Brewery: Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams), Boston, MA

Brewery Description: “Yes, we’re a little obsessed with hops. Every autumn for over twenty years, Jim Koch has traveled to one of the oldest hop-growing regions in the world, the Hallertau region of Bavaria in Germany, to hand-select Noble Bavarian hops, including the Hallertau Mittelfrueh variety. This special variety is considered to be one of the best in the world, prized for its unique taste and aroma. Samuel Adams® Hallertau Imperial Pilsner is a celebration of these extraordinary hops. This beer is one of the hoppiest in the world, without being overly bitter. With the first sip, you will experience an explosion of some of the world’s finest hops. And we mean “explosion” in a good way. Brewed as a showcase for the hops, this bold brew highlights the spicy, citrus flavors and aromas of the Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops that are abundant in the recipe. The intense hops flavor is balanced with the slight sweetness from the malt. The brew remains pleasantly well-balanced from beginning to end, due to the quality of the hops, and continues to always be, well, “hoppy,” providing hop lovers with an amazing beer drinking experience.”

Brew Style: American Double/Imperial Pilsner, 8.8% ABV

Recommended Glassware: Lager, Pilsner

The Ugly Truth: Alright, I’m going to do something I normally don’t like to and try not to do. I’m going to direct the opening portion of this review to one person. That person is Carl. So anyone else, you’re wlecome to read it, but this is mostly directed at him.

Carl, I know we don’t agree on beer for the most part and I frankly enjoy your suffering when you try beers that I feel are mild, and describe them as “eating a pine tree”. However, for your own safety I’m going to give that up this time. Please, please do not try this beer. You will not like it, you will hate it. Hate actually may be too weak a word, I think you may actually actively loathe it. So do yourself, and me, a favor and don’t drink this.

Alright, back to the general populace. If you like pilsners, you will love this beer. As a matter of fact, anyone who likes a bit of hops period will love this beer. I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t like this stuff. Pours a cloudy, burnt orange color with a slight white head that didn’t leave much trace on the glass as it went down initially but did as you were drinking. The aroma is hops plain and simple with a faint, faint touch of citrus/floral notes. The taste is just intense and completely dominated by hops. The mouthfeel tastes like…well like someone poured a bunch of hops into your mouth. In truth its in the medium range, and light on carbonation. The taste is uncomplicated, it is full of hops but still remains fairly smooth and manages to not become bitter. The finish and aftertaste blended nicely, the finish being pretty subtle. The aftertaste kicks in with some strong, almost Sam Adams Boston Lager signiture, hops bite.

Overall, not for the weak of heart. If you don’t like hops, do not drink this because you will hate it. It suffers some in mass appeal in that manner, but since I like hoppy beers I’m fine with it. Might be the hoppiest beer I’ve had to date.

Verdict: I’m going to go with an 8/10. I would give it a 9, but I think it does suffer some in the mass appeal category so I docked it a point.

—————-
Now playing: Mustard Plug - Mr. Smiley
via FoxyTunes