Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

TheLongBeachBum

California

3.1/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Presentation: 16oz sample, tasted on draft at the Samuel Adams Bar in Miami International Airport.

Appearance: It was late at night, but even after the long flight from LAX to Miami, the orange color of the beer was a surprise and quite bright. Massive frothy white head that stayed throughout the drink and caused a few problems for the server at times.

Nose: Cherry essence is very prevalent and dominates the nose; it has a very sweet fruity odor to it, appealing.

Taste: Whilst the 'in yer face' Cherry nose if fine, the taste is far too overwhelmingly “Cherry” with some light malt, far too much for my liking. This is no Wheat Beer with a hint of Cherry, oh no, this is positively drowned in extract of Cherry, whole cherries would never produce such a strong flavor like this without altering the color of the beer. It had almost a cough syrup aspect to it that put me off, almost a medicinal feel. Take 3 spoonfuls after meals. If they toned the amount of cherry flavoring down a bit, I would imagine this to be much more palatable.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, and it sits quiet nicely in the mouth. It has a good feel and the carbonation levels obviously help this.

Drinkability: Well, I had a whole 16oz to get through, and although I had 2 hours until my next flight to Rio, it took me a long while to drink this one.

Overall: Well, I have not had this before, so I decided to try it. But to be honest, even the small 16oz sample was far too sickly-cherry for me, maybe it would be OK as a dessert beer though. It is not a bad beer, far from it; it just has too much cherry flavoring to make it more than the occasional beer I believe.

Serving type: on-tap

08-31-2003 21:23:38 | More by TheLongBeachBum

ZAP

Minnesota

2.05/5  rDev -34.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A-Light orange...unimpressive head for a wheat

S-Artificial cherries....cherry cough syrup....completely uninviting...why they can't achieve a more natural cherry aroma is befuddling to me.

T-Am I sucking on a cherry cough drop or did I just drink this beer...nasty cherry cough syrup flavor...Not much else..some tartness on the finish..

M-Light side of medium...about what I'd expect for the style..

D-Not for me....If I want a cherry cough drop I'll suck on one....I think Sammy does a nice job with their beers for the most part but this one needs to be reworked or eliminated...

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2007 04:30:39 | More by ZAP

jrallen34

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +29.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

I drank this from a bottle into a chalice.

This a great beer but its not a great pour or have a good head. The aroma is very strong of cherries.

Its taste very much like cherries, I like having this beer as a chaser after something strong, but its not great after food.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2009 17:44:29 | More by jrallen34

dirtylou

Washington

3.7/5  rDev +17.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

appearance: cloudy orange, foamy head, not as tinted as i would have imagined

smell: cherry, very sweet

taste: sweet cherries, underlying wheat taste. not a particularly great wheat beer, maybe a better fruit beer, interesting at least.

mouthfeel: smooth, refreshing

drinkability: the cherry would have been too much after a couple more

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2005 02:13:41 | More by dirtylou

cokes

Wisconsin

3.45/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

If you are into fruit beers, this is certainly one to try.
It pours a pretty standard gold-amber profile with a nice off-white head that retains itself nicely. The nose is hit with a big cherry danish smell. I like this alot...but I am not sure how appropriate this is for a beer. Seemed more like breakfast or dessert. Regardless, it was quite a unique aroma.
The taste is of an american wheat...not a hefe...mixed with a slight cherry flavor. I was glad that the fruit aspect did not overwhelm the beverage.
Still, not a great brew, but a interesting change of pace.
As far as complexities go, the subtle cherry (tart)sweetness is the only thing here, otherwise it seems rather nondescipt.
Again, a nice change-up, but I doubt I'd purchase this again. If I am looking for a light-hearted, drinkable brew, I'll stick with some sort of hefeweizen

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2002 03:49:36 | More by cokes

Tone

Missouri

2.9/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clear, pale yellow. One inch head with good retention and lacing. Smells strongly of cherry flavoring (reminiscent of cough syrup). Fits the style unfortunately. There is a smooth and crisp mouth feel (unlike a thick syrup). Average carbonation levels. There is a cherry syrup flavoring that is very strong. Designated as a desert beer and that is the only way I could drink another one of these. There is an associated tartness that makes is hard to drink. Overall, not that great of a combination (cherry + beer).

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2009 20:34:52 | More by Tone

kylehay2004

Florida

3.45/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Single finger head quickly dissipates. Color is golden and minimal hazieness, typical wheat beer appearance.

One key point I have noticed that differed from my experience with the aroma is the cherry smell was very understated. I am wondering if it is due to my review following a beer I had on tap as >90% of these reviews are after having the beer in a bottle. The taste of cherry is certainly well apparent but not overwhelming and refreshing.

Good for summer activities.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2011 15:17:38 | More by kylehay2004

francisweizen

Australia

3.5/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Much better than I expected! This beer was highly superior to Sam Adams Cranberry Lambic. This poured a nice golden, wheat-like colour with a nice head of foam on top of it. This smelled like...cherries, and it tasted like cherries as well with some wheat thrown in for good measure. This beer is not too sweet, and the mix of beer flavor and cherry flavor really works quite well. I would like to try this one on tap if I can find it somewhere. This had a mediocre, crisp mouthfeel and a decent drinkability as well.
Cheers!,
F.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2003 15:34:46 | More by francisweizen

nickfl

Florida

2.63/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

A - Pours with two fingers of white head on a clear, copper colored body. The foam settles relatively quickly and leaves nice rings of lace.

S - Medicinal cherry and bready malt in the background. It smells like an awful cherry creme filled chocolate candy; the one that you really wish you hadn't picked out of the box.

T - Sweet malt and strong, syrupy cherry flavors wash across the palate up front. More of the same in the middle. Things really don't change up much by the finish with a weird, syrupy cough syrup finish and some honey that lingers on the palate.

M - Medium body, moderate carbonation, and a dry finish.

D - Well, it tastes like cherry, but it thoroughly proves that such a flavor does not have to be a good thing. It seems like a generic American wheat beer with cough syrup added for depth. It tastes very medicinal and the phenolic cherry is impossible to ignore. Just bad, I can't imagine why they would keep brewing this... really.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2011 08:08:57 | More by nickfl

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle poured into my Sprecher Weiss glass. Best by Nov '09 notched on the label.

A - Brilliant clear golden yellow with non-stop carbonation bubbles feeding a long-lasting, slightly off-white head. Bits of laving cling to the glass halfheartedly.

S - Overwhelming aroma of a combination of fresh, real cherries and cranberries...but with a cough syrup feel to it too. A yeasty wheat aroma lingers in the background complimenting a mellow sweetness well.

T - Strong dry wheat in the background really holds the fort together and keeps it from becoming pure fruit. Even stronger is the tart and mouth-puckering cherry/cranberry clavor. Part fresh fruit, part cough syrup mimicking the aroma is sugary and an enigma that doesn't allow me to make up my mind.

M - Sharply carbonated, this is a light-bodied beer that's a bit slick on the palate and a touch oily.

D - The more I sip at this, the less I want to drink it. It's aroma caught me right away followed by the appearance but the flavor and mouthfeel began turning me off quickly. Not something I'd want more than one of and definitely one of Samuel Adam's weaker offerings.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2009 02:40:18 | More by BeerFMAndy

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.55/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Pours a very hazy dark golden color with a slight cherry reddish tint. Foam is of modest size (especially for a wheat) and fairly creamy.

Nose is heavily laden with sweet maraschino cherries and hints of wheat tang and earthy caramel malt.

Tastes mostly like a crisp American wheat beer with a healthy dose of sweet and sour cherry flavor. It is a bit thin, and maybe even leaning towards watery, but I am enjoying this beer more than I thought I would. Not sure if a six-pack purchase is in my near future, but I'll happily drink these as part of the fall sampler pack.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2009 13:21:06 | More by twiggamortis420

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.48/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed on 5/17/08. Bottle. Poured a clear light orange with a small white head that left pretty lacing on the glass. Aroma of candied cherries. Flavor of the same cherries - reminded me of a cherry SnoCone, with a wheat finish. The wheat malt was a little weak, but otherwise, very tasty! I liked the sweet cherry taste and it didn't get too sweet or artificial for me.
7/4/7/3/14 (3.5/5)

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2008 20:44:54 | More by LilBeerDoctor

smakawhat

Maryland

3.13/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured on tap into a pint glass.

Since I didn't pour it myself, head is barely a finger of white but manages to leave a simple collar throughout while drinking. Body is fairly clear and clean of a simple light gold with some visible carbonation. No lacing to speak of.

Bouquet is an overly dominant smell of supermarket from the jar artificial neon red maraschino cherries. The fake stuff, not real cherries. No biscuit aroma, no hops no nothing. It's an overwhelming artificial smell as if you just cracked open the lid. Since it's named Cherry wheat I give it props, but since I hate fake cherries with a passion, I am also not pleased therefore it gets middle of the road for smell.

Taste. Overall not too bad, the biscuit and bread isn't really in the taste until you swallow then there's a bit of bread chew on the swallow. Body is very solid and not too wet either. It is once again overwhelmingly a fake cherry fruit and very sugar sweet.

If that cherry "type" of smell and taste is your thing you'll love this beer. For me though it isn't that great cause I prefer real fruit taste and this isn't it. But it does have characteristics of a solid wheat ale almost and that makes it at least drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2011 02:49:13 | More by smakawhat

bluejacket74

Ohio

2.75/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

The beer pours a light, slightly cloudy copper color. The off-white head is very foamy, about 1 1/2 inches and sticks around a while with lots of lace. It smells like sweet cherries, more cherry-coke like than anything else. I couldn't really smell anything else other than the cherries. It tastes like cherry too, but it's not a strong flavor. There's a grainy/wheat taste in there too, but like the cherry taste, it's not strong at all. Not much of an aftertaste either. The beer smells better than it tastes. The mouthfeel is pretty thin, and it is easy to drink. Overall I'm not impressed. I usually like Samuel Adams beers, but this offering is very average. I'd drink it again if someone gave it to me for free, but I don't think I'd buy this beer again. There's many more beers I would rather spend my money on.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2006 23:16:08 | More by bluejacket74

blackie

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Purchase Before Date is notched December 2005

Upon pouring, the head of large white bubbles quickly recedes. The color is a very clear medium amber. Some slight lacing is left behind on the walls of the glass.

The first smell I notice is that of cherry pie filling. Slightly artificial, I guess from the cherry flavoring, but not too hokey. The cherry is not too powerful and allows the malt to show itself. Behind the cherry and malt, some clean and spicy hops can be found. There is a slight hint of orange peel type citrus.

The beer is pretty highly carbonated, and the mouthfeel medium thin.

The cherry flavor is not overdone, nor does it seem as artificial as on the nose. There is a decent amount of malt to back up the cherry flavors. Hops are present throughout the sip, but become most noticeable after the swallowing when some of the cherry and malt notes subside. Finish is a slight hop bitterness with some tart cherry notes.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2005 03:35:27 | More by blackie

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

these are unkind reviews. this is actually a pretty damn good fruit beer. it pours rather plain looking very clear golden color with a small white head. smells like fresh black cherries, floral and juicy, with plenty of wheat malts and a fairly mild yeast strain. flavor is major cherry all the way through. not dissimilar to the cherry vanilla yogurts ive seen around in the groceries. its got that sort of sweet fresh fruit element that i really like, it bitters for a second and then rounds out at the end. id like so see a more funky yeast get into the mix, saison style or something, i think that would give this beer a real kick in the crotch, but its tasty as it is in my opinion. feel is light and gassy, good in summer and also with a certain holiday appeal.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 10:40:32 | More by StonedTrippin

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

2.8/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

355ml bottle poured into pint glass 29/8/12

A golden yellow with lots of bubbles that grow as they rise too a thin film that never really falls and leaves a partial ring of lace

S maraschino cherry flavored cough syrup and a little honey

T reminds me of Cherry Neo Citron poured over cereal, not as bad as it sounds but still far from good

M thin and airy, fake cherry flavor lingers for quite some time

O reminds me more of medicine then beer, drinkable but I wasen´t craving another

I normally like Sam Adams but this one was nothing too write home about, even in the sweltering heat one was enough

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 01:53:23 | More by wordemupg

alexgash

Connecticut

3.08/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured a standard to dark yellow, with a bubbly, medium-sized white head. Lots of bubbles rising up. Smell is dominated by cherry scent--cherry syrup more than fresh cherries (a la New Glarus). Taste starts with the cherry syrup. Not overly sweet (thank God!). Finish is slightly dry and bitter, with hints of cherry lingering. Pretty well balanced. Mouthfeel is nothing special. The cherry syrup flavor would/will prevent me from drinking this often.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2003 13:12:08 | More by alexgash

champ103

Texas

1.85/5  rDev -41.3%
look: 3 | smell: 1 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

A: Pours a hazy golden color. A decent sized white head forms, but leaves no lace.
S: This smells of cocktail cherry syrup. Kind of like syrup bars keep their cherries in. Just awful IMO.
T: Very sweet and syrupy. Cherries and a touch of wheat. Pretty much cloying.
M/D: A light body that is fairly creamy. The cloying sweetness and cherries makes this hard for me to swallow.

I am sorry, this is pretty bad. Avoid at all costs.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2008 05:14:33 | More by champ103

tdm168

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a pale amber with a thin lacing of head. The nose has notes of cherries and very faint malt. The taste is faint malt, faint cherries, and slight yeast. The mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation.

This isn't a bad beer, but it's syrupy and medicinal at times. The cherry flavor is faint, and overall, this is a one dimensional, easy drinker.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 16:27:17 | More by tdm168

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.25/5  rDev +34.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I first reviewed this beer back in May when it was 1st available, but I saved 2 - 12 oz bottles as they neared the 'brewery fresh taste' date of Sept. '07 and I decided to re-review it.

A - clear deep golden color with a big fluffy white head, that settled down a bit, but lasted, there was a constant flow of tiny bubbles in the glass and it left a good amount of lacing.

S - smell of cherry, as it was before, is still there, but not as over-powering.

T - strong cherry taste has toned down and now the malted wheat taste comes through, with a nice crisp finish.

M - clean. crisp, light and refreshing.

D - good drinkability, different and refreshing.

I'm glad I sat on a few of these and IMO this is a beer that should be enjoyed about a month or so before the recommended 'drink by' date.
I'm going to get a few more before the end of Summer.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2007 21:28:32 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours a light amber color, sort of tan but no head to speak of.

S - Wow it smells like cherry cough syrup! As it sits in the glass more wheat comes through but really mostly a very artificial cherry smell.

T - Ehh it's ok. Very mild, if any, cherry taste. Seems muted even in the glass! Mostly a semi nice wheat and fruity taste lifts this to higher than I expected. Enjoyable.

M - Very light and smooth.

D - Na I will not seek it out but if it was ever in a variety case I would not pass it up. Still it was OK at best.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2010 07:27:32 | More by DrDemento456

merlin48

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly hazed honey gold, with a decent offwhite head. Head diminishes to collar and film foam within a minute of the pour, but leaves some impressive sheet and patch lace down the side of the glass.
Aroma is cherry soda. Like a "Cheerwine", a southern cherry soda that I loved in my youth. Faint wheat notes of malt are in the background.
Mouthfeel is average, with sparkly carbonation.
Taste is cherry soda, with a doughy caramel malt background. No hops are in evidence.
After a couple of these, the cherry sweetness becomes cloying and artificial. Still, this is a drinkable and somewhat light beer, if you like cherry soda with a mild kick.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2004 22:30:31 | More by merlin48

Vancer

Illinois

2.33/5  rDev -26%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

Whoa, the cherry is too over-bearing in this one. Pour was disappointing – way too clear for a wheat beer. Although it had a nice cherry and malt aroma, the taste went from strong cherry in the beginning to tasting like Robitussin cough syrup by the end of the bottle. Even the wife-zilla, while working on her bottle, said she couldn’t stomach another.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2005 12:28:43 | More by Vancer

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

3.23/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured a deep amber color with moderate puffy head.
Smell is definitely significant for cherry, as would be expected.
Taste also is dominated by cherries, but the taste seems too artificial.
Leaves a long lingering cherry taste, almost too long to be enjoyable.
Not my favorite style of beer. Would have been better on a hot summer afternoon.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2007 22:45:58 | More by tgbljb