Samuel Adams White Christmas - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Damian

Massachusetts

3.81/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Drank from a 12 fl. oz. bottle
For brewery-fresh taste, enjoy before month notched FEB
Served in a pint glass

Thanks to my dad for saving me one of each beer from the Winter Classics Variety Pack.

The beer poured a cloudy and turbulent yellow ochre color. A surprisingly small, frothy, off-white head capped the liquid. The head quickly fell to a thin film that had decent lasting strength.

The aroma was pleasant but rather subtle. Sweet, doughy malts were apparent. Good amount of winter spice notes. Slightly citrusy and tart. Ginger came out as well.

The flavor profile was punchier and more enticing than the nose. Semi-sweet on the front end with a healthy dose of pale malts. Spicy in center. Ginger was noticeable, as were hints of orange zest. The beer turned lemony and tart on back end. Crisp and quite refreshing.

The liquid was slick and creamy on the palate and contained a very fine and mild effervescence.

Although this beer did not blow my socks off, it was highly drinkable and unique as a winter seasonal. I would love to see more breweries integrate a spiced witbier into their winter lineup, as the flavors pair perfectly with many foods served during the holiday season.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 03:14:02 | More by Damian

claytri

Maryland

4.69/5  rDev +32.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

The beer pours a nice light gold with a crisp white head that has real staying power. The aroma is pretty much aniseed, but at a very pleasant level and character. Since that's what I expected (and what I liked about it) it works for this beer. They really did a great job with the taste on this one. It has a nice light malty character with good fruitiness, and then the Aniseed at just the right level to be all over it, but still allow the other tastes there rightful place. A home run Wit in my opinion. The feel is light and a bit oily. This was one of the best efforts for a Wit I've had in a while. Great job with the spicing.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 17:15:04 | More by claytri

erialbill

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

05-15-2013 12:58:34 | More by erialbill

Artjsantos

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

05-10-2013 17:42:22 | More by Artjsantos

bluckbeyes

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%

05-10-2013 01:02:11 | More by bluckbeyes

rph97

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%

05-10-2013 00:13:54 | More by rph97

FliryVorru

Alabama

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%

04-29-2013 17:44:25 | More by FliryVorru

Kelp

New Hampshire

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%

04-23-2013 06:16:04 | More by Kelp

J_Dub

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

04-22-2013 22:16:12 | More by J_Dub

indy14jonesy

Massachusetts

2.75/5  rDev -22.1%

04-21-2013 13:04:01 | More by indy14jonesy

GRE680

Michigan

3/5  rDev -15%

04-20-2013 22:34:06 | More by GRE680

alex_hart

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%

04-20-2013 16:28:28 | More by alex_hart

HardyA

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +6.2%

04-19-2013 02:06:23 | More by HardyA

Jetfan247

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +13.3%

04-13-2013 01:39:36 | More by Jetfan247

soxandbeer

Massachusetts

2/5  rDev -43.3%

04-12-2013 03:01:54 | More by soxandbeer

Bromine

Florida

3/5  rDev -15%

04-10-2013 11:54:07 | More by Bromine

gmfessen

Michigan

3.35/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3

Poured from the bottle into a pint glass, White Christmas is a hazy, straw-golden color with a thin, creamy white head. The most obvious part of the nose is the spice boquete, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, nutmeg, ginger and allspice. The level of unchecked spice smell actually makes the nose a bit nauseating. The level of spice is fairly high in the taste as well; however the nice balanced, toasty, malty backdrop it enhances fares much better in flavor than in smell. The mouthfeel is quite pleasant, medium in body with a chewy, slightly creamy carbonation. Overall, not a favorite of mine by SA, not my favorite Witbier - but if you're looking for a "Holiday" beer, this would fit the bill.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 21:39:05 | More by gmfessen

David1492

Iowa

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

04-09-2013 20:41:51 | More by David1492

Localdrinklax

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -15%

04-09-2013 18:26:16 | More by Localdrinklax

HisBoyElroy

Michigan

3/5  rDev -15%

04-04-2013 22:05:51 | More by HisBoyElroy

superspak

Michigan

3.68/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into signature pint glass, best before April 2013. Pours hazy golden amber color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Light spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with plenty of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon, orange peel, wheat, clove, pepper, pear, floral, biscuit, and earthy yeast spiciness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of malt and spice notes. Taste of lemon, pear, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, wheat, light clove, pepper, floral, biscuit, and yeast earthiness. Lingering notes of light fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, wheat, biscuit, light clove, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a short bit. Nice balance and complexity of malt and spice notes; with spices being more muted than I expected from the nose; and zero cloying flavors on the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and smooth mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with nearly zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a good spiced witbier. Good balance of malt and spice notes with good flavor robustness; and very smooth to drink. A nicely enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:06:29 | More by superspak

tubeyes

Texas

4/5  rDev +13.3%

04-02-2013 03:58:23 | More by tubeyes

lauries444

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +27.5%

03-30-2013 00:51:42 | More by lauries444

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.44/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Enjoy by 3/13. consumed 3/13.

A: Lemon based coloring with some pale orange tint and a translucent quality, while a strong effervesce rages within. Chalky white head is slight, a bit whispy and weakly holding leaving no preferred window dressing behind.

S: A bit of tart orange and lemon with a hint of tropical fruitiness and white grapes. Complexity level is rather low.

T: Crisp beginning for the flavor, spiciness comes through, a bit more so then the nose with indications of cinnamon, nutmeg. Bright hops and orange peels and citrus while the wheat is also lively. Tart orange and lightly dry wheat finish. Spicy twang of tropical fruitiness and i detected a hint of banana thrown about.

M: bright and crisp, creamy wheat texture with a tart layering on the tongue.

O: Overall wouldnt drink in multiples. The nutmeg and cinnamon seem a bit out of place. A wit that wants to be a xmas beer, yes i get it, but something that comes off a bit more intriquing on paper then palate. A bit sweet overall, the flavor is not bad, just odd, seeming a bit forced and misplaced, i get the notion and concept of being different just may take a bit to get used to here.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 00:18:17 | More by beerthulhu

brheuer

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%

03-28-2013 23:03:30 | More by brheuer