Samuel Adams Vienna Style Lager - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

from notes.

A: Poured a reddish-amber with a slight, bready white head receding to a minimal rim lacing around the sides of the glass.

S: a sweet toasted maltiness.

T: The initial flavor had a sweet and toasted maltiness, with a light breadiness and light ripe fruitiness. There was some light brown sugar sweetness and a dry roasted caramel on the finish.

M: smooth, soft, and creamy.

D: Drinkability was nice by style, making for a sweet, earthy campfire drink in the fall. One I wish they would re-brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2008 21:56:41 | More by beerthulhu

pezoids

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured a clear and deep amber color. Almost looked like dark iced tea. A thin foamy head of tan foam topped the brew off. The aroma yields deep and rich molasses like notes with a sweet nut-like quality. This could be an example of a “chewy” beer. And I’m not talking about a good Wookie brew, more like flavorful and buttery. Like liquid dark bread. Very nice. The taste is full of fine weighty malts. The sweetness hits the mark for me – Not being a sweet beer guy, this seems just perfect. Caramel comes through, along with woody and earthy notes. Accent is surely on the malt, but that’s to be expected for the style. A nutty bitterness appears in the finish. Full flavored and overall, an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2004 17:57:58 | More by pezoids

twi1609372

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

very nice and very smooth beer, good to buy in the winter pack, tastes good and goes down nice and smooth, one of my favorite from sam adams. deffinetly worth buying the winter pack just for this beer alone but luckily the other beers are good too. thanks

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2004 07:47:01 | More by twi1609372

yeagerbm

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a single 12 oz bottle. Poured into a pint glass its a bright orange/amber color with eggshell head. Has a great malty smell that reminds me of an oktoberfest. Taste is sweet biscuity malt and caramel flavor with a crisp hop balance. This could make a good session beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2004 02:55:23 | More by yeagerbm

DPMomutant

Missouri

3.35/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer appears a medium amber with a small, short-lasting head. A swirl produces a small lace that flows quickly back down the side of the glass.

The smell is a malty, slightly sweet smell. The taste matches this description but doesn't quite match up to others I've had of this style but is good.

This beer is smooth as per the style, a little lighter than I'd prefer though.

While I could drink a few of these at a time, I probably wouldn't seek out this beer. I do see this was right at the end of the freshness cycle so maybe I should give it a try again if they put it out next year.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2004 07:26:35 | More by DPMomutant

Gavage

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a copper / orange color with a small 1/2" head. Very light lacing developed. The aroma is barely distinguishable, as some malt is the only item of notice. The flavor is quite malty and fruity with some very light bitterness. The malt begins to dominate as the beer is consumed.

Medium bodied that is smooth at the start but has a dry, metallic finish. The malt seemed to linger quite a bit on the tongue. The mouthfeel was a slight turnoff and brings drinkability down.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2004 23:48:50 | More by Gavage

mschofield

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish amber, with a two finger tan head, leaves tiny rings of lacing.
Flower like aroma, lemon and zesty/spicy, also a note of butter and a bit of mustyness.
Light earthy/herbal hop taste, ligthly toasted vienna malt. A minor note of orange. Very mild bitterness.
Medium feel, very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2004 22:28:54 | More by mschofield

TheJudge

New York

3/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

As mass produced vienna lagers go, this was acceptable. The Hammer and Nail is vastly superior, but that makes sense, as it is more of a craft brew.

This had all the feel of a Sam Adams product. It was textbook, not creative. A heavy malt smell and flavor, without an overwhelming hop presence. It would, in fact, benefit from a stronger hop content. This is an immanently drinkable beer, but not one to go out of your vay to find.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2004 18:18:03 | More by TheJudge

genaro

Massachusetts

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

SA Vienna Style Lager. It had a pleasing amber/gold color topped with a light coffee-colored head. There were some bits of lace. The aroma was floral with sweet caramel factored in. This was a mellow beer, not too hoppy and not overly malty. It had a decent bite with a bit of caramel. This was pleasant, drinkable session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2004 23:49:04 | More by genaro

GreenWBush

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Even on my third 12-oz of the night, I just cannot decide if I like this or not.

SA Vienna pours out a carmello-ruby with a nice cushy head and plenty of ornate lacing. It has sweet, bready malts on the nose as well as the generic SA yeast profile. I also catch tones of caramel and butter on the aroma.

The taste here is smooth and buttery, with a nice malty taste. There are a few wisps of noble hops, but nothing to call my attention to. I really cannot differentiate this one from Boston Lager in my memory, except for less hops.

There is something alluring about this beer - it is malty, smooth, and screams diacetyl. But at the same time, there is just a mysterious element missing here, most probably a hop character. After you've had a few, they start to taste like a good session beer, but I just cannot fully get into this one. Watch out for the coca-cola burps.

The mouthfeel is rich and slightly creamy. Overall, nothing extraordinary but quite good for a brewery that misses more than it hits.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2004 02:01:22 | More by GreenWBush

BeefyMee

Connecticut

4.33/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very interesting beer. It is in some ways reminiscent of a dopplebock. The aroma and flavor are of a buttery malt. There is a bit of a bready aftertaste along with the huge malt profile that dominates just about every aspect of this beer. This could make a good session beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2004 06:26:02 | More by BeefyMee

Foxman

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

It pours a cloudy dark amber, with honey gold highlights, similar to the Winter Lager. A creamy, off-white head comes up quickly, then goes right back down to a frothy ring around the border of the glass. There is some spotty lacing.

The first sniff brings the sweet aura of malt, making a strong first impression. In the background dawdles a slightly tart note of apple. There's little hops presence.

A mellow malt sweetness rolls in first and foremost in the flavor, along with a mild apple-y tartness appearing next in line, then fading to a gentle general dryness. It's capped at the finish by a distant yeast sourness, but so distant that it is far from a true down note.

The beer is relatively light bodied, making its swirly way about the mouth, coating and giving way to a subdued glow of malty refreshment.

I was pleasantly surprised by the this beer, as there was more malt flavor and greater dimension than I expected the style to deliver. It's not a world-class thirst quencher, but it's drinkable because of its fetching flavor. Sam has never served me a bad beer, and this brew continues that string of successes. Basically, it's good, flavorful, and enjoyable, a combination that bodes well for a beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2004 22:22:53 | More by Foxman

WesWes

New York

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours an amber color with a generous white head that fades to lacing. The aroma is good. There is a nice malty aroma that is not too overpowering. The taste is great. It is crisp and refreshing with a bit of maltiness to it. The Vienna malt adds a nice flavor not usually associated with most lagers. The mouthfeel is good. It's a low bodied beer with good carbonation. This is a good seasonal brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2003 22:45:41 | More by WesWes

tavernjef

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Color is a nice amber brown, slightly hazy with a small dark ivory head, sticks around awhile, lace sticks in sheets then fades into strings and spots. Smell is mostly malts, good caramel, fresh, sweet and a bit toasted, a pretty decent vienna nose. Taste is more of the same with a nice caramel tone overall with some hints of toastyness, but mostly sweetly rendered. Some citrusy notes that are dulled with a light hop mix. Somewhat crisp finish with some lingering chewyness. Feel is close to medium bodied with a pretty smooth and lightly creamy aspect, a bit thin in a few places. Not a bad drinker for a Vienna. A bit more of a tangy, doughy, bready tone in the sweetness and it would be a keeper for sure. Still, not a bad beer though.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2003 20:49:06 | More by tavernjef

Suds

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I haven't been recently impressed with Boston Beer's latest brews, but this one is particularly good. I'm glad they put it in six packs.
Pours a brownish-red color with an off-white head. The head could be a bit more solid, but it's still an attractive beer. Aroma is distinctively Vienna malt. Taste isn't as sweet as I expected, but it's resolutely malty. Toasted, almost bread-like character. Firm, impressive body with a nice finish. Hops take a decidedly back-seat in this beer. This could become one of my favorites from Sam Adams.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2003 19:09:51 | More by Suds

JAL67

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great beer. It goes down real easy. It has a nice dark color and is very smooth. I have had this on a number of occasions and it is fantastic. I know that the comparison I am about to make maybe off base but, this beer is on comparison to Smithwick's Ale. Another great beer! Smooth and gets you where you want to go. Goes nicely between Octoberfest(another great beer) and Sam lite(not so great). Highly suggest all to try this beer. You won't be dissappointed.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2003 03:05:23 | More by JAL67

Beastdog75

New Jersey

3.13/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I got to try this one from the Sam Adams World Class Mix Pack. I have to give credit to the BBC for brewing a Vienna-style Lager and trying something different. However, while drinking this I found this to be not at all that different. To me it seemed like a happy medium between the Boston Lager and the Octoberfest.

Sam Adams Vienna Style pours a nice medium reddish amber color. A 1 finger off-white head formed, and lasted for just over 40 seconds. The smell seemed light to me. There was some malty caramel notes, some nuttiness, and a light hop fruitiness in the aroma. The mouthfeel was more thin and fizzy than what I was expecting, but the overall mouthfeel suited the beer well because it did have a degree of smoothness to it. The taste had a decent malt flavor with notes of caramel, nuttiness, and toasted grains. Some very light butteriness. Decent hop bitterness with some spicy qualities. Moderate bitterness in the finish. The aftertaste is pretty clean, as some leftover bitterness ensues. It all finishes out with only a little alcoholic warmth.

This was less hoppy than the Boston Lager and less malty than the Octoberfest. Overall, it was a good, drinkable beer, but for some reason I expected more out of the flavor, as it was a bit weaker than I thought it would be. I wouldn't mind having this every once in awhile.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2003 18:51:48 | More by Beastdog75

Webby64

Indiana

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish brown, slightly clowdy with a small, thin head of fine bubbles which disapates quickly. Smell is sweet, malty. I don't have a good "sniffer" anymore and my allergies are kicked in. Taste is sweet, mostly malt, touch of citrus in the middle, a bit "oily". It's almost too sweet but I will say this is up on my list with Hex Nut Brown from Goose Island and favorite beers. I will get again and again!!

M

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2003 23:23:22 | More by Webby64

yen157

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I’m glad this one reached six-pack status

Slightly sticky, tan, standing head. Pretty darn nice looking amber body with some haze. Expected (albeit modest) Vienna malt nose Some caramel and slightly toasty flavors balanced by cleansing carbonation and reasonable bitterness. The only real probable that I saw was a slightly sticky-sweet finish. A little more hop character would have done this one well.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2003 02:54:33 | More by yen157

Admiraldinty

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Coppery-reddish brew with a small white, sticky head. Smell is malty with herbal hops. A little fruit in the background. Medium-bodied with a smooth mouthfeel. Big malty flavor right up front - somewhat sweet. Very light hops - makes it somewhat tea-like. Aftertaste is bready, but clean. Overall a good brew. I'd argue that this is one of the most interesting beers from Sam Adams, and one of their best.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2003 01:10:08 | More by Admiraldinty

beerguy101

California

3.9/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reddish brown color. Medium head. Slightly malty aroma with a hint of fruitiness. Medium bodied ale. Nicely malty, taste of toffee and caramel, slightly sweet. Hops are slightly spicy. There is a slightly fruity taste to this beer. Smooth taste. Very drinkable. Hope that Sam Adams adds this beer to their regular everyday lineup. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly bitter with a slight malt sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2003 02:16:07 | More by beerguy101

palliko

California

3.28/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a good beer: it has qualities that remind one of a bock. The initial contact is "brown" like the beer: malty, mild, but interesting. The middle is not sweet, but has a nice smooth mouthfeel. I like the after taste: mellow with a hint of coffee. It does have strength. If I were out somewhere and there was nothing else interesting on tap, I would order one.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2003 20:43:00 | More by palliko

AtLagerHeads

Ohio

3.43/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a nice Vienna style, not great, but very worthy. The appearance is of a darker body than expected tending more to bronze than copper. The tan head is good, retains well, and laces down the glass. The nose is of caramel malt and light; virtually no hops noted here.

The flavor comes across as malt, primarily of caramel and the taste lingers a bit long in the finish as the finish is not at all dry. The feel is medium bodied and lacks a crispness. Still it is not too light nor watery. Good drinkability makes this a good Vienna to go to when something better, say, oh, Eliot Ness, is not available.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2003 22:01:06 | More by AtLagerHeads

hotstuff

Indiana

4.08/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This beer had a large sized ivory head that contained fine-small bubbles.The body was cloudy and carbonation was observed.The hue was copper and the nose was malty.The flavor was malty and the mouthfeel was very smooth, delicate, easy on the palate, somewhat thin, and light bodied.This beer left a good lacing appearance.This was a beer that was very enjoyable to not only drink, but to rate as well.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2003 23:59:23 | More by hotstuff

ecoboy

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Wow, shows what happens when you take the time to really concentrate on something. I didn't know I liked this!

The head hung on like a champ through all 12 ounces. Lovely ruby color like the flesh by the pit of an apricot; pilsener fans might be frightened.

Sweet fruity (peaches, sweet cherries) and floral nose. Approaches maibock in aroma.

The flavor is more of caramel and bread... I was disappointed the fruit in the aroma did not extend to the taste. Floral hops character present for balance. Finishes clean, but not dry. The malt aspect resonates through swallow and thereafter.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2003 16:19:29 | More by ecoboy