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

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

2.73/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Pours a hazy yellow color. Not super pale. It has a coarse white head that keeps on dissolving.

Smells like a spiced shandy. Coriander and grain of paradise is here, but it's overblown with a weird aroma of cheap, artificially-sweetened lemonade. Wheat malts are grainy and dull. Not so hot, so far.

Wheat grain, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, and lemon peel; almost exactly as descripted. Still not a good ratio of additives. The cinnamon, now, is really heavy. Nutmeg is strong, too. The citrus elements aren't fresh, nor fermentedly tart. Just tang on tang on tang. Dusty spices, albeit heavy, offer little relief. Too punchy.

Mouthfeel is interesting. Tough to rate, because I don't enjoy drinking it. However, it doesn't hold its own. The body is too thick. There's some stickiness on the lips. And, the carbonation is too weak to make any kind of difference.

I have to hold Boston Brewing responsible here. This is a poorly executed holiday ale. Throw me an Old Fezziwig or a Holiday Porter any day over this.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 13:30:42 | More by thecheapies

rangerred

Tennessee

2.75/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a hazy medium gold with a 1.5 finger white head. Bad head retention with no lacing at all.

Aroma of some lemon and coriander typical of a witbier. In addition to this, there are some spices typical of winter/christmas beers like nutmeg and cinnamon.

The flavor is even more spice-forward than the aroma and it becomes a bit too much/artificial tasting. There is a decent wheat beer base but it is overpowered by the spice. Also it is all a little too sweet.

Overall, a miss for Samuel Adams. I don't know why they got rid of the decent Black and Brew for this but not a good idea.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 21:09:38 | More by rangerred

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Reviewed from notes from earlier in the night. From a Sam holiday bundle bought for the family for Christmas/Christmas Eve. Poured into a standard pint glass.

Appearance: Looks like a decent wit. Pretty hazy gold/orange color with a short white head. The head died quick but left a nice lacing.

Smell: Wheat, coriander, some spices like cinnamon and clove. Nothing strong.

Taste: An incredibly unrefreshing and relatively boring witbier. The spices don't add much, and Sam Adams must have decided to forgo crisp flavor for holiday vibe. This needs something to add a nice crispness or zest. Nothing about this wants me to continue drinking it, but I'll finish. Not the worst beer I've had all year, but one of the last I'd consider drinking again, and something I may even reject if given outright.

Mouthfeel: I respect that Sam Adams went light on the carbonation here, but I'd actually dig more. Perhaps a little heavier than I'd want too. Still, this is probably the best aspect of the beer besides its appearance.

The worst beer from Sam Adams I've ever had and something I'd be glad if they got rid of.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 07:30:57 | More by ColdWaffles

KajII

North Carolina

2.9/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

[Suggested Glassware: Weizen Glass]

The pour was a medium golden orange with a small (less than 1 finger) white fluffy head that quickly diminished, down to a very thin film and not so good runny lacing.

The aroma was of a light straw malt and a doughy horse blanket yeast with notes of citrus (orange), coriander, nutmeg and cinnamon.

The taste was lightly sweet and rather yeasty with a pronounced citrus note throughout, with the finish having a slight spiciness at the very end. The flavor lingered for an average time following the swallow, with a mild spicy yeast taste fading slowly from the taste buds.

Mouthfeel was just above light in body with a mildly dry texture and a medium carbonation.

Overall a decent enough brew that did posses a good drinkability, but was really nothing overly special as Witbier's go...

http://www.facebook.com/KAJIIsBeerReviews

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 19:27:43 | More by KajII

mfnmbvp

Illinois

2.93/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle. No bottled on date, just some random code stamped on the bottle's side.

A - Cloudy unfiltered looking lemon color, with a nice fluffy white head that goes down fast.

S - Looks great until you smell it. Pale, boring, carbonated bubblegum wheat smell.

T - Again, bubblegum spiciness jumps out initially. The orange peel is noticeable, but is so faint it isn't enough to make this beer very interesting. Basically reminds me exactly of a Franziskaner.

M - Some cinnamon/nutmeg lingerance, but again, not very exciting. Carbonation.

Overall, not exciting. Mediocre, to say the least. The Samuel Adams seasonal beers usually aren't the best, but are worth trying for the most part. I am still looking forward to trying the Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout. In all, this is not a beer I will seek out again but would drink again if it was offered to me.

Samuel Adams White Christmas ---3/5.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 16:20:32 | More by mfnmbvp

jsanford

Georgia

2.95/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a cloudy orange-gold with a fluffy white head that settles to a thin cap, leaving lots of soapy lacing. Mild aromas of crisp wheat, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a touch of citrus peel. Not much going on, but pleasant. More mild flavors of wheat, banana, clove, cinnamon, and candied orange peel. Mouthfeel is smooth, with a medium-thin body and ample carbonation. Not a particularly Sam Adams offering.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 23:32:56 | More by jsanford

TheSixthRing

California

3/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance - Pours cloudy, pale orange with a white, half finger head. Subpar retention results in sparse lacing.

Smell - Smells of pie crust, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Taste - Follows the nose. Heavy on the nutmeg and cinnamon spices, with a pie crust malt flavor. Faint hint of coriander as the beer heads for the finish, and a subtle wheatness peaks through at the tail-end of the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Light in body, with an almost fizzy carbonation.

Overall - Not very impressed. Reminiscent of their Harvest Pumpkin ale, minus the hints of pumpkin. Is it drinkable? Yeah, but I wouldn't want to buy it again, and I'm hoping it's a one-and-done in the Winter pack.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 01:50:33 | More by TheSixthRing

aasher

Indiana

3/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

White Christmas pours a light bodied cloudy gold in color with a light white head around the glass. The nose is pretty straightforward and simple. There is slight Belgian yeast character with a touch of coriander and nutmeg. The flavors have more of a presence but finish quickly. It features slightly sweet pale malts, some nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander. It's seasonally appropriate. It drinks light in body and is pretty drinkable. Would I buy a six pack? No. But this beer is well suited for their Winter Classics Variety pack.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 03:37:21 | More by aasher

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dark hay colored and opaque. Head holds up for awhile before fading down to a lobster claw shaped skim. Foam don't stick.

Aroma is wheaty must with orange and nutmeg and cinnamon. The Xmas spices with the classic coriander + wit combo comes off as...off.

Spicy coriander citrus cuts through first but fades to cinnamon - like cinnamon burps from BSN Atro-Phex if you've ever had the misfortune of that side effect.

I don't like the mash up. The citrus is bright and shiny and the cinnamon is dull and heavy and they just don't play well together on my palette.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 02:40:17 | More by donkeyrunner

NilocRellim

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This beer poured from the bottle and was cloudy gold/yellow in colour. Smelled slightly of hops and spices; mostly ginger and cinnamon. The taste instantly reminded me of gingerbread. Slight hop and wheat after taste.

Would I buy this beer again? Probably not.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 04:28:53 | More by NilocRellim

LeRose

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured a hazy orange color with about an inch of foam that spent itself quickly. Sme decent lacing in a Sam's pint. Aroma was typical wheat beer, very faint on the spices. Noted orange, nutmeg, cinnamon, maybe cardamom?, coriander. Taste was average. Nothing outstanding, but nothing bad either. Some spice notes, typical wheat beer haylike flavor. Lingered a bit on the tongue, but somewhat thin mouthfeel overall. Nice carbonation level. Wife liked it...

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 00:26:59 | More by LeRose

Domingo

Colorado

3.03/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Oh Sam Adams. Just when we think we're getting rid of the abundance of random wheat-based seasonals, another one comes out.
This one is essentially a holiday spiced witbier.
Looks more or less like a standard witbier. Light in color, foamy, cloudy. No issues here.
The nose has a little cinnamon and nutmeg, plus a distinct wit cirtus-y sourness. Maybe this won't be bad?
The flavor department is really where this one falls apart. Strong cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg hit right away. It's like a pumpkin or holiday beer gone wild. the problem is that on the back end, there's the Sam Adams wheat roughness that only works in a few beers (like Summer Ale). Here it doesn't. Instead it's all spice on the front, wit sourness in the middle, and all husky bitterness on the back end. I don't mind spiced beers, but this one is all out of whack.
No problems with the texture, and I suppose if you're really really into massive spice notes or don't mind that weird back-end, this might be drinkable for you. Maybe non-beer drinkers would like it, too.
A novel idea that just doesn't work. I really wish Boston Beer would stop with the forced wheat seasonals. This might work as a blonde, lager, or porter but as a wit it just doesn't...at least for me.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 17:22:47 | More by Domingo

GregBlatz

Ohio

3.03/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A - Golden in color. Yeast suspension causes an expected haziness. Head is white and settles quickly. I imagine that this is going to be like a Wit with some additional holiday spices. My first impression is that this has more color than a typical Wit.

S - Orange peel, coriander and I'm guessing grains of paradise. Sam Adams can't seem to resist the 'grains of paradise'. I just read the bottle and it mentions nutmeg but no GOP. Not a lot of phenolic or yeast character in the aroma.

T - This is on the sweet side for a wit. Think more along the lines of Blue Moon than Hoegarden. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I tend to prefer things a bit dryer. The spices are a bit on the aggressive side for my taste. There is a bit of phenol character shining through.

M - Fuller mouthfeel than I expected. Very carbonated.

O - It is a nice beer. Not my favorite but as always, Sam Adams makes a competent brew that may please a lot of people.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 00:39:02 | More by GregBlatz

RJLarse

Washington

3.04/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Part of the Sam Adams Holiday Sampler. Only this and the chocolate bock are left. Poured in to a pint glass.

Pours a pale yellow gold color, clear with a thin fizzy white head.

Smell is sweet, soft fruit aromas, pears and raisins, with some spice notes.

Taste is also sweet with a sharp cidery flavor. Mildly bitter sweet after taste.

Moutfeel is crisp and clean, with a dry feel.

Overall not a great wit. The flavor is a bit off. It tastes un-fermented. Blue Moon is better.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 23:56:06 | More by RJLarse

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.05/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-Cloudy orange. Huge, downy white head. About an inch and a half of height. Leaves mild lacing. Body is far more orange than the pale white normally associated with a Wit.

S-Orange peel and coriander. Spiced wheat. Mulled cider. Quite spicy. I quickly notice the sweetness that I will soon be experiencing. A spicier Witbier.

T-Sweet and spiced. Toasted wheat. Nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. A tickle of pepper? Gingerbread. Caramel covered nectarine skins. Consistent maltiness.

M-Fuller bodied Wit. Massaging carbonation. Slick and semi-sticky.

O/D-Sam has put out a couple neat beers recently. This one is more dud than stud. 85% Witbier, 15% Winter Warmer. Weird little guy. Damnit, I can see two or three bottles from this six-pack becoming refugees in the fridge for a month or so.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 04:16:35 | More by VelvetExtract

gcamparone

Rhode Island

3.05/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Samuel Adams pint glass. Purchased at Wakefield Liquors in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

A- Pours a very hazy, golden orange with a 2" white head. Little lacing/retention.

S- Oranges and corn. Maybe some faint clove in the background.

T- Oranges and citrus, but really no authentic spice flavor here except maybe a hint of cinnamon. Tastes like a cheap version of blue moon.

M- Medium carbonation, slightly thick.

Overall I was unimpressed with this one. I had to choke down the last few sips. Not a winter style in my opinion, either.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 02:19:30 | More by gcamparone

SAxDRC5

Michigan

3.05/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: hazy yellow with a white head. leaves no lacing, no head retention.

S: nutmeg, cinnamon are very noticeable. there is also corriander and slight citrus

T: Spice is overpowering for me. It's like the smell of my grandma's house is covering up a pretty decent witbier.

M: light, bubbly on the tongue. I personally would prefer less carbonation. not bad by any means but nothing special.

Overall a pretty average beer. would be improved with better head retention, less spice/more beer taste, and slightly less carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 05:44:11 | More by SAxDRC5

JohnGalt1

Idaho

3.05/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Picked up at the COOP today and enjoying while making dinner.. great foamy white head... nice retention and lacing.. the brew is standard hazed light golden..

Nose is warm spices.... nutmeg and a lesser but present cinnamon... orange peel is also there.. pale maltiness helps bloom the spices and makes them really jump out of the glass.

Flavor mirrors the nose with a sorta flat doughy malt profile.. Thankfully the spices are not as prevalent as the aroma.. still though, the nutmeg and cinnamon are the major players.

Body seems thicker than normal for a witbier, but somehow is right in line for a winter spiced beer.. Decent for what it is despite my aversion of spices in beer.

Okay... Not my cup of tea (though Xmas spices belong in tea, not beer).. I will not buy it again, but I think it will be a hit with folks who like this type of brew.

4/3/3/3/3

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 03:47:55 | More by JohnGalt1

tjsdomer2

Illinois

3.05/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Tradition orange wit color. Definitely flat, with no foam or lacing at all, but the color makes up for this.

Smell: Lots of nutmeg and clove with a hint of orange peel as advertised. Kind of a fruity eggnog. A bit sour in the finish.

Taste/Mouthfeel: Just a hint of nutmeg. There's really nothing else in this. Quite watery also. There's really just no bite in the finish.

Overall Drinkability: One of the most average beers I've ever had. I rate it as such overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 21:33:04 | More by tjsdomer2

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.05/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3

"As crisp as the first snowfall of the year, this unfiltered white ale is blended with holiday spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, & orange peel. The familiar citrus and wheat characters of the ale are complemented by the warmth of the spices for a festive brew that's perfect for the season. Cheers!" White Christmas is brewed in the style of a Witbier. Date ticked on bottle is mid-April 2013. Available as a part of the (now waning in availability) Winter Classics holiday pack, in pairs of two each. I am curious to see how this compares to the Samuel Adams White Ale, which was last available (in my region) in the Spring of 2011.

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle to a Samuel Adams pint glass. Served upwards of 49º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Pours fizzy head of a golden white complexion, very crisp and loud and somewhat hasty to recede. Body color is a pale golden yellow with a great deal of murky haziness. Visible carbonation is plentiful. Even on a beer clean glass, there is no lacing to behold. Head quality and the overall appearance is underwhelming. 2.75

(Smell) Aroma is reminiscent of candied ginger, dry cinnamon sticks and a pinch of ground nutmeg, with tart orange rind, unripe raisins and cereal wheat malt body lying underneath. There's potential lemon juice characters too; the aroma is slightly tart with a lesser sweetness. Spices are forward but closely balanced with the body; there's nothing overly "perky" about the aroma, causing for an approachable aroma if not all that exciting or merry. Potency is medium at best. Murky is another adjective I'd give to the aroma as well, it's just not as striking as I'd have hoped and none of the plentiful characters that I picked up on really take the foreground to define this beer. 3.25

(Taste) Wheat presence is certainly more evident in the flavors than I picked up in the aroma, but the cinnamon and nutmeg spice blend and much of the bright citrus notes take a back seat to an ordinary wheat malt profile with a chalky drying finish. In the depths of the flavor are faint notes of cinnamon and nutmeg but overall the taste is even more one-dimensional than the aroma was, with many of the subtleties drowning out in the wheat malt base. Aside from an unusually dry finish and a faint spice profile, there is little else about the flavor that differentiates this beer from a more summery and bright Witbier. Some increased sweetness would have also been more enjoyable. Underwhelming in flavor. 2.75

(Mouthfeel) One of the more perky things about this beer is the texture. The carbonation is just shy of full-on spritely, accentuating the spice blend and balancing out the chewiness of the wheat malt textures. Body is medium amongst Witbiers and light amongst all beers. Alcohol presence is faint. This is an enjoyable carbonation level and would even better compliment a more flavorful Witbier. Unfortunately, it only further calls attention to what the beer lacks in flavor. 4.25

(Overall) When it boiled down to flavor, White Christmas came down to little more than a chewy wheat beer with a faint and dry cinnamon spice blend. I was hoping more ginger and citrus character would be preserved and a touch more sweetness would have also helped improve drinkability. I distinctly remember enjoying White Ale significantly more and hope they either patch up the issues with this beer or return that old classic next holiday season. 3

Boston Beer Company's
Samuel Adams White Christmas Ale
3.05/5.00

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 02:03:44 | More by Jadjunk

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.08/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a tulip glass. Best before February 2013.

A: Hazy honey-brown with noticeable effervescence and a short-lived white head.

S: Sweet fruit. White peaches? Lightly tart. Spicy clove.

T: Not the best. Fizzy and drying, with spices that are simultaneously heavy-handed and underwhelming. The body is light and wheaty, with a vaguely soft-fruity endtaste.

O: Meh. Mediocre beer, but still not bad. Drinkable, but not recommended. A 'meh' witbier.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 02:28:58 | More by AgentMunky

portia99

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

12oz bottle (best by March 2013) poured into an Allagash stemmed glass.

A - Pours a muddy/cloudy pale orange color with a two finger cap of dense white foam with good staying power. Rings of foamy lacing are left on the glass. A bit darker than I expect out of this style.

S - Very fruity and spicy on the nose...oranges, nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar. Light malt backing - wheaty, bready and a bit yeasty.

T - Consistent with the aroma...lots of spices - same orange, nutmeg and cinnamon. Grainy malt flavors, wheat, good amount of yeast, sugary sweetness, estery. Spices weigh this down a bit.

M - Medium body with a higher level carbonation. Fruity and spicy...a bit heavy for the style. Juicy oranges, faint Belgian character - estery.

O - Overall, seems like a bit of a bastardization of the style. Tastes a bit "artificial" and forced to me. The added spices weigh things down and takes away much of the refreshment aspect I come to expect out of a witbier. Glad to have one, but think that is where it will end for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 17:34:29 | More by portia99

rundocrun

Iowa

3.1/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 2 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - Body is a hazy honey gold color. 1/2 inch of coarse white head forms and then fades to nothing. No lacing.

S - Candied oranges, funky hops, peppery belgian yeast, and an underlying vegetal smell not unlike many pumpkin ales I've had.

T - Sweet and tangy up front. Mild orange peel flavor as well as a healthy dose of dry wheat flavor. Hints of nutmeg and clove through the middle. A bit tannic in the finish with some white pepper and a metallic flavor.

M - Thin body. Vibrant carbonation. Dry finish. Quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 04:00:23 | More by rundocrun

BeardedBoffin

Minnesota

3.13/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

The beer pours a dark golden color with modest foam. Nothing special, but not too bad either. The aroma comes across with a bit of a sour lemon aspect mixed with spices vaguely reminiscent of the holiday season. This trend continues onto the palate with lemon leading to a sturdy wheat center. Cloves, nutmeg and other spices pick-up at the end. This brew has some odd notes to it and isn't put together in a particularly cogent way. The idea is just fine, but it could use some more tweaking.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:17:20 | More by BeardedBoffin

PintOHops

California

3.15/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Glass - Pint

A - A hazy apricot colored brew with high carbonation and lots of haze. Small head fell quickly. No lacing.

S - Sweet bubblegum upfront with soft cracker and grain throughout. I get a bit of zest and subtle spice like quality in the way of cinnamon. That bubblegum like aroma is pretty over powering to me.

T - Wow, just about as sweet as I expected. Bubblegum, cinnamon, banana, and bread upfront. That cinnamon really comes through in the taste, a bit too much almost. It finishes with bread, cracker, malty sweetness, and a touch of bright citrus. Bitterness is almost absent.

M - Nearly full bodied with a smooth and chewy like feel. Carbonation is medium.

O - I think the beer is good. I can't say I would buy it again though. Tasty, looks good, smells inviting. The whole cinnamon/winter spice thing in a white beer come off a bit strange to me. Sam Adams makes it work decently though. Worth a try. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 00:41:04 | More by PintOHops