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

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

BigCheese

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: pours a big white frothy head, very hazy and a light pale yellow. A lot of lacing for a sam, with decent head retention, definitely fits the style.

S: belgian yeast, bread, nutmeg/cinnamon, maybe cloves. a tad mild.

T: Taste brings more flavor than the nose. Wheat malt, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, some orange notes, rather flavorful seasoning, not over done. Some candi sugar in finish with some spicey phenols. Most of flavor comes from seasoning, not a ton of malt/hop flavor. A touch of grassy saaz hops.

M: High carbonation, appropriate for style, somewhat sessionable, nice creamyness though pretty light in body.

O: Basically Sam Adams white ale with some well executed seasoning, though this brew has a sense of execution and craft that is a bit above what they typically produce. A solid offering. I havent had a wheat beer in awhile and this hit the spot, good change of pace from IPA's and Porters.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 03:06:26 | More by BigCheese

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

brewskifan55

Mississippi

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter

A: Opaque, light golden with a white, half finger head. Decent lacing.

S: Cedar, ginger, wheat, lemons

T: Follows nose with coriander and nutmeg. A cinnamon finish. Sweet, smooth.

M: Medium. Good carbonation.

O: Not bad. A good holiday beer to share with friends. I bet this would be great on tap.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 17:06:22 | More by brewskifan55

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.88/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into pint glass

Appearance – The beer pours a yellow-amber color with a decent haziness. The head formed upon pouring is quite nice with it fading relatively quickly to leave a moderate level of lacing.

Smell – The nose is biggest of a citrus and wheat nature mixed with winter spice aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg. Mixed with these aromas are some lighter notes of an earthy hop aroma.

Taste – The taste begins with flavors of citrus and wheat upfront with lighter notes of coriander along the lines of a traditional wit. As the taste advances however, more spice flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg come to the tongue. These spice flavors, when mixed with more bready flavors as well as a more citrus start modifying the flavor from the normal wit. In the end it deviates even more as some more spice and some light herbal and earthy hop flavors come to the tongue. These meld with the other flavors to give a rather interesting lightly hopped and winter spiced wheat and citrus flavor on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer was on the slightly lighter side with a carbonation level that was above average. Good for the wit like characteristics of the brew and not bad for the added spice flavors as well.

Overall – A delicious and flavorful brew. A nice winter style twist of a classic wit. Sam Adams dose it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 02:44:11 | More by Darkmagus82

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

ccrida

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev +12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is murky,dull gold with a small, creamy white head leaving scattered, foamy lace.

Smell is spicy, the nutmeg most prominent, with the citrus and cinnamon notable as well, with sweet cereals. Nice integration though, bright but not overly done.

Taste is similar, in that the spices are obvious but not overwhelming. A nice seasonal twist on a decent white beer base. Could use some fruitier esters, the grains and clean and flavorful, fresh bread. A touch yeasty.

Mouthfeel is slippery, light bodied.

Drinkability is pretty high, it's a solid spicy wit. I maybe wouldn't drink 6 in a sitting, but 2-3 would be nice and festive.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 22:07:02 | More by ccrida

CloudStrife

New York

3.55/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Best by March.

A: Pours a hazy golden yellow with a one finger dense white head. Hard to see much in the body as this is very opaque. Head dwindles to a thin covering. Just a little lacing.

S: Citrus and malt are the first things to hit my nose. Orange and lemony with a malty bready backbone. Some sort of spice like cloves.

T: More spice on the tongue than I anticipated. Pulls through vanilla, cinnamon and clove. Not as bad as I thought based on the smell. Little maltiness in the background

M: Fairly full mouthfeel, low to medium carbonation. Doesnt come off too watery.

Overall a good seasonal for winter. Has the light drinkable body of a summer ale but the spicy taste of the winter season.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 21:16:06 | More by CloudStrife

fx20736

New York

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

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a glass, served cold.

Turbid honey/ lemon with a thin white head. Respectable lacing.

Aroma of cinnamon, cloves, orange peel.

mouthfeel is full.

Taste is pale malt with cloves, cinnamon and oranges.

notes: nice, not great.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 17:33:12 | More by fx20736

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

chinchill

South Carolina

3.48/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A 12 oz. bottle dated best by March 2013.

A: Pours hazy yellow to light amber with a small white head.
S: Subtle, spicy aroma with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, bread dough and citrus.
T: The taste largely follows the nose, with some nice winter spicing and bready flavor, It is rather tart too.
M: Medium-bodied; medium-light carbonation that works well.

O: Well done, but not a favored style.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 01:35:24 | More by chinchill

Vixie

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Looks like a classic wheat beer, cloudy yellow with a nice white head.

Smell is very bread like, malt and yeas, and a bit of citrus.

Has a citrus taste up front, then the added spices kick in. I can detect the cinnamon, and a little of the nutmeg. This is what it might taste like if you drink a standard wheat beer while eating a gingerbread cookie.

Not a bad feel, has a bit of a bite to it, likely mainly from the carbonation.

A nice variation on one of my favorite styles. They have taken a classic summer beer and made it nice for the holiday season. Definitely a beer worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 01:31:22 | More by Vixie

Billolick

New York

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle, enjoy before March notched onto the side of the label.

Pours hazed lighter apricot amber. Minor off white head, thin collar and fine bars of lace.

Light holiday spice on the nostrils. Ehh nothing too special.

Delicate wit, some coriander, and other typical seasonal spicing. Easy drinking and pleasant enough, holiday feel here is fairly subtle. Decent stuff, but nothing you need to run out and buy.

Would work with craft beer newbies at a holiday party....

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 23:00:21 | More by Billolick

Cavanaghty

Maine

3.93/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a Sam Adams Glass.

Appearance: Hazy yellow color with lots of carbonation. It had about one finger of white head that did not last long leaving a thin head.

Smell: Wheat, citrus, cinnamon, and maybe some nutmeg. Close to what a Pumpkin Ale smells like.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Smooth medium bodied. Taste of some cinnamon/sugar/nutmeg with wheat and hops.

Overall: Decent holiday brew, I will buy this one again.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 17:50:08 | More by Cavanaghty

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

tdm168

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - hazy orangish yellow with a thin lacing of white head

S - the nose is very nice; vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger

T - vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, faint citrus, wheat

M - light to medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This is much better than I had expected. Some of the spices used are the typical ones: ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon. But then there's the addition of vanilla which adds a rich, creamy taste. This is definitely not a typical witbier. I could definitely have several of these with family during the holidays. I'll probably pick up some more.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 00:59:20 | More by tdm168

jjamadorphd

Florida

3.65/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Sam Adams hits another one out-of-the-park as far as I'm concerned. Too bad it's "limited edition"...

The beer poured a pleasing yellowish-orange with a perfectly white head. A tall head that quickly shrunk small. The carbonation was high with this beer as you could see the uncountable number of bubbles flying up the glass. White Christmas has a very pleasing order of oranges mixed with cinnamon and the appealing odor of a good ale. Mouthfeel was average, nothing worth mentioning and although I graded it lower on taste, I gave it a higher overall score since it really stands out in the ales I have tried. (Too bad I only got two out of the sampler box I purchased...)

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 00:53:58 | More by jjamadorphd

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

HufftheMagicDragon

3.88/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased with the Samuel Adams Seasonal Pack. Poured into a Pilsener glass with a decent 3/4 inch head. Has a a murky yellow-orange color. Smells include coriander and lemon. The taste has a typical witbier taste with some very strong notes of coriander. The overall mouthfeel is decent with a smooth yet slightly acidic. Overall a very good beer. Would definitely suggest trying it.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 04:30:34 | More by HufftheMagicDragon

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Picked this up in Totowa since I never tried it before and it looked festive enough for the season. Once I saw that this was a Witbier, I had a feeling that this would taste a lot like the White Ale that used to be the Sam Spring seasonal. Even though I hadn't had that in years, that turned out to be the case and for this time of the year, it's not usual to see something that's so light hued and easygoing. This did fit the bill of being a good holiday beer however, without being too boozy or heavy.

The pour was a nice goldenrod with a half-inch head that lasted for a little while and nearly no lacing to be seen. Very cloudy, the carbonation wasn't present and I didn't feel it much as I worked my way through this beer either. A decent amount of cinnamon and nutmeg on top of the grassy notes with some banana and pepper underneath. The mouthfeel was just a bit heavy without the carbonation with a malty aftertaste. Hardly any wheat or hops to be had here and this beer ended up going down relatively fast given how much I was attempting to enjoy it.

The alcohol was pretty well-hidden here and even though this wasn't a session beer, I could easily have had another in one sitting. While it's not Boston Beer's standout offering, this was a welcome change from the darker and heavier seasonals that are lining the store shelves now. If you're a fan of the White Ale, this is a step up from it with a nice holiday flair to it.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 07:23:52 | More by JerzDevl2000

mashedpotatoes

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev +2%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours an extremely cloudy golden-orange with a single finger head that quickly dissipates. Very strong citrus notes but the witbeer style overwhelms any and all other flavors. up front. Mouthfeel is a tad chewy yet acidic. The aftertaste and finish is where this beer shines. Once the dust settles all the spices tend top pop. Recommended if you like the wheat style.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 01:25:39 | More by mashedpotatoes

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.88/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

an oddly spiced witbier, but it works for me. the pours is really cloudy, pale yellow, with a smallish white head. the nose is tons of orange peel, dried, with some typical winter ale spices as well, but the catch is that its a wheat beer with a hop kick as well. lots of wheat malt and spent yeast cells in the taste up front, spice comes in the middle, again with a lot of orange zest, and is quite hoppy in the finish, pleasantly and surprisingly. good carbonation, lighter than medium body, highly drinkable and frankly a very enjoyable beer. this is something distinct, i think new this year, but one that i would like to see stick around. i could be happy drinking this all winter. one of the highlights of this years winter mix.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 02:05:08 | More by StonedTrippin

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.45/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 ounce bottle - $1.79 at Total Wine & More in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Pours a solidly hazed, pale gold body with a thin, short-lived, white head.

Smell: Not just some pilsner and wheat malt, but also some pale malt in the mix. There's no second guessing the spicing, you get the cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel.

Taste: Very light pale malt, the malted wheat and some pils with a soft breadiness and fair sweetness. The first few sips had me taken aback at the cinnamon and nutmeg spicing, but, eventually the tongue adjusted and it all kind of melded together, letting the citrus from the hops and added orange peel come forward a bit more. Finishes up a little sweet, a little spicy, and a little citrusy.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium-high carbonation. Feels fairly full for a witbier.

Overall: I think I would take it over the ole Samuel Adams White Ale, though just barely. Speaking of, is this its replacement? Gee, man, that's gotta be rough, being laid off on the holidays. Poor White Ale. Thanks, Obama!

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 20:46:29 | More by ChainGangGuy

TempeBeerMan

Arizona

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a nonic pint.

A - Pours a hazy brassy-yellow, with a nice fluffy two-finger white head. Clumpy/patchy lacing.

S - Healthy aroma best described as "that witbier smell"; bavarian hops and yeasts. A little orange zest as well. Some nutmeg.

T - Opens with a citrus twang of orange and lemon, followed by a spice blend in the mid-palate. Getting nutmeg, a little cinnamon, and a hint of cardamom. I enjoyed the spices, and found they contributed to the base beer rather than detracted from it. Some spicy hops in the finish provide some balance, but overall it's pretty sweet. Maybe a little too sweet? But definitely refreshing.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. A little syrupy which feels like a flaw given the other characteristics.

O - A pretty solid representation of the style by SA. Much better than their White Ale. Nice to see a decent new seasonal from them after some abominable recent outings.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 03:54:18 | More by TempeBeerMan

jtierney89

New Jersey

1.65/5  rDev -53.3%
look: 1.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Hazy faded blonde, a little darker than blond with a white head that dissipates very quickly.

Smells like the holiday, mostly nutmeg with a bit of cinnamon. Slightly perfumey and wheaty as well. Tastes like spice. Drinkable but overly spice with the faintest of beer flavors such as wheat. Too sweet, not balanced, too much spicy. Tastes like licking the wax paper you just cooked holiday sugar cookies on.

Just Sam releasing two seasonals to take up more shelf space, the more limited of which (being this one along with their pumpkin and shandy) that are made for the masses with simple and relate-able ingredients and are on the sweet side. Sigh

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 02:32:00 | More by jtierney89