If you’re like me, you tend to think of lagers as crisp, light beers only occasionally full of flavor. Lager yeast (Saccharomyces pastorianus) works at cooler temperatures (40-55 degrees) and takes almost twice as long to ferment than ale yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). This tends to produce a clean, sharp brew but one I generally find lacking in flavor interest.
For fans of strongly flavored beers, like me, the black lager, bock and Ocktoberfest styles are satisfying alternatives. They are typically dark, rich, and full-bodied, with roasted notes and suggestions of caramel and chocolate, closing with the expected crisp finish.
These three recent releases by Boston Beer Co. are good introductions to these styles and ideal for drinking during the upcoming cooler season.
Double Black Lager (7.0% ABV, 35 IBUs)
This is what is known in Germany as 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.
Hop Varieties: Hallertau Mittelfrueh and Spalt Spalter Noble Hops
Malt Varieties: Samuel Adams Two-Row Pale Malt Blend, Carafa Special I, and Munich
Double Bock (9.5% ABV, 25 IBUs)
A small batch brew, Double Bock (Dopplebock in German) has been a Samuel Adams seasonal since 1988. Again, doubling up on the traditional bock style, this one is brewed with over a half pound of malt per bottle. Extensive “lagering” (cold storage) adds creaminess and maltiness. Hops join the malts with just enough bitterness to compliment the sweet caramel and toffee malt flavor.
Hop Varieties: Tettnang Tettnanger, Hallertau Mittelfrueh
Malt Varieties: Samuel Adams Two-Row Pale Malt Blend And Caramel 60
Samuel Adams Octoberfest (5.3% ABV 16 IBU)
I have always enjoyed Samuel Adams’ Märzen style Octoberfest. The Oktoberfest tradition is said to have begun when the people of Munich celebrated the wedding of Prince Ludwig of Bavaria (later crowned as King Ludwig I) to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen in 1810. The celebration became an annual event and several years later, a special beer was brewed to commemorate it. Samuel Adams’ version follows the more traditional style. Its hearty malts dominate yielding a deep, smooth palate with notes of caramel, toast, while It’s hops tread lightly, adding hints of spice.
Hop Varieties: Tettnang Tettnanger, Hallertau Mittelfrueh
Malt Varieties: Samuel Adams Two-Row Pale Malt Blend, Munich-10, Samuel Adams Octoberfest Malt, and Caramel 60