My second installment in the Beer In-Review series is Sam Adams Boston Lager. The Boston Lager is Sam Adam's signature and main brew, first produced in 1984 when founder Jim Koch was trying to make a name for himself. There's no denying the historical significance of this brew, and it as well as the Samuel Adams brewery is known for virtually single-handedly kicking off the "Micro-brewery" explosion in the United States, when Americans began to turn to quality beer after decades of Macro beers such as Budweiser and Coors.
Upon pouring, The Boston Lager has a nice amber color to it and a fine head, with a notably hoppy smell. Here's the review:
Taste: After the lighter tasting Irish Red, the Boston Lager has a "heavier" taste, notably hoppy. The flavors and aromas compliment each other nicely. 4/5
Finish: The brew has a slightly bitter finish, but stays long enough to be flavorful but short enough to not leave a lingering bitter aftertaste. 4/5
Overall: 8/10
The Bottom Line: I have to admit, I was not a big fan the first few times I've had it, but after giving it a fair shot, the Boston Lager holds up well. And while it may not be my favorite Sam Adams brew, it is still worth trying and easy to see why it's so influential. I'd definitely recommend it.
Right on Steve. I was never really a huge fan of this brew until recently, when Applebees was offering super cold two-fers on tap. I soon realized that when served extra chilled, this beer is simply wonderful. With Boston Lager, Jim Koch managed to create a brew that is rather dark and hoppy yet maintains the crisp, refreshing taste generally typical of lighter beers. I firmly believe that while it may not be Sam Adams' best brew, it is without a doubt their most definitive.
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