Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

charlzm

California

3.9/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Consumed July 14th, 2012. Poured into a Samuel Adams "perfect pint" glass.

Beer is a hazy orange-yellow, a few shades darker than a pilsener. A creamy two-finger white head lasts a long time, slowly settling down to a frothy cap that provides excellent lacing.

Aroma has a fruity, yeasty character: grassy and citric with a fresh, slightly under-cooked bread note. I thought I smelled apricot or nectarine in there, too.

Flavor is where this beer makes its stand: this is supposedly a cross between a witbier and and IPA. Lightly citric bite pokes through the creamy, smooth (yet indistinct) malt. A hint of powdery Belgian yeast comes near the end, just before the mild but adequately bitter finish. A little sweet grapefruit in there towards the end as well. Or was it the apricot, nectarine, or plum I thought I smelled earlier? Subtle, anyway.

Mouthfeel is nicely creamy and there is plenty of carbonation prickle without over dryness.

Hybrid styles are tricky to pull off, as they don't adhere to the BJCP guidelines. They are hard to judge objectively. Subjectively, though, this is a nice, if not mind-blowing, beer. I hope more brewers take the "white IPA" style and run with it. I'm curious to see where this can go.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 23:12:57 | More by charlzm

HiWire

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +20.1%

05-19-2013 06:55:50 | More by HiWire

bzach

Indiana

3.25/5  rDev -8.2%

05-18-2013 22:29:40 | More by bzach

jbarletto

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -8.2%

05-18-2013 14:49:44 | More by jbarletto

SocalKicks

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-17-2013 12:11:58 | More by SocalKicks

jburd19

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -8.2%

05-17-2013 01:44:25 | More by jburd19

JG-90

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a hazy golden-straw color with very heavy lacing and an extreme amount of floaters. Smells of yeast, piney hops, white bread, and citrusy hops. Complex smell that combines the amerianc IPA and belgium IPA but seems a little muted, though.

Tasts starts with piney hops, then lemon and orange, with a piney-bready-yeasty finish. Definitely taste the spices throughout as long with a hint of apricot. Not as much hop aroma or flavor as I would hope for though. Mouthfeel is light with moderate-heavy carbonation. A nice mix of Belguim & American IPA's, this is one of the better BBC beer i've tried so far.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 23:58:32 | More by JG-90

JoshFrierson86

Arkansas

3.75/5  rDev +5.9%

05-16-2013 12:42:12 | More by JoshFrierson86

Zbeetleman

California

3.25/5  rDev -8.2%

05-16-2013 03:09:41 | More by Zbeetleman

lucasj82

Indiana

3/5  rDev -15.3%

05-15-2013 01:48:48 | More by lucasj82

ZombiesAteMyDog

Indiana

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-14-2013 16:42:31 | More by ZombiesAteMyDog

HinghamRick

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-13-2013 14:05:28 | More by HinghamRick

IPAFan521

Illinois

3/5  rDev -15.3%

05-13-2013 13:32:07 | More by IPAFan521

MRAnderson

Indiana

3/5  rDev -15.3%

05-12-2013 21:17:48 | More by MRAnderson

JamesStreet

Louisiana

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-12-2013 16:27:42 | More by JamesStreet

Jabartheljr

South Dakota

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-12-2013 02:11:36 | More by Jabartheljr

phishdaly

New York

3.75/5  rDev +5.9%

05-10-2013 22:17:31 | More by phishdaly

eulerthegrape

California

2.75/5  rDev -22.3%

05-10-2013 15:48:19 | More by eulerthegrape

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -8.2%

05-10-2013 15:21:55 | More by twenty5

pcsnyder

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev +5.9%

05-10-2013 12:20:13 | More by pcsnyder

rph97

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -1.1%

05-10-2013 00:14:10 | More by rph97

MidwestBA

Illinois

2.75/5  rDev -22.3%

05-09-2013 00:06:52 | More by MidwestBA

MrBuckHigh

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -8.2%

05-08-2013 18:01:53 | More by MrBuckHigh

dalepryor

Kentucky

3.25/5  rDev -8.2%

05-07-2013 20:39:11 | More by dalepryor

beertunes

Washington

3.38/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured into nonic. Poured a cloudy pale yellow color with 1/2 inch of white head that had good retention and lacing.

The aroma had some piney hops upfront and a bit of a yeast note acting in support. The malt profile was very hidden. Across the palate the pine hops were again the features aspect, with the yeast playing a notable support role. There was a bit of a surprise at the back of the tongue, as a hit of citrus hops lingered for a spell.

The body was good, fairly typical for an IPA, and was very clean on the finish. Drinkability was good, it was a quick quaff, and reasonably enjoyable. Overall, a nice enough brew, and at under $8 for sixer featuring 3 hop focused SA beers, a decent value. Worth trying when you see it in your store.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 18:45:04 | More by beertunes