Count me surprised when a few weeks ago I received samples of the six beers in the Samuel Adams “Adventures in Lager Variety Pack.” I thought, what a cool idea to compare different styles of lager.
First, let’s establish the parameters. The lager style was developed in Bavaria in the sixteenth century when the benefits of cold storage were discovered. So, today a lager is defined as any beer that is fermented with bottom-fermenting yeast at colder temperatures. This is contrasted with the other basic style of beer, the ale, which is any beer fermented with top fermenting yeast, typically fermented at warmer temperatures.
Let’s also be clear the six beers in the variety pack only scrape the surface of the eighteen styles of European-Germanic lager styles identified by the Brewers Association, not to mention the twelve other styles they list.
The first beer out of the box was the iconic Boston Lager, which I have reviewed before. It’s still a fine example of a Vienna-Style lager, tasty roasted malt character balanced with modest Noble hop accents. Here are my notes on the rest of the pack.
Samuel Adams Noble Pils (4.9% ABV, 34 IBUs)
This one is a Bohemian-style Pilsner, thus I assume intended to mimic the Pilsners of what is now the Czech Republic, the place where the Pilsner style originated (in the city of Pilsen) in the mid-1800s. “Noble” refers to the use of all five noble hops —Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Tettnang Tettnanger, Spalt Spalter, Saaz and Hersbrucker. Bright hoppy citrus aromas combine with hints of malt and spice. Its flavor opens spicy then gives way to bitter herbs and finishes balanced with a sweet maltiness from the Bohemian spring barley. As per the style it is flavorful, yet easy drinking.
Sam Adams Double Black (7.0% ABV, 30 IBUs)
This one is a Double Schwarzbier, meaning Samuel Adams “doubled down” on the traditional dark lager style significantly increasing the ABV and enhancing the richness of the typical black lager. This one also intensifies the aromas coffee and roasted malt. These carry over into the mouth picking up some creamy chocolate while finishing with a touch of fruitiness.
Samuel Adams Helles Bock (7.0% ABV, 23 IBUs)
Bock is a strong lager known for its rich sweet malt taste, low hop bitterness and higher alcohol. “Helles” means “pale” to distinguish it from the darker bocks. I’d say this one accurately reflects those descriptions. The Tettnang Tettnanger Noble hops declare their presence in the brew’s herbal spice notes. The nose also is pleasantly malty.
I also liked the lively, tangy and spicy palate as it was balance with malty sweetness.
Samuel Adams Double Pilsner (8.6% ABV, 80+ IBUs)
If Double Bock “doubles down” on the Scharzbier style, this Double Pilsner “double up” on the hops typically underrepresented in Pilsners (as you can see in the ABV and IBUs). Actually that is single hop, the Hallertau Mittelfrüh. The company says they use twelve pounds of hops per barrel. And it really shows with intense aromas of hoppy bitterness, grapefruit and spicy citrus. A similar profile continues in the mouth, which really brings forth intense spicy herb notes, tamed just slightly with creamy malt.
Samuel Adams The Vixen (8.5% ABV, 20 IBUs)
Combine the maltiness of a bock with the intensity and complexity of dark chocolate or cocoa and you get an unusual hybrid beer that, when done right, is surprisingly rich and complex. One of the best known is Samuel Adams’ Chocolate Bock, which has been popular enough to encourage the brewery to experiment with variations, such as the Cherry Chocolate Bock. Now, taking a cue from recipes for chili that include an infusion of chocolate and chocolate desserts that gain intrigue with the addition of chile pepper, comes The Vixen, which Samuel Adams’ describes as a “Chocolate Chili Bock.”
It opens with definite chocolate and red pepper, a certain effect of being brewed with ancho and chipotle chilies and cinnamon, then aging on a bed of Ecuadorian cocoa nibs. These qualities carry over on the palate, which has the fresh, firm impact expected of a bock and a slightly sweet roasted malt finish. The chile peppers remind you of their presence but never get in the way.