Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

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BA SCORE
86
good
-
2,274 Ratings

THE BROS
90
exceptional
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rAvg: 3.8
pDev: 13.95%
Reviews: 1269
Hads: 1005

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Brewed by:
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Massachusetts, United States

Style | ABV
Winter Warmer | 5.90% ABV

Availability: Winter. bottle (1265), on-tap (4).

Notes:
No notes at this time.

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Reviews

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Reviews by MadeInOregon:

MadeInOregon

California

4.28/5 rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Wow, and here I thought I found a hard-to-come-by beer but from the number of reviews that is obviously not the case.

Samuel Adams' Old Fezziwig Ale is an "ale brewed with cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel" (according to the label). Apparently it is not to be confused with their "Winter Lager" which says the exact same thing on the label, though it lists the spices in a different order! The Winter Lager is good as is the Old Fezziwig Ale, yet unlike the lager the latter's description does little to prepare you for what you are about to taste when you crack one open: a spiced porter. Why not just call it that? Despite the somewhat cryptic and misleading label, Old Fezziwig Ale is great!

Old Fezziwig Ale is a deep, cola-colored brew with a pillowy beige foam head and latte-like lacing. This is first time I've seen a beer that so closely resembles cola.

THE SMELL is of very sweet, roasted barley, indistinguishable spices, and a little hops. Almost smells like a barleywine, but it's more malty.

THE FLAVORS of this one are pretty hard to pin down. There is a strong roasted malt quality along with a nutmeggy/cinnamon spicy, tartness that is present throughout the entire beer. However, nutmeg and orange peel feel most present. There is very little hop bite due to it being masked by the curry of spices that are used. There is a sour, spicy, and slightly dry aftertaste. Overall, this beer is sweet and spiced and tastes very much like a light English-style porter that has been spiced.

THE FEEL is surprisingly nice in that it is medium-thick, and gives the taste buds a workout.

DRINKABILITY, I would say, is still good despite being rather confusing for my mouth. The spice hurts this aspect of the beer, but it is still as drinkable as a heavy porter or a medium-light stout with regard to its flavor intensity. Even with the craziness that is going on with Old Fezziwig Ale it is oddly well-balanced.

Last thing I will add, is "Props to Boston Beer Company for giving us a good, interesting beer without a bunch of snooty, pretentious packaging and geek jargon!" This is a nice, enjoyable beer and is worth picking up when you see it (I got mine in their "Winter Classics" 12-pack.)

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2011 23:02:47 | More by MadeInOregon