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

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

fields336

North Carolina

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

A; 2 finger white puffy head, hazy golden straw color, medium carbonation

S: orange peel, bready malt, touch of wheat, coriander, citrus, and a slight cinnamon and i think i smell the nutmeg as well

T: a sweet bready malt with a big citrus/orange peel and spice wave at the end, banana, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove are present at the end.

M: medium bodied from the wheat and a decent carb, a touch sweet for my taste however

O: decent beer, nothing special, i like the spring wheats better

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 23:09:02 | More by fields336

brentk56

North Carolina

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

Appearance: Pours a cloudy honey color with a rather modest head; the retention was not very impressive nor was the lacing

Smell: Banana, orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg; more sweet than spicy

Taste: Overripe banana and spice cake flavors, up front, with increasing sweetness developing in the middle; though the orange peel was detected in the aroma, it is only vaguely present in the flavor profile, as this is much more about the banana and holiday spice flavors

Mouthfeel: Light bodied with moderate carbonation

Overall: Wits aren't my favorite style and this is not one of my favorite Wits

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 00:30:14 | More by brentk56

augustgarage

California

3.18/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Best before March, 2013. Poured from a 12oz bottle into my Hoegaarden tumbler.

Cloudy saffron liquid with a thin smattering of ghost white foam. A vigorous pour produces a slightly more voluminous and lasting head with soft soapy lacing, though retention remains average.

Spices are very forward in the nose - abundant cinnamon, clove, and possibly nutmeg and coriander as well. Faint orange peel and yeast offset the spice assault somewhat.

Sweet-tart palate entry with plenty of the aformentioned spices throughout the flavor profile. Brisk and refreshing base beer is overwhelmed by the Christmas spices. A touch of bubble-gum and banana come out from the yeast and there is sufficient wheat to add a bit of tartness throughout. Finishes medium-dry but heavily spicy. Overdone in my opinion, though my wife enjoyed it very much.

Soft, medium-bodied mouth-feel with average carbonation.

This isn't trying to be a Belgian ale, so I won't fault it too heavily for failing to live up to the style guidelines of a proper wit. That said, the base beer is not a good vehicle for all these spices whatsoever.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 03:22:08 | More by augustgarage

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-hazy golden color with a nice white head and decent lacing

S-yeasty bread, orange peel, spices, hints of sweetness

T-malt, orange, honey, spices with no particular standout, a little too sweet with nothing that really grabs your attention

F-light to medium body with moderate carbonation, smooth

O-average and not really what I would consider a winter seasonal ale, needs something more

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 02:29:35 | More by MDDMD

zachary80

Indiana

3.2/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Good white head, hazy golden body with an orange tint. Great lacing.

Aroma of a spiced witbier - cinnamon and nutmeg, check. Not picking up orange peel in the aroma. Doesn't smell all that appealing. Average score since it met the basic expectation.

Taste starts with the same spices up front, then a bland wheat finish. Some nutmeg lingers. The spices seem to dominate the weak base beer.

Full-bodied, fits the rest of the beer well. Basically what you'd expect from a "winter" wheat - a little beefed up, but not overly so.

Overall not a fan of how the flavors come together, although the problem may be that I don't enjoy the underlying beer. Technically good, but not very enjoyable. Would not recommend.

Serving type: nitro-tap

12-05-2012 03:26:24 | More by zachary80

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.2/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tan and hazy with a half finger head that didn't last long and left ok lace.

Definitely lots of clove aroma, banana, spices, a little yeast.

Taste is spicier than a typical wit, festive and xmas like. Wheat, cloves, banana, cinnamon, and yeast fill the flavor.

Body is light and easy drinking with a spicy finish.

Overall it's pretty average.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 20:29:49 | More by AlCaponeJunior

jjanega08

Minnesota

3.25/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Best Before has FEB notched out.

A= Pours a hazy light yellow color with an active finger of head that is constantly popping and regenerating yet still holding some steady retention and lacing on the side of the glass.

S= Smells wheaty for sure with a little orange peel and spice aroma. The smell isn't too heavy. There may be some cinnamon but it's hard to decipher with all the wheat.

T= The taste has much more cinnamon in it as well as some of the orange peel and maybe some coriander. There is again a heavy wheat character to it which tastes sort of "poopy to me. The flavor is a little light but it is a Wit.

M= Well carbonated

O= This is a solid beer. Not really heavy in the spice and "christmas" flavors. There is a little however if you search for it. It doesn't have that classic SA winter beer greatness however. Maybe they just spoil me this their other holiday beers. This was a little bit of a let down.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 04:48:24 | More by jjanega08

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.26/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Another month-old review from notes, part of the winter mix pack.

Poured to a tulip glass - color is light orange with some haze. A small white head turns to a ring quite quickly and stays that way. A little lace left.

Expected witbier scent of wheat, orange and clove and some other light spices. Not bad, a bit average, lacking in the spice.

Taste brings on wheat, buttery bread, orange/coriander, some light earthy notes. There is some nutmeg/Xmas spice noticeable but the big spice profile advertised seems a bit restrained.

Good body overall, a bit high on the carbonation, could be smoother.

A decent witbier, but a bit plain. Not too different from alot of other orangey American wheats, though I'm not sure if all that Xmas spice would've really improved this.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 16:17:48 | More by Chico1985

rfgetz

New Jersey

3.3/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a hazy straw color, moderate head. Scent is very pale with notes of pilsner and wheat malts, giving a little grainy tang to the nose, some faint seasonal spicing and a touch of lemon peel. Taste is light as well, faint notes of wheat and pilsner malt, lemon rind and seasonal spicing and faint as well. Lighter side of medium. Drinakable - yes, memorable - no.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2013 16:32:03 | More by rfgetz

CraftBeerTastic

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Ba Review #236
Served On: 11/16/2012
Glassware: Perfect Pint
Labeled ABV: 5.8%
Date/ Code: 03/2013

From the 2012 release of Winter Classics mixes 12 pack from Golden Brew in York, PA.

Look: The appearance was a cloudy golden yellow color with some extreme carbonation levels and a creamy dense white head. Lacing was evident.

Smell: The aroma seemed almost like the regular Sam Adams white with some extra winter spices added. Cinnamon and clove were detected. There was also a crisp quality even with all the spices.

Taste: First up was a citrus note that turned in to a spice and then a big biscuit kicked in. The finish was some lingering spice and bread.

This was an interesting combination of a white ale and a spiced beer. I can’t say it’s too much different from the typical SA white except for the ramped up spice level.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 18:11:46 | More by CraftBeerTastic