Samuel Adams Boston 375 Colonial Ale
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Samuel Adams Boston 375 Colonial AleSamuel Adams Boston 375 Colonial Ale
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From:
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
American Amber / Red Ale
ABV:
5.2%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.53 | pDev: 15.58%
Reviews:
21
Ratings:
28
Status:
Retired
Rated:
May 01, 2015
Added:
Sep 22, 2005
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  1
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 3.75 by connecticutpoet from Connecticut

May 01, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Dec 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Beer21 from Florida

Sep 29, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by jaxon53 from Connecticut

Jun 25, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Justind04 from North Carolina

Mar 08, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by SHCC from Massachusetts

Feb 22, 2012
 
Rated: 3 by Eastsideinside from Connecticut

Nov 19, 2011
Photo of n0rmann
Reviewed by n0rmann from Massachusetts

2.7/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
This was a strange bee. It started with a light matly smell, and the first couple of sips, the beer was a very nice beer.

But after that, the taste just disappeared. It was like drinking carbonated water. I thought it may be the draft line because the same thing happened to the person I was drinking with, but I tried it again at another bar, and the same thing happened.

I've never had a beer that changed so dramatically as I drank it.
Oct 01, 2006
Photo of ryanms3030
Reviewed by ryanms3030 from Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
I tried this recently at a party where they had a case of it. I'm not a big Sam Adams fan to begin with but this was better and more interesting then most of their other beers. The label said it was brewed with an old colonial recipe (hence the name) and that it was brewed with molases. There was a definate molases and malty flavor which was interesting. It kind of reminded of a watered down version of the tripel bock. Similar in flavor but not something I could drink more then a couple of.
May 31, 2006
Photo of UncleJimbo
Reviewed by UncleJimbo from Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Sampled on-tap.

This "Colonial Ale" poured a cloudy/murky, light brown color with creamy, light tan foam that clinged to the glass and coated the glass as the beer level dropped. The smell was lightly malty with notes of molasses and caramel. The taste was malty with a touch of molasses, especially in the finish. There was also a note of caramel. The apparent hop bitterness was very light. The mouthfeel was sharp up front, with medium body and strong carbonation. Dry overall with a nice caramel malt flavor in the finish. This was a nice beer, and it reminded me of some kellerbiers I have had.
Mar 12, 2006
Photo of PatandDavid
Reviewed by PatandDavid from Massachusetts

2.55/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
I tried this a few times on tap around a few beer bars in Boston. This one wasn't as tasty as I was hoping, but from what I've read about beer in the good old days, it probably would have qualified for pretty tasty back then. What didn't I like? The musty brown color. The low aroma. Tastewise it was molasses and mustiness. I have to say it did have a good medium mouthfeel however. Just not as tasty as I was hoping.
Feb 27, 2006
Photo of drumenigma
Reviewed by drumenigma from Massachusetts

2.22/5  rDev -37.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
I tried this beer at the Sam Adams brewery. I was quite excited because someone had mentioned this special brew to me and told me it was only available at certain places for a limited time. Now i personally enjoy about every Sam Adams beer i drink. However, this beer did not belong on my palate. It had a pleasent look to it and the smell was maybe that of a wheat beer, not sure. But when i took a sip of it the first thing that came to mind was dirty gym socks. The taste started to come a little more apparent to me the more i drank it, maybe if i gave it another chance i might enjoy it more. I could start to notice the hint of rum that they had mentioned at the brewery more towards the end.
Feb 14, 2006
Photo of dbalsock
Reviewed by dbalsock from Vermont

4.3/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
appearance: an almost brown shade of amber with hints of red poking through

smell: rich molasses immediately comes to the nose

taste: oh so good, sweet and malty, tastes much like the smell would suggest, molasses and sugar take control of the brew, but the hops intervene to make it somewhat balanced.

mouthfeel/drinkability: the beer feels heavy, almost syrupy, on the palate, but the sweetness makes it easily drinkable, not quickly drinkable, just easily drinkable. leaves a nice aftertaste, the lingers and begs to be savored by another sip
Jan 15, 2006
Photo of JMH_
Reviewed by JMH_ from New Jersey

3.7/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Had this one on tap at a few places during a recent trip to Boston. It's a good solid brew, but not great overall.

It pours a murky brownish/amber colour with a medium off-white head that is mildly sticky.

The aroma consists of earthy malt, molasses, brown sugar and some smoke notes as well.

The flavour is more of the same, although a bit more complex. Unfortunately, the flavors don't mesh as well as they could. There are some smoke notes, lots of molasses and other sweetness, some chocolate, caramel and minor hop notes kick in here and there as well.

I thought the mouthfeel was just right here. There was a chewy slickness to this one most of the time, which is how I would imagine many brews were back in colonial times.

I would have this one again for sure, but it's not something that I'd order over and over again. Maybe once on a random night here and there. Unfortunately, that won't be a problem for me as it's not available here and from what I here is almost gone altogether. Grab a pint if you can.
Dec 24, 2005
Photo of Freshie
Reviewed by Freshie from Massachusetts

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I have been wanting to try this one for awhile now. I tried buying some at a very amazing liquor store near me. They didn't have it but the manager told me that Sam Adam's was only selling it on tap at Boston-area resturants and bars. A friend tipped me off to it being at a local TGI Friday's. I actually went there to try this beer.

It is supposed to be a traditional ale of the 1700's and is a promotion for the Celebration of the 375th anniversary of Boston's Charter. It is unfiltered just as beer of that time would be.

It is served on tap in a normal glass. The head was creamy and the hue seemed very amber and thick. The aroma was very earthy. It was pleasant and did not sting the nostrils.

The taste was very strong and fruity with molasses and some caramel, but left hardly any after taste. Like with the smell, the taste is very earthy. One of my friends even said "it tastes like camping"

It hearkens back to a simpler time. It is just a traditional brew, meant to show beer lovers where beer has been and how far it has come since. Not a brew I would drink often but a great beer, and quality made.
Dec 16, 2005
Photo of aaronh
Reviewed by aaronh from Pennsylvania

3.97/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is a surprisingly good beer. Pours a dark amber with a thin head. Great molasses and caramel aromas with a touch of fruity esters. The flavor is very nice, much like a strong brown ale but with a distinct molases note. Drinkability is very good. Not sure if this is a staple or a limited brew, but it's a very nice offering.
Dec 10, 2005
Photo of Franchise
Reviewed by Franchise from Oregon

2.95/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
This beer pours with a small white lace, it has a great light amber color that has a richness to it. It makes you want to drink it right away. The smell is of nuts and raw sugar cane....the taste is a little bitter it has really strong molasses flavors and roasted nuts are in the fore front of this ale. I liked it overall but def an acquired taste which is what they were going for, something authentic to the time.
Nov 19, 2005
Photo of uncleozzy
Reviewed by uncleozzy from New York

3.18/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Pours a very dark amber with just a tiny off-white head. Smells lightly of malt, vanilla, and spice, and tastes strongly of all three. Lightly carbonated and almost cloyingly sweet; it has the usual maltiness of an amber with an additional sweetness that I found unpleasant. There is an almost complete lack of hops here. This, combined with the low carbonation and slick maltiness, makes this a very drinkable beer, although I wouldn't want to drink too much of it. Worth a try if you've got it available, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
Nov 16, 2005
Photo of lpayette
Reviewed by lpayette from Vermont

4.55/5  rDev +28.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I wasn't sure if this beer would live up to the hype or not, but in my opinion it was much better than I expected. Had this on tap with fellow BA dbalsock someplace in Jamaica Plan.

Pours a very dark amber, with a small amount of tan head. Smells of molasses. The taste of molasses and malts dominate this brew, and give it a sweetly unique and delicious flavor. For how dark this beer is, it is incredibly easy to drink- which is sad because soon it seems that nobody will be able to drink it.... They should just rename it "Colonial Ale," and bottle it too (send some to me for the idea). This beer should be enjoyed by everyone.
Nov 15, 2005
Photo of Dewey0603
Reviewed by Dewey0603 from Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This pours a dark reddish color with a really nice head,two fingers.the smell is a mix of hops,sugar,and spices.It really smells very good.The taste is a deep rich ale flavor.A nice mix of hops and spices make this a very drinkable and full flavored ale.If I could find this again I would have it,but I had it in Disney's Epcot Wine & Food show and was told that there wasn't that much brewed.I would love to try this again.
Nov 14, 2005
Samuel Adams Boston 375 Colonial Ale from Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 28 ratings