Samuel Adams Boston Ale (Stock Ale) - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

BennyL1

Massachusetts

3.88/5  rDev +6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoy by date Dec. 2011. Into a Perfect Pint.

Pours a nice amber/orange. Slim off white foamy head, decent retention and lacing.

Light aromas of floral hops and pale malt.

Very refreshing taste, biscuit malt with a touch of the floral hops at the end. Nothing overpowering or complex, but pleasing.

Medium body with good carbonation. Crisp and clean in the finish.

A very balanced and sessionable pale ale. I've had this on a few occasions and wouldn't hesitate to go back to it.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 23:55:10 | More by BennyL1

Pintofbrown

Iowa

3.9/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Quick streams of carbonation zipping up to the thin white head. Some lace is evident as the beer drops down the glass. It is a golden brown with ruby highlights, attractive looking ale.

Smell: As with most Sam Adam’s offerings, the Bavarian hops are strong with this one. They are all over the nose. Also a slight burnt hop flavor in here, it is definitely more burnt than roasted. If you’ve smelled this one you’ve had a whiff of most generic ales out there.

Taste: Hop bitterness is one of the first things that catch my attention. Again, that distinctive Bavarian hop smell transfers to the palate, too. What’s nice is there are also some esters working here. As well as some toasted malt flavors, and an earthy taste from the hops. It all works pretty well together.

Mouth feel: It’s not thin at all. Very medium bodied, it’s crisp and smooth.

Overall: It’s pretty generic ale with the classic Sam Adam’s hop twist. The crispness and roasted malt help give it a little personality. Try it if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 06:45:47 | More by Pintofbrown

fsvan

Tennessee

3.58/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into pint glass. Best by date of October, consumed in July.

A- A copper tinged darkish orange. A finger of clinging off white head.

S- Bready malts, some pine hops. Fairly subdued vs. some of the hoppier versions of the style. Nice smelling, just not incredibly potent.

T- A nice tasting beer. Again, not nearly as hop forward as many of the style (ie, SNPA). More like an English pale in that sense to me. Very balanced bready malt and bitter hop profiles.

M- Medium. Nice for the style.

O- A solid pale ale, esp. if hop overkill is not your style.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 00:30:02 | More by fsvan

AgentMunky

California

2.78/5  rDev -24%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a pilsner glass. Best before September 2011.

A: Thin head. Clear, dull copper-coloured beer. Plentiful bubbles. Nice initial lace.

S: Malts. Almost an Old Ale funky quality to the smell. Very interesting.

T: Not terrible, but rather boring. Thin, almost watery, with little remarkable flavour. In fact, other than a light sour-sweet maltiness, I have nothing to say about the taste.

M: Medium-bodied with nascent carbonation.

O: Not impressed, but not repulsed. Drinkable. Might drink at a party or at the end of the night, but nothing I'd ever want to sit and sip. Not recommended.

EDIT: I didn't really like this beer, so I made the mistake of letting it sit for about an hour. Warmer, this beer is absolutely foul. Drink as cold as possible!

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2011 01:15:07 | More by AgentMunky

6993bc

Iowa

3.95/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I poured this beer into a beer glass. I had many Sam Adams before but not this flavor, I was pleasantly supprised.

A- Dark burnt orange color with a 2 finger head.

S- You smell a hoppy flavor with a caramel or sweet side kick flavor. Well balanced smell.

T- Hops and Barley flavors are strong but well balanced. This beer is very smooth tasting.

Overall: This is one of the more balanced Ales I have had in awhile but being so balanced can make you average. Good beer all around.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2011 13:11:56 | More by 6993bc

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

3.98/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Samuel Adams Boston Ale has a thin, off-white (almost beige) head and a clear, copper appearance, with some lacing left down the glass. The aroma is of hop spice and a little malt. Taste is a round mix of roasted barley malt and generalized hop spiciness, and some sweetness as well. The roasted or dark-toasted flavor really shines through across the sip with this ale. Mouthfeel is light to medium, and it has somewhat of that ale fluffiness. Samuel Adams Boston Ale finishes smooth and refreshing and mostly dry. Overall, this is very good, and I recommend giving it a try.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 23:57:26 | More by RonaldTheriot

greenmonstah

New Hampshire

3.58/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Nice deep copper color with a finger of large-bubbled off-white head.

S - Grainy/bready, caramel, a hint of hop. Slightly sweet. Very clean grain aromas.

T - Some caramel sweetness mixed with mellow hop bitterness. Finish has some toasted and buttered bread qualities to it. Very easy to drink and refreshing. Lightly fruity, which was a bit of a surprise.

M - Very smooth. Medium body, goes does effortlessly, but leaves a slight diacetyl finish. Not oily, though -- it actually finishes a bit dry.

O - Overall a perfectly passable offering. Yet another example of BBC making a beer that is a great introduction to a style, but with little risk or excitement involved.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 18:24:56 | More by greenmonstah

DavidST

Texas

3.3/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle, with use by August date.

The appearance was good, a nice amber color, a fluffy white head with some light foamy lacing. The smell is of caramel malts a little hops but not very prominent. The body is medium light with carbonation. The taste is good, some malty sweetness followed by a little hoppy bitterness on the way down (which was more than expected from the smell). Overall this is a good beer, I prefer the Boston Lager but this is one I'll get again, an easy to drink tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 03:25:35 | More by DavidST

fx20736

New York

4.43/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a 12 oz bottle into a English Style Nonic.

mellow shade of amber with a faint coppery hue. A Thin offwhite head leaves gorgeous lacing.

Aroma of Pale maltiness, apple-grape fruitiness with a subdued spicy hoppiness.

Mouthfeel: soft but full

taste: broad maltiness with a complex layer of hops which are slightly earthy and slightly fruity but are well balanced with the malt. Ale finishes with a faint bitterness which is stimulating.

Notes: This version of an English Bitter is a great American Beer, full of sublety, balance and flavor. This is two thirds the price of Fuller's London Pride but every bit as flavorful and refreshing. Widely available, affordable and delicious this ranks up there with GLBC Edmund Fitzgerald as one of the great contributions to Brewcraft. I love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2011 18:52:37 | More by fx20736

pzrhsau

District of Columbia

3.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer pours a great crisp golden color with some nice yellow highlights from the clear body. Nice white head.
S: Nice bready aroma with some hoppiness at the end. Slightly bitter.
T: Crisp and light bready flavor with some woody/bitterness from the hops. Good tavern style ale. Great flavor to have in a nice crowded bar.
M/O: Crisp and refreshing session style beer with great aroma/flavor and texture.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 02:15:48 | More by pzrhsau

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This brew pours out as a an amber color with a white head on top. The beer looks pretty clean and crisp looking. The smell is a little less hoppy as the Boston Lager. The taste of the beer is good, it's a little bit lighter. Overall it's a good ale, it probably won't ever have the popularity of the Lager but is deserves a fair chance.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 00:50:15 | More by Knapp85

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-Pours pale orange. A large head rises and retains quite well. Laces good too. The beer is clear and bubbly.

S-Soft nose. A hint of maltiness combined with some light hops. A muted, yet somewhat favorable aroma.

T-Well balanced and pretty mellow. Hops compliment the sugary sweetness well. The flavor is also light. I prefer more agressive flavors but overall, not bad on the tongue.

M-Light and crisp. Like most every other aspect of the beer, the feel is subtle yet attractive.

O/D-Nothing bad to be said about this one, I find Boston Lager to be superior to this beer however. I just can't see myself going into a liquor store and coming out with a six-pack of this. Just doesn't wow me enough. But if anyone is looking for a mellow, easy drinker, give this a shot.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2011 15:33:46 | More by VelvetExtract

OldRaysputin

Rhode Island

4.38/5  rDev +19.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours an amber with a Frothy head. looks like a nice english pub ale

S: There isn't a bunch going on here but some nice sweet caramel and malty notes. But then again i wasn't expecting a bunch here. I tend to love the drinkability of an english ale, not the smell as much.

T: Smoooth. You get some nice light hoppiness in here with some light fruits. But big winner is the malts. They aren't overwhelming but then again, i don't want that in an ale like this.

M/D: This is where im giving big points. Its silky smooth and could drink this all day. Very enjoyable!!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 21:03:19 | More by OldRaysputin

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a clear copper, with nearly 3 fingers of eggshell-white head. This settles down into a frothy ½ finger, which leaves back a rich cascade of lacing. The aroma has a fresh leafy spiciness to it, with a ripe citric nature that mingles with the sweet smelling breadiness of the malts to impart a ripe green tang in the nose.

The taste is grassy in the mouth, with a green citric bitterness that is balanced by sweet notes of caramel and toast and even a light splash of butter in the backend. The finish sticks to the tongue with a dry pithiness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a firm crispness to the carbonation, yet it also has a soft underside to it that keeps this smooth in the mouth.

This was decent. Maybe a touch too earthy and bitter in spots but this seems mostly well balanced for the most part and the crisp yet smooth body helped keep this fairly approachable. Ultimately though, if I was going to buy of sixer of something from Sam Adams, I’d just settle for their Lager.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 17:50:40 | More by Kegatron

biteme398

Virginia

3.2/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Color certainly isn't pale but rather a light amber. Head is fairly big and lacing is present. Smell is of hops and flowers and there is actually a bit of a roasted smell there too. The taste threw me off a little bit. The hops that are present in the style are there but not as "forward" as other types. A bit of spiciness too. Mouthfeel is very smooth. I think I would prefer its cousin, the SA Pale Ale, over this. The Boston Ale isn't bad but perhaps a little average.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2011 03:52:54 | More by biteme398

bosox941827

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into Great Dane imperial pint glass
A - Pours a clear amber/brown, with very fine carbonation (*almost* similar to nitrogen) that forms a one finger head, which quickly dissipates.
S - Caramel malts mostly, and a bit of grapefruit hops.
T - Malts dominate this one, but it does finish with hoppy dryness. Haven't had this one in a while, and it is less hoppy than I remember it; a bit of sweetness and pale/caramel malts on the front, resolving into a hint of hoppiness, which is not really all too assertive. Has a similar taste to the Boston Lager, but with a less distinctive finish (which I attribute to the Hallertau Milltelfreu hops). Finish is dry and nice though.
M - A bit creamy and smooth, but dry. Very nice.
It's been many years since I had this one, and I used to think it was fairly hoppy. No more, but that doesn't make it a bad beer; will definitely come back to this more often, as it is a tasty, sessionable beer, something that is getting hard to find these days.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2011 01:35:00 | More by bosox941827

LiquidBread219

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - A very clear, darker orange brew with a decent amount of carbonation. A strong head on it that stuck around for a little bit.

S - Not a lot of smell on this. Caramel malts with just a little bit of hops.

T - A beer with nice balance. It is a little sweet from the malts the the hops cuts through it nicely and adds just a touch of bitterness.

M - Medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

D - Only gave it a three because it's not quite as drinkable as it should be considering the low ABV. That said, wouldn't have a problem doing at least two.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2011 15:08:05 | More by LiquidBread219

wcintula

New York

3.3/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not a bad beer, poured into a tumbler with that classic head to be expected from Sam Adams above the orange copper body. Head leaves behind some lacing. A little biscuit-y/metallic in the nose with a herbal hop note as well. As the brew warms, of course the metal fades. The taste follows through but all in all, these two senses are mild. Decent body, with good carbonation. A good, sessionable beer, but I want more from it.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2011 01:32:22 | More by wcintula

JesteR14

California

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A- Nice copper color. Milky head that leaves a nice lace on the top of the glass.

S- Classic adams malts wth some mild hops and some dark sweetness... Brown sugar??

T- Smooth. Low carbonation which makes this very nice to drink. I get malts, some wheat and grain but it focuses on malts. I love it for the great brown maltness with the dark sweetness to pull this brew all together.

M- Smooth on the tongue and i like it. Great beer!

D- great drinkable beer. Nothing else about it.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2011 07:35:13 | More by JesteR14

yuenglingfan101

Indiana

5/5  rDev +36.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

has in between a golden and amber look to it. Smell of some caramel. Taste of apricot and caramel. The mouthful says it all. A sweet feeling and taste that begs you to drink more and more. Drinkabilty is fine, Goes down easy and able to drink a good six pack

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2011 15:30:41 | More by yuenglingfan101

mikeal1917

Michigan

4.05/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A classic pale ale that I was extremely excited to taste from my 12 pack adventure....

Appearance: Very dark brown, chocolate/reddish hue. Exceptional

Smell: Sweet and nutty smell that begs you to drink the brew. One of the finest beer smells I've encountered.

Taste: Malted and Robust, with definite taste of nuts and possibly caramel, similar to the Scotch Ale. Sweetness as well.

Mouthfeel: Heavy, oily feeling on the tongue. Smooth though.

Drinkabilty: Very heavy, but drinkable. This would be a one or two brew, very hearty.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2011 04:55:18 | More by mikeal1917

Aphexwolf

Texas

3.2/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance:Pale brown-coppery, clear. Thick head, good retention, excellent lacing, medium carbonation.
Smell: Malty sweet smell balanced with a faint hint of hops.
Taste: Bitter and dark taste of hops, not much malt here. Lingering aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Medium thickness, not as much froth as anticipated.
Drinkability: Medium, leaves a small feeling of fullness. Can drink 2-3 in a sitting.
Summary: This is a good beer. I gave it 7.9/10 or C+. I like the color and appearance. I'm particularly impressed in the head. It has a nice smell to it. This beer works my appetite up and makes me hungry, which makes me think it would be great with appetizers for company. This being the first ale I've tasted with no other ales to compare it too, I would say this is a fine ale and I would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 11:16:29 | More by Aphexwolf

foogerd

New York

4/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A solid standby thats always reliable when nothing else craft is available. Hop and malt balance is perfect with hops aplenty to satisfy the hophead in a desperate situation. Hops are less apparent in the nose but extremely foward and even have a certain roughness on the palette.
An almost oily feel on the tongue and tons of wetness.
Defintely a quality brew to quaff.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2011 03:25:23 | More by foogerd

avaccani

Ohio

3.2/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Copper to amber in color. Had a decent 2 finger off white head.

S - Getting some caramel, biscuit and faint hop aroma.

T - Nothing great. A sweeter APA. Maybe I just like hoppier APA's but this one just isn't doing it for me.

M - Carbonation was fine.

D - I had 2 and that was enough for me. I wouldn't seek it out again, but I wouldn't turn it down either.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2011 00:48:26 | More by avaccani

Tundruth

New Hampshire

3.4/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Amber in color with a puffy head that has decent retention

Smells hoppy and slighty fruity/sweet

Tastes very much like bread, I also picked up on alot of bitter hops in there as well as a nice maltiness. Kind of has a caramel aftertaste to it.

This beer is smooth with a flavorful, full bodied profile.

Its good, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 05:48:38 | More by Tundruth