Beer In-Review: Samuel "Sam" Adams Irish Red

First off, I must say that Samuel Adams is one of my favorite beer companies. It's great to see companies/brewers like them that are dedicated to their craft, focusing on taste and quality rather than "drinkability" (whatever that means).

This particular brew is a special one found in their Spring "American Originals" variety pack, though is not exclusive to this pack. In this brew, founder Jim Koch and his fellow brewers offer their take on the Irish Red Style, known by its almost dark-reddish color.

I will be reviewing based on two categories: Taste and Finish. Each category is rated from 1 to 5 and then both categories are added to get an out of 10 total (for example if a beer gets a 3 in taste and a 4 in finish, it's final score is a 7 out of 10). Here's my two-cents:

Taste: Upon first taste, I immediately fell in love with it. It's rich and malty without being overpowering, and and the flavors really jump out at you, although it is slightly light for such an ale. 4 out of 5.

Finish: Along with the great taste, the beer goes down very smoothly, with a light but sweet aftertaste, unlike a bitter, strong aftertaste that many darker beers tend to have. A smooth finish without sacrificing flavor. 4.5 out of 5.

Final Score: 8.5/10

The Bottom Line: I would highly recommend this beer. While other Irish Reds such as Killians are better known, Sam Adam's version may just be better. While Killians is also quite good, Sam Adams is slightly richer and fuller. In short, I'd highly recommend this beer and definitely should not be overlooked!