Samuel Adams Utopias - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I really enjoyed this one! I don't typically drink an American Strong Ale, but couldn't resist the opportunity to try Utopias. Surprisingly smooth, like a good Cognac. This would be fantastic on the front porch on a cool night with a fine cigar...which is how I intend on enjoying this if and when I ever get another opportunity!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 15:19:10 | More by DenverHopHead

ECBS

Ontario (Canada)

5/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

10th Anniversary Edition.

Immensely enjoyed by our Beer Society on April 20, 2013. Served at room temperature in 2.5 oz. samples.

Tasted alongside a tawny port, madeira, amontillado (medium dry) sherry, cream sherry (all of which were highly rated online, and only ran between $15-$25 at the LCBO) and Unibroue 17 Grande Reserve - all for comparison's sake. Not surprisingly, the Utopias was much more similar to the fortified wines we tried than the dark ale.

Out of our group of about ten men (none of whom had much experience with fortified wines), the vast majority found the fortified wines to be cloyingly sweet, while the unanimous consensus was that the Utopias was more complex, more drinkable (even with its higher ABV, as most of the fortified wines rang in at about 20%), and much more delicious.

As others have already mentioned, the taste is quite sweet without being cloying. Notes of maple syrup, dark fruits and chocolate. Plenty of warming alcohol. Beautiful colour - dark golden brown/ruby.

Highly recommended for a group tasting.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 17:32:30 | More by ECBS

FliryVorru

Alabama

4.95/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Utopias are an experience of a lifetime. I just happened (!!!) to find a 2009 vintage bottle in a store in St. Petersburg, Florida in 2010. I dropped the cash and have been sipping ever since. Yesterday, on the 2nd anniversary of buying the bottle, it finally emptied.

It's beer that has become the finest madeira you'll ever taste. Caramel, maple, toasted oak, molasses covered raisins, and every other flavor you can imagine!

If you like madeira, port, or sherry, you need to buy a bottle once in your life. You won't regret it!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 17:39:21 | More by FliryVorru

ktblue22

Vermont

4.69/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

This beer's rating is really a shot in the dark, since I have nothing really to compare it with, but I was extremely impressed with this beer! The experience around the taste also added to each wonderful sip. I was able to try it with my co-workers at a private tour oF Sam's in Boston - one of the brewers came out to let us sample it (The case of Heady we brought to share may have helped!!) and we had such a great time all trying the beer together.

The beer - really more like a lovely sweet bourbon - was intense yet delicate, sweet yet subtle. At near 30% I was pretty silly by the end of my generous portion. Every sip was delicious and different! Mostly what I remember is a milk-chocolate, maple syrup sweetness. Rare to try, but if you ever have the chance, I highly recommend it!

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 06:30:35 | More by ktblue22

TheCuriograph

New York

4.33/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

1 oz. tasting at Bierkraft (Brooklyn). Obviously, I may not have caught all (or even most) of the subtleties, but here we go:

A - Deep brassy mahogany; clearly there is no carbonation left on this thing, but its oily and you can see the sturdy lifting of the meniscus around the glass. As you swirl, the Utopias clings.

S - Abrasively boozy and overflowing with bourbon, toffee, molasses and dried fruit.

T - This is I guess what you'd expect 16 years of blended ales barrel-aged to taste like. The hops have long since faded to oblivion, leaving sweet whiskey notes and fig, caramel, berries and allspice. Only a durable bready maltiness reminds you that this is, in fact, beer.

M - Utopias has the consistency of canola oil, coating the full surface area of your mouth and tongue.

O - Nothing like it, but the rich whiskey taste and heavy alcohol content (not to mention the price tag and rarity) would relegate Utopias to the same dining location as a sweet single-malt scotch. A nice treat for a cool evening, but not something I'd seek out.

***

Politics, Art, Beer. A Compendium of Worldly Facts
The Curiograph
www.thecuriograph.com
Twitter: @TheCuriograph

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 02:06:07 | More by TheCuriograph

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

4.71/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

10th Anniversary Edition. Poured in to Utopias glass.

A - Deep ruby in colour with an amber glow along the edges. As expected, no head whatsoever.

S - A huge port aroma up front. Charred oak, bourbon, toffee and dark caramel aromas with a big sweetness are complimented by a big noticeable alcohol presence.

T - Port, bourbon and toasted oak flavours in the forefront give way to toffee, dark caramel and spiced rum noted. Some grape and raisin flavours in the background and a huge warming alcohol presence throughout that cuts through the massive sweetness. Given the 27% ABV, the alcohol is somewhat well hidden. Incredibly complex.

M - Full bodied. Thick and viscous. Next to no carbonation but that doesn't detract from thsi beer at all; in fact it is complimentary.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 00:00:52 | More by TheSevenDuffs

Fux

France

4.8/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2009 vintage sampled at Mikkeller bar in May 2012. Review fro notes.
A: Pours a clean, dark copper with no head at all. This looks like a heavy barleywine.
S: Nose is mostly the one of an English Barleywine with chocolate, caramel, dried fruits. Surprisingly, I couldn't detect any alcohol at all. Deep and very nice smell.
T: The taste mainly follows the nose but is deeper, with some bready malts, also fruity, strong but with a low alcohol presence despite a small kick on the aftertaste.
M: The mouthfeel is similar to a liquor, a bit flat, but smooth and still very drinkable given the ABV.
O: I was really impressed with this one. It's definitely a sipper but I would never have guessed the alcohol content. So deep, so rich. Awesome!

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 16:54:59 | More by Fux

chrisgalvin

California

4/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Holy cr@p this "Strong Ale" kicked my arse. I bought a 2007 from my local bottle shop and I've yet to drink it. The owner of the bottle shop mentioned that a place down the street was serving it in a shot glass for $15.00 per sniffer. We made or way down to the bar and had a chance to taste it and, fheew, this beer was strong, maple syrupy and really well balanced for a 29% beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 04:27:34 | More by chrisgalvin

Zbyler

Connecticut

4.51/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A- Looks like a nice 10-20 year old tawny port. Nice brown, redish hues throughout.

S- Smells like a port for sure, a little oak in the nose as well.

T- tasted just like a tawny port, a little less sweet, but a little more full bodied. Very complex. Lots of flavors coming through. Vanilla, oak, caramel sweetness, dark fruits, definitely didn't taste like a beer.

M- Thick, heavy, warming sensation from the alcohol.

0- This was my first time having the legendary Utopia and after hearing some grave reviews I was pleasantly surprised. I am a huge port fan so this was a nice treat for me. I definitely enjoyed this beer. Would I pay $200 for my own bottle? Probably not. But an ounce an a half was enough for me to experience something great and finally know what it tasted like.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 01:48:38 | More by Zbyler

Thehuntmaster

South Africa

4.96/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

750ml bottle 27,0% Abv.
Multiple servings (obviously on different days) ranging from 100ml – 300ml.
Servings ranged in temperature between room temperature and chilled.
Glassware: Over sized snifter and over sized wine glass.

Review from combined notes of each session.

2011 Vintage.

A massive thanks to JAXSON for sending this gem all the way to South Africa. This is really a beer I never thought I would get the chance to try.

Appearance: Sam Adams Utopias pours out incredibly thick and viscous and settles a very dark brown in the glass. A back light reveals beautiful deep red highlights and golden-amber edges. Obviously even the roughest of pours doesn’t generate an ounce of head. A swirl coats the glass in some of the heaviest alcohol legs I have ever seen.

Smell: My god, I knew this would smell good, but this is just ridiculous – you can literally smell it from across the room. The complexity of the nose far exceeds any other beer I have had to date, with every sniff seeming to yield something new, even during my third and fourth servings there were new characters that I had not yet noted. I am nowhere near eloquent enough to express how well the all flavours combine and interact, so I will simply list some of the notes that I detected over the course of multiple servings. These include: Bourbon, vanilla, big fortified wine notes (sherry and port), raisins, currents, chocolate, maple syrup, brown sugar, deep caramel, dark treacle, toffee, stewed plums, cherries, a little oak, brandy, molasses, dates, some leather and obviously at this Abv, some nose tingling alcohol.

Taste: Holy hell, as the nose promised, the flavor here is absolutely massive! The first few sips completely overwhelm your palate and not with alcohol as one might expect, but simply with the sheer size and complexity of the flavor. The flavor is incredibly sweet upfront, however the combination of barrel character and alcohol somehow manages to keep it from becoming cloying.
Flavour notes include: Rich caramel, maple syrup, fresh honey, fortified wine (sherry and port), butterscotch, bourbon, vanilla, oak, cognac, brandy soaked raisins, a toasted nutty note, dark toffee, a little molasses, a touch of leather, treacle syrup, caramelized brown sugar, a general dark fruity note and of course some alcohol (mind you, not as much as one might expect from 27%).

Mouthfeel: Well this is a first, a beer that even I cannot call over carbonated!
All jokes aside, at first glance Utopias seems to be devoid of any sort of carbonation, however after a long while and careful consideration, I have a feeling that there might just be a few uber small bubbles floating around in there.
The body is, in my mind, nothing short of perfect. It is incredibly full, sticky as hell and completely mouth coating. I actually kind of wish that some of my favorite whiskeys had a body like this!

Overall: As a lover of massive sweet beers, it was a bit of a no-brainer that I would love Utopias, but even in my wildest dreams I did not foresee it being quite this good! It is easily one of the best beverages I have ever had.
I purposely avoided using the word beer in the previous sentence as I think Utopias holds equally much in common with spirits such as bourbon and cognac as it does with other beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 19:00:38 | More by Thehuntmaster

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.43/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I was very fortunate to have my brewing lecturer share a bottle of this and the Sam Adams Triple Bock recently on our residential week. This bottle was the 2009 edition, which weighs in at 27% ABV.

Pours a rather light reddish brown colour, thick, spiritous and volatile in the glass. The head is, unsurprisingly, nowhere to be seen, leaving the beer looking rather dormant or dead. Huge legs from the thickness in the body, however, leaving sticky syrup trails when the beer is swirled. Colour changes to a slightly translucent yellow at the edges when tilted. It looks very exciting.

The aroma is all based around the booze, which, again, is not surprising. Big heady aromas of port and spirits surround everything. The aroma is rather sharp, however, and actually doesn't subside into a strong sweetness. There are some chocolate and coconut notes, possibly more from the oaking than any intrinsic sweetness. But otherwise, it's boozy, redolent, heady and just full of ethanol. It's an intense experience.

The sharp booze continues on the palate. Spicy heat on the front, mellowing to let stacks of oak character come through towards the back. The spicy alcohol releases other sharp characters: orange peel, a little lemon and ground allspice, along with a feeling like burning sinuses. The wood holds it together and stops it from being too violent. It's big and unapologetic, but maintains a sense of civility despite this.

Feel, unsurprisingly, is also hot and spicy, with a burn and stab approach to negotiation.

This is hot and difficult, but very powerful as a result. It's certainly an exciting and unique beer: one which is worthy of all the respect you can manage to muster for it.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:58:09 | More by lacqueredmouse

tectactoe

Michigan

4.34/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Review #400, better try and make it something special. How about a little '03 Utopias? Super huge thanks to Jeff for giving me a taste of this ten year-old beauty one night. I've been wondering if I'd ever get to try this, let alone the whale-ish vintage of it. Solid, copper-brown pour; silky, oily, and thick as it falls into the glass quietly - no carbonation at all. It just sits in the glass, motionless and menacing.

I don't even have to bring this to my face to smell it. I could have sat on the other side of the room and reviewed the aroma. It was SO goddamn strong, words can't even express its brute force. And not only was it strong, it was complex - the number of things present were insane, and it seemed like the aroma stretched on for miles. Licorice, cognac/brandy, brown sugar and molasses, candied dark fruits, grapes, plums, rubbing alcohol, maple, toffee, vanilla, wood... I could probably go on for days and you guys would say "bullshit!" but there's no bull here. The aroma is one of the most complex and intriguing on the market. Granted, a bit "hot" and stingy on the nostrils, but at 20%+ ABV, isn't that to be expected just a bit?

I was almost afraid to take a taste, just because I had no idea what to expect. I mean, a beer with over 20% ABV? How good can that really taste? It hits my palate, heavy and thick, smooth and far from cumbersome thanks to a lack of any real carbonation. Super, super sweet at first, and yes, the alcohol is VERY present and VERY apparent. But the intense sweetness does a remarkable job of retaining drinkability, when you consider how strong this stuff really is. Brown sugar, molasses, black cherries, plums, booze-soaked raisins, toffee cake, light rubbing alcohol, port, caramel.... Very nearly as complex as the nose and every bit as hot.

It's amazing that even after ten years, this beer has seemingly retained so much of its potency. I wonder how hot this was when it first came out? Maybe the effects of aging aren't quite as severe when you're dealing with alcohol content in this range. Despite being so hot (and understand that when I say "hot", I'm talking relative to beer - this still has nothing on real whisky or bourbon), it remained pretty drinkable, most likely due to the heavy sweetness that worked hard to balance out the burn. The finish left a hefty taste on the palate, full of dark fruity booziness and a thick, caramel and molasses coating. This is one of those things you could still be tasting in the morning if you don't brush your teeth good enough.

So how do I rate this? It's so far from the realm of "beer" as we know it, that it's quite difficult to rate it using the same scale and criteria as I would rate other beers, even considering differences between styles. I mean, you wouldn't score a glass of Macallan 18 with the same set of standards you use for beer, right? The thing is, Utopias is far from the realm of most hard alcohols, too. It's much sweeter than your typical bourbon, scotch, whisky, cognac, etc, and in my opinion, contains a bigger array of overall flavors and nuances. It's almost in a world of its own - a strange limbo somewhere between beer and spirits, where no other breweries have dared to go.

Make no mistake about it, though, Utopias is damn good. I think it comes as no surprise that it's definitely a "sipper", and it's a highly enjoyable and tasty one at that. Is it worth the price tag? Hard to say. Is anything worth that much money? Depends on how much you want it, I guess. I'll tell you this - it makes for a great experience and a great time when shared among friends. A nice conversation piece in itself, and enjoyable for beer geeks of all types. Big thanks again to Jeff for letting me take a taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 11:59:46 | More by tectactoe

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.85/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

10th Anniversary Utopias with a Nicaraguan rum barrel added into the aging process.
Black ceramic bottle into a taster snifter.

Served at room temp.

Viscous dark maple syrup pour. Zero carbonation, zero lacing, Loads of alcohol stuck to the edges of the glass.

A massive alcohol presence in the nose. Behind that is smooth, sweet rum, maple syrup, port, caramel, toffee, a nice vanilla punch and some bourbon in the back. Oak presence from the casks is there but subdued in the overwhelming nature of everything else.

Rum, maple syrup, bourbon, caramel, maple again, toffee, brown sugar, vanilla, a nice oakiness with a huge warming sensation as it goes down. There is some port in there but the overly sweet notes shine through. The alcohol in the taste is much more subdued than the nose leads it to believe. This is something to savor and enjoy and you just can't help but to do so with every sip.

Medium to full body with zero carbonation obviously. Sticky on the lips.

This is my second 1oz serving in two days and it is truly remarkable. Something I would have never imagined I'd ever have. I'm glad to be one of the many/few in Ontario to get a bottle and I will savor every drop.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 23:08:03 | More by korguy123

tastymug

Ohio

4.63/5  rDev +4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

I sampled the Samuel Adams Utopias 10th Anniversary, 2012 release.

Appearance: Pours a deep amber red/ruby color with no head of any kind. Appears to be clear, but it’s dark in color so it’s difficult to see through.

Smell: Dark fruits. Rich, sweet, more like liquor than beer.

Taste: Follows the nose; sweet, dark fruits such as fig or raisin, slight maple syrup, vanilla, oak. The strength of the alcohol definitely comes across in this one.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, syrupy; flavors stay on the tongue, coating it.

Overall: I can safely say I’ve never had “beer” like this before. It definitely comes across more like a cordial than beer, and drinking it would follow suit. It’s meant to be enjoyed at room temperature and in small, savory sips. This batch has very complex flavors. I’ve read that oxidation is part of the appeal of this beer; in other words you open the bottle, screw the cap back on when done and leave it be (like most liquors). Since I can’t personally speak to how this may taste a year from now, I would risk a guess that it will be as equally tasty as it is from a recently opened bottle. If given the chance to try it (or any of the previous batches) you’ll definitely want to add it to your “tried beers” list.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 02:08:59 | More by tastymug

srhoadsy

Florida

4.49/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Lucky enough to score a bottle of this last year. Served slightly chilled into a small snifter.

Pours a very dark chestnut brown with no head or lacing.

Smells of dried fruits, leather and of course alcohol.

Flavors explode on your tongue. Closest description I can think of is very strong brandied cherries.

Mouthfeel is sticky sweet with a crisp alchohol bite on the tongue and a lingering aftertaste.

As with others I had trouble rating this beer as it is a wholly unique beverage. I was extremely glad to have gotten a chance to try it. Would I shell out the funds for another, tough call. Would definitely go in on a bottle with friends.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 03:00:43 | More by srhoadsy

Odysseyalien

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Was treated to a sample today at Three Bling Monks in Garfield, NJ. In a single word ... "delicious"...and thanks to Brian for the sample. I would say though that to call this a beer is almost a misnomer as the taste is really more like a liquor or brandy. Tasty for sure, but difficult to call it a beer. The rating system for this is difficult cause I don't feel like I'm rating a beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 01:50:02 | More by Odysseyalien

emerge077

Illinois

4/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks Chris for sharing, it was most generous of you sir.

I've had this three times now, mainly due to the generosity of others, and I can say it's not really my thing. Would much rather but a top shelf bottle of bourbon or scotch for the price, though obviously no comparison there.

Pours a tawny almond skin brown, zero bubbles, zero lacing, bright clarity in the glass.

Aromas are sticky sweet, big raisin and prune, nutty sweet tawny port. Flavors are largely the same, flavors linger long into the finish. Seems like any number of aged strong ales... Hardy's, JW Lees, etc, albeit with a nitro boost of alcohol. What mars the experience to me is the jarring astringent bite from the alcohol, which is more akin to sipping a whiskey neat. The complexity and flavors are there, it's just not as easy to sip as it could be, maybe 27% has something to do with it. Again, my personal preference is for beer and/or whiskey, not a hybrid, though this is an exceptionally unique product.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 01:26:27 | More by emerge077

watsonmd

Georgia

5/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Hard to believe this was born as a beer. Really is more in line with a cognac, port, or other cordial.

A: poured into a snifter, 2 oz pour. The only beer with "legs" that I have ever had.

S: Unbelievable, sweet, fruity, rich

T: Fruit: plum, cherry, rasin, with a nice smooth alcohol, some spices, and oak.

M: Sticky, smooth, thick, syrupy.

O: A rare experience, graciously extended by a local pub owner. Would have a hard time paying $300 for a 24 ounce bottle, but glad I tried it!

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 16:37:14 | More by watsonmd

ehammond1

California

4.85/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottle (2012 - 10th Anniversary)

Thanks, JealousChalice!

Gorgeous dark coppers, amber, and caramels with zero visible carbonation, as expected. Nice clarity. Oily, alcoholic legs.

Perhaps the most complex aroma I've experienced in a beer of this style--though, granted, there is no beer in existence quite like this one to begin with. Vanillas, toffees, caramels, alcoholic kick, brandy-soaked cherry, and maple combine. This reminds me distinctly of a brandy or port. Lovely.

The flavor is even better than the aroma, though that almost seems impossible. Complex layers of maple, vanilla, brandy-soaked cherries, and port. The alcohol is less evident in the flavor than it is in the aroma, as well. Mind blowing.

Medium to full in body, with zero carbonation, though amazingly appropriate. Rich, coating, oily. Not too sweet, which was my worry.

Stupendous. One of a kind. There are no words, but I tried my best.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 05:06:54 | More by ehammond1

popery

California

4.48/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From notes, 7/28/11. Tried 2011 and 2007 versions. Vanilla, sherry, caramel, toffee and some booze make up the aroma. There are also notes of raisins, grapes and brandy. Lots of molasses. It’s complex and layered. Tons of barrel flavor. Very smooth feel. Little booze in the taste. Deep amber color and still. The ’11 had a better aroma and the ’07 the better taste, but they were fairly similar and it could have been bottle variation. Taste is fairly sweet but lots going on. Big molasses, fruit, bourbon and other spirits, oak, treacle, caramel. Very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 02:00:40 | More by popery

potownbill

New York

4.48/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The smell of this beer is extraordinary. Cognac, bourbon, vanilla, .... This is the only beer I have ever tried that I could sit and sip all night. I was able to sample a few ounces as part of a split with friends. The beer pours deep brown/black, with no head. It leaves a nice oil slick in the mouth, which allows you to savor the flavor. There is no hint of beer in the flavor, as it tastes like a very smooth cognac. If you asked 1000 people (non beer geeks) to taste it, I doubt anyone would say it was a beer. It is certainly worth it to split the cost with some friends, but I can buy a few great bottles of single malt scotch and a bottle of Bourbon for less money.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 23:15:22 | More by potownbill

d2daj

4.83/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Super Deli Mart (yes, I know- what?)- Samuel Adams Beer tasting
Serving - Brandy Snifter glass
Smell- Wow-a blending of rich cognac/bourbon with sweet caramel wafting over olfactory nerves
Price $$$$ - spendy $30+
$160+ retail price tag with very limited offering for 10th year anniversary, raffle drawn for empty bottle that you want to suckle on after
I can't describe how this doesn't even resemble a beer, none existant bubbly action/head for pour
Severe Legs- when you think of lines for bourbons/wine pour in the glass, swirl it around and take a whiff- feels warming, good fire/snow capped mountains outside with frost-
Sip- feels like a smooth cognac, and although anti- some of the threads, I would pay the retail for this bottle, since it is unlike anything I've had...smooth ness of caramel/vanilla, hint of cherry/oaken (awesomeness) Can't get over that most people in the place to get a "feel for the "taste" were constantly sharing the "smell" - huge winner at this tasting!
I feel priviledged to have sampled this and although I sampled twice, certainly memorable and worth it. Definitely have my eye on Utopias from now on...

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 04:11:30 | More by d2daj

huxcrunner

New York

4.96/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

At DeCiccos

Served in a glass

Fantastic no lacing rather more of a legging similar to a fine spirit the aromas are very sweet and carmel note and undertones of fruit the mouth feel is smooth and filling with a smooth alcohol feel. Among the best beers ever and does not faulter from beer root.

Kudos Sam Adams!

Serving type: cask

01-19-2013 20:38:40 | More by huxcrunner

kdb150

Pennsylvania

4.49/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Had at ChurchKey from the bottle into a small snifter, 2012 version.

A - Still and brown, as expected. Not surprisingly, this has huge legs on the glass when swirled.

S - Fine brandy is the overwhelming note up front, while caramel and toffee malt is in the background. Slight hint of alcohol.

T - Follows the nose with big brandy flavor up front. Toffee comes through in the middle. Finishes long, sweet, and smooth, with caramel taking over towards the back. This tastes wonderful, the layers of flavor unfold beautifully throughout each sip. Very well done.

M - syrupy, but balanced by the alcohol content. The feel is great, and the finish is impossibly long and smooth, but it gets cloying towards the end of the pour. I don't think one could drink more than a couple of ounces before crying uncle.

O - An excellent experience trying this, it is a very complex brew. The various barrels work really well together, presenting an up front flavor which is more like a fine spirit than a beer. The finish, however, is pure malty delciousness, reminding you that you are drinking a beer. I very much recommend seeking out a pour, but be warned - the server at ChurchKey said it lasts 3-4 weeks after opening before succumbing to noticeable oxidation, so purchasing a whole bottle is probably not a good idea unless you have several friends to share it with.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 00:56:30 | More by kdb150

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

10th Anniversary edition. $300 for a black fermenter style bottle. #11814. a blend of several variations including the "infamous" 1994 triple bock. Served 12-31-12 in celebration of new year at room temp in a chalice.

A: Not as thick or viscose as i imagined, a sherry-cayenne tint that was poured with no head and no signs of effervesce, no shocker there. Not as menacing as i envisioned, a quiet refined wine in glass visual.

S: First impression was from the bottle directly and one that was more pronounced then in the glass itself. Dark fruit, raisins, sherry, chocolate souffle and hazelnut. From the glass of about a 3-4oz pour alcohol fusels were dominant. Scotchy caramelized malt hint.

T: There was an almost hesitation to drink this at first, paying $300 a bottle with a nostril full of alcohol fusels my hand trembled a bit with the first sip. Rich chocolate souffle and hazelnut were present with some sweet toffee, and merlot. Warm toasty oak and alcohol, scotchy caramelized malt, and maple syrup sweetness. Some warm orange-apple honey fruitiness, licorice, vanilla, and figs with a cask wood background and sweet rum highlights are just a few of the vast complexities this beholds. Flavor was very nice, have to say, and best of all no indication of the 1994 triple bock soy sauce, yeah. Honey caramel.

M: Mouthful was buttery and viscose with a motor oil slick texture, flat carbonation, high warming of alcohol on the tongue. Buttery caramel and alcohol fueled lacing but was fairly clean. It took alot to get a good feel for this and i knew i wasnt gonna get much of a second or third chance with the limited volume serving. soothing heat.

O: Overall analysis, a very good complexity that shows through even in limited volume. Would love to get a longer appreciation for this, but i guess thats what the multiple servings are for. To be consumed like a fine, very expensive wine, with each sip being gentle, small, with a long drawn out swallow. Very savoring. This is a once in a lifetime purchase for me. At $300 a bottle was it worth it? only for self satisfactor sake. The bottle is quite the appeal and makes for a good show piece. Best split with friends or experienced by the glass at an establishment if you want to experience this first hand. 27% abv was not as boozy as one would think, ive had beers 10% that seemed more potent then this, just take it easy with small mangable sips, to much and that 27% will smack some sense into you.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 02:04:04 | More by beerthulhu