Brewer Patriot Collection - Traditional Ginger Honey Ale - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Huffs

New York

4.23/5  rDev +31%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Had this beer in April of 2006:

Appearance: Light body and opaque. Golden color with a mildly lasting head.

Taste: Excellent balance of sweet and spice. Ginger overtones are perfect. Slightly hoppy taste.

Comments: Super refreshing beer, grear semmertime beer..

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 13:38:43 | More by Huffs

magictrokini

California

3.45/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Very interesting brew. Pours cloudy gold with a fluffy white head. Smells very lemony with ginger. A little soapy, but like one of those soaps your wife would buy. Nice honey sweetness up front that moves into the ginger and malt back. Reminds me of an herbal/homeopathic tea you would drink for a cold, but with beer mixed in. Tingly carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2009 23:24:13 | More by magictrokini

mugglesandhops

California

3.95/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

My favorite of the collection. This is the only one i actually enjoyed drinking. Poured nice golden color. smelled of ginger, honey and lots of lemon. tasted strong of lemon as well. this is a very drinkable brew, i wish i could say the same of the others in this collection but i can't

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2008 15:02:02 | More by mugglesandhops

Golden2wenty1

Wisconsin

3.6/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From notes. 12 oz bottle from Brewer Patriot 6 pack.

Pour: hazy light gold with tangerine highlights, under a finger of snow white foam that fades to a soapy skim.

Nose: very light - ginger, allspice, and lemon

Taste: Pungent ginger spice, clover honey, wintergreen and vanilla. They should make a candle out of this stuff.

Feel: light yet creamy with velvety carbonation.

Drinkibility/Overall: spicy and sweet, it remains surprisingly drinkable and is strikingly similar to Summer Ale, with a ginger infusion.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2008 06:22:38 | More by Golden2wenty1

deltatauhobbit

Maine

3.53/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Taken from my old notes.

Pours a pale yellow, not much head.

Smells mostly of honey, with of course some ginger spice, and a little bit of lemon. Really interesting smelling beer.

The honey is most predominant with the taste, but with some herbal undertones. Fairly spicy and sweet. Tad too much carbonation but not over done to ruin it.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2008 03:08:31 | More by deltatauhobbit

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

2.68/5  rDev -17%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Off notes from 10-2006. Pours a cloudy gold with a lot of large chunks of sediment floating around. Nose is strong like perfumed hand soap. No kidding. That was the first thing I thought - hand soap. Taste is very odd. Effervescent on the mouth with a tangy sweetness. Leaves a honey residue on the tongue. Mouthfeel is good, but not enough to save this one. Might be interesting to try but not to keep around.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2007 06:05:45 | More by RblWthACoz

mat5175

Texas

2.9/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

This didn't produce enough head for my taste. Given the copious amounts of yeast in this bottle, i opted to decant this. The resulting appearance is a fairly clear golden color.

The nose is interesting but unimpressive. Ginger is certainly present as is something sweeter, though i would be hard pressed to guess honey if it wasn't on the bottle.

The ginger is only slightly present in this one, at least to my taste. That suits me quite well as the sweetness overtakes the ginger in my opinion. i admit my bias however, as ginger is not my favorite. The finish isn't all that remarkable. i wish i could say how this stacks up to the style in general, but i think this may be the only one of the type i have come across. Overall this was an enjoyable glass.

This has a lively carbonation that coupled with the sweetness worked quite well in my opinion. Other than that this is pretty average on the tongue.

i actually think that this would be pretty easy to drink multiples in a row and it would remain pretty enjoyable. But given the total lack of availability i just couldn't score it higher.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2007 05:42:24 | More by mat5175

DoubleJ

California

3.15/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I couldn't believe it, but a liquor store near my school carried a few boxes of the Brewer Patriot Collection. So that means... welcome everyone to the Brewer Patriot Invitational! The four samples in my box will be tasted in order by their recipe number. Recipe #1 is the Ginger Honey Ale. Ii have one Invitational note, I'll be consuming these beers at about room temperature for a more authentic experience. Lead it off well for us:

Dark cloudy yellow body with yeast floating around. The head is puffy and white, and retains pretty well. Ginger and spice in the nose. Upfront in the taste, it tastes like lemon and ginger. There's some sweetness, almost cough drop like. The feel is a little flat, though I probably shouldn't be surprised given this has a best by date for last year. The aftertaste is somewhat messy, but not astringent.

Not bad for how long it's been sitting on the shelf. I hope the same can be said when the other beers get their chance. George Washington Porter will be next in the invite.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2007 03:23:15 | More by DoubleJ

ism

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Cloudy orange with lots of free-floating sediment, topped with a frothy 1-finger head. Subsides and leaves patchy lacing. Sweet ginger in the nose, a bit of clean citrus zest. Slick and medium-bodied, sweet honey balancing the ginger, with lemon peel apparent. Goes down smooth and finishes honey sticky sweet. Like a heavily-sweetened ginger tea, and quite refreshing for a summer day, but too sweet and too oddball to consume regularly. Great effort in recreating it and best enjoyed as a historical artifact.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2007 22:15:41 | More by ism

rowew

Colorado

3.38/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Presentation: 12 oz longneck, old style label to match the rest of the batch. Best by date of Oct 2006, obviously I am well after that, but it has been refrigerated since I bought it.

Appearance: Hazy yellow orange color with some chunks - medium head fades to just a bit of lacing.

Smell: Citrus dominates - slightly sweet lemon with some candied ginger aroma.

Taste: Interesting .. definitely strange, but still enjoyable. Tastes a bit medicial, but I think that is the combination of ginger, lemon, and honey. All flavors taste very authentic and not at all cloying.

Overall impression: Well, I certainly couldn't drink many of these - but it is quite enjoyable. Lots of different and interesting flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2007 19:43:52 | More by rowew

pmcadamis

Illinois

2.15/5  rDev -33.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

A - Semi hazy honey-hued brew with a thin white head that disappears quickly. Spotty suds, but no real lace at all.

S - Candy sugar and honey for sure. Ginger is there, but only in a sweet candy sort of way.

T - Herbal funk with some ginger, molasses, licorice, lemon, and mint flavors. Much like Lipton's Brisk Iced Tea. Herbal, minty, and much too lemony . For some reason this "herbal tea" taste worked in the root beer brew, but it seems weird here.

M - Refreshing, but awkward. Again, very tea-like, Gritty and old, like a mediocre beer thats been in the back of your fridge for years.

D - Poor. This is a very bizarre brew indeed...so was the root beer brew, but this just isn't doing it for me like that one did. I appreciate what they are trying to do with the rustic feel and all, but damn...this is pretty nasty.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2007 08:28:51 | More by pmcadamis

alexgash

Connecticut

3.35/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Beachy peachy golden body with small clumps of something (yeast) floating around. I was careful with the pour too! Small cushion of off-white, fuzzy head. Ambrosia, honey, flowers, and chamomille aromas with hints of ginger and Vapo-rub. Interesting and not too gingery (as I was afraid). Oh, and weird. Light honey sweetness up front, followed by light biscuit, yeast, and honey wheat bread. Spicy finish with moderate ginger zing. Thankfully, not too gingery! Moderate body with a bottle-conditioned feel. Not as scary as I thought it would be, in fact, not too bad at all (other than the clumps).

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2007 00:45:53 | More by alexgash

July2Nov

Hawaii

2.63/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

6-months past borne on date.

Poured a cloudy brownish-yellow with just a tad bit of head on it. Smelled on earthy components with a sweet touch to it. The taste was a bit underwhelming. The Ginger was fighting w/ the honey for a place in the glass. Maybe it's because it was older, but I felt I would like this more that the others. Not really all that bad, but not great either.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2007 16:10:50 | More by July2Nov

RBorsato

Virginia

2.7/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Hazy light almost wit-like gold in color with lots of floating sediment, a decent off-white head, and good carbonation. Ginger dominates the aroma with some lemony citrus to follow. Flavors pretty much run the same way with a bit of sweetness. Light bodied with a citrusy and lightly sweet finish.

Ugh. Glad this beer is history !

Per Label: "Authentic Recipe #1" & "Ale with Ginger, Lemon Peel, and Honey" & "Unfiltered" & "Wildflower Honey"

Enjoy Before: Oct '06
Tasted: 04/01/07

($8.99 / 4-pack "Brewer Patriot Collection")

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2007 19:48:01 | More by RBorsato

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.2/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a three finger white head that fades to a thin layer leaving some lace. Cloudy amber color with yeast suspended. Light carbonation and medium bodied. Honey/ginger nose. Flavor is sweet honey with some ginger, not an early Spring beer, better for hot weather. $9.99 - 4-pak, 12oz bottle from Shaw's Supermarket Concord, NH.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2007 22:46:24 | More by jdhilt

jaxon53

Connecticut

3.03/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Served slightly chilled in a pint glass. Poured a pretty clear golden copper color, wth about an inch of foamy white head. Head dissipated quickly and left almost no lace except for a small ring around the glass. Smelled strongly of ginger, cloves and maybe a small hint of honey. Taste: Started out like a ginger ale , but, quickly moved to an overwhelming ginger taste with a smooth honey finish. Potent ginger aftertaste. Had a medium bodied mouthfeel, with moderate carbonation. Wasn't very drinkable in my opinion because of the heavy ginger flavor. No alcohol present. A shot of Jack Daniels would make a great highball. Worth a try though.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2007 20:18:27 | More by jaxon53

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance - cloudy lemon yellow with some light chunks of sediment. White soapy lace starts big and melts down to a thin cover. Thick lacing all over.

Aroma - mostly ginger aroma, I think I'm picking up some of the lemon, but it's hard to tell.

Taste - cool mix of ginger and lemon. This has a Belgian wit sweetness to it. The Hitachino ginger is a more serious flavor, far less sugar. This one by contrast puts more floral emphasis on the spicy ginger via the lemon. The aftertaste is just a touch sour, not the greatest complement but it's okay. The finish is a bitter, hop-influenced dryness.

Mouthfeel - light body, even texture, fairly well-carbonated.

Drinkability - I can't fault TJ for making this his daily brew. It's a little pricy for me but I definitely enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2007 21:52:13 | More by brewdlyhooked13

dauss

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev +17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a golden orange color with a small white head that rests on top. Poor retention, and low lacing.

Smell: You definitely get an upfront ginger aroma, with a faint hint of lemon peel. The honey aroma is very faint and overpowered from the ginger and lemon.

Taste: Actually, I'm liking it. Good malt body, sweetened by the honey, lightly spicy ginger flavor, slight tang and flavor from the lemon.

Notes: Medium body, very drinkable, crisp, refreshing. Good and interesting flavor combination of the lemon, ginger, and honey.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2007 04:36:35 | More by dauss

yelterdow

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From the fascinating Colonial recipe collection, this will be served just over fridge temperature in a pint glass.

Appearance- Before we even pour, I have to mention the chunks of what seem to be lemon peel resting at the bottom of the bottle... this should be quite an exciting ride...

...well, maybe not. Resembling diet cream soda, the pale gold liquid screams with a crackly, thin rim of bubbles that disappear completely within ten seconds. Looking like yesterday's beer that I left out on the counter to die, it contains some tiny floaties that hover weightlessly within. A painfully flat and lackluster appearance.

Smell- Ginger... and lots of it. I love this herb and all that it stands for... longevity, its properties regarding the immune system, and its unique flavor. There is a trace of honey in the nose, but it's all about the former ingredient.

Taste- A delicious and satisfying treat that incorporates two bold, distinct characters and somehow manages to present them in harmony and total balance. The finishing pour, swirling in all sediment and particles, gives this beer a parting sweetness that wasn't there before. Delicious, refreshing, daring, an enigma that I hope to sample again.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability- Excellent slickness, keeping the overall texture light and pleasing. A good *whish* sends this beer bobsledding across the mouth, exhibiting a masterful intergration of flavor that must have taken long hours to perfect. For the style, a terrific palate pleaser that I hope resurfaces again for all to try.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2007 02:43:37 | More by yelterdow

auxiliary

Rhode Island

3.53/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance - Cloudy, some head and lacing.

Smell - Hops and ginger can be smelled.

Taste - Ginger, lemon, honey, and hops taste.

Mouthfeel - Smooth, good carbination, well balanced.

Drinkability - Good, strong beer, might be hard to find now. Available in 4 Patriot pack.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2007 06:30:08 | More by auxiliary

scorched

Ohio

3.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought this in the patriot collection...

It pours an orange color, almost looks like blue moon, but not nearly as cloudy (not a wheat beer). The head pours thick at first, but then dissipates quickly.

The smell is most decidedly overpowered with ginger. Very different.

The taste is pretty nice. Ginger throughout (duh) followed by the sweetness of the honey, Tastes like alcoholic Ginger Ale.

Mouthfeel is very carbonated, which lowers its drinkability a bit, but that's OK. Its something that would most likely be enjoyed on a summer's evening, instead of in the dead of winter.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2007 04:20:30 | More by scorched

bigone4

Rhode Island

2.25/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Poured a light slightly clouded yellowish color. Light white head that dissipated rather quickly. Not very impressive looking. Smell is sweet with lots of ginger and spice in the nose. Some mild citrus tones not a real malt presence. This beer is just not for me. Too sweet and way to much ginger and honey. Although, it was neat to try a brew made to the style of our fore fathers. Very carbonated and bubbly no real lacing in the glass. Ginger flavor up front followed by the subtle lemon tones and the sweetness of the honey. Leaves a rather different aftertaste mostly of honey sweetness. Some beers are more appealing than others unfortunately this one falls short for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2006 19:49:36 | More by bigone4

BeerSox

Virginia

2.63/5  rDev -18.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle into pint glass.

Hazy dark yellow with a light tan head that carries a yellow tint. About 1 finger high. Lasts for a while and leaves a thin cap. Stringy lacing.

Hints of ginger and lemon along with husky malts.

Has sort of a honey-mustard flavor to it. It's also very thin and acidic. The ginger lingers in the finish.

Probably does well back in its day, but it just seems like a copy, rather than an original. It's about what I expected, but it's just not what I want in a beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2006 00:10:46 | More by BeerSox

kernalklink

Arizona

3.1/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This interesting brew poured cloudy yellow, with little head and no lacing. The aroma was of powdered ginger and spice, hardly any maltiness. Slightly sweet honey taste gives way to an overpowering ginger base and a slight biscuit malt. This brew would gain alot if the ginger were toned down, a more assertive malt were added to balance the honey and some hops to round out the flavor. As it is it is too sweet and spicy with ginger, though its easy carbonation does succeed in making it refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2006 20:22:11 | More by kernalklink

objectivemonkey

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Into a pint glass, pours a lovely hazy gold with white head and spiderwebbing lacing all over. Aroma is obviously full of ginger and honey, though honey is the much weaker of the two, also a zesty lemon citrus and some sweet malt backing perhaps. Actually, surprisingly good.

Taste is a little more awkward, not quite as attractive a mixture as the nose. That said, it still is good, the honey and lemon and ginger more balanced here, with a light and springy mouthfeel with decent body. I was actually kind of dreading this one, didn't sound that great, and the other three were questionable. But, as my politics follows Jefferson, apparently so does my taste, this ones a good beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2006 20:58:19 | More by objectivemonkey