Third Voyage Double IPA - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.86/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle purchased from BevMo in Menlo Park, CA.

Pours a lovely clear deep amber-gold colour, with a full, fine and persistent head of creamy-white. Lacing is steady, thick and rich. Body has some weight behind it, very pleasantly, with some large-bubbled carbonation. It looks very good indeed, what a good DIPA should look like.

Nose is a little weak: soft, leafy hop characters cradling a structured malt presence, reasonably well put together, but not particularly strong or aromatic. There's some baked bread aromas, some lemon and rosewater from the hops and a faintly sharper herbal or peppery note. It's all quite pleasant, and reasonably well balanced, but it's just not that exciting.

Taste is similar. Very nicely balanced malt and hop characters are nonetheless muted, leaving a ghostly impression of bitterness and richness without actually creating much in the way of true full flavours. Light, biscuity tones, oily bitterness that fades quickly, some leafy, slightly herbal vapours on the finish. Feel is smooth and light: pleasant.

Look, this is a nice beer, and maybe I'm just an idiot for wanting a Double IPA to punch me in the face from start to finish—but I do believe that's what a DIPA should do. This is well-structured, pleasant and easy drinking, but compared to the most flavoursome examples, this feels a little banal.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 00:15:15 | More by lacqueredmouse

argock

Virginia

3.31/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a 22 oz brown bomber into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint glass. No obvious freshness date. Purchased at Wine Warehouse (Charlottesville, VA) for $7.99.

A: Crystal clear medium-amber with 3-finger off-white tightly bubbled head with decent retention and clingy lacing all down the glass.

S: The aroma is floral but weak. There are some minor grapefruit and honeysuckle aromas. I smell almost as much caramel malt as the hops.

T: The flavor fits the "balanced" DIPA category, but the hops presence is still not what it needs to be, as it is characterized mainly by bitterness without a lot of hop flavor. There are flashes of honeysuckle, lemon peel, grapefruit, and herbal/grassy notes, but the main flavor is moderate bitterness combined with fairly sweet caramel maltiness. Not cloying but pretty heavy crystal malt contribution. Almost drinks like an extra big red ale rather than a DIPA as there is a bit of toastiness to the flavor. Needs less crystal malt and more committed dry hopping for aroma and some flavor to move it off of average for me.

M: Pretty slick and dry in the feel with active, moderate carbonation and medium body at most. Does drink light.

O: Just a ho-hum effort in the DIPA category from SA. Underhopped and overly sweet. Not really what you are looking for in the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 04:28:25 | More by argock

secondtooth

Indiana

3.31/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

Rich amber, with a huge head of off-white suds. Thick walls of lace. Nice!

Nose is crisp citrus hops all the way. Not bad, but not remarkable, either.

Taste is strong -- with plenty of acid and bitter notes. I get more citrus and pine tones, but there's also a thick malt backbone, balancing this big beer out somewhat, though it's still heavy on the palate. Alcohol bite is evident at finish, as well.

Solid IPA here, but not one I'd return to.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 12:57:09 | More by secondtooth

alex_hart

Massachusetts

3.08/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

appearance: dark auburn with a half finger head and good lacing throughout.

Smell: bitter hops, sweet malt, spice, and something wierd I cant put a finger on. A little off-putting.

taste: much of the same with alot more of the sweet malt coming through at the front and hopps coming through at the back of the tongue.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied with a slightly oily linger.

Overall: this is alright, but not really what I was hoping for with this style. Not a huge recommend.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 03:38:39 | More by alex_hart

FlatRabbitRed

Arizona

3.89/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sam Adams attempt at a west coast style IPA, it does fall short of that but still very nice!

Nice copper color thin lace of foam almost no carbonation. Strong malt character, sweet, mild caramel, strong hop flavor floral citrus. Mild bitter after taste....easy to drink.

Read a review that said "this should be classified a barley wine" ...No not a barley wine!

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:49:42 | More by FlatRabbitRed

SportsandJorts

Michigan

3.49/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: brownish-red with a finger or so off an off-white head. leaves a lacing and nice clarity

Smell: hops, just straight strong hops. could use a little bit of maltiness

Taste: citrus hops, some earthy hops, a hint of caramelly malts. very hop strong, i wish the maltiness could play in a bit stronger to battle with the big strong hops

Mouthfeel: pretty sticky and super bitter aftertaste

Overall: I like by DIPA's with a stronger malt base to go along with the intense hops and found this one a bit lacking. not undrinkable or bad but just not the kind that i really like

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 18:16:47 | More by SportsandJorts

Goosehunter75

Missouri

3.75/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

A- Pours a reddish copper color with a huge fluffy 3 finger white head with excelllent retention

S - Slightly grassy. Lots of citris and floral aromas. Can also dtect some caramel malts. Fairly lightly scented for an IPA in my opinoin

T - I can definately pick up the caramel malts right up front mixed with the piney bitterness of the hops. Not a lot going on here but still a pleasant beer

M - A medium body IPA. The alcohol really warms the palate and it has a very very creamy feel

O - Pretty decent IPA. Nothing outstanding but I wouldnt turn my nose up at it! It has a nice hops taste but could use a little more in the aroma department. ITs great looking beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 19:14:31 | More by Goosehunter75

godlessape

Georgia

3.7/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Drank this one out of a snifter. The body has a vivid dark plumb ruby hue to it and the inch and a half off-white head sinks down to a more modest size, but stays on like it should.

The aroma is rich and malty, with caramel, molasses, papaya, and fruit cup notes. I'm not noticing any typical IPA hop pine or citrus here at all. It reminds me of a Pale Ale or perhaps a Strong Ale.

The flavor follows the nose for the most part as far as the malty, fruity aspects go, but there is a zesty hop bitterness on the end my nose missed that satisfies but doesn't crack you in the jaw like you might expect from an Imperial IPA.

The mouthfeel is full bodied with maybe a little oiliness on the back-end. The 8% ABV is hardly noticeable on the palate but hard to miss on the brain.

Overall this is a good brew, however I think it belongs in the Strong Ale catagory.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 21:57:24 | More by godlessape

Nugganooch

California

3.64/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle as part of the IPA Hopology pack
*Notes from 04/02/13 - FW Snifter glass

A: Pure amber colored body with some fine clarity and a stubborn cake top of khaki head. Cascading sheets of lace leave behind a Looks on point in every way with some very active streaming bubbles rising.

S: Aroma is forward with a caramel malt sweetness and some alcohol spice with a little raisin-like esters mixed in there. Hops come through with some big pine notes and a bit of herbals as well. Smells are all pretty malt dominant like one would expect from an American Barley Wine.

T: Flavor starts out with a firm sweetness of caramel malts and some raisin bread. Hops bring forth a flourish of lush evergreens and dank herbals. There is an upper moderate amount of bitterness to the beer with alcohol pretty well masked. I get some earthy minerals towards the end. This is not bad and bit light on the citrus notes but also a bit familiar to me with the heavy handed malts and use of Cascades. It kind of reminds me of a SN Bigfoot rather than the DIPAs I have come to know and love.

M: Moderate weight in body with some hefty malts there. Pretty clean overall with a smooth consistency and a nice constricting hop bite. Slightly wetter finish to it with some lingering oily slickness.

D: An interesting take on the Double IPA that lands closer to an American B-wine if you ask me. With its pronounced malt base and hoppy bitterness I felt this profile very similar to that of a Bigfoot. Not quite as good but worth me having again.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 23:19:04 | More by Nugganooch

brentk56

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a very hazy copper color capped by an inch or so of foam; a few shards of lacing are left behind

Smell: Toffee and tropical fruit (guava, papaya and grapefruit)

Taste: Toffee and the tropical fruit flavors from the aroma, up front, with growing bitterness in the middle; after the swallow, the toffee and tropical fruit flavors balance each other out through the finish; there is some residual honey sweetness that lingers

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation; surprisingly creamy

Overall: I think this beer is misunderstood by many reviewers who are disappointed that it is not a West Coast style DIPA; my view is that this is an American take on a traditional English IPA beer that is able to withstand the long voyage - thinking of it that way; there is a nice malt/hop combination that can withstand the passage of time in a way that is complementary (unlike the West Coast DIPA that withers on the vine after a few months)

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 23:07:26 | More by brentk56

DMXLOX22

Pennsylvania

3.66/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Picked up a single of this beer from my local establishment Civera's as a quick grab-n-go. Let's see how this matches up.

Appearance: Pours a deep, dark, amber red with a slight haze, but leaves something slightly to be desired. Leaves behind moderate head (about one inch) that dissipated quickly. Not so bad.

Smell: First scents are actually quite hoppy. But the right kind of hops. Citrus, and other type of light fruits. Leaves behind a nice grassy and a slight hint of caramel. Quite nice and brings on an inviting aroma that brings everything together in balance.

Taste: Brings on a full bodied assault of deep, floral hops. I noticed a slight hint of caramel-like flavors and some bitter flavors. Some citrus also plays into the body. It reminds me of a slight lemon-zest, orange-peel and some grapefruit. Has a clean finish, but like I mentioned before, leaves something to be desired.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, moderate carbonation. Finishes quite dry.

Overall: This beer came into quite good, but seemed like there was a dominating overload of roasted hops to cover a citrus flavor that didn't quite bring everything together as well balanced as I thought. It came out as an average IPA, but that was it. Something was missing, but I can see how others might enjoy it. Reminds me more of an English ale. I would possibly try again, but not likely. It's unlikely I would see this beer on tap anywhere, anytime soon. I would recommend to a friend who is a fan of IPA's and is looking to expand. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 01:37:39 | More by DMXLOX22

msondel

Massachusetts

4.46/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass. Part of the Sam Adams IPA variety pack. This is one of the easiest to drink double IPAs and my favorite in the variety pack. This has a smooth taste and not as bitter as I expect from a double IPA. The short story describing each of the beers in the variety pack is also interesting to me.

I would definitely order this one again. I hope Sam Adams releases some of these outside of the mix pack.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 22:23:16 | More by msondel

pcguitarwzrd

Florida

4.1/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottle from the Hop-ology set into DFH IPA glass.

A: Deep, fiery orange, with a luscious head and abundant carbonation. A really good-looking beer.

S: Mostly grassy hops but you can find some caramel malt in there.

T: Nice dose of caramel and bready malt before the hops crash in. Piney, grassy, not as citrusy as many DIPAs tend to be. More towards the DF90 end of the spectrum. The hops hang around a while, too.

M: Full and satisfying but the high carbonation increases drinkability.

O: I'm pretty impressed with this beer. This may be my new fave Sam Adams.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 21:48:36 | More by pcguitarwzrd

jjclick17

Indiana

3.84/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Very dark copper color. Poored very smooth and had a little bit of head.

Very hoppy taste. I don't drink a lot of double IPA's so I might be off-based on this, but it was very strong. Sticks to the mouth as well.

Overall, I really enjoyed this beer. It was part of Sam Adam's variety pack. So while I had a minimal sample size to evaluate all the brews, this one defintely left the most lasting impact. This is the one of the six I would consume going forward.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 00:36:22 | More by jjclick17

MadScientist

New York

3.74/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: A light copper with good clarity. The off-white head is long lasting and made of soapy bubbles.

S: A unusual moderate hops aroma that is mostly earthy and citrus with a touch of tropical fruit character. The malts bring some sweetness and a light caramel note. It's not a knock you sock off IPA aroma but it's not bad either.

A: The moderately-strong malt and hops bitterness are upfront in the taste followed closely bit the moderately-strong hops flavor. The malt sweetness brings a light caramel flavor. The hops are again a blend of citrus and earthly flavors. The balance is fairly bitter with an off-dry finish. The aftertaste is of a lingering hops bitterness.

M: A lightly creamy medium-full bodied beer with moderately-strong carbonation. There is a light warming on the palate.

O: A fairly balanced DIPA that isn't that huge hops blast I tend to get but it's not timid either. I would definitely grab a pint if it was on draft.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 23:58:03 | More by MadScientist

homebrew311

Illinois

3.03/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

Served on tap at the Lucky Monk. Appearance is deep reddish gold with thin white head and sticky lacing. The nose has light herbal hop notes with mellow caramel, grass, and lemon. Taste is mild with minimal hop bitterness. Heavy sweetness towards the end that overpowers anything hoppy. Mouthfeel is thick and mildly carbonated. Overall, not a great dipa.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2013 23:36:10 | More by homebrew311

puboflyons

New Hampshire

3.73/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

From the 22 fl.oz. bottle with no batch listed. Sampled on March 8, 2013.

It pours a mahogany amber with a frothy, long lasting beige head and excellent clarity.

The aroma is not in your face hoppy but more mellow hoppy with earthy and floral notes.

The body is around medium.

The taste has a slight malty character up front and it is quickly overtaken by the hop bitterness that has a moderate finish and does not linger long. A decent enough beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 22:56:21 | More by puboflyons

ColdPoncho

Ohio

3.19/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

A - deep copper body, crystal clear, big foamy head with staying power. Great looking beer, but I guess I usually like my IPAs a bit cloudy.

S - tropical fruit and citrus, some harsh astringency, caramel notes. Some good, some bad.

T - Not surprisingly, this is very malt forward. It's fairly bitter, and it's got some earthy hop notes, but this would probably qualify more as an English DIPA, if such a thing exists. This is basically missing all of the hop characteristics of a good IPA

M - Big, smooth, creamy, with a biting bitter quality.

O - Probably my least favorite of the Sam Adams IPAs. Not much hop character beyond the bitterness. Fairly disappointing.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 05:33:16 | More by ColdPoncho

jjboesen

Maryland

4.28/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This double IPA is part of the Sam Adams "Small Batch" Series and evokes the hearty beer style created to survive long sea voyages - in the case of the title, the Third Voyage of Captain Cook.

The initial pour results in a massive frothing that eases itself into submission. Upon settleing, there is a translucent copper body abound with splotchy lacing throughout the quaff. The nose contains mild aromas of peach and mango while the palate receives a subtle doppling of mango for a smooth, but hoppy, finish. There is a semi-dry mouthfeel present that makes a decent if not too overwhelming beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 01:12:46 | More by jjboesen

StoutHunter

Michigan

3.29/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

I picked up a bottle of Samuel Adams Third Voyage Double IPA in their Hopology pack last week for $14.99 at Meijers. I don't think I have ever had a DIPA from Samuel Adams so I'm interested too see how it stacks up to the competition, so lets see how it goes. No visible bottling date, but I think it's fairly fresh. Poured from a brown 12oz bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A- The label is pretty simple, it looks ok, but it's not that eye catching. It poured a slightly hazy lighter amber color that took on some dark amber and ruby hues when held to the light with two fingers worth of slightly off white head that died down to a thin ring that stayed till the end and it left some nice and sticky rings of lacing behind. This is a good looking beer the color was nice and so was the head and lacing.

S- The aroma starts off with a higher amount of medium sweetness that had a slight honey aroma to it followed by a large amount of hops that impart some fruity citrus hop aromas and some earthy and resiny hops also coming through. Up next comes the malts which impart some nice caramel malt, bread, and some slight toffee like aromas. This beer had a good aroma it had some nice hops aromas and the malts showed up nicely and it gave the aroma some good balance.

T- The taste seems to be somewhat similar to the aroma and it starts off with a higher amount of sweetness that has a slight honey like flavor to it followed by a good amount of caramel malts that impart some bready and grainy flavors. Up next next comes the hops which impart some earthy, piney, and a light amount of citrus hop flavors, the hops flavors were on the lighter side for the style and it had a medium amount of bitterness with some more sweetness coming through and a sweet and earthy aftertaste with a little bit of earthy hops coming through. This was an average tasting DIPA, it didn't taste bad, but it was pretty average when I compare it to all the DIPA's I have had.

M- Fairly smooth, a little sticky, a little cloying, on the thicker side of being medium bodied with a good amount of medium carbonation. The mouthfeel was ok but I could have gone without the sticky and cloying sweetness.

Overall I wasn't impressed with this beer and I thought it was an average at best example of a DIPA, it just can't hold it's own against the better DIPA's, the aroma had me thinking it would be good but when I got to the taste I was left wanting more. This beer wasn't that drinkable, it was fairly smooth, but the flavors couldn't hold my attention and it was a little too much on the sweet side, one is enough for me, no need for another. What I like the most about this beer is the appearance and aroma, they were both good and pretty true to style. What I liked the least about this beer was how light and sweet the taste of this beer was, it's not what I look for in a DIPA. I wouldn't buy this beer on its own, it's not hard to find a much better DIPA, and I wouldn't recommend this beer to any of my friends. All in all I was let down with this beer, it just wasn't what I would consider to be a good DIPA, the flavor wasn't hoppy enough and there was just too much sweetness to it. This isn't a memorable beer and Hopslam and Double Trouble blow this beer out of the water. Better luck next time guys, this beer needs a lot of work but I would like to one day see Samuel Adams brew a good DIPA, I think they have it in them, I just haven't seen it yet.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 04:44:33 | More by StoutHunter

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

2.3/5  rDev -37.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

A-dark amber with a sticky cream colored head

S-very herbal hops hops. Slightly aged, somewhat malty. Medium strength

T-comes in tasting pretty bad. Reminiscent of dog breath but not in a raw Belgian way, more like in a I just kissed a dog way. This is terrible.

M-medium carbonation

O-what is this?? This is a new low for the brewery. They've been making so many decent beers lately then throw this at us. This has got to be one of the worst beers I've ever had. Don't bother.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 03:02:19 | More by AdamBear

minterro

Michigan

2.7/5  rDev -26.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 2.75

Singled out at 1.79$ a piece so i figured that was kinda a steal for an 8% beer even if it is brewed by Sam Adams.

A&S: Not a bad looking beer. Head is a creamy tan color and possesses moderately good head retention. Transparent amber colored beer with no carbonation bubbles present. Upon first opening this beer the smell seemed pretty decent however it faded very quickly. What smells did linger had faint citrus characteristics to it but was kinda overwhelmed sweet maltyness.

T&M: The flavor is overwhelmed by bitterness. The hop direction is pointed to piney but

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 07:53:45 | More by minterro

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

3.91/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a nonic pint.

A - Pours a clear copper with a two-finger off-white head of creamy bubbles. Nice complete rings of lacing.

S - Decently strong aroma of fruity hops, with a touch of grass/resin. Caramel malt comes out as it warms.

T - Nice sweet toffee malts forward, with hops crashing in shortly thereafter being equal parts fruity (less of a citrus and more of a guava/papaya/white grape thing going on), and earthy (tea leaf/undergrowth). Hint of mint. Slightly peppery finish. Balanced. Taste really grew on me as I worked my way through the glass, and I appriciated the uniqueness of both the hop and malt profiles. Very malty for an IPA.

M - Full bodied and chewy. Standard SA prickly carbonation (Did they patent their carbonation level or something?) meaning it's slightly overcarbonated.

O - Solid and well-crafted, but not a true stand out. I don't know that I would reach for this first when buy a DIPA, as it's excessive maltiness keeps it from being truly representative of the style. I'll probably try to remember it for when I'm craving more of an earthy IPA as opposed to a grassy, citrus one (say, winter).

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 03:51:53 | More by TempeBeerMan

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.6/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle served in a Southern Tier tulip

A - Pours a clear reddish/copper with a tall beige head that retains well and has adequate lacing.

S - Bold toffee and dense caramel malts, grapefruit, pine needles.

T - Follows the nose with sugary toffee/caramel malts, bready dark toast, grapefruit, minty leafy green, and pine hops bring a sappy and pithy bitterness. Has a pecan/tea like bitterness on the finish

M - Full bodied, lushy feel, good carbonation for the style,

Good clean flavors. A solid take on an DIPA. Heavier on the malt but a good array of hop flavor with competing bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 00:22:10 | More by StaveHooks

JMScowcroft

Vermont

4.3/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Sam Adams - Third Voyage Double IPA - 1pt 6fl oz bottle

I will say first off that I am not usually overly impressed with Sam Adams, they have been hit-or-miss in the past with me.

Look - Pours caramel with a slight reddish hue. Hearty, foamy head. Slightly filtered, no noticeable carbonation.

Smell - Smooth hops smell, slight hint of caramel.

Taste - Caramel sweetness followed by a wave of smooth hops, just like it smells. Ends a bit on the bitter side, citrus.

Mouthfeel - Not overwhelming, drinkable for sure, the initial taste beats the aftertaste here.

Overall - Pleasantly surprised with this Sam Adams brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 12:25:45 | More by JMScowcroft