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

deebo

Minnesota

3.13/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

This is definitely a Belgian wit. Compared to some others this version from SA is real heavy on the orange-especially the peel. Spicy-lots of coriander. Plenty of malt body but it is overshadowed by the heavy dose of orange peel and coriander. Carbonation is appropriately medium/high. An ok wit-would prefer it a little more naked.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2013 02:09:25 | More by deebo

bmwats

Louisiana

3.4/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a standard pint.

A: Hazy, hay color. Pours about a 1 and a half finger, foamy, white head. Settles fairly slowly. Some nice beer ring lacing.

S: Pale wheat. Indistinct touch of orange citrus.

T: Wheat, with a little orange rind, and a hint of savory spice.

M: Light, but full flavor, and a little syrupy. A little bit of a pungency hangs on the palate.

D: Goes down easy.

Atmosphere is pretty good. Nice head, and some decent lacing. Nose is just a little wheat with some hints of orange. Wheaty, with some orange rind, and spice. Overall, this is a good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 02:07:26 | More by bmwats

curasowa

New York

3.1/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Hazy, golden yellow color with one finger of head that fades quickly with little lacing.

Aroma: Wheat malt and some citrus, mostly lemon and orange peel and quite a potent phenolic and dish rag combo note.

Taste: Crisp wheat malt with more body then I was expecting, fading into a kinda-non-descript tart/citrus back end with some soapiness. Finish is lingering and fairly drying.

The Rest: This reminds me more of a German-style Hefewiesen then anything Belgian. It lacks that funkier Belgian yeast characteristic. Regardless, its pretty decent and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 00:23:42 | More by curasowa

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.36/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured in SA perfect pint glass

A- hazy light yellow in appearance with a small fizzy white head that reduces to a small ring, leaving no lace

S- cracked pepper, coriander, citrus zest, muted hops

T- mildly sweet malt with lemony-citrus hops, tangy citrus zest on the back end with coriander notes, lightly dry finish. Not really getting any Belgian flavors of the traditional style

M- light body with lively carbonation, foamy mouthfeel with a spritzy finish

O- easy drinking and a good choice for a summer day outside, but doesn't stand up to the better examples of the style

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 03:04:59 | More by Treyliff

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.41/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a hexagonal pint glass.

Appearance: Hazy gold tinted orange, heavy small bubbles on the body. You need to have the right light to notice this. Head coming off white is thin, with a hard pour it was maybe eight of an inch but settled quick sitting for about a minute.

Smell: Comes off strong in the beginning with a lemon citrus zest, honestly before putting my mouth to the glass it pushes sweet aroma to you. This scent is light, and usually hope for more.

Taste: Nice and smooth lemon, and feels a little bit of mandarin Mouth: Not to knock Sam Adams but they flavors come and go, seriously lacking stickiness

Mouth: Medium, with a sweet citrus finish. Not exactly sticky but still smooth.

Overall: Fine beer for what it is, I personally would rather grab a glass of more "authentic" witbiers that wouldn't be too far away from this on the shelf. Sam Adams still delivers....warmer weather this brew is definitely more appreciated. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 04:24:07 | More by BlurryVisi0n

brentk56

North Carolina

3.49/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a hazy honey color with a modest head (particularly for a WIt) though it does leave quite a few dots of lace behind

Smell: Vague elements of toasted wheat bread, citrus peel, coriander and grains of paradise

Taste: Somewhat sweet with banana and toffee joining the toasted wheat flavors; in the middle, a bit of citrus peel, coriander and grains of paradise arrive; a surprising hint of pepper in the finish

Mouthfeel: Light to medium body with moderate carbonation

Overall: Rather like a Wit on training wheels though easy to drink

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 01:30:16 | More by brentk56

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.25/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Pours an apricot golden hazy hue with a bright white head, forms fines speckled lacing. Aroma is hitting hard with grains of paradise, sharp wheat, and hints of citrus and coriander spiciness. Flavor is a bit one dimensional with heavy spice a mix of coriander and grains of paradise, with some juicy citrus and bitter apricot pit. Mouthfeel is medium on the palate carbonation a bit sluggish for how heavy the spices linger between sips, I could use something more palate cleansing. The Sam Adams house yeast weighs heavy on this one bringing out a bready, nutty character that pretty much dampers the experience for me. It was like a spring release of the Summer Ale toned down a bit.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 15:11:20 | More by WVbeergeek

budgood1

Minnesota

3.04/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

pours out a cloudy and hazed dirty gold colour with an inch high bone white head. bits of chunky lace. strong fruity aroma...the orange/tangerine combo provides the bulk of the nose with coriander/GoP playing second fiddle. any wheat or belgian inspired smells are drowned out. the taste profile is somewhat unique...underneath it all there is a sour note that lingers and dominates the other layers. the fruitiness comes across as liquid cantelope...spicy GoP, which i love in the summer ale isn't hitting the right mark here. i get faux belgian type notes and the whole thing is a bit muddled and messy. if this is supposed to be a quencher/refresher, this also misses due to the overly sweet and fullishness of the body. the mouthfeel is also way too creamy and rich for a real spring time quaffer. drinkability suffers due to the "meal in a bottle" aspect.

overall, this experiment from Sam Adams just misses the target for me. i should like it, but i just don't and that's ok.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 22:57:18 | More by budgood1

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Finally finishing up the ol' spring mix pack, saved the wit for last.

Pours to a tulip glass pale orange with a good amount of haze to it. Big white head quickly falls to about a half-finger, eventually forming a wispy cap and thick ring that leaves some decent lacing.

Scent brings an orange/lemon mix, wheat, yeast, low spice level. Kinda weak strength and flavor-wise.

Taste is stronger but still kind of a bland flavor profile. Mostly orange/Creamsicle forward, lemon, light grapefruit, wheat, cracker-y malts, once again pretty light on the spices. Pretty straight forward, not bad.

Spiky carbonation hinders the drinkability but otherwise an alright mouthfeel. Body is a bit on the heavier side.

Though not unpleasant, this is was very average. I rarely find myself saying this about witbiers, but it could've used some more spice to liven things up a bit. Wheat beers don't seem to be Sam Adams strong point...

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 02:22:35 | More by Chico1985

orcsinspace

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

I love Witbier. This is a really decent offering, and I like how Sam Adams has been putting out quality white ales, and other unfiltered beers for the last few years. This beer really features the wheat, and the fruit notes are toned down just enough so they make it drinkable.

The color is awesome. I love hazy beers, and this one seems just right by appearance. The smell is a little mild, with some wheat presence. The taste is okay, but I was expecting something a little stronger flavor wise. The mouthfeel is watery, and needs improvement.

This is a great beer, and it just makes more of a statement for Sam Adams. I do not really consider Sam Adams "craft" beer in anyway, but most of their products are cheaper, and simply better tasting than some of the other "craft" beer on the market.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 21:59:56 | More by orcsinspace

Tone

Missouri

3.43/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a cloudy, golden color. 3/4 inch head of an off-white color. Decent retention and Slight lacing. Smells of coriander, sweet malt, slight hops, hint of pine, slight pale malt. Fits the style of a Witbier. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp, with a low carbonation level. Tastes of coriander, syrup-orange, sweet malt slight pale malt, slight hops, and a hint of pine. Overall, weak aroma, body has too much syrupy orange flavor, weak appearance, but feel is good.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 16:25:51 | More by Tone

Billolick

New York

3.64/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Part of the Samuel Adams Mix-pack. 12 ounce bottle, with "Enjoy before" dating notched onto the label. (July 2013)

Hazed medium tangarine, lite khaki head, leaving respectable blobs of lace.

Muted pepper and some dull yeast on the nose.

Middle of the road wit, with typical light pepper, faint coriander and a yeasty presence. Not bad stuff, would work on a warm summer's day with some salads, cheese and crusty bread.

SA makes more craft beer with training wheels

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 22:56:51 | More by Billolick

HalfFull

California

3.03/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hazed golden/touch of orange on the pour into a pint glass from standard pry off bottle. Half an inch of white foam settles out to a thin film and drops light lace.

Aroma is rather subtle on this one, with a bit of citru and coriander spice. No real yeast presence though perhaps a bit of sour wheat twange at times. More spice with warming.

Flavor is sweet up front with a smack of citrus followed by a lengthy orange and coriander finish. Bit sweet and one sided at first but does garner a bit more depth with some warming, expressing more spice as it does so.

Feel is a bit rich for the style and excarbated by the under represented carbonation level in the pour. Easy drinking nonetheless in a sense as the light carbonation and lack of stops on the bus route of flavor allow for a quick trip to your destination, that being the bottom of the glass.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 06:34:50 | More by HalfFull

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.26/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Appearance: Opaque creamsicle color with a super thin film of white head.

Aroma: Sweet mandarin orange, wheat, some spice. There's also something slightly artificial smelling about it that I can't quite put my finger on.

Taste: I'm not a big fan of the Belgian Ale styles but this one is very mellow and palatable. Probably due to the wheat that keeps makes it refreshing. The malt profile is pretty unremarkable besides the wheat though, but the additions of spices and orange peel help to jazz up the flavor. There is a very light bitterness that is somewhat accented by the carbonation bite in the finish. The tangerine flavor keeps things sweet and the grains of paradise linger a tad in the aftertaste but are otherwise easy to miss. At 5.5% ABV its one of Samuel Adam's only beers that seems to be right on par with the accepted style ABV range.

Mouthfeel: Just below medium in body with aggressive carbonation. Slightly above average drinkability.

Final Thoughts: Of the six different beers in the spring sampler pack I was looking forward to White Lantern the least. However, it has turned out to be better than some of the others. If you like Blue Moon then this one will probably blow your mind. Would I drink it again? No.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 02:23:36 | More by JamesMN

Ivanhoes_Backpack

New Brunswick (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

341ml from a spring thaw pack.

A - pours a golden honey, somewhat cloudy, with 2 fingers head which dissipates fairly quickly, but nice lacing around the edges.

S - sweet orange citrus, little bit of hops, straw

T - clementines, wheat, sweet honey finish

M - highly carbonated, crisp, refreshing summer beer

O - like I said, good summer beer. As far as wheat beers go, it's pretty well balanced between flavour and drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 22:46:06 | More by Ivanhoes_Backpack

flagmantho

Washington

3.59/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: lightly hazy yellow hue with a light effervescence and a finger of fizzy white head which dissipated rapidly. Kind of disappointing - it lacks the silvery haze and billowy head of the best of the style.

Smell: lightly fruity, citrusy and floral aroma; balanced and appropriate for the style. It's actually quite nice.

Taste: moderately wheaty with a bit of a citrus hint. There is a tartness here which is a bit distracting and unwelcome, but it's not a dealbreaker. A decent if not spectacular witbier.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a big, well-integrated carbonation and a good, creamy mouthfeel. Definitely the best part of this beer.

Overall: this is not an outstanding witbier, but it works in a pinch. It's probably quite nice on a hot sunny day.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2013 00:03:20 | More by flagmantho

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

3.76/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Hazy light golden orange body, topped by three fingers of just off-white very dense foam.

Nose features wheat, orange, tangerine, and spices. Pleasing, non-assertive.

Very light wheat slides across the tongue. Oranges. Spices. Clean finish.

Light tingly mouthfeel.

A well made wit, suitable for a warm afternoon.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 23:00:10 | More by RonfromJersey

MattyG85

Minnesota

3.89/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a Sam Adams "Perfect Pint" glass. Label says enjoy before June 2013.

Appearance: Pours a hazy golden orange with lots of rising bubbles. Huge five finger white head with good retention. Leaves a lot of lacing around the glass.

Smell: A bright and crisp citrus driven aroma with lots of coriander spice. Wheat grains and pale malts with hints of biscuit, cracker, and yeast. Hints of citrus orange peel, pineapple, lemon zest, and tangerine. Lots of coriander hints. Some herbal and grassy hop hints as well. A pretty decent light wheat aroma.

Taste: Follows the nose with a crisp wheaty taste of citrus esters and coriander spice. Wheat cereal grains and pale malts with notes of cracker, biscuit, and yeast. Citrus esters of orange peel, tangerine, pineapple, and lemon zest. Big coriander taste and a slight touch of white pepper. Subtle herbal hops towards the finish. A decent wheat taste.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Crisp, clean, and slightly tart.

Overall: A decent light wheat ale with some nice citrus and coriander notes.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 06:34:32 | More by MattyG85

Halcyondays

California

3.93/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a hazy goldenrod with a medium white head, good head retention, light spotty lace.

S: Definite citrus/orange with notes of pineapple.

T: This beer gives off a ton of orange with a nice interplay of wheat and lemon in the finish. Citrus dominated and direct.

M: Light-bodied, crisp and clean with a citrus finish, biting carbonation.

O: This is a very good white ale that fans of the style who enjoy a lot of citrus will like. Well worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 05:03:45 | More by Halcyondays

UCLABrewN84

California

3.54/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Best before 7/2013.

Pours a hazy orange with a foamy orange-tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, citrus fruit, and spice aromas. Taste is much the same with citrus and tropical fruit flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is light and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 04:09:31 | More by UCLABrewN84

u2carew

Massachusetts

3.84/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz longneck.
A) Pours with a finger thick white head. Golden Yellowish colored body with some haze (hence being a witbier). Semi-sticky lacing on the drink down.
S) Floral notes with grainy tones. Subtle hints of berries.
T) Grainy. Slightly nutty. Earthy floral. Not much in the finish, just falls out.
M) Crisp. Light body. Fizzy. Dry in the finish.
O) An OK beer. I'd drink another if the options were limited.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 01:44:56 | More by u2carew

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

2.95/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hazy gold. Bib bubble jumble white head is all bluster and quickly fizzles away. A wheat beer should never be without at least some foam at any point. Certainly no within the first few sips.

Smells like sharp sawdust and lemon zest.

Started out orange citrus with a wheaty twang but then devolved into Nestea lemon iced tea.

Eh. It's been too long for me to remember, is this any different than the old SA spring wheat. Spritzier maybe? SA sure does love those Grains of Paradise.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 12:04:39 | More by donkeyrunner

Seekerpilgrim

Washington

4/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Part of the Spring Thaw Variety Pack, this wheat beer pours a dull, cloudy yellow, with notes of yeast, honey, orange and a crisp sweetness that reminds be of burnt cotton candy (?). Interesting. On the tongue, surprisingly delicious. I've had plenty of wheat beers in my time, but the sharp sweet attack, courtesy of the orange peel, coriander, and a spice called Grains Of Paradise, which is part of the ginger family, really give it character. The middle follows with a soothing creaminess, quickly followed by a clean yet gentle spicy finish.

This is certainly now my favorite wheat beer, flavorful, refreshing, and brief, a burst of complexity on the tongue that doesn't leave any unpleasant aftertaste. Food recommendations include quesadillas, enchiladas, or cheesesteak sandwiches if you crave something heavy, but I find it perfect just on it's own. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 23:39:46 | More by Seekerpilgrim

TeamMathis

West Virginia

3/5  rDev -13%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Appearance: Cloudy orange.
Smell: Some citrus.
Taste: Some citrus, some spice.
Mouthfeel: Some carbonation. Crisp.

There is a light citrus and spice to the taste. The smell is that distinctive, wheat citrus. It is fairly lackluster for the type. Nothing spectacular stands out; or rather, nothing is distinctively great about it. I would not get this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 03:39:42 | More by TeamMathis

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.18/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

BB 8/13. Consumed 3/13.

A: A bright lemony peel coloring shows a medium rate of effervesce. An 1/2 inch foamy white head, though slight, holds its ground fairly well. Lacing is spacious, speckled, nothing to write home about.

S: Light hint of tart orange peel and wheat first come on the nose. Low key approach to aroma, some lemon peel hops.

T: Wheat and semi-dry oranges first arrive on the flavor. A hint of sour tropical fruitiness, and some grainy sweetness. There is some ginger, cola and a peppery aspect about but refrained and gentle in approach.

M: creamy, wheaty, frothy, the carbonation quiets down rather quickly, could use some tightening and crisp factor.

O: Overall the spicing and mouthful wasn't as sharp as i like or prefer by style (hoegarrden) is a very good example and measuring stick of both. The spicing was soft, and almost homogenized to the point it was hard to distinish individual quality. The sourness factor was turned down a bit. Overall i usually like sam adams approach to drinkability while maintaining a good level of flavor and respectability, though by style this is a hard one to do both. The flavor is a light and enjoyable one to throw back to, just dont expect a big wit style here.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 01:02:34 | More by beerthulhu