Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Described by its website as being complex and balanced, with a beautiful hop aroma. Samuel Adams Boston Lager is brewed using a decoction mash, a time consuming traditional four vessel brewing process. The beer first appeared in 1985 when it debuted in American bars.

Origin: Boston, United States of America

Alcohol/vol: 4.8%

Style: Lager

Average Rating: 6.25 

May appeal on random occasions. Not all the time.

Danny’s tasting

How good a friend is beer? It never judges you and is always there to offer support. Frequently before you even know you need it. So if beer is your best friend then Sam Adams Boston Lager is its younger dorky brother that just hangs around uninvited hoping to become cool by association.

This lager has very similar qualities to a James Squire Golden Ale in both taste and aroma but I'd have to say James S does it better. I've tried Sam Adams when I've been in the US but I'm sure I had a better experience than this. As they brew in different styles I'd suggest I wasn't trying the Boston Lager then.

Anyway I had to give it a 6 (may appeal on random occasions). I'm sure some people will like it more than me and I'd encourage you to give it a try but don't get your hopes up.

6.0

6.5

Craig’s tasting

Apart from both being products of Boston, Samuel Adams and his namesake Samuel Adams Boston Lager appear to have nothing in common. After all one is a founding father of the United States of America, the other is an acceptable, but far from nation shaping beverage.

For those who are as yet unaware, Boston is located in the state of Massachusetts. I, like most humans would find it difficult to pin point this place on a map let alone review one of their most popular exported beverages. To make it easier I decided to review this beer while adapting alternate lyrics to “more than words” by Extreme (the greatest band in the world and local Massachusettians)

The end result was a disaster. With rubbish like “more than hops, is all you have to add to make it good” being the only alternate lyrics I could come up with.

Ultimately, as fate had it and despite an endless pit of talent Extreme got worse as time went by. Thankfully for the world, this isn’t a trait of all things Massachusettian. Sam Adams is the exact opposite. It’s complex character makes it difficult to drink initially but as you push through you slowly start to unravel the mystery of this beer.

I don’t want to suggest that you will eventually love it but as is the case with all forms of pumpkin, you can learn to like it over time. This beer would almost certainly rate higher given repeated consumption. Unfortunately I did not have the chance.

CRAIG

DANNY