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

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

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

I was intrigued by this during a recent beer excursion in Philly and decided to give it a whirl. I will be returning to The CANQuest (TM) shortly.

From the bottle: "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! [undersigned] Jim Koch

I felt that some agitation may be in order so I poured about one-quarter into a lass, then began to swirl the beer while still in the bottle before resuming the pour. I ended with a finger-and-a-half of rocky, eggnog-colored head with good retention. Color was a VERY cloudy orangish-yellow. Nose held an interesting melange of spices with the cinnamon and nutmeg wrestling for dominance. Mouthfeel was medium but now it was the cinnamon and the orange peel fighting it out on my tongue. Finish had a pleasant nutmeg-driven vanilla-like flavor. I have to agree with a previous reviewer that allowing it to warm really brings forth the spices. A very nice holiday ale, worth checking out while in limited release.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 23:36:03 | More by woodychandler

billybob

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

pours a cloudy darker golden color a one finger head that quickly faded to just a skim on top of the beer. a light lace which also faded quickly leaving a little here and there. smell was average with citrus, cinnamon, and nutmeg being picked up. taste from the wheat gave it a nice tang and there was a good balance of the other flavors and spice. mouthfeel was disappointing as the carbonation was sort of flat and not crisp and tight as it should have been also could have used a little more body to it. its a ok beer and it fits the witbier style but its not best out there buy a long shot.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 23:15:59 | More by billybob

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a hazy bright yellow color with a half finger to one finger stark white head. The head leaves a little lacing on the glass. The aroma is of corriander, citrus fruits, and at the back end hints of vanilla and nutmeg. The taste has to warm for all of the flavors to come out. The beer starts almost like their summer ale. There is corriander and citrus fruit with a hint of wheat. The back end is where the spices come out, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla play out on the back end. The mouthfeel is moderately carbonated and crisp. Overall it is a solid beer, it was a good change of pace in the variety pack from all the heavy dark stuff.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 20:07:12 | More by goblue3509

MrHurmateeowish

New Hampshire

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

12 oz. bottle purchased as part of the Holiday mix pack. Pours a murky light yellow with a half inch of white head. Coriander, pith, citrus, and vanilla comprise the aroma in that order. Pith, yeast, vanilla, lemon, and coriander make the flavor. Medium in body and carbonation. Pretty good overall. Much better than Samuel Adams White.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 02:30:46 | More by MrHurmateeowish

smalenberg

Michigan

3.9/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer really needs to warm to be truly appreciated. The orange peel and nutmeg are predominant in the nose, but the wheat malt and light floral notes from the hops. Undoubtedly the hops are contributing to the citrus as well. Because of the additives that make this a "holiday" beer, I'm not sure I'd think of it the same as a regular witbier. This is a very enjoyable quaff.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 00:51:48 | More by smalenberg

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a hazy, pale gold color with a one-finger, white head of bubbly foam. It left some sudsy trails of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of cinnamon, nutmeg and wheat.

T - Lots of holiday spices, cinnamon, nutmeg and spruce-like flavors. Wheat flavor is present but not strong. Some caramel, too.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light to medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is a nice witbier. I like the effort to do something different for a winter seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 23:48:38 | More by zeff80

Zorro

California

3.63/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Cloudy orange colored beer with a small white head.

Smell is light crackers with orange peel and nutmeg.

Starts out light wheat malt with cinnamon and nutmeg with citrus lemon slash orange oil. Tasty beer, the spices are just right for the Witbier natural spice taste.

Mouthfeel is full.

One of Sam Adams more successful seasonal beers. FAR better than the dreaded cranberry lambic.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 23:40:05 | More by Zorro

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

artdob

California

4.18/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought this as part of the 2012 Winter variety pack and trying this one first as it appears to be the new addition this year.

Pours a hazy yellow orange color. Small white snowy head subsides rather quickly leaving a smallish sudsy white layer on the top of the beer.

The nose is inviting with layers of tart oranges , grapefruit, holiday spices of nutmeg, cinammon, and floral characteristics.

I find this beer to be complex on the palate. Much going on here. Similar characteristics as on the nose, but in waves of deep layers - very good!

Better than average mouthfeel caps off this beer.

Definitely a repeater.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 01:25:36 | More by artdob

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I bought a six-pack of Samuel Adams White Christmas on a whim, and I'm glad I did. I haven't been so pleasantly surprised by one of their holiday beers since Old Fezziwig perked up my taste buds decades ago.

It's just a full bodied witbier with cinnamon and nutmeg added, but it's nicely done and perfectly accented by the spice... and sometimes that's all it takes, just taking a simple idea or common thing and adding a little bit of something extra to it. This, of course, is not the first amped-up witbier with holiday spices that's even been done, but it's been done very well.

I won't go into the specific details of the beer (color, clarity, head retention, body and so on) because I doubt that's necessary here, but I'll say that I find it remarkably well balanced. In fact, by the time I'd taken my second sip it occurred to me that it might just be the best (spiced) holiday beer that I've ever tasted. The cinnamon is clearly present but not overdone, and the nutmeg comes through nicely as well. The wheaty malt is full, but not cloying or sweet - there's only 8 IBU's to it, but the spice steps in where needed.

Worth trying for sure!

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 00:04:44 | More by NeroFiddled

RWLawman

North Carolina

3.95/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy burnt orange in color with very little head retention.

S - Smells of nutmeg, cinnamon, and orange.

T - Much like the smell, the flavors are of cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, and wheat. Very sweet flavor. Reminds me a little of a cross between Big Boss Harvest Time and Blue Moon.

M - Pretty decent mouth feel. Not watery thin, but not overly thick or sticky either.

O - I thoroughly enjoyed this brew. So far, the Sam Adam's holiday pack has been outstanding. This particular beer is one of my favs so far. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 02:18:39 | More by RWLawman

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

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

Poured into a balloon glass.

The beer is a hazy thick honey-peach color with a foamy white head that receds to a wisp. Light lacing sticks to the glass briefly.

The beer smells strongly of pumpkin pie spices: nutmeg, ginger, allspice. It really smells like a pumpkin ale.

Again, the taste is like a pumpkin ale. Loaded with allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and some citrus on the back end.

The mouthfeel is dry, somewhat carbonated, and maybe a little creamy.

Overall, 3.5s across the board. Unfortunately to me this just reeks of pumpkin ale all over again, so maybe I'm missing the point. It's an easy drinker for sure, and if this is the worst of the holiday mixer, I'll be pleased going forward.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 00:08:16 | More by JuicesFlowing

BeerManDan

California

4.03/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The color when poured was a hazy golden yellow with a reddish hue. The smell of sweet spices filled the nose with a very pleasant aroma. When tasted, there was yeasty nutmeg, cinnimon, with what seems to be a hint of allspice or corriander. What a pleasant, not to sweet or bitter. A well balance of component to make this years Christmas Ale a very, very pleasant surprise. Another winner from Boston Brewing.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 23:32:57 | More by BeerManDan

bmwats

Louisiana

3.55/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a standard pint.

A: Cloudy, golden hue. Pours about a 1 1/2 finger, bubbly, white head. Dissipates quickly. Slight lacing mostly retreats back into the body of the brew.

S: Light white bread, with a little orange citrus, and gingerbread.

T: Pale wheaty flavor, with orange bitters, and nutmeg.

M: Light body, crisp texture. A pungency in the finish that is indistinct but mostly felt in the nasal cavity more so than on the palette.

D: Pound. Although there's a little something off about the aftertaste.

Atmosphere is pretty decent. Bubbly head, but no real lacing. Nose is bready, citrussy, and fall spicy. Flavor is bready with sweet, bittersweet, and earthy spice components. A bit of an off-putting aftertaste. Overall, this is a pretty good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 06:40:06 | More by bmwats

Dools9

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: Hazy golden orange, two fingers white head holds steady after a few minutes, good patchy lace.

S: Nose contains grainy pale malt with lots of spiced wheat; clove, nutmeg a bit of orange peel. A bit of a muted smell and the spices aren't over the top.

T: Wheat, barely malt, yeasty, a general bready, grain forward flavor followed by a a hint of the aforementioned spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and light citrus notes. Dry finish, leaves a slight spice, wheaty flavor on the palate.

M: Light to medium, carbonation is medium and decently smooth. Drinks pretty easily for 5.8%.

O: Not bad, decent holiday offering. Doesn't go overboard with the spices and drinks relatively easily. Actually pretty refreshing on this Thanksgiving night.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 23:45:33 | More by Dools9

alexgash

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle.

Very cloudy, peachy orange body. Thick finger of gauzy, eggshell white head. Nice lacing. Wheaty, witty nose. Accents of orange zest, lemon, and spices. Clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and maybe juniper. Not bad.

Soft, wheaty malt up front. Light sweetness. Bready. Light clove and banana, before citrus and spice take over. Orange zest with some lemon. Muddled holiday spices (cinnamon and nutmeg, mostly). Bready, wheatiness reclaims the finish, with lingering spices and citrus. Medium bodied, with a protein-y wheat, smooth feel. Not as bad as I was expecting. Kind of a nice change of pace from all the porters, stouts, and Celebration I've been drinking lately!

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 16:00:12 | More by alexgash

wingman14

Ohio

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

Pours a hazy orange with a big frothy white head. The smell is dominated by the wheat with a good deal of orange, the cinnamon and nutmeg are secondary. The taste starts with the wheat and the citrus, the cinnamon and nutmeg are constant, and finishes with a peppery aftertaste. The finish has the citrus coming through a bit stronger. The beer is smooth for the most part, the finish with the peppery notes detract from the mouthfeel, but overall a nice blend. Overall a nice beer with good flavor, nothing that stands out, but a crisp beer that is enjoyable. Nothing amazing but still a quality beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 03:01:37 | More by wingman14

JohnnyMc

Ohio

2.5/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A new limited release from Sam Adams!

Pours out pretty hazy with a nice orange/yellow color and a fluffy white head.

The aroma is typical White Ale; wheat, citrus and coriander with hints of cinnamon.

The taste is pretty much the same. A good amount of wheat with orange, subdued coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg and that's about it.

The body is light and so is the mouthfeel.

A nice idea on the part of Sam Adams, but this isn't bold enough in the flavor. Pretty standard for the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 04:12:52 | More by JohnnyMc

Tilley4

Tennessee

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

I'm unsure if a Witbier says, "Christmas!" to me but I'm giving it a go...

Looks the part for sure... very hazy and golden... definitely unfiltered...

Nice aromas of wheat and orange peel with some of the typical Christmas spices, i.e. cinnamon, nutmeg, etc... present... Actually smells pretty refreshing... Light yeasty aromas present here and there as well...

Burst of wheat and citrus right up front... Yeasty and earthy... Not bad really but nothing special... I'm not sure the flavors and aroma have be thinking cold weather or Christmas but it isn't bad... This seems more like a summer beer to me...

Not my favorite from the Winter Classics pack for sure but this isn't a bad beer...

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 20:13:50 | More by Tilley4

bonkers

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I poured from a 12 ounce bottle into a standard pint, golden yellow pour, medium head, light lacing. It has a sweet aroma, lots of cinoamon and clove. The cinamon and cloves are very prominant, lingering sweetness on the finish. The body is light, moderate carbonation, very sessionable. A very enjoyable beer, the spices worked for me, not really a traditional wit, but enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 04:04:18 | More by bonkers

SouljaSaia17

Massachusetts

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

This beer is from Samuel Adams new 2012 winter Classics 12 pk and replaced last years Black & Brew Coffee Stout.

A: Pours a hazy orange/yellow color with a thin, creamy white head that leaves some lacing.

S: Aroma consists of cinnamon and nutmeg up front, and then you get small traces of orange peel and wheat.

T: Nice malt sweetness to start, accompanied by some of that orange peel. The flavor flows with the cinnamon and nutmeg after the citrus. Has a dry, wheat finish. Very good flavor.

M: This beer is unfiltered so has very little carbonation to see. Nice blend of flavors and very sessionable, thats why they put out 6 and 12 packs of it.

O: I remember that the very first Samuel Adams I ever had was White Ale, which I remember liking better than this. This is an off-spin of that white ale and a great beer for this type of year. Although, I do miss that Black & Brew!

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 20:09:52 | More by SouljaSaia17

BryanCarey

Texas

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

Samuel Adams White Christmas Ale is a yellow/orange colored beer with a cloudy body. Looking at the foam reveals a nice, fluffy head that falls apart in a few minutes but still manages to leave a small, flat, white coating on the top of the glass as you consume. The beer has a nose that features scents of lemon, wheat, and spice and it is interesting enough to get your attention.

This beer has a nice flavor profile that emphasizes some pale wheat malts, citrus, orange peel, nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices. The spicy character is what consumers will remember best and there is only a small amount of hop taste in the end that emphasizes some herbal flavor notes.

Boston Beer brews a ton of beer styles and even though they already have a Winter Lager, they went ahead and created this seasonal Christmas ale. It is an interesting beer, indeed, with flavors of wheat, spice, and citrus and I prefer it to the Winter Lager. It has almost no bitterness at all, but it isn’t overly sweet either thanks to the balancing of the ingredients and the tang of the spice. The tastes are reasonably balanced, but the spicy nature and the orange peel are the flavors that stand out from the rest.

This holiday beer is offered only a couple months per year so make sure to get your hands on some while it is still available. The taste is befitting of a holiday brew and the balance of flavors will prove agreeable to most who try it.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 05:29:12 | More by BryanCarey

Alextricity

Michigan

3.83/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A good looking beer, but not outstanding. Slightly hazy. A pale yellow color... a lot like Summer Ale but a bit lighter.

This is a good beer. To be honest, I prefer it to the Winter Lager. The two beers are somewhat similar, but there is far less malt in White Christmas, and it's more balanced. They're both very enjoyable, but I think this should probably be Sam's seasonal...

Like I said, I like the balance, and the nutmeg and orange flavors I get make this good any time, in any weather. You really don't need to have a white Christmas to enjoy this beer. One of the better beers I've had from Samuel Adams, to be honest. The beginning of each sip is somewhat floral, but the finish is bready with a bit of cinnamon -- like cinnamon bread or something along those lines. Refreshing, easy to drink, and quite unique. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 04:54:00 | More by Alextricity

Kavran

Ohio

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

Picked up the variety pack and poured into a Sam Adams Boston lager glass.

Appearance - Pours a hazy orange color with a thin white head that lingers a while.

Nose - Smells of lemon and wheat, and a hint of spices in the background especially cinnamon.

Taste- Interesting. It's light, yeasty, but still has a solid profile of cinnamon and spices. Actually quite good.

Mouthfeel - Nearly full bodied with a smooth feel. Carbonation is medium.

Overall- I liked this one. I think I'll go get another one. An interesting "lighter' take on a Christmas ale. Not overdone, and pretty refreshing and drinkable for a holiday brew.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 00:43:36 | More by Kavran

Suds

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +19%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Wit Christmas? This beer is a hazy straw color with a brilliant white head. Plenty of effervescence, with clearly visible bubble streams. The smell is spicy, with a notable holiday bend (not a normal coriander wit, but instead a bit strong on nutmeg). The smell is sweet as well, with some pale malt and wheat notes, and a bit of citrus and stone fruit. The taste is solid. Better than expected....bready and mildly spicy. Good balance and very drinkable. Fuller in body than typical witbiers, but very appropriate. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 22:51:09 | More by Suds