Boston Beer Co.
Boston, MA
Available: nationwide
Brewed with hops grown near the 48th parallel, the latitude that defines the “hop belt” in the Northern hemisphere.
ABV: 5.8
ABW: 4.6
Color: 20
Bitterness: 60
Original gravity: 1059
Beer Talk
Samuel Adams Latitude 48 IPA
Published January 2011, Volume 31, Number 6
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Roger Protz
A tempting pale copper color leads to a rich aroma of fruitcake—nuts, raisins and sultanas—with a tingling undercurrent of hop resins. The palate is deceptive: it starts fruity but suddenly bitter hops kick in along with a fine balance of chewy, nutty malt. The finish is long, complex and superbly crafted, with tart fruit, rich malt and bitter, grassy hops vying for attention. It’s a brilliant example of the brewers’ art.
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Garrett Oliver
The color is clear and beautiful, teetering between honey and copper, and the foam is pleasingly rocky. The aroma is more floral than citrus, more apricot than cannabis, with a note of English cheddar underneath. The palate is slightly round, admirably dry and minerally, with substantial malts surrounding a thin steel shard of hop bitterness. Nicely structured and distinctly more British than American in character, this is a light rendition of IPA, but a fine one. Grab a good hunk of bread and some well-aged cheese and you’re good to go.
