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

Gmann

New York

3.43/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy straw color, similar to a hazy macro. Doesn't really have that wit bier look to it. The head is short and settles into a light ring.

The aroma is grainy with some hay notes. Light spice notes, perhaps some mixture of nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. Healthy dose of lemon throughout.

The taste is light and crisp with a lemony flavor. Typical of an american wheat ale. This is followed by a spice mixture of coriander, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon. The nutmeg and cinnamon are very subtle.

The feel is light and crisp. Sweet on the palate but its dry so it is refreshing. Drinks well.

An ok beer, nothing special. A mixture between an American wheat ale and witbier with a subtle hint of holiday spice. As with a lot of SA wheat brews, there is a big presence of lemon.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 19:41:43 | More by Gmann

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

dbrauneis

New Jersey

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

A: Pours a hazy to cloudy pale golden yellow in color with light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some darker golden and lemon yellow highlights. The beer has a finger tall white head that quickly reduces to a small to medium sized patch of thin film and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Light amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of wheat and pale malts with some stronger notes of spices - orange peel, cinnamon, and nutmeg stand out. Overall there is some sweetness to the smell.

T: Upfront there are some light to moderate flavors of wheat and pale malts which are followed by the spicy components of the flavor - the cinnamon and nutmeg really stand out with some lighter hints of orange rind. Light amounts fo bitterness which fade rather quickly, this beer is a touch sweet overall for me.

M: Just heavier than light bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation.

O: Not a great offering but not a bad offering either for the style - a touch too much spice and sweetness for my personal preferences but it does not make this beer something I would tell people to avoid. I like the idea but just might like it better a little more toned down.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 04:20:56 | More by dbrauneis

lordofthewiens

Maine

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

This beer was a hazy orange color with a very small white head.

The aroma was mostly citrus, with a bit of spice. Some grain,

Orange taste, coriander, and a little cinnamon. Cereal in the background.

This was a pleasant enough beer, just not that exciting. Taken in context, I think it went well in the Winter 12 pack, however.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 20:38:38 | More by lordofthewiens

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

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

superspak

Michigan

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

12 ounce bottle into signature pint glass, best before April 2013. Pours hazy golden amber color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense white head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Light spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with plenty of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon, orange peel, wheat, clove, pepper, pear, floral, biscuit, and earthy yeast spiciness. Nice and pleasant aromas with good balance and complexity of malt and spice notes. Taste of lemon, pear, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, wheat, light clove, pepper, floral, biscuit, and yeast earthiness. Lingering notes of light fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, wheat, biscuit, light clove, and yeast earthiness on the finish for a short bit. Nice balance and complexity of malt and spice notes; with spices being more muted than I expected from the nose; and zero cloying flavors on the finish. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy and smooth mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is very well hidden with nearly zero warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a good spiced witbier. Good balance of malt and spice notes with good flavor robustness; and very smooth to drink. A nicely enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 04:06:29 | More by superspak

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

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

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

Poured from a bottle into a weiss-vase, the beer is an unfiltered, pale, yellowish coloring with a thin, sparse, filmy coating of white on the surface, with a little more substantial build up around the edges. Aromas of cinnamon and coriander on a bready backbone. The nose is subtle, other than the spices. Flavors of rich bread, with a heavy dosing of the clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and coriander spicing. Very well blended in the spicing, but very spice heavy overall. The backbone of toasted grains and bread support, but get somewhat overshadowed. The aftertaste is warming, with the spices blending around on the palate, leading into a clean, quick finish. Tasty, light beer that would be a crowd pleaser during holiday get togethers, but there are Witbiers out there that have more to offer.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 23:11:04 | More by GarthDanielson

prototypic

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

White Christmas looks like straw in color. It’s extremely hazy. A little light gives it more of a yellow look. Pretty standard for the style. Not bad. It’s topped off with a bone white head. It’s rather modest, standing only about a finger tall. Retention was on the shorter side. Lacing was a little sticky and moderate in volume. Looks pretty good.

The nose is weak in terms of aromatics. Needs more strength. It’s not bad, but it’s not good either. It is earthy and quite grainy throughout. It smells a little spicy. There are some light holiday spice notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. Other spices include light orange peel and perhaps coriander. Definitely reminiscent of a Witbier. Smells a little sweet. Perhaps a little fruity. Lemon is there. Alcohol is buried. It’s not bad. More strength might push it to the positive side.

I’m not sure what it is about the flavor, but I like it. It definitely features a strong grainy, earthy flavor. That quality resonates throughout each sip. It also features some spicy flavors that are notable for the style – namely coriander and orange peel. It does have a light lemon flavor that’s refreshing. In terms of the holiday spices, they’re modest, but effective. Cinnamon and nutmeg are definitely noted, and they complement the other flavors nicely. I didn’t anticipate liking this much at all, but for some odd reason – I do. It’s good stuff. Alcohol isn’t a factor at all. Finishes earthy and spicy with just enough holiday spice flavor to make it interesting.

White Christmas has a body that’s on the lighter side of medium. Carbonation feels soft. Even though it’s very light, it feels rather soft. It goes down far too easily. I could handle a few bottles of this.

Samuel Adams White Christmas is probably the surprise Christmas beer of 2012 for me. I really expected to hate it. I don’t…at all. It’s surprisingly good. Not great, but good. I’d suggest picking up a six-pack while it’s around. It’s definitely worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 04:28:46 | More by prototypic

LiquidAmber

Washington

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

Poured into a Seattle Beer Week pint glass. Pours a light straw amber with a half finger white head with good retention and lacing. Aroma of mild wheat and bready malt with a hint of spices. Flavor is dominated by cinnamon and light cloves supported by wheat and sweet malt. Light bodied with peppery carbonation. The witbier character is subdued, but a well balanced flavor of light sweet malt, wheat and Christmas spices delivers on the name. Mild and pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 04:42:51 | More by LiquidAmber

garymuchow

Minnesota

3.76/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into Sam Adams glass.
Soft yeast aroma with wheat grain and mild fruit. Not bold, but pleasing.
Huge white head prevents full pour in glass Slightly cloudy yellow with loads and loads of rising bubbles from the nucleation.
Very soft flavors too, but again quite pleasing. Mild bitterness blends nicely with the yeasty flavors. HInts of hops. Bits of fruit - they taste red. KInda of a vanilla laying on the tongue. The spicing in not heavy handed, but accenting in a favorable way.
Fullness from carbonation and at least moderately heavy. Enjoyably creamy.
This is alright. Not classic but pleasing in multiple ways and a very easy drinking wit.
Thanks Dad.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 20:43:21 | More by garymuchow

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

WoodBrew

Illinois

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

The White Christmas can in a Holiday mixed pack...a much better replacement to the Cranberry Lambic. The beer pours a cloudy yellow with thin white head that is not lacing. Definitely smell the orange peel....not so much the nutmeg and cinnamon. The taste starts with a crisp citrus start and then the spice bolstered by the cinnamon kicks in. The mouthfeel is lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall it is a tasty beer...but it will not replace Fizzywig or Holiday Porter as my favs.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 18:11:56 | More by WoodBrew

Brenden

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A bit more than "wit," the color is a darker gold thick with haze and clearly, as per style and per claim, unfiltered. A white head tries to force itself, ending up loose. It starts at about a finger in height and fades fast. The beer itself appears spritzy, big bubbles sitting stationary. A wispy bit of foam is left, and the glass sports reasonable spotty lacing.
The aroma is on par, earthy and somewhat dusty but mostly spicy, giving off a whiff not of sugary sort of spicing, though there is a light sweetness, but more a dose of kitchen-type spices. Nutmeg is particularly apparent.
The flavor follows suit, offering a strong but appropriately moderate spiciness, the main components being wheat, citrus and nutmeg.
The feel is on the spritzy side, light and sharply crisp with a very mild smoothness underlying.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 14:37:13 | More by Brenden

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

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

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

wedge

North Carolina

2.65/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Foggy gold body with a slender, creamy white head. Spicy, powdery sweet aroma...cinnamon, citrus, coriander, and clove. Very mild. A lot of spices in the flavor too, though not overly spiced. Lemon, orange peel, lightly sweet wheat malt, and nutmeg. Creamy, medium-light body. Meh, I don't know...I'm not really feeling this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 02:29:05 | More by wedge

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

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

HalfFull

California

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

Bottle from a winter mix-o-case poured into a pint glass. Pours a hazed deep lemon with a nice inch of whitish foam. A bit golden orange in the light. Shows moderate retention and light lace.

Nose is predominantly spice driven with cinnamon and nutmeg/pepper. Yeast influence is minimal or simply crowded out by the added spices, emerging to a small degree with exposure and warming. Pleasant and not overdone nonetheless.

Taste begins with some soft wheat notes followed by a brief middle with sweet orange. Spices swiftly sweep the palate and offer a decent linger to the finish. Rather light in malt profile and overall depth of character. Decent and with a spritzy carbonation throughout the glass though a bit thin overall in feel. Overall an interesting take on a holiday spiced brew though not in a striking way.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 04:18:32 | More by HalfFull

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

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

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