Samuel Smith 'Winter Welcome' Ale 2017-2018. 6% abv. Dark honey color with a finger of foamy, ivory head. Outstanding retention and superb lace. Head gradually falls to a thick sustaining collar and scattered surface, with lacing that clings throughout without fade. Nose of caramel, bright spice, sweet bread, with notes of allspice emerging as the temp rises to room.

First taste is malt, herbal hops, treacle, white bread, floral back end. Aftertaste is slight pepper, bitter herbal hops, molasses, botanical semi-sweet finish. Medium-full body. Mouthfeel is warm, round, silky, carby.

This is an excellent winter brew, a modern classic from the old world. It's rich and malty, but balanced well with bouquets of spice and hops. The ratio of bitter to sweet is a perfect note, with the sweet malt refraining from being dominant, making way for the bitter herbal hops to poke through on the back of each sip. 

It's been four years since I last reviewed this annual beer, and it's just as expertly crafted now as it was then, and no doubt like all their beers have been crafted since 1758. One of the original winter beers, a benchmark in its category, this is a wonderful beer that I look forward to each holiday season. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"This seasonal beer is a limited edition brewed for the short days and long nights of winter. The full body resulting from fermentation in stone Yorkshire squares and the luxurious malt character, which will appeal to a broad range of drinkers, is balanced against whole-dried Fuggle and Golding hops with nuances and complexities that should be contemplated before an open fire."
[source: bottle]

"Throughout history, beer of somewhat higher alcohol and richness has been enjoyed for the winter holidays, when old friends get together to enjoy the season. Wassail, a festival to celebrate winter and the beer that goes with it, predates the Christian era. Winter Welcome is vintage-dated with a special label each year, and was first shipped to the US in 1990 - it was the first imported winter seasonal beer. Serve in a traditional Sam Smith tulip or nonik glass for the holidays... Honey-amber colored, creamy head of small bubbles, floral aroma and delicious caramel malt flavor with great finesse. Fine hop aroma finish and a fruity note from fermentation in open-topped stone "Yorkshire Squares."
[source: merchantduvin.com]

Samuel Adams 'Merry Maker' Gingerbread Stout. 9% abv. Black in color. Finger of foamy mocha head. Good retention, scattered lacing. Nose of gingerbread, strong spice, cloves, wheat, ginger. Front taste of roasted malt, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, bread. Aftertaste of molasses, gingerbread cookies, nutmeg, cinnamon. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, botanical, thick.

This is a wonderful beer, a tall malty brew that certainly delivers on its initial promise. You get a great big gingerbread cookie in your face, from the aroma through to its underlying taste, with notes of spice and roasty sweet malt throughout. A truly unique winter beer, whether or not you actually like gingerbread. Grab a couple of bottles if you can find it. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

“Lively and festive with a devilish streak. This rich dark brew entices with the aromas of the holidays, hinting at the merriment and spices within. The flavor of gingerbread comes alive beginning with the smooth sweetness and heartiness of dark roasted malts and a touch of wheat. But it’s the intensity and spices of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger that add a wicked kick to this jolly playful brew. At Samuel Adams, we love experimenting. This series of limited edition brews represents some of our favorite small batch creations.”

[source: bottle]

Samuel Adams 'Thirteenth Hour' Dark Belgian Style Stout. 9% abv. Nose of dark fruit, raisin, strong plum, wood notes. Front taste of heavy dark chocolate, black coffee, plum, cherry. Aftertaste of red wine grapes, bittersweet chocolate, sour berry. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, alcoholic, thick, resiny.

This is a wonderfully decadent beer, with a complex profile of dark fruits, strong cocoa and wine notes, all coupled by an oak presence throughout. The wood impression is round and mild, likely from the fact that this particular bottle was aged two years before my friend and I popped its cork. This mellowing of the barrel taste allowed the fruits to pop, with a tartness that approaches a sour beer. Superb all around. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"The 13th hour is the witching hour, and a time when strange brews can occur.  With 13 ingredients, we combined the roasted chocolate and coffee flavors of a stout with the complex spicy character of a Belgian-style ale aged in oak for a deep, robust, and captivating brew."

[source: samueladams.com]

"“With 13 ingredients, we combined the roasted chocolate and coffee notes of a stout with the complex spicy character of a Belgian-style ale aged in oak for a dark, robust, and bewitching brew. One of our brewers’ favorite places to experiment is in the barrel room at our Boston Brewery. It’s here that each of our Samuel Adams Barrel room Collection brews was born."

[source: bottle]

Samuel Adams 'Fat Jack' Double Pumpkin Ale. 8.5% abv. 25 IBU. Black in color. Finger of tan thick creamy head. Outstanding retention and lacing. Nose of nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin. Front taste of sweet dark malt, heavy pumpkin, cloves on the sustain. Aftertaste is pure pumpkin pie, nutmeg, cinnamon, nutmeg. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, creamy, sweet finish.

This is an outstanding beer. The aroma is spicy, sweet, promising plenty of pumpkin. The taste delivers with a ton of pumpkin and a dark warm spice bouquet. Most pumpkin beers are lacking, but this is one of the few big bold pumpkin beers that offers a rich, complex autumn beer. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Pleasantly plump and satisfied. This rich and luscious brew indulges in flavor with over 28 lbs. of pumpkin per barrel, for a full bodied sweetness and deep russet color.  Classic pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice ignite a warmth and spark that’s deepened by an undercurrent of roasty smoked malts.  The result is a delectable brew full of enveloping layers of flavor and spice."

[source: samueladams.com]

Samuel Adams 'Rebel Rider' Session IPA. 4.5% abv. 45 IBU. Pale straw color. Finger of bubbly white head. Good retention, fair lace. Nose of clean citrus, faint sweet floral, faint pine. Front taste of citrus peel, herbal hops. Aftertaste of mild bitter herbal hops, grapefruit, pine notes on the sustain. Light body. Mouthfeel is cool, bubbly, dry finish.

This is a good session beer, the lightest of the "Rebel" series. It's meant for refreshment, for easy drinking. Despite what the marketing may suggest, it wasn't meant to be loaded with rich flavors. Not all beers are. If you know this going in, you can enjoy this light brew.  I enjoyed mine well enough at a family barbecue. However, even within this context, there are far better choices out there. Mildly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Bursting with bright citrus and tropical fruit notes of apricot and tangerine, with hints of pine and a slight resinous character, this brew brings a lighter-bodied sibling to our Rebel family of IPAs. This IPA finishes with just enough subtle bitterness to bring you back for another sip."
[source: samueladams.com]

Samuel Adams 'Harvest Pumpkin' Ale. 5.7% abv. 14 IBU. Ruby color with thick cream-colored head. Good retention, nice lacing. Aromatic nose of pumpkin, cloves, nutmeg. Front taste of light roasted malt, caramel, cloves, ginger on the back. Aftertaste is where the pumpkin flavor pops, along with nutmeg and distant cinnamon. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, creamy, smooth.

This is an excellent pumpkin beer, another solid seasonal brew from Samuel Adams. The pumpkin taste is present throughout, from nose to final sip. The aroma promises a rich veggie-pumpkin taste with a tall mix of spices and the taste delivers, something that many aromatic beers do not follow through on. Both the aroma and taste improve as the temp drops, which is always a delight.

This is not the absolute best pumpkin beer (that honor goes to Dogfish Head), but it is toward the top end, especially considering that most pumpkin beers fail at every level. Highly recommended, particularly within season.

From the brewery:

"Real pumpkin & warming spices like ginger, cinnamon & nutmeg give this brew a smooth, hearty, and inviting character perfect for the crisper days of fall."
[source: samueladams.com]

"Early New England colonists were nothing if not resourceful. Lacking traditional malts, they added pumpkin to their brews, and the first pumpkin ales were born. Our adaptation uses a blend of caramel and roasted malts along with real pumpkin to create a rich depth of flavor and unmistakable characters. Cheers!"
[source: bottle]

Samuel Smith Organic Chocolate Stout. 5% abv. 28 IBU. Black in color. Thick creamy beige head. Excellent retention and lacing. Nose of fresh chocolate, sweet malt, roasted grain. Front taste of bittersweet chocolate, vanilla. Aftertaste of sweet dark chocolate, dark fruit, bitter herbal. Medium body. Mouthfeel is creamy, slightly sticky, silky.

This is an outstanding beer. My favorite chocolate brew. The chocolate grain is nicely roasted, fresh, ever present. Feels like a big beer but with a low abv and easy drinkability. Simply put, this is a world-class beer, a benchmark that rivals even Young's Double Chocolate. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Brewed with well water (the original well, sunk in 1758, is still in use with the hard water is drawn from 85 feet underground), the gently roasted organic chocolate malt and organic cocoa impart a delicious, smooth and creamy character, with inviting deep flavours and a delightful finish - this is the perfect marriage of satisfying stout and luxurious chocolate."

[source: samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk]

"Brewed with well water from the original brewery well sunk in 1758, the gently roasted organic chocolate malt and real organic cocoa used in this ale impart a delicious, smooth and creamy character, with inviting deep flavours and a delightful finish - this is the perfect marriage of satisfying stout and luxurious chocolate that will lead to smiles and refills. Samuel Smith’s brews in traditional 'Yorkshire Squares' for fermentation, and ships every bottle from the brewery with great pride."

[source: bottle]

Samuel Adams OctoberFest. 5.3% abv. 16 IBU. Seasonal brew. Deep copper color. Finger of white foamy head that gradually falls to a thick collar. Good retention and lace. Nose of toffee, roasted malt. Front taste of sweet malt, caramel, biscuits, nutty. Aftertaste of warm brown sugar, dark fruit, nutty, distant herbal. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, smooth, creamy, coating the tongue.

This is an excellent beer, one of the better Oktoberfest brews to come out each fall season. The taste from beginning to end is high malt, sweet, rich, smooth, with a creamy finish. I love trying the many different Oktoberfest beers offered each year, but this one is a reliable standard. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"In 1810, the Oktoberfest tradition was born when Munich celebrated the Crown Prince’s wedding with a special beer and 16-day party. Our version of this classic style blends rich malts for a hearty, smooth flavor with notes of caramel creating a brew that’s perfect for the season, or whatever you’re celebrating. Cheers!"

[source: samueladams.com]

Samuel Adams Boston Lager. 4.9% abv. 30 IBU. Copper color. A finger of white head that falls to a sustaining collar. Moderate retention, nice lace. Nose of biscuit, background caramel. Front taste of sweet malt, faint herbal hops. Aftertaste of grain, balanced bitter hops. Medium body. Mouthfeel is round, small carb, warm on the back end.

This is a solid beer, enjoyable, balanced, familiar. Easy to drink without being thin or watery. The sweetness of the malt is a perfect balance, as is the hop aftertaste. A classic. Recommended.

From the company:

"When Jim Koch left his corporate job to start a brewery, people told him he was crazy. But after tasting that first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in his kitchen, he knew he had something that just might prove his doubters wrong. This Go To Beer™ started it all. Samuel Adams Boston Lager helped lead the American beer revolution, reviving a passion for full-bodied brews that are robust and rich with character.  Since 1984, Samuel Adams Boston Lager has used only the finest hand-selected ingredients to create this perfectly balanced, complex and full-bodied original brew."
[source: samueladams.com]

Samuel Adams Harvest Saison. 6% abv. 25 IBU. Hazy honey color. Thick bubbly white head. Excellent retention and lace. Nose of light fruit, citrus, bread. Front taste of mild grapefruit, fruity hops, background pine. Aftertaste of bitter hops, citrus rind, herbal. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is carby, light.

This is a good saison, with a touch more hop bite and a rounder citrus flavor than many others in its category. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"With every autumn comes the hope of a bountiful harvest and this distinctive take on a traditional saison delivers with a crop of barley, oats, rye, and wheat, a malty aroma and golden amber hue.  The crisp taste of this Belgian style brew is a perfect match for a brisk fall day."

Samuel Adams Winter Lager. 5.6% abv. 22 IBU. Dark copper-red color with thick white head. Good retention and lacing. Aromas of sweet malt, cinnamon, cloves. Front taste of caramel, cloves, citrus peel. Aftertaste of cloves, ginger, citrus-orange peel. The wheat is more present in the aftertaste. Medium body. Mouthfeel is thick, sticky, foamy on the tongue.

This is a great winter beer that uses malt and spice to great effect without being over the top. Nice balance overall. Recommended.

From the brewery:

"German brewers may have been onto something centuries ago when they created bold, rich bock beers for the winter. For our brew, we created a dark wheat bock subtly spiced with fresh ground cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel for a deep smooth flavor that’s perfect on a cold winter’s night. Cheers."

Samuel Smith 'Winter Welcome' Ale 2013-2014. 6% abv. 32 IBU. Amber-golden color. Thick creamy head with excellent retention and lacing throughout. Aromas of rich malt and some bright spice. Front taste is somewhat malty with a mild bitter hop bite that falls going into the aftertaste, which is faintly malty sweet. Thin-medium body. Mouthfeel is thin, clean, some carb.

Samuel Smith is one of those dependable old breweries that makes a lot of home runs. Though most other Christmas/Winter brews are bigger and bolder than this one, it's still a classic and an old favorite. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"This seasonal beer is a limited edition brewed for the short days and long nights of winter. The full body resulting from fermentation in ‘stone Yorkshire squares’ and the luxurious malt character, which will appeal to a broad range of drinkers, is balanced against whole-dried Fuggle and Golding hops with nuances and complexities that should be contemplated before an open fire."

[source: www.samuelsmithsbrewery.co.uk]