- Let’s Brew
- Community
- Directories
- Events
- Competitions
- Membership
- Homebrewing Rights
- Zymurgy
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- Grow Your Business
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Boston, Massachusetts
BJCP Category: 2B Bohemian Pilsener
Boston Beer Co. <visit site>
35
-
[expand]Total Score: 33/50
An excellent drinking beer that encourages another. However it’s a cross between a classic Bohemian Pilsener and the German Pilsener. more >
[close]Total Score: 33/50
Aroma: Initial skunky aroma dissipated fairly quickly. Light caramel and grainy maltiness, a moderate floral, noble hop aroma deepens as the beer warms, and slightly noticeable alcohol presence. No fruity fermentation esters. No diacetyl. After the initial skunkiness, most likely from the fluorescent deli case, this is a very pleasant aroma most often associated with a German Pilsener. (7/12)
Appearance: Deep gold, almost light amber in color that’s within the range for a Bohemian Pilsener, although at the top of the scale. Brilliantly clear. Thin head dissipates rapidly, certainly below expectations for the style. (2/3)
Flavor: Flavor is a balance of grainy, toasted maltiness and flowery hop flavor. A low level of caramel or Munich malt character contributes to the malt sweetness. Hop bitterness is moderately high and balancing to this sweetness without being overly assertive. No fruity esters or diacetyl. A very clean fermentation with soft, rounded flavor and solid bitterness in the aftertaste. Hopping seems to be more German noble hops than classic Saaz hop character expected in Bohemian Pilseners. (14/20)Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with soft carbonation and lingering astringency. Seems under carbonated. (3/5)
close >
Overall Impression: An excellent drinking beer that encourages another. However it’s a cross between a classic Bohemian Pilsener and the German Pilsener. It has the maltiness of the Bohemian Pilsener and the hop character of the German Pilsener. Not quite either. It is quite clean but has some lingering harsh, bittering astringency that would be nice to see removed. Still goes very well with a rare filet mignon and onion rings. (7/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 42/50
This is an excellent American interpretation of the Bohemian Pils. I find the malt richness lacking, bready and biscuity where I expect a deeper Carnation malted milk or Bosco character. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Bready malt with cinnamon spice noble hop aroma, no floral character. Slightly sharp, almost sour note, and faint diacetyl, barely detectable. Sour and diacetyl aromas dissipate quickly as the beer sits. (9/12)
close >
Appearance: Deep golden with a firm rocky head. Off-white foam with uneven bubbles, stands to the end of the glass. Profusion of near microscopic bubbles continually rises from the bottom to reform the head. Crystal clarity. Beautiful. (3/3)
Flavor: Rich and biscuity malt flavor with crisp cinnamon spicy hop character. Finishes dry and clean with lingering, firm, not overpowering bitterness. It tells the drinker: “You have had a beer.” Well balanced with full malt and firm hop flavor and bitterness. Slight diacetyl follows aroma in the flavor. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium carbonation, slightly prickly, fairly full with a clean firm bitterness. Not astringent or harsh. (4/5)
Overall Impression: This is an excellent American interpretation of the Bohemian Pils. I find the malt richness lacking, bready and biscuity where I expect a deeper Carnation malted milk or Bosco character. The initial hop character is quite spicy as in a fresh sample of Czechvar, and the appearance is stellar. Pairs well with nearly any food, but is highlighted with a paprika goulash or mustard hotdog. The uninitiated may find this beer more bitter than expected the first time out. A little richer malt profile would better balance this beer, but I would definitely order it in a restaurant where the import version was unavailable. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 32/50
Very good beer, but style seems to be a cross between a Vienna and a Pilsener, with the malt of the former and the hop bitterness of the latter. more >
[close]Total Score: 32/50
Aroma: Bready malt aroma with a slight graininess and a little wet paper from oxidation. Floral hop notes in the background but variety is indistinct. Clean fermentation profile with no esters and enough sulfur to bring out the lager character. (8/12)
close >
Appearance: Dark amber color is on the tawny side for the style, a notch darker than Czechvar. Clarity and head retention are excellent. (3/3)
Flavor: Toasted or Vienna malt is evident. Grainy notes make the malt less refined than in the classic examples, but a slight oxidation might be contributing to the sharpness. Hop flavor is subdued in this sample—floral notes would add complexity and bring it closer to the classic examples. Clean and crisp, as per the style, with a medium to high hop bitterness relative to the malt. Slight sourness in the finish. (12/20)
Mouthfeel: Graininess and slight astringency detract from the finish, but creaminess and conditioning are right on the money. (3/5)
Overall Impression: Very good beer, but style seems to be a cross between a Vienna and a Pilsener, with the malt of the former and the hop bitterness of the latter. It is a well-balanced, clean, refreshing lager, and this earns high technical marks. Sample could have been fresher, but that is often difficult to control downstream. This beer would pair nicely with a spicy appetizer or entrée, but would overpower lighter dishes. (6/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 35/50
The bottled version seems maltier and fuller-bodied than the draft version. The malt is high in relation to the hops but that may be more a function of body than anything else. more >
[close]Total Score: 35/50
Aroma: Initial sulfur with grainy, somewhat sweet Pils malt aroma of moderate intensity and a lightly spicy, herbal hop bouquet. Very soft butterscotch. Otherwise very clean lager character with no esters or flaws. Hops are fairly muted. Very low sulfur persists. (9/12)
close >
Appearance: Big, fluffy white head with very fine bubbles; head persists. Color is right on the border between deep golden and light amber—a little darker than Czech versions. Crystal clear. (3/3)
Flavor: Smooth, malty richness with moderate noble hop flavor (but seems more German than Czech types). Medium-high hop bitterness tries to break through in finish but only really succeeds in the aftertaste. Slight sulfur flavor. Smooth palate and clean finish. No fermentation flaws; good lager character. Would like more hops to come through—the malt seems high in the overall balance. (13/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-full body (fairly thick for this style). Medium-high to high carbonation, adding to full mouthfeel. Slightly astringent hop finish. Seems like a bit of alcohol warming is there; may be a bit big for the style. (3/5)
Overall Impression: The bottled version seems maltier and fuller-bodied than the draft version. The malt is high in relation to the hops but that may be more a function of body than anything else. Clean, well crafted and fresh but the fullness makes it somewhat hard to drink. The hop character is rather subdued versus the best Czech beers, and doesn’t really have a Saaz-like character. I wouldn’t have it with spicy foods, but it might be good with something buttery and/or fried. (7/10)
