this and Boston Lager. Nice feel, very crisp. Easy drinking overall, although I prefer BBCSABL over BBCSAWL.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2011 04:57:53 | More by ktrillionaire

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

The Winter Lager pours out as a slightly hazy looking brown color with a generous tan colored head on top. The aromas of some wintery spices, malts and some hops are on the nose. The taste is a little spicy but balanced enough that you can get all the flavors at different times. The mouthfeel is carbonated enough to make the mouth tingle but smooth enough to drink several if one chooses too. It's a pretty good brew in my opinion I love when the Winter season falls because it's always great to have that first Sam Adams Seasonal of that time of year.

Serving type: on-tap

05-24-2011 16:08:50 | More by Knapp85

gkunkle

Oregon

4.22/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes.

Had this on tap at the little taproom in the Spokane Airport. It was poured into a shaker pint, beer was a dark brown with a slight redish hint, sort of like barkdust (I say that in the most positive way) I cannot report accurately on the head as the server seemed to quickly dismiss it into the sink. (dummy) Due to the lacking head, I can only describe the head as having properties of darkish sweet malts and some spices. The taste was quite impressive to me. Taste is of dark malts as well as a slight wheat flavor, there are also elements of spices, very good. Mouthfeel is nice, carbonation is refreshing. Overall this is a great beer, I'll definitely be buying a 6 pack of this when winter rolls around.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2011 19:01:11 | More by gkunkle

Floyd12

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on-tap Poured into a 22oz Large mug at Tavern.

A- Deep and dark amber beer with an off white head. Slightly sticky one finger head that provided nice lacing down the sides of the mug.

S- Malty and sweet with subtle winter tastes of cinnamon and citrus

T- Winter and Christmasy undertones along with the dark malty beer. The citrus smell is definately orange and there is also a caramel taste with grainy and earthy qualities. Slightly alcoholic.

M- Dry and heavy but nice for a winter beer. light carbonation. A little sticky from all the sweetness in it.

D- A great seasonal brew from Sam Adams. This couldn't serve as a year round brew, but a nice reminder that the holidays are near.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2011 01:23:32 | More by Floyd12

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Samual Adams continues to impress with their ability to brew macro quantities with micro savoryness! This beer is a dark amber with decent head and lacing. Te smell has some roast to it, which is revealed in the flavor/taste. The mouth feel is good...which means SESSION!!! Enjoy!

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2011 01:21:12 | More by WoodBrew

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

SenkoSnack808

Michigan

3.6/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had it on tap as well as in the bottle, it's a great cold weather beer if your not into stout/porter family style brews. Pours a caramel color body with a decent 2 finger tan head. Taste is a spiced, with some cinnamon and caramel notes. Overall a easy to drink and tasty beer, can be found all over the place on tap (best way to enjoy it). I liked it so much I bought a few 12 packs over the winter.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2011 14:46:08 | More by SenkoSnack808

beerprovedwright

Georgia

4.22/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Original head was not observed as it was brought to me after it was drawn. One finger head of light brown with semi dense clinging lace. Color is a 18 on the SRM beer color chart. Smell has aromas of roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, toffee, and honey. Taste is well balanced with flavors of roasted malt, chocolate, caramel, toffee, spices, honey and melon. Bold and full in the mouthfeel category. Maybe a little heavy for an all nighter, but very flavorful and great for a treat.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2011 01:17:13 | More by beerprovedwright

fdw3

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber with an off-white that fades relatively quickly and leaves little lacing. Smells of sweet roasted malts with notes of spices and faint citrus. Taste is well-balanced with a subdued sweetness from the roasted malts with spices (cinnamon maybe?) sitting in the background. Body is moderately full and relatively smooth with moderate carbonation.

A solid offering from Sam Adams that's perfect for warming up when it's cold outside. I will come back to this one when it's on tap and feel comfortable recommending it to fans of the style -- very good!

Serving type: on-tap

02-16-2011 06:27:13 | More by fdw3