Samuel Adams Rustic Saison - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

yuenglingfan101

Indiana

4.95/5  rDev +47.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I like my dark beers, but this saison is pretty good. Color is golden, just like honey. Smells like honey and oats and it also tastes like honey and oats. Pretty much tastes just like Honey Nut Cheerios. Mouthful is so wonderful. Drinkablity is high. I could drink a case of this beer

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2011 15:58:13 | More by yuenglingfan101

streetcommander

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +33.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Phenomenal example of a saison. Drink it like water but still not watered down. Excellent wheaty dimension whithout the wheat haze or wheat astringency. Wonderful tight white bubbled head that still maintains creamieness. This is why SA is so successful with the exceptions of their fruit beers and that poison they pass off as "summer ale".

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 21:52:21 | More by streetcommander

RaginBull

Florida

4.47/5  rDev +33%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft. Pours a pale yellow. The head forms quick but does go down just as quick. You can taste the honey and coriander blend towards the end. It's a smooth light not to strong farmhouse. Much enjoyed with some spicy wings.

Not one of the best Sam Adams, but I would do it again!

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2011 19:07:29 | More by RaginBull

Wamesit

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +32.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a bright gold with a thick white head that gives way to strong lacing.

S - Fruit esters. Clove. Herbal hops aroma.

T - The Belgian yeast gives touches of banana and cloves. Herbal hops throughout, oily and spicy. Crisp. Bready malts appear now and again. Nice dry finish.

M - Light, lively carbonation.

O - Great summer beer. Well-balanced strong flavors all add up to a very refreshing farmhouse beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 03:20:50 | More by Wamesit

CaptJackHarkness

New York

4.38/5  rDev +30.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into pilsener glass, freshness dated for December 2011.

This has a nice golden color, a pleasant aroma.The head was full and robust lasting a goodly amount of time. The taste is the pleasing mix of honey and lemons, almost like mead from a Rennaisance festival! The hops are just enough to bitter and balance what could be too sweet!

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 21:56:35 | More by CaptJackHarkness

Dave128

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +26.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Not much in appearance. Pale straw in color. Head is fizzy and similar to light beers.

S - Nothing spectacular here as well. smells fresh and light.

T - Surprisingly refreshing! Crisp and light. Sweet and slightly fruity with just a touch of hops in the finish.

M - Light and crisp.

O - I feel like this beer should replace Summer Ale as Sam Adams's summer seasonal. Its much more refreshing and consistent.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2011 23:40:59 | More by Dave128

BucannonXC5

California

4.22/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Color was light gold, very similar to the Sam Adams Kolsh that I just had. Like I said then, it was comparable to someone’s dehydrated urine. Somewhere between ¾ and an inch of head. Plenty of lacing on the initial pour. Also some film.

Full flavor after the first sniff. Hoppy. Fruity smell, pumpkin keeps coming to mind but it wasn’t quite there. It had me wanting to try it, that’s for sure.

First taste reminded me of warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks. I didn’t get another taste, but could immediately feel the carbonation. Really enjoyed it.

Somewhat high on the carbonation, maybe moderate to high. Smooth going down. Clean, crisp and refreshing.

I liked this beer a lot, probably my favorite of the six I had in the variety pack. Just a smooth beer with lots of good complimenting flavors.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2011 08:27:09 | More by BucannonXC5

thebrood1987

New Jersey

4.22/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very big nose of spicy Belgian yeast mixing with that hop smell you'd get from their Noble Pils. It starts off sweet with the cracker almost pilsner like malt and then the spicy clove takes over and it ends with the bright, citrus notes from the hops. It leaves a bitter taste that melds with the spicyness and ends a bit yeasty as well.

This sort of reminds me of a sessionable more refreshing Victory's Golden Monkey. I love that it has this much taste for such a lower alcohol percentage beer. The mouthfeel is light but it adds to the very refreshing quality of the beer. I was surprised with the enjoyable hop flavor and bitterness. It really makes the beer in my opinion.

If they pitched their Noble Pils with Belgian yeast and dialed down the hops a bit to let the spicy Belgian yeast qualities come out then you'd get this beer. Fantastic offering from Samuel Adams. I hope it comes back in next years Summer Styles 12 pack.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 23:59:34 | More by thebrood1987

Lauthaha

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a beer mug.

Appearance: Beer is a clear, bright golden color with fairly heavy carbonation visible. Head is foam, very airy and it settles down leaving almost no lacing.

Smell: Slight fuzzy-fruit aroma (peach/apricot) with a gentle rose vibe going on. Nice mellow yeastiness and a lightly sweet malt character, along with a nicely-matched floral hop profile make this one a winner.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Beer has a gentle carbonation which allows the taste to expand on the tongue. Spice notes are the first thing to strike me, as I didn't notice them in the smell; clove, allspice. Then comes the malt, which is bready and slightly fruity. Throw in those hops and a touch of honey and you've got yourself a beer.

Overall: Unless I'm mistaken, I've only ever had one other kind of Saison...that was Golden Cap by New Holland Brewing Company. This one blows GC out of the water.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 04:01:05 | More by Lauthaha

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Also on tap at VE this past week, one of the most interesting throw back Saisons I've come across. Weighing in at only 4.35% abv they're aiming more for a style of beer that was drank by the farmhands lower alcohol session beer verus 6 to 8% versions of the Saisons we see around today. This one appears very much unflitered in my glass with a clouded bright golden shade of lemon, with a white bread egg shell colored head. Fine bands of lacing left with each sip. Spiced citrus flavors with a surprising earthy/herbal hoppy back end coming through and of course some spice additions with an evident level of coriander going on. Flavor is a nice rustic bready, good food pairing style of Saison. Flavors mesh well with hitns of citrus and tropical notes amongst the malts, again herbal/citric hoppiness comes out in the background...white pepper spice and coriander notes adds to make an interesting and flavorful Sam Adams seasonal. Mouthfeel has some creamy carbonation going on with a nice welcoming texture, medium to light bodied with a very sturdy flowing CO2 level. Drink this beer, overall an excellent Sam Adams experience, easpecially with the sessionable alcohol level this could be one of the most creative beers they've put out in quite some time.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2011 20:27:39 | More by WVbeergeek

JoeyBeerBelly

New York

4.05/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle from the Summer Styles Mix Pack served in a large wine glass.

L - clear bright yellow with a white head that thinned to a coating/ring and left a few rings of lacing as I drank.

S - citrus and herbal aromas.

T - good blend of spices, yeast, floral and citrus hops finishing dry yet slightly sweet on the lips.

F - medium bodied with a crisp feel.

O - easy to drink, tasty and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2011 21:21:18 | More by JoeyBeerBelly

champ103

Texas

4.05/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Gingerman in Houston.

A: Pours a clear straw yellow color. At first a two finger white head forms, but recedes to a small ring in a second. Not much lace.
S: Grassy, earthy, and dry. Light fruit flavors of banana and a light spice.
T: Follows the nose with an earthy musk and dry, grassy flavor. Light fruity esters of banana and some peppery spice. A nice tart lemon flavor. Finishes a little on the sweet side.
M/D: A light to medium body that is well carbonated. Crisp and clean. Smooth at the same time. So easy to drink. I can drink this again and again.

I like this a lot. Maybe not as much funky dryness that I would like, but still very enjoyable. Something I would recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2011 23:21:19 | More by champ103

Fulky

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev +20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a 16 oz shaker.

Excellent pour. Golden brown color with some bubbling and a nice head with good retention. A soft film lacing remained through the drink.

Smells pleasantly sweet and possibly a little hint of citrus. There is a somewhat Earthy scent that is subtle to tease the senses.

Tastes like honey, a little lemon somewhere in there, with a malt finish. The hop flavor is notable but not overpowering.

Mouthfeel was a just a little watery, but overall enjoyable and refreshing. Smooth.

Overall a good beer. Certainly one I would have again, but not likely my first choice from the Summer varieties.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2011 19:51:17 | More by Fulky

atsprings

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Flying Saucer served in a tulip glass a crisp dark yellow with a thin diminishing head that leaves just a trace of lacing on the glass. Aroma is a nice amount of citrus and lemon pepper. The taste is a nice amount of sweet malts alongside a nice kick of spices such as lemon pepper and orange peel. The beer is very light, crisp and extremely quaffable. This is a very enjoyable Saison, I may need to seek out some bottles of this one.

Serving type: on-tap

04-26-2011 21:04:25 | More by atsprings

yemenmocha

Arizona

4/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drinkable and approachable Saison, nice.

Pours a pale golden color with medium sized white head. Nose is straightforward with some prickly perfume, nuts, and candy. Palate offers some zing with citrusy flavors mingling in the carbonation, some barnyard funk that is restrained and more polite than most, and it carries through nicely into the finish. Very drinkable example and could enjoy this regularly.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2011 03:05:23 | More by yemenmocha

kevo237

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +19%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-tap at Walk-Ons in Lafayette.

Beer kept a nice head throughout. Flavor was tart, slightly earthy, and quite flowery. The taste was tight and just the right amount of bitter. I really enjoyed this saison, but I felt there was just something missing on the back end.

This is a highly drinkable beer that I would use to introduce someone to farmhouse ales, eventually graduating them to "bigger" saisons. I felt the taste may have been too narrow relative to other saisons I've tried.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2011 19:32:59 | More by kevo237

steveh

Illinois

4/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Been a while since I had any Saison, need to brush up on the style a little.

A -- Clear, pale straw-gold with a sudsy white head that settles slowly.

S -- Mild fruit and honey with very vague DMS.

T -- Mild honey sweetness up front that blends into light clove phenolic character with some mild citrus fruitiness and ends tart to spicy bitter. There is a light clove and bitterness in the aftertaste.

M -- Body is light with a crisp mouthfeel.

O -- Very refreshing on a hot afternoon, but is it a Wit or a Saison? There may be some more study in my future.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2011 21:26:43 | More by steveh

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a crystal clear, light yellow body with a moderate-sized, white head, though it flattens out soon enough. A speckle of lace here and there on the descent.

Smell: Fruity with a low zesty herbaceousness and minute spiciness over an aromatic base of light malted barley hinting at simple white bread or sliced biscuits.

Taste: Light initial tastes of pils and pale with a few select crumbs of biscuit insides and sugar cookies. Lemon-spritzed cereal grains, a pinch of peppery spice, and a small splash of off-dry Riesling and perry. Low bitterness. Very subtle grassiness of fried shredded leeks. Fruity, drying finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body. Medium-plus carbonation.

Overall: Not bad! I honestly appreciate Sammy A going for a lighter, more refreshing, lower alcohol approach, as opposed to the often heavier, boozier take on the style many American breweries go for.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2011 18:43:45 | More by ChainGangGuy

MadCat

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: A nice golden color with a decent white head that leaves some lacing

Smell: Spicey, medicinal, a little sour, and some hints of malts

Taste: Light malts, spices, medicine, herbs, and some fruit

Mouthfeel: Light body, medium carb

Overall: Not the best saison in the world, but you can't beat it for the price. Seems like "saison light" to me. Mainly a toned down version, but it does have that signature saison flavor. I'm really impressed with this. It is good for the summer, and I'd gladly get more. Easily the best of a very good variety pack. Too bad I can't get it on its own.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2011 01:46:27 | More by MadCat

rslomin

Tennessee

4/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had it in goblet shaped glass.

Appearance: Light orange color, good head

Smell: similar to a wheat beer (nutmeg, little banana)

Taste: Similar to a crystal weissbeer, but a bit more sour

Overall I found it to be a good beer for the summer. I also found it to be good with barbeque.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2011 04:24:10 | More by rslomin

biggred1

Indiana

4/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Golden blonde with cornsilk highlights when backlit and a pretty looking, lumpy cream colored head that leaves some nice lace on the glass. The nose is nice, soft banana and lemon zest with a touch of spice and earthy hop notes. Lemon sugar cookie and untoasted grain with a mild hop bite. On the leaner side of medium bodied with a clean citric finish. A fine session beer from BBC, I hope this will be released in sixpack form next year.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2011 02:02:40 | More by biggred1

Duhast500

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a Dogfish tulip glass.

The color is clear light orange/gold with a thin finger of foamy white head and some slight lacing.

The smell is slightly funky with a rusty bolt like aroma. There is a dirt like aroma that has some malty flavor but with touches of flowery aroma in the perimeter.

The taste has a sweet flavor that reminds me of a Belgian golden ale. Some nice juicy fruit flavor that leads into a mellow grainy flavor pushes right into the senses then hits of bitterness at the end bring on some dirty grassy flavor.

The feel of the beer is is lower to medium bodied but has an interesting shift to lighter feel as it goes down with little to do. This is a interesting beer that has some nice taste and low weight.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2011 04:42:44 | More by Duhast500

likethetaste

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This just does not seem like it is a summer beer. I think this would be more at home as a autumn seasonal. This has the flavors and aromas and feel of a beer for autumn.

It has spicy, rustic flavors. It is the spicing in this that make it more for fall. A good beer but by no means a great one and one for Autumn not summer.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2011 18:43:55 | More by likethetaste

Nerudamann

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a snifter glass.

Look - a crisp golden color, clear, with maybe 3/4 of a finger's worth of foam that dissipates quickly.

Smell - definite floral and "estery" aromas, as suggested from the label.

Taste and Mouthfeel - crisp-tasting, yet slightly musky in flavor. Somewhat citrusy, sure, I think more of the esters are present. Fairly bitter throughout, but not overwhelming. Texture is pretty well-balanced, but leans a little more toward the watery side.

Overall - a very interesting brew to sample. Intriguing in taste, and also refreshing and light in body.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 03:50:08 | More by Nerudamann

gpogo

California

3.95/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A- Brilliantly clear body with a large white head. Moderate amount of bubbles, very pretty. Head dissipated to a foam cap.

A- Wheaty malt aroma, floral hops. Belgian yeast is not as pronounced as I would expected, but it sits nicely in the background.

T- Flavor is muted. The Belgian yeast flavor is there, just not as prevalent as I would expect. The hops are present in the beginning with a light bitterness throughout. Enjoyable wheat malt flavor.

M- Medium-light body and smooth. Moderate-low carbonation.

D- Not exactly what I expected. I would have expected a bit more carbonation and less of a muted flavor. It was enjoyable, just not great(but not bad either).

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2011 03:48:27 | More by gpogo