Samuel Adams Utopias - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

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

Scalawags

Illinois

5/5  rDev +12.4%

06-18-2013 15:48:18 | More by Scalawags

acc88

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

06-18-2013 08:37:35 | More by acc88

Jeffreysan

Maryland

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

The 10th Anniversary edition given to me for my 40th birthday. The latest release of Utopias is a blend of previous beers aged in various liquor barrels. Mr. Dzen reports that beer from barrels from the original Triple Bock 20 years ago, from subsequent Triple Bocks, from Millennium (released in 1999), and from each subsequent release of Utopias is blended into the 10th anniversary edition. Further, Mr. Dzen reports that the 2012 edition of Utopias was aged in single-use bourbon casks from the Buffalo Trace Distillery and also spent time in a variety of finishing casks, including Tawny Port casks and Vintage Ruby Port casks from Portugal and rum barrels from Nicaragua.

2 ounce pour, poured into a cordial glass.

Appearance: Utopias pours a very viscous, yet clear dark amber, like an Armagnac, Cognac, or Spanish Brandy. Absolutely gorgeous in color.

Aroma: Whoa! You can really smell that 29% ABV! Utopias has a very strong, but pleasing not offensive, alcohol aroma, that reminds me again, of an Armagnac, Cognac, or Spanish Brandy. There’s also tons of dried fruit, (prunes and raisons) and caramel and toffee and vanilla. Finally, there’s notes of oak, from the barrel-aging. Absolutely outstanding.

Taste: Another Keanu Reeves, “Whoa!” Tastes very similar to the aforementioned Armagnac, Cognac, or Spanish Brandy or even a vintage port. Lots of fruit, and oak and vanilla and toffee, and caramel, with slight hints of tobacco, all wrapped up in a very long, pleasant malty, alcohol finish. Very pleasant, very complex. I know that this is a beer, but…this is a beer?! Damn, I’m extremely impressed.

Mouthfeel: Cloying in a GOOD way, like a brandy, meaning the alcohol nicely balances everything out.

Overall: This beer is awesome! Extremely flavorful, extremely complex, and extremely fantastic. Utopias will now be placed on a metaphorical shelf of honor next to my best scotches, Armagnac, Cognac, and Spanish Brandies!

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 21:47:21 | More by Jeffreysan

hefferee

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +12.4%

06-17-2013 02:01:49 | More by hefferee

TheBeeraholic

Ontario (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

06-16-2013 15:36:09 | More by TheBeeraholic

williamjbauer

West Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

06-16-2013 03:59:22 | More by williamjbauer

stogirelli

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -15.7%

06-16-2013 01:12:32 | More by stogirelli

CEDAMA

California

3/5  rDev -32.6%

06-16-2013 01:10:31 | More by CEDAMA

minnesotaryan

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +12.4%

06-15-2013 03:32:18 | More by minnesotaryan

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4.54/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Let's start by saying Utopias changes from batch to batch. That aside, the first Utopias I sampled was 24% ABV. The next weighed in at 25%, the 2nd to last one from 2009 (this review) topped out at 27% ABV. The latest storms in at 29%!
Poured in a Utopias glass (a gift from A Taste for Wine and Spirits in Cohasset, MA)
It pours a very deep amber teak color with no head at all. When held to light the rich viscosity oils are admired.
The smell is port-like in its depth, although that's where similarities end. Big whiffs of strong dark rum come to mind, as does the smell of Sherry. There's also maple syrup, cola, cocoa and spiced brandy in the mix. The aromas last throughout.
The flavors of Sherry, creme brulee, rum, cherries soaked in rum, then bathed in port barrels roll across the tongue, mouth and throat. A minor taste of Grand Marnier peeks in, real or imagined.
I tried sipping, swigging, then gulping some. Swigging works for me!
Look forward to sampling the newest Utopias...when it can be afforded.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 20:33:24 | More by BeerResearcher

ArchEnemyBrew

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

06-12-2013 05:22:14 | More by ArchEnemyBrew

sarge27

California

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

06-11-2013 04:57:11 | More by sarge27

Hugonaut13

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

06-11-2013 04:00:26 | More by Hugonaut13

flip387

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

06-10-2013 16:23:48 | More by flip387

jarrgal

North Dakota

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

06-10-2013 11:58:14 | More by jarrgal

tinypyramids

Illinois

4/5  rDev -10.1%

06-10-2013 02:30:43 | More by tinypyramids

Andrew041180

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

This isn't a normal beer, or even an abnormal beer, and I will review it as such.

A - I really like this. Its mahogany in color with ruby highlights throughout. The light coming through the beer is fantastic. Looks like the liquor it more closely resembles.

S - the alcohol knocked me back initially. Normally I can taste and smell anything approaching 10%. Additional attempts yield vanilla, carmel, and maybe a little dark fruit.

T - follows the nose. Also some nice oakiness detectable. Strong alcohol, but the flavors still carry the day.

M - relatively thin, with a calming burn and slight tingle on the finish.

O - enjoy this an ounce or two at a time. I had mine after a nice thick steak and wanted to fall asleep shortly after. Make sure to share this with friends.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 02:02:22 | More by Andrew041180

HoppyLuckyGoGo

California

3.75/5  rDev -15.7%

06-06-2013 18:33:40 | More by HoppyLuckyGoGo

jacwomyn

District of Columbia

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

06-04-2013 22:47:41 | More by jacwomyn

DanimalFL

Florida

4/5  rDev -10.1%

06-04-2013 18:29:53 | More by DanimalFL

JiveTurkee

Texas

1/5  rDev -77.5%

06-04-2013 01:52:50 | More by JiveTurkee

DrZeus10

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -4.5%

06-03-2013 22:47:20 | More by DrZeus10

Beerdy

Heard & McDonald Islands

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%

06-03-2013 21:00:31 | More by Beerdy

pmoney

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%

06-03-2013 14:45:34 | More by pmoney