Norse Legend Sahti - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

BWED

Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

I've been slacking on jotting notes about beers, especially on here, but I felt inspired tonight, and plan on writing on here more often. I have been picking up a few of these Sam Adams "experimental" brews, and trying them out. I guess I actually get to review Norse Legend. When I saw this at the store, it was the first Sahti I had seen, or even heard of for that matter. I decided to culture myself and learn a little more about this style. Surfing the interwebs, including BA, I learned that this style is quite historic, and I am happy that Sam Adams has shined its old light into my eyes. Anyway...

Poured into a pint glass from a 22 oz. bottle.

A- Chestnut body with a two finger head, yellow-white, retaining as a frothy film throughout consumption, and abundant lacing left behind.

S- Roasted caramel, with a slight, alcoholic sting in the background. No apparent hoppiness in the smell.

T- Sweet, roasted, almost smoky malt, maybe a little brown sugar, with a bit of a piney, citrus bite. The juniper evergreen-ness hangs around.

M- Smooth, and much lighter than I expected. Medium body, very drinkable.

O- I'm glad I was introduced to this style of beer. After doing my research, I learned that Sam Adams did a few things differently in the brewing process than people who have made more traditional Sahti: using juniper berries instead of branches, and hopping the beer. I'm not saying this is a bad method, because I'm sure it is much more conventional for mass production, but I look forward to trying a more traditional Sahti, someday. I like Norse Legend. It is nothing spectacular, but it is a fine tasting beer. It has also reminded me that there is so much out there that I don't even know, and that my beer tasting journey has barely begun.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 04:24:18 | More by BWED

vickersspitfire

Texas

4.09/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

The first thing that hits you as you pour it out is the sharp aroma of brandy, strong and sweet with plenty of fruit undertones. Raisins and light breads smells also come through and there is that slight definitive smell of alcohol. It pours out a dark murky brown color and is topped off with a thin head that quickly forms a small ring around the glass. The lacing is thin but very covers every inch of the glass. It taste is rather surprising, it’s light and tart, very refreshing; it bitter around the edges of the mouth and you can pick up some woody flavors, mild berries. This is a very refreshing find and I’ll definitely be buying this one again.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 03:27:55 | More by vickersspitfire

evergreen_machine

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev +6.2%

05-17-2013 02:12:12 | More by evergreen_machine

Chegui

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev +6.2%

05-14-2013 20:46:45 | More by Chegui

bostonryan

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -15%

05-13-2013 23:02:30 | More by bostonryan

dalepryor

Kentucky

3/5  rDev -15%

05-07-2013 21:12:26 | More by dalepryor

TonyTalon

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

05-07-2013 01:44:02 | More by TonyTalon

Vigilante

Nevada

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

05-05-2013 01:33:12 | More by Vigilante

becorwin86

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +13.3%

05-02-2013 16:47:13 | More by becorwin86

McBraniel

Virginia

2.75/5  rDev -22.1%

05-02-2013 04:09:29 | More by McBraniel

largadeer

California

2.75/5  rDev -22.1%

04-30-2013 22:44:01 | More by largadeer

FliryVorru

Alabama

3/5  rDev -15%

04-29-2013 17:51:04 | More by FliryVorru

westcoastbeerlvr

California

2.25/5  rDev -36.3%

04-28-2013 03:21:51 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.53/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle opens with a huge crack and bubbles immediately try to escape, luckily my cat like reflexes got the bottle top into the glass before any product was wasted. Deep clear reddish brown with a huge off white head that takes forever to recede. The aroma is spicy, no shit huh? It doesn't strike me as much different from a Belgian strong dark honestly. Dark caramelized and brown sugars with some dark fruit and a virtual spice rack of aromas that range from nutmeg to coriander to mint. Juniper berries perhaps? The flavor is rich and malty with lots of dark sugary flavor. There's an earthy spicy woody component in there that I can only assume comes from juniper somehow. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet light syrups mouthfeel. Not a bad brew, but honestly not my cup of tea.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 23:46:33 | More by johnnnniee

ilikebeer03

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

04-22-2013 15:45:24 | More by ilikebeer03

MickeyMonk

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev +6.2%

04-16-2013 02:49:48 | More by MickeyMonk

mkppisdead

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

04-01-2013 23:17:55 | More by mkppisdead

jmendels

Michigan

4.19/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This is the perfect beer for an evening in Skyrim. It struck my fancy when I happened upon it at my favorite beer shop, and so I bought it. I had never tasted a Sahti before, but I was certainly intrigued by the historical relevance of such a brew.

It pours a rather dark red, with a darker head. It smells earthy and herbal, though you can pick up notes of toffee and roasted malts. The flavor proceeds from the smell rather well, balancing the earthy juniper flavors with the roasted and toffee malt characteristics.

This is a rather enjoyable beer and is rather enjoyable in the winter. If you're a dark beer lover or Samuel Adams fan, give this one a shot. You won't be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 23:33:07 | More by jmendels

hockeyfighter19

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +13.3%

03-29-2013 23:52:15 | More by hockeyfighter19

AKrause

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +13.3%

03-28-2013 02:13:06 | More by AKrause

barnzy78

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into a 25oz snifter, is light brown and topped with a pillowy, ivory head that holds good retention. Aromas are better than expected, woodsy, earthy, herby, raisin, spice, and what I assume juniper. Tastes are complex and earthy, with peat, juniper, woodsy, bready, caramel, raisin, sour spice, rye, dry white wine, faintly medicinal - all flavors meld better once it warms. Creamy medium body, nice carbonation. Overall it's different, but better than expected. I've only had 1 other Sahti to compare this to, so it's a tough style for comparison purposes. As a beer, it's weird but not too bad at all. I've got friends in Finland, so I was very interested in trying this one. I get what they were going for here, but it definitely isn't authentic as far as ingredients go, but I can look past that.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 01:32:59 | More by barnzy78

bpfrush

Wisconsin

2.5/5  rDev -29.2%

03-25-2013 02:06:40 | More by bpfrush

videofrog

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

03-24-2013 23:05:50 | More by videofrog

hermit990

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%

03-23-2013 01:03:22 | More by hermit990

Mark88

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +20.4%

03-22-2013 01:24:51 | More by Mark88