Samuel Adams Hallertau Imperial Pilsner - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

cosmicdebris

Connecticut

2.4/5  rDev -40.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 1.5

I was really looking forward to trying this beer. Poured great looked great and the smell was out of this world. But the taste blew it for me. The bottles have drink by January 2008 and it is now almost April 2008 so I do not know how much the date was a factor but this beer was way too salty tasting for me. I tried a second sip and then just poured the rest the down the drain. Has anyone tasted this when it first came out and again more recently? Did it change at all?

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2008 23:06:33 | More by cosmicdebris

BrotherBenny

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

What a real treat.

Pours a coppery red with a nice head that you could float a dime on. The head goes down some after the pour but remained the entire time.

The aroma was magnificent, not overdone but nicely done.

Taste is like the aroma, very complex from start to finish, but leaves nothing in the way of poor finish, a great beer to savor.

This is a very drinkable beer with great characteristics, the only problem is the limited availability. Many thanks to the two fellows that shared this!!

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2008 15:21:01 | More by BrotherBenny

huntert

Georgia

2.7/5  rDev -33.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Way too much alcohol can be tasted and smelled in this brew.

My first one came after a couple of Dales Pales Ales and my saturated palate enjoyed the flowery, less citrus taste. When I returned to this beer as a first drink of the day, it was nearly disposable. The alcohol tastes is far too much. The hops that follow up are okay.

I love hops, but this beer would have served better with more malt and more balance.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2008 00:19:00 | More by huntert

Icedogs

Virginia

4.98/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer is sorely missed! It was the first hop monster I had, and I had it at a time when I was not keen on the hop--much more into the malty beers. But this was a home run with me right off the bat. I wish Jim Koch and team would make it again. Anyone know if they will?

In short, this beer is so dry and yet so creamy. Quite an amazing beer!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:18:17 | More by Icedogs

MemStat

California

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

well one problem being the beer geek i am, sam adams labels there beer in the bottom right of the label with the type of beer (ale or lager) well, a pilsner is a lager by def. but sammy puts ale on it, (am i the only one who noticed??) yeah i scratchd my head too....for pilsner damn good, but it's not a pilsner, by yeast type (ale) and flavor, it is an i.p.a. i wish they would change that....that's my rant for the day.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2007 05:25:15 | More by MemStat

echohob

Georgia

5/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

From the moment I first tasted this beer poured from the tap at the Sam Adams brewery in Boston, I knew I was in for a long, hoppy ride. The first thing I noticed is the dark, cloudy, orange'ish tint and thick head when poured into my Sam Adams special edition glass. Then, it hits you; the bitter sweet smell of the Noble Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops. To hop lovers like me, this was an exciting moment. According to the head brewer I spoke with, Sam Adams uses tons of this stuff (12 lbs per barrel) and with the cost of hops, he mentioned that Sam Adams must be losing money on this beer (avg $9 a 4 pk).

When the beer hits the lips, the burning and explosion of the hops can send you over the edge. The flavors are of citrus and spice (but only just enough) and stay with you long after each sip. After this beer of beers hits the back of the throat, the hint of sweetness from the malt balances the flavors out perfectly. It's true this beer has "drink by Jan 2008", and I actually first tried it when it was in its prime in fallwinter of '07. I recently bought out my local package store (eight 4 pk's) and while it may not be in its prime, it's still the most perfect beer I've ever placed my lips around. Seek out this beer and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2008 19:06:01 | More by echohob