Infinium - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

superdedooperboy

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

My first beer and first review of the second decade of the 21st century.

750-ml corked-and-caged bottle poured into a pilsner flute.

The pop of the cork is like that of the fireworks exploding in the night outside my window. Deep golden in color, it's reminiscent of an all-malt lager, perhaps a good Pils. The thick white head crackles loudly, echoing the bursting firecrackers, and fades away almost as quickly. A constant stream of fine bubbles is--aside from the bottle--the only part of the beer's appearance that harkens back to Champagne. Bubbly isn't known for its head retention, after all. The head settles to a thick cap that leaves behind some thick, patchy lacing as the glass drains away.

Aroma is quite fruity, displaying notes of the vine similar to those of Champagne or Prosecco; a particular Prosecco/Chardonnay blend comes to mind. Notes of grape, apricot and lemon zest are apparent, with a slight herbal quality and a faint hint of must. Very intriguing.

A rather full body is lightened mightily by the bright effervescence, making it feel much softer than it is. Sweet, honeyed malt notes combine up front with ripe stone fruit to set the stage. As things play out, a tart, fruity acidity takes hold, encompassing the palate with notes of sour grape, orange, earth and hay. A distinct pale malt sweetness shows up mid-palate, and faintly herbaceous hops provide a faint backdrop before combining them all near the end, leading to a finish that is long and medium-dry with lingering notes of honey, must, wet earth and tart green grape.

This is certainly one difficult brew to place. Boston Beer Company and Weihenstephan have certainly created something noteworthy, but as it stands, this brew is not something inherently drinkable; it is best consumed in somewhat smaller doses, perhaps similar to Champagne, but when consumed thusly it can seem cloying at times yet quenching at others. Alcohol is a bit warming at points, but is otherwise nearly invisible, so at over 10% it's best to play it safe as far as quantity goes.

Innovative? Yes. Mind-blowing? No. An entirely new beer style? Debatable. Regardless, this one should stand up to aging just as any fine Champagne, so save it for special times, and be sure to share it with friends.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2011 06:17:44 | More by superdedooperboy

IPAchris

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev 0%

05-20-2013 00:30:39 | More by IPAchris

Photekut

Azerbaijan

2.75/5  rDev -15.4%

05-18-2013 21:18:45 | More by Photekut

BeastLU

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-18-2013 13:45:41 | More by BeastLU

carterbt

Virginia

3/5  rDev -7.7%

05-14-2013 03:15:32 | More by carterbt

ScottyDuzntNo

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +38.5%

05-14-2013 02:06:43 | More by ScottyDuzntNo

jokulhaps

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev +7.7%

05-13-2013 02:41:06 | More by jokulhaps

justforrazors

Missouri

4/5  rDev +23.1%

05-10-2013 01:59:56 | More by justforrazors

charlesjwinkler

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -15.4%

05-09-2013 02:58:49 | More by charlesjwinkler

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -15.4%

05-09-2013 02:23:19 | More by tommyguz

blknikon

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev 0%

05-08-2013 19:02:09 | More by blknikon

BDstripp

Florida

3/5  rDev -7.7%

05-08-2013 02:26:18 | More by BDstripp

Caudalie

Quebec (Canada)

1/5  rDev -69.2%

05-06-2013 13:26:06 | More by Caudalie

BMMillsy

Florida

3.25/5  rDev 0%

05-03-2013 00:58:56 | More by BMMillsy

2beerdogs

California

2.75/5  rDev -15.4%

05-01-2013 05:58:39 | More by 2beerdogs

NYSPHophead

New York

3.75/5  rDev +15.4%

04-30-2013 23:59:20 | More by NYSPHophead

FliryVorru

Alabama

4.5/5  rDev +38.5%

04-29-2013 17:48:09 | More by FliryVorru

Rollzroyce21

California

3.5/5  rDev +7.7%

04-28-2013 08:18:38 | More by Rollzroyce21

Kelp

New Hampshire

2.5/5  rDev -23.1%

04-23-2013 06:09:08 | More by Kelp

bennetj17

Arizona

3.5/5  rDev +7.7%

04-22-2013 05:40:46 | More by bennetj17

KiMiRaiK

Washington

4/5  rDev +23.1%

04-21-2013 21:23:23 | More by KiMiRaiK

BrianJohnson

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +23.1%

04-18-2013 12:23:50 | More by BrianJohnson

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

750 ml bottle, vintage 2011. Thanks to my homie mfndsvp for sharing this bottle. Served into a Shock Top hefeweizen glass. My second review of a collaboration beer on BeerAdvocate.

A - Gentle pour yields like five fingers of ridiculous head. Body is a light cloudy golden orange color with tons of bubble action rushing to the top.

S - Has a fruity pineapple nose, slight hint of Belgian yeast / funk in there also. Has a very unique smell to it, I will give it that.

T - Feel is carbonated, some tart citrus reminiscent of fresh juicy pineapple, Belgian yeast, touch of hop bitterness, and some alcohol warmth, but the 10.30% abv is masked well. Finishes slightly sour.

M - Feel is juicy, fruity, bitter, and dry in the finish.

Overall, a unique beer experience, probably one that I won't soon forget. Glad to have gotten to try it, since I wasn't about to take the plunge for 20 dollars. Not a beer I will be having again any time soon, especially considering it's price tag, but this is one of the more far-out creations from the Boston Beer Company.

Samuel Adams / Weihenstephan Infinium ---3.5/5

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 22:07:41 | More by mfnmbvp

plumcrazyfx

Minnesota

2.25/5  rDev -30.8%

04-12-2013 23:43:12 | More by plumcrazyfx

TheMarkE

California

3.75/5  rDev +15.4%

04-11-2013 22:11:46 | More by TheMarkE