Samuel Adams Black Lager

Boston Beer Co.
Boston, MA

Available: nationwide

The black lager, or schwarzbier style is not often made by American brewers, although this eastern German style has been picked up with enthusiasm in Japan. Samuel Adams Black Lager is brewed with two-row Munich, Harrington and deep-roasted Carafa malts, and Bavarian hops.

Alcohol (wt.): 3.8
Alcohol (vol.): 4.77
Color: n/a
Bitterness: 19
Gravity: 1056

Picture-perfect pour. Black brew with rare ruby highlights contrast with a cap of long-lived tiny tan bubbles. After a few minutes, the head subsides, leaving lovely lace. “Come hither” nose is floral, with hints of cocoa, espresso and tobacco. Well balanced, earthy malt flavor is sustaining without being overwhelming. Best Sam Adams to date. Daring and delicious with sushi, miso soup and vegetable tempura.
- Charles Finkel

Pours like silk feels. Rich and full bodied, blanketed with a creamy head. Extraordinary balance for a black lager so full of flavor. No one element over-asserts. Overall impression is harmonious and symphonic. Fantastic roasted malt character with elements of sweetness and delicate hop notes. Very satisfying without assaulting. I’ll be happy to pay money for this.
- Charlie Papazian

A heavy collar of barley-white foam leads into a black beer with ruby highlights. The entrancing aroma offers a brilliant mix of roasted grain, licorice and freshly roasted coffee beans. Hop bitterness makes itself felt in the mouth, balanced by creamy malt and espresso coffee. The finish has some residual barley sugar sweetness with a deep creamy malt character, a solid underpinning of hop bitterness and hints of coffee and bitter chocolate
- Roger Protz

Charles Finkel
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.

Charlie Papazian
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.

Roger Protz
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

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