Samuel Adams Holiday Porter - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

reviewed from notes, part of the big sam adams tasting on xams day. we plowed through everyone we could find in the damn state! served cold and poured into a pint glass.

catches you off guard as it pours as black as a stout with a nice thin head of tan foam on top that really sticks around quite nicely for a god long while before settling back down to earth but leaving a good overall impression. aroma is ark roasted malts, hints of smoke, lots of cocoa and a touch of licorice? something a bit different as you dive inside, no matter we trudge on. smooth and creamy feel is well placed but it is missing that kick, that little extra that could seperate it from the crowd.

overall it was alrght. i had high hopes on the look, but it let me down a tad. what can you do.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 02:52:31 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

3.78/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The pour is a dark, dark brown with a small tan colored foam on top. There is some nice lacing on the glass as I enjoy this fine libation.

S: The primary aroma is roasted malt, but there are some mild chocolate and vanilla notes in there as well.

T: A fairly sweet beer for a porter. The roasted malt and coffee come through on the finish, but the initial tastes are chocolate and caramel.

M: A medium bodied beer with a moderate level of carbonation.

D: Like most of the other Sam Adams beers, a very easy drinker. I wish it wasn't quite as sweet, but it's still a decent beer and easy to have a few of in a sitting.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2009 07:13:41 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes.

Pours a very dark brown with a thin head. Almost completely opaque. Nose brings some dark chocolate and hints of coffee. A little bit of caramel as well. Taste is roasted malt, chocolate, coffee, caramel, and some very mild fruit. Medium body with good carbonation. Out of all the beers that can be purchased at nearly any grocery store in the winter, this one is probably my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 18:59:02 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a dark brown, near black body with a full, fluffy beige head.

Smell: Aroma comprised chiefly of dark malts with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and toasted dark caramel. Vague hint of sour fruits.

Taste: Pleasant array of flavors roll by the tongue - semi-sweet chocolate, dark caramel, burnt breadcrusts, and chocolate-covered coffee beans. Hint of tart fruitiness. No more than a light hop bitterness to pair with the mild roastiness in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Smooth mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Good stuff! Unless the Old Fezziwig really wins me over I'd have to consider this to be my favorite of the Samuel Adams Winter Mix-Pack.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2007 23:11:01 | More by ChainGangGuy

brentk56

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours an ice tea brown color with a beige head that leaves lots of lacing

Smell: Modest roasted notes; nutty, with a bit of dark fruit

Taste: Starts with a very rich roasted malt flavor that is joined by some nut skin in the middle; burnt almonds, chocolate and dark fruit complement the finish

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with good carbonation

Drinkability: A very nice porter which would be welcome in my house any time of the year

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2006 01:30:49 | More by brentk56

UCLABrewN84

California

3.7/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Best before 4/2013.

Pours an almost opaque super dark brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, and caramel. Taste is much the same with a mild herbal hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp and slightly medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 01:15:12 | More by UCLABrewN84

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Bottle: Poured a black color porter with a nice off-white foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma consists of light dry chocolate notes with medium roasted malt notes. Taste is a mix of roasted malt with dry bitter notes and some light black chocolate notes with some subtle floral notes form the Golding hops. Body is about average with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Not the most complex porter put there but well brewed and easily drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 17:12:08 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Winter variety pack -- part II. Pretty agressive brew with strong roots and plenty of charisma. Strong porter-like attributes throughout (chocolate, coffee, roasted malts, toast, and walnuts). All show up evenly in the look, smell, and taste. A swift kick of hops (English) give a big pine flavor and aroma; adds spiciness, dryness, and a Christmas tree, get-in-the-mood kind of flavor. Aggressively bittered and flavored, but not to dominate the malts and other Porter characters. Finishes sweet and bitter with a bit of a roasted grain / hop bite. A bit dry. Good porter though.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2006 02:07:19 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured a deep,rich brown with a fluffy mocha colored two finger head that settles very slowly leaving a nice sheet of lace behind,alot of nice aromas going on roasted nuts and vanilla stick out most to me with a hint of milk chocolate as well.Those roasted nuts are quite noticable in the flavors of this beer as well,along with that vanilla not overly sweet a good almost herbal-like dryness comes thru late.Quite flavorful and drinkable maybe a little different take on a porter with some different flavors going on,well done.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2005 23:47:42 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Almost black, but not quite. Very dark mahogany. A gleaming band of orange-chestnut appears at the base. Creamy dark tan head. Very good head retention. Very nice lacing.
S: Buttery toffee and caramel. Notes of brown sugar and molasses. Superb! Quite welcoming.
T: The flavor is not as sweet as the nose suggests, but the buttery side remains. Lots of diacetyl in this one, but it works! Dull chocolate and mild yeasty fruitiness round it out. It's not particularly roasty, but there is an underside of burnt coffee that's nice. And an edge of scorched caramel. The bitterness is solid, but unobtrusive. It finishes dry with a dollop of butter that lingers along with some dark chocolate and a stiff bitterness.
M: Decidedly medium bodied with a moderate carbonation.
D: As a "holiday" porter this really works! The buttery aspect lends itself to festive activities. Of course, I've always enjoyed a touch of diacetyl within certain beers myself, so maybe I'm biased. But this just seems to fit right in at the Thanksgiving dinner table!

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2006 16:20:58 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a Sam Adams sensory pint glass.

Almost done with the Winter styles pack. This one pours a very dark clear garnet-brown topped by nearly a finger of light-ish ecru foam. The nose comprises light roasted malts, buttery biscuits, caramel, toffee, rye bread, and a touch of cinnamon. The taste holds notes of chocolate, wheat, rye bread, nutmeg, cinnamon, and the always-there roasted malts. The body is a solid medium, with a light carbonation and a very smooth feel. Overall, a very nice porter, but somehow falls short of greatness. It's highly drinkable, but seems to lack a certain roastiness or darkness or warmth (something along these lines).

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2010 00:58:32 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Darkly cast appearance, yet not quite brown, a dunnish deep burgundy, perhaps, resting under a good-sized, roasty cocoa-tan head, a solid 1/4", slowly shifting down.
Bittersweet espresso aroma, roasted, toasted, lightly spicy, burnt toast, chocolate, and a whiff of coffee grounds...with chocolate getting bigger over time...
Smooth and rich on the palate, light but almost luscious in flavor, sweetness and dark, together in tandem, with a creamy oily coating on the palate. Very well felt in the mouth, fills it fully, swishes flavor all around. Quite nice. Full in body, with a long, chocolatey finish.
Very, very nice porter...my voice rises in the choir to ask what makes it a "holiday" porter...no matter, this is nice nonetheless...why don't they so something this good year 'round, I gotsta ask...

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2004 11:01:36 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.1/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a deep dark black color with a thick frothy tan/brown head that slowly fades. The aroma is great. It has a smooth and sweet chocolatey scent that is very pleasant to the nose. There are also hints of patent and crystal malts, but the chocolate scent is overpowering. The taste is good. It has a rich black malt presence along with a chocolate element. It goes down easy and finishes rather dry. The mouthfeel is good. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good porter. It is full of body and flavor, although the taste just wasn't what I expected from the aroma. This is a good drinker regardless.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2004 02:09:48 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Beer served from a 12 ounce bottle into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. Beer is brown / reddish, dark with a tan thin head with low retention, low lacing, low carbonation, beer is mostly clear at the corners.

Aroma is mildly roasty, mildly sweet, with some nutmeg or allspice in the nose, ever slo slightly.

Beer is medium to light in body, sweet, mildly spiced, decent finish, a little dry but not too dry at all. Easy drinking and enjoyable, to summarize, a relatively light bodied, semi dry spiced porter, if that's your thing go get this.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 19:38:34 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to hudsonphotog for sharing this beer.

Pours a dark brown to black with reddish highlights. The aroma is cherry, dark fruit, vanilla and caramel. The flavor is more of the same with a tobacco and tannic aftertaste, which was unexpected. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2010 00:19:02 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

In the Winter Classics 12-pack.

A - Poured out a dark brown color with flecks of red. A small, tan head left no lacing.

S - It smelled of malt and a nice blending of hops.

T - It tasted of caramel and chocolate. It had an okay hop spiciness.

M - It was crisp and smooth. A light to medium-bodied porter.

D - This is an okay brew. I had hoped it would be better.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2007 04:46:06 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear dark amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high beige head that died down but never completely faded away.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of burnt malts, caramel and toffee in the nose along with some hints of coffee.
T: The taste is similar to the smell; it has initial hints of malty sweetness, notes of spices and finishes with a slight amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied, relatively smooth and a bit thin and watery on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. There is some dryness, which particularly stands out in the finish.
O: This beer is very easy to drink compared to other beers in the style because it isn’t that filling and doesn’t have that much bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2011 02:14:57 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.28/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours with a thick, frothy three finger thick light brown colored head. This beer is a deep dark, almost black, brown color. At first the beer smells quite chocolate-like and spicy. It quickly gains a note that is quite reminiscent of buttery diacetyl. The more I smell the more convinced I become that this beer reeks of diacetyl. What is the taste like?

The beer has a rich chocolaty mouth feel to it. This seems to suppress the diacetyl that is found in the aroma, at least to a pretty good extant. Chocolate is the dominant note, with a bit of acidity in the finish, plus a bit of roast character. In the finish is that diacetyl note though, not so great that the beer is undrinkable, but enough that it is unpleasant. This was a bit disappointing, I was really expecting a decent Porter, in fact without the diacetyl notes this beer would have exceeded my expectations. I should note though, I am particularly sensitive to diacetyl.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2005 04:40:14 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.78/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Pours a deep brown with a short but thick tan head and leaves a thin, even lace.

S: Coffee, roasted malt and a bit of chocolate & fruit.

T: You notice the smoky coffee flavor at first along with some fruitiness (I want to say some type of berry flavor, but it's too faint for me to tell. Raspberry? Raisin maybe?), then a little hops bitterness. A bit more than most porters that I've had but not too much, enough to give it that distinct Sam Adams flavor. Overall the taste isn't very strong though.

M: Very smooth, low carbonation and doesn't leave the typical syrupy, sticky feel in your mouth that you can get from other beers of this style.

D: Goes down easy and not too filling considering the style. It's definitely a beer that you can sit and relax with for a good long time. It's just too bad that Boston Beer Co. only puts this out in a mix-pack.

Overall I thought this was a very good beer, although if I'm going to drink a Sam Adams beer of this or a similar style, I'd prefer the Black Lager, which I can at least get in a six pack rather than have to get 2-out-of-12 in a mix pack.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2006 04:32:10 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

This is a pretty solid porter, the color pours out as a deep brown color with a decent head in it. The body of this beer doesn't allow a whole lot of light through. The aromas of this beer are highly roasted and kind of warming. The mix of chocate in there too. I also thought I was picking up some type of Christmas berry aroma too. The taste is pretty good, the flavors of some light coffee and chocolate mix well together here and leave you wanting more. The
Mouthfeel is a little thick but not heavy either. Its worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2011 00:19:57 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.93/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours mahogony to black, barely letting light pass. Tan head was huge anf fluffy but settled down to a 1/4" head half way through the glass and held up the rest of the way with good lacing all the way down.

Smell: Some molasess and raisin with hints of choclate and alcohol

Taste: Smoothness and a pricklyness that showcases choclate, fruitiness and bitterness under the tounge and down the throat. Goes down well on a cool (not cold suprsingly) november night in colorado.

Mouthfeel is lacking a little more malt kick to balance the carbonation level.

This is one of my favorite SA beers, wish I didn't have to buy the winter 12 pack to get at it, but the addition of the black lager & the price ($10.50) are making this a sweet deal

I could drink this well into the night if it were my only choice

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2005 07:39:24 | More by russpowell

Halcyondays

California

4.58/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12 oz. bottle, with a Dickensian man bringing a giant cask of Porter to an 1800's Christmas gathering, very inviting and appropriate,

A: Pours a dark brown, black from afar, with a thick, off-white, to light tan head, which has excellent retention, and forms a funnel type shape in my tulip as the beer is drunk. Heavy concentric rings of lace straddle the glass, making the beer's presence known. A beautiful beer to look at before it is drunk, and while one is drinking it.

S: Nice smell of roasted caramel malt, toast, bread, chocolate, and a bit of smoke and spice. Not the most robust smelling porter I've ever had, but the qualities of the smell make up for it nicely.

T: Very tasty. Bittersweet, 60-70% cocoa hits at the first sip, with some sweet caramel coming in second. Toasted bread and a bit of molasses add some complexity to the already beautiful, full malt flavour.

M: Smooth and creamy, full-bodied, almost like a liquid chocolate bar, very soothing and enjoyable.

D: I remember liking the Old Fezziwig the best last year, and it still is great, but this year, the Holiday Porter takes the cake. I have been thoroughly impressed by this beer, truly fantastic. The holiday mix pack from Sam Adams is worth it just for this beer, probably the best American Porter I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2007 05:52:03 | More by Halcyondays

emerge077

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served cool at cellar temperature, 58º. Into a narrow willibecher glass it pours smoothly, generating excess foam that settles after a couple minutes. Creamy texture, concentric sticky rings of lace around the sides. Retention lasts for the entire glass. Looks black until held to the light, then it has a scarlet copper glint to it.

Mellow dry sweetness of bittersweet chocolate. Pretty mild.

Earthy bitterness, dry roast, some unsweetened bakers chocolate and mellow coffee notes. Maybe a hint of dried cherry. The bitterness builds with bigger sips, leaving a nice dry coffeeish aftertaste. Smooth feel, light to medium bodied. Overall an enjoyable, versatile porter.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 00:21:47 | More by emerge077

Gavage

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Part of the Holiday 12 Pack.

Appearance: pours a dark brown color with a decent 1" head. The head slowly disappated. Spotty lacing.

Taste: the aroma was of chocolate and coffee. The flavor was mildly sweet, as bitter chocolate, caramel, and a hint of prunes. Mild hop bitterness rounds it out.

Mouthfeel:smooth at the start and finish. The chocolate and coffee tones linger on the tongue shortly after swallowing.

Drinkability: the drinkability is OK, and overall the beer is decent but not overly exciting.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2005 16:08:30 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +20.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoy by April '08 notched on label:

The smell is of roasted dark malt - caramel/toffee, chocolate with a touch of fruitiness.

The taste is of roasted dark malts - caramel/toffee and chocolate with a fruity/earthy/spicy English-style hop bitterness. Nicely balanced. Finishes with a roasted, balanced sweetness.

Rich and hearty, yet smooth.

A great porter - English-style with an American flair. It has a good amount of complexity. A great balance with a nice use of hops that are supportive enough to showcase the malt complexities. I could enjoy several of these, and year-round, to boot!

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2008 00:45:21 | More by jwc215