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

Tone

Missouri

3.88/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy, maize color. 2/3 inch head of a white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of strong lemon, citrus hops, sweet malt, hint of wheat, and slight spice (cinnamon and all spice). Fits the style of a Witbier. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, spices (cinnamon and all spice), hops, and slight citrus. Overall, good aroma, body, blend, and appearance.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 16:07:33 | More by Tone

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

BeerBuckeye

Ohio

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

A- Pours a hazy orange color with bring white, two-finger head.

S- Smells of wheat, orange peel, and spices.

T- Taste is interesting. It's light, yeasty, but still has a solid profile of cinnamon and spices. Actually quite good.

M- Mouthfeel is full, and crisp

Overall- I liked this one. Solid winter seasonal from Sam Adams.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 03:03:18 | More by BeerBuckeye

tito42

Missouri

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

Poured from bottle to an imperial pint. Best by Feb. 2013. Part of the 2012 Sam Adams winter sampler case.

A: Straw to golden with active carbonation and a thick, fluffy white head with good retention. A bit more golden than a typical witbier.

S: Lots of yeast in the nose with noticeable banana and faint spice such as coriander.

T: Lots of yeast and dough; I can almost taste a sugar cookie dough evocative of Christmas here. Sugar, wheat, lemon peel, and spices cinnamon and nutmeg as a faint whisper on the back end.

M: Nice, medium body with a pleasant creaminess, hint of sour, and a slight bite of carbonation that blends away into the palate.

O: A lot of nice qualities in this seasonal offering from Sam Adams. It doesn't have a very intriguing nose of flavor profile. It plays it on the safe side, but is a nice addition to the winter sampler pack.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 02:59:38 | More by tito42

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.6/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Two fingers of head, held well. Cloudy, medium straw colored body.
Smell a lot of spices: cinnamon, nutmeg and some citrus, but I can't place it. It smells festive.
Taste like orange and the above spices. The mildest of bitterness at the end.
Soft texture, surprising but nice. Medium body, low carbonation. Almost like sipping on a cloud.
Really not bad. Not my favorite style, but this one is put together well.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 01:40:47 | More by Fatehunter

budgood1

Minnesota

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

pours out a dark gold colour with a creamy rich half inch high head. wispy lace. spicy wit aroma with a few other additions added on top of the coriander, clove and pepper such as ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. the taste profile backs up what has been revealed in the nose, but with a rich, creamy , malty backbone that allows the multitude of spices to show themselves individually and in unison. it all comes across in a balanced and nuanced way but in no way am i conused as to what i am tasting. pretty nice. i would say (again) that this has a creamy, rich mouthfeel on top of a fullish body providing a both refreshing yet satisfying aspect of drinkability that agrees with me. no hint of the slightly higher ABV. yummy stuff.

overall i am quite impressed at the attempt to meld together a wit with some holiday spices. if only this had some belgian yeast flair, then it would be dynamite. as it presents itself, it's just pretty good and definitley solid. i can only think that this would be a great drinker after some outdoor winter activity to quench a need and a thirst.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 00:03:26 | More by budgood1

scvance

South Carolina

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

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a hazy straw color with a thin white head that lingers a while. Smell is typical wit, citrus and clove, but then a hint of spices in the background especially cinnamon. Taste follows suite, lots of citrus up front with a fair amount of spice flavor towards the finish. Interesting flavor, definitely different than what I've had before, but just average in terms of taste. High carbonation, medium body, and a rather thick mouthfeel. It's worth trying I think, but I'll steer clear from now on, not a favorite by far, but an interesting use of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 22:32:02 | More by scvance

BEERMILER12

Maine

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

A: Pours a very hazy and cloudy straw yellow color with a fingers worth of head that fizzles out within seconds

S: Up front there are the usual suspects of lemon/citrus and wheat. Under those are the Christmas spices, which include cinnamon and nutmeg

T: Starts off nicely, with the citrus notes coming out. Then it goes into the holiday spices which start to really dominate. Finishes with a light tartness from the wheat and a lingering spice note mostly consisting of cinnamon

M: Light-medium bodied with high carbonation

O: They really nailed what they were going for with the whole holiday spiced wit, but I'm not too sure it works within the style. It's enjoyable, but nowhere near what I expect a wit to be

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 19:07:37 | More by BEERMILER12

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A-very hazy dark yellow. white head that thins

S-decent scent of winter spices, egg nog, and mashed corn. actually...i like it. i know that description sounds off, but this smell works. i'm excited to taste it.

T-comes in with an okay taste of light winter spices and that classic flavor of Sam Adams malts. Actually this tastes like a slightly more spiced version of their winter lager. the after-taste is much more biscuity.

M-heavy creamy carbonation with a dry finish. very heavy.

O-i do not like this. its just off. it has a certain stickiness much like the sam adams winter lager. tastes very adjunct, and really nothing like what a witbier is supposed to taste like. its not refreshing at all. I started to think that Samuel Adams was slowly starting to make beer of better quality, but this beer reminds me that the brewery is only a step above the macros.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 05:51:06 | More by AdamBear

mynie

Indiana

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

Included in the holiday mix pack I buy every year because I love old fezzywig.

Pours dark for a wit. Smells... wow. Like a surprisingly well balanced, complex blend of good witbier yeast spices and dull, blue fruit. Clove and black pepper but also... blackberries, I think.And lots of orange and cinnamon.

Tastes really good, too. It plays up the heavy, spicy yeast that's the trademark of SA brews. Starts off pretty much like a good, spicy wit, but then it segues into a middle that's like something out of New Glarus: the orange peel dominates, which gives the whole rest of the beer a nice vibe of subdued fruit. It ends with fruit, cinnamon, and whitepepper wheatmalt.

Well, shit. If this were from another brewer the reviews would be a bit better, I think. I like to give credit where credit is due, and it's nice to see SA finally brewing one-offs that play to their strengths, instead of pitiably aping the styles that other brewers are doing. This is a Sam Adams beer, and a damn good one.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 03:59:19 | More by mynie

Mit

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is a hazy orange colour with a long lasting foamy head.

Smell is of citrus...orange peel...cloves

Spices somewhat subdued....slight sweet malty edge...ends with a nice spicy finish.

Thicker....ESP for the 5.8 abv

Overall this was a great beer. Not really a warmer
But def a beer I'd buy again. I liked it a little more than the winter lager

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 02:36:20 | More by Mit

UCLABrewN84

California

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

Best before 3/2013.

Pours a murky light orange with a foamy off-white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, wheat, citrus zest, and spices. Taste is much the same with a mild spice bitterness with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but nothing very Wintery in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2012 00:59:32 | More by UCLABrewN84

Tuey13

Illinois

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

Poured into a Sam Adams Boston lager glass... has a hazy golden color and a thick foamy white head that dissipates rather quickly, leaving nice lacing on the glass.
The smell is malt and yeast with strong spices and citrus... smells very interesting.
The taste is definitely malt forward with a bit of citrus and then the spices dominate the palate. The spices really take over once the beer warms a bit.
I thought this was a very refreshing, yet warming take on a winter beer... I give Sam Adams props for thinking out of the box... this is a beer i thoroughly enjoyed, while not extreme it was delicate and tasty. Very well balanced in my opinion. I think i will get a six pack of these to enjoy during the holiday season.
Cheers!!

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 22:49:09 | More by Tuey13

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

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

12oz Bottle from Walmart Cicero NY for 2$

Appearance – Hazy gold colour with an average size fizzy/foamy white coloured head. There is an average amount of carbonation and there is some fairly great lacing. The head lasted for around 3-4 minutes before it was gone.

Smell - Grains/wheat, all-spice, citrus

Taste & Mouth - The beer has an above average amount of carbonation. I can taste grains/bread mixed with all-spice, nutmeg, and some fruity citrus notes. Lots of flavour, but well balanced and even slightly refreshing. It ends with a spicy crisp aftertaste.

Overall – A well made and very drinkable beer. The flavours work well together and I could actually drink a few of these. Worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 21:53:00 | More by spinrsx

riversider76

New York

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poura a cloudy golden orange with a thin white head. Not much retention, and no laceing. Aroma is of citrus, and spice. Body is on the light side of medium with some carbonation. Taste is of orange peel, and spice. Tangy with a crisp refreshing flavor. Some hints of bready malts make this somthing differant,and very enjoyable. Merry Christmas!

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 19:39:08 | More by riversider76

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

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

Poured into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint Glass.

Appearance
Cloudy straw/orange with 1/2 finger of head that dissipates quickly.

Nose
Wheat bread, nougat, orange citrus and gentle spices.

Taste
Wheat bread, orange juice and nougat. There are some nutty characteristics in there. The spicing is kept light and is a mixture of nutmeg and cinnamon. The citrus character really defines this beer.

Mouthfeel
Light-medium bodied, smooth and crisp.

Overall
This one has a huge citrus character that blends nicely with the wheaty malts. The spicing is not overdone, which is nice. This is easily the best Wit I've had from Sam Adams.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 18:05:55 | More by justintcoons

BeefyMee

Connecticut

2.68/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 2.5

Sam Adams witbier, all right all right. Pours out a dull straw color with a feeble head. Slightly transparent, decent haze. One whiff and I knew I had to take another...because I couldn't smell anything. On a deep inhale, I got some citrus and wet grains. Flavor is similarly nondescript, just a little tang upfront followed by a decidedly more pleasant husky grain finish. Does not really strike me as a wit, more like a mediocre hefe. Not that every wit should be a slave to the bananaclove flavor profile, but if you're going a different route, at least make it interesting. The strongest part of the flavor here is the mellow but long lingering wheaty aftertaste. The most notable feature of the beer as a whole is its incredible texture, which only makes me wonder what could have been if they had nailed the taste.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 23:21:00 | More by BeefyMee

mscudder

Georgia

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

Picked up the new variety pack and served this in a pint.

A - A pale yellow mixed with a rich orange. Thin white head.

S - Orange, clove, touch of nutmeg and some assorted spices. Nothing to make me get excited over, yet not poor.

T - Odd stuff. Had I been blind tasting this I would have told you I was sipping on a lightly spiced cider. An apple sweetness starts it off and progresses with a fruity flavor into some bready notes. Pretty good.

M - Medium body, more viscous than I anticipated. Seems as if there is just a hint of caramel or maple syrup here. Smooth all around.

O - Far from a miss. This beer gives a nice winter-styling to a traditional Witbier. I prefer the more notorious Belgian brothers of the style, but I do applaud this American adaptation.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 04:43:38 | More by mscudder

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

acevenom

Louisiana

3.93/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a Samuel Adams perfect pint glass. Pours hazy yellow orange with a thick white head and lots of tiny bubbles. The head dissipates slowly. Poured into a Samuel Adams perfect pint glass. Pours hazy yellow orange with a thick white head and lots of tiny bubbles. The head dissipates slowly. The flavor is an interesting taste on the classic witbier. The wheat malt backbone is there with juicy orange flavor. I get the cinnamon and nutmeg, but they are not overpowering. The spices instead complement the flavors of this beer well. The body is light to medium with moderate carbonation. The beer is very smooth and highly drinkable. This is a very good beer. Like a previous reviewer, I agree this beer gives us a reason to enjoy a wit in the winter.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 02:01:44 | More by acevenom

Kooz

New York

3.53/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Limited edition, and an interesting idea. Sam takes a traditional white ale, which I associate with summer, and adds in the spices I associate with fall/winter beers (cinnamon, nutmeg). I'm expecting a punch of spices and a lingering citrus taste at the end.

This looks great. Nice tight head over a cloudy, pale orange beer. I can't wait to imbibe!

I smell orange and cinnamon, which have no business being in the same beverage, but somehow work here.

I'm getting the citrus and some wheatiness. It's nice, but not what I expected at all. The body is nice as well. It coats the inside of your mouth with a warmth that lingers slightly and has some sweetness that isn't sticky. It's a nice flavor.

It's just weird to me. The spices make this something warm and cozy, but as a result, all the fresh, crispness that comes with a traditional white. It left me confused, even though it is good. I would certainly have this again though.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 01:49:52 | More by Kooz

Jparker37

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a weizen glass. Best before March '13

A - Light golden with a great haziness to it. Medium sized white head falls to a small cap. Little bits of lacing left on the glass.

S - Get a nice aroma of sweet orange peel and a lot of wheat. Floral with a bit of coriander here. Medicinal phenols.

T - Slight bit of sweetness right away. Grainy malt gives way to big twangy wheat character. Flavor dries up towards the end and has a well crafted spiced finish. I get that pseudo pumpkin beer quality. Allspice and nutmeg are easy to pick up on but don't overwhelm.

M - Medium-light body works perfect, medium-high carbonation, semi-sweet.

O - A lot of wheat crammed into this brew. Aroma shows good complexity and traditional wit characters. Taste is dominated by wheat but finishes with a cool curveball. Great feel and appearance to the beer. Throws a good switch to a common summer style, a good excuse to enjoy wit in winter.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 02:06:54 | More by Jparker37

Brad007

Vermont

3.83/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

They already have a white ale. Why another?

Pours a cloudy whitish-gold color with a thin head into my glass. Very straightforward for the style.

Creamy and spicy with light citrus and clove notes. Fairly average here. The spices add a bit of variation to the base.

Ditto for the flavor. Very creamy once again. Lots more clove with some buttery malt. Very clean with optimal carbonation.

Lingering creaminess and sweet malt make up the mouthfeel. Not much of the wheat base remains.

An interesting varation of their white ale with spices and a mouthfeel that while very unique, doesn't quite fit the style all the way. A worthy effort regardless.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 02:00:57 | More by Brad007

Halcyondays

California

4.05/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A couple 12 oz. bottles from the mix-pack,

A: Pours a classic yellow to goldenrod with a small white head. Good head retention, solid spotty lace.

S: Lots of cinnamon, nutmeg and orange, almost smells like a spiced cider. Some bready wheat notes tells me that I'm smelling a beer though. Nice use of winter spice.

T: The taste as with the nose has a bit of a spiced cider thing. Maybe it's the overt cinnamon tricking me, there is no tartness, heavy fruit or other hallmark of winter cider I get aside from the cinnamon, so I'll leave it at that. The spice is very nice and blends with the wheat and malt for a nice tasty spiced witbier. Very good stuff.

M: Medium-bodied, seems a bit richer than the 5.8%. Very creamy, glides across the tongue on the finish. Elegant.

O: This is a really nice unique spiced beer that's a great addition to the Winter mix pack. Too bad I only get 2 of them in this thing.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 06:17:45 | More by Halcyondays

tvljr

Virginia

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

An unfiltered white ale with a distinct aroma unlike most other SA products.

Appears cloudy and golden as you'd expect with an unfiltered white. Carries about a fingers depth head that soon sinks down to a light cover over the top of the beer.

Definite taste of cinnamon and nutmeg, a little too much for my taste but not as overwhelming as many of these "holiday" beers.

Refreshing, low carbonation mouth feel.

A good addition to the Sam Adams line. Better than some of their other special beers. I may buy a six pack to see how it last over a full evening.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 21:31:07 | More by tvljr