Samuel Adams Double Agent IPL - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A: Pours a crystal clear copper-amber color. The head is a one finger offwhite shade featuring typical texturing given the style. There's a nice amount of lacing left on the glass.

S: Quite hoppy, yet in a subdued manner. The one hop strain I notice predominantly is the mango-like, slightly catty nature of Simcoe - but this also has the grapefruit peel of Cascade and the earth/lemon of Centennial. No real maltiness to be found, but who cares? I'm quite intrigued.

T: Just like the aroma, this has a noticeable influence from the hops. At first, the melon and mango flavors from Simcoe hops comes through. After a couple of sips, flavors of lemon, earth, pine, and grapefruit peel make an appearance. Slightly sweet maltiness finishes off the flavor profile. I also notice a bit of diacetyl, as well. It's definitely a showcase for the hops, and while they don't come across particularly boldly, they never come across as overpowering.

M: A bit heavy in texture, enough to quash drinkability somewhat. If I have any problem with this brew, it's that it isn't as easy to down as it could be. After a while, the malts win out in terms of palate feel, making it a touch syrupy; on the other hand, there is some good dryness in the back of the mouth. Carbonation is about right for a lager.

O: If I rated to style, this would be around a 4.5 or so - I don't know if there's a better pale lager out there (and obviously I haven't had anything from Jack's Abby, either). In terms of personal preference, it does a good job of showing off the hop profile, but it's niggles keep it from reaching greatness.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 23:29:44 | More by ThisWangsChung

bmwats

Louisiana

3.69/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pilsner.

A: Medium-dark golden hue. Lots of effervescence rising throughout and clinging persistently to the sides of the glass. Pours about a 3 finger, frothy, white head. Craters slowly and unevenly, leaving plenty of dry sticky residue as it does. Lots of thick lacing.

S: Hay toned malt. Sourdough bread, with a little pine hop.

T: Malty and biting hoppiness. A little twangy. Hard to describe....

M: Light and bitter.

D: Bitter but not enough to slow your pace.

Atmosphere is really nice. Nice hue, plenty of carbonation, great head, lots of persistent lacing. Nose is grainy and piney. Malt flavor with a biting hop, offset with something of an out-of-place twang. Overall, this is an interesting, and good quaff.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 02:35:15 | More by bmwats

jaswilson2

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -20.6%

05-24-2013 00:56:50 | More by jaswilson2

Tacoboomerang

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

05-24-2013 00:25:45 | More by Tacoboomerang

Ecxeeder616

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -20.6%

05-23-2013 14:58:09 | More by Ecxeeder616

amishbooze

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-23-2013 00:10:33 | More by amishbooze

Cavanaghty

Maine

4.04/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a Sam Adams glass.

Appearance: Gold amber in color with a thick white head. Medium lacing on the glass.

Smell: Smell of hops and citrus dominate, smells more like an IPA than a lager style beer.

Mouthfeel/Taste: Smooth and medium bodied. Taste is bitter hops more like a lager taste.

Overall. Interesting brew, it was good for sure.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 21:45:57 | More by Cavanaghty

DeekNayvuz

Montana

4/5  rDev +5.8%

05-22-2013 19:13:54 | More by DeekNayvuz

stella77artois

New York

4.25/5  rDev +12.4%

05-22-2013 15:24:47 | More by stella77artois

megamass

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-22-2013 04:19:26 | More by megamass

Erice78

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-22-2013 01:44:25 | More by Erice78

canders0927

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-21-2013 15:08:31 | More by canders0927

Lucoli

New York

3.25/5  rDev -14%

05-21-2013 01:10:53 | More by Lucoli

squeakmeister

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +5.8%

05-20-2013 21:49:59 | More by squeakmeister

azdback

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-20-2013 07:27:26 | More by azdback

jesus808

California

3.5/5  rDev -7.4%

05-20-2013 07:26:24 | More by jesus808

redleg64

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-20-2013 02:33:06 | More by redleg64

Slay40

Michigan

4/5  rDev +5.8%

05-20-2013 00:48:04 | More by Slay40

PeteRiz

Connecticut

3/5  rDev -20.6%

05-20-2013 00:20:36 | More by PeteRiz

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

The best I have had to date of these hoppy agers. Floral hops. Thanks Americo for sharing the growler. Herbal, somewhat A nice mouthfeel. lacy and creamy head on a golden body, a dry and hoppy finish. Citrus, good drinkability. A good hoppiness, great for the summer.

Serving type: growler

05-20-2013 00:13:46 | More by northyorksammy

ClayO

Arizona

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%

05-19-2013 22:17:05 | More by ClayO

PJK

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +5.8%

05-19-2013 22:15:35 | More by PJK

WhitmansNiece

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -14%

05-19-2013 22:03:36 | More by WhitmansNiece

morimech

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear golden color with one finger of head that faded to a thin cap. Some spotty lacing is left down the glass.

Hoppy aroma of citrus and pine. It delivers the West Coast hops like its label claims. Also pick up some earthiness and floral elements. Nice hop aromas.

I really enjoy the flavor of this beer. Mostly hop flavor. More pine and earth than citrus. Moderately bitter with just a little bready malt to add some sweetness. Nothing much getting in the way of the hop flavor.

Feels lighter in body than an IPA. Not surprising considering its modest ABV. Very nicely carbonated.

A successful beer to this drinker. I enjoyed this one more than any other Sam Adams beer I have had, and I have had quite a few. Wish more brewers would do hoppy lagers. Not enough of them on the market.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 18:34:52 | More by morimech

Proclarush

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev +5.8%

05-19-2013 17:17:00 | More by Proclarush