# Trying Samuel Adams for the first time.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [February 7, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635 "2013-02-07T20:41:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/1 "2013-02-07T20:41:52Z")

</div>

Wife picked up some Sam Adams winter Lager from Sams Club. Rich fruity taste with cinnamon. This week she comes home with a Sam Adams variety pack. So far I tried the Irish Red (pretty good) and Double Agent (grapefruit juice?? WTF?).

This stuff tastes ok but its really not beer. Its a completely different beverage. Apple pie and egg custard pie. Yes they are both pies, but totally different tastes and textures.

I find myself wanting beer. A Becks, Pauli Girl, Moosehead, Dos Equis, Dark Michelob or even Budweiser. I want beer!!! Dammit. 😛

Samuel Adams is ok once in awhile. But so far its not exactly satisfying my thirst for beer. Still got a lot of this Sam Adams variety pack to get through. I may have to get a six pack of bud when the wife isn’t looking.

sigh…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/2 "2013-02-07T20:52:17Z")

</div>

Calling it “not beer” is a bit weird. Sam Adams is fairly middle-of-the-road. It’s the type of beer that usually can satisfy both BudMillCoors drinkers and more snooty beer drinkers alike. I’m not the biggest fan of the winter lager myself, but have you just tried the bog standard Sam Adams Boston lager? That’s just a straight-ahead Vienna lager. Perhaps my favorite version of that style. That shouldn’t taste too foreign to you. I’m surprised you found the Irish red “not beer,” too. That’s a fairly straight foward beer, as well. Double Agent doesn’t have grapefruit juice–that’s the hops. You might not like very hoppy beers, and there’s nothing odd about that.

Try the regular Sam Adams Boston lager as we as the Sam Adams Light, and let us know what you think. I’d be very surprised if someone who drinks Becks, Pauli Girl, and Dark Michelob would find either of those somehow “not beer”-like. I would also try the Noble Pils, if I had a chance.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/3 "2013-02-07T20:59:12Z")

</div>

_Ace – sneaking off now_ to see whats in this Sam Adams variety pack. Hoping theres a “bog standard Sam Adams Boston lager” in there somewhere. If so, then I’ll drink one tonight and report back.

Becks is by far my favorite beer. Its so expensive that I only buy a couple six packs a year. Drink a bottle maybe every three or four weeks.

So far I’ve liked the Sam Adams that I tried. It just tastes and feels so different in my mouth. Like ice tea when you’re craving a Coke. I like both, but they are different.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/4 "2013-02-07T21:01:25Z")

</div>

Oh, I see what variety pack you have. It’s the Spring Thaw one. Here are the beers:

> [@](#):
>
> Maple Pecan Porter, brewed with New England maple syrup, this tasty brew has notes of pecan and a nutty finish  
> Double Agent IPL, combines the smoothness of a lager with the distinct hoppy flavor of an IPA – an India Pale Lager?  
> White Lantern, this hazy White Ale is brewed with tangerine and coriander for a citrusy flavor  
> Boston Lager, one of my favorite session beers  
> Irish Red, this brew has a beautiful deep red color and smooth flavor  
> Alpine Spring, a citrusy, unfiltered lager

The ones you are going to find the most familiar to you, given the information you’ve given us, are the Boston Lager, the Irish Red, and maybe the Alpine Spring. I’ve never had that last one, so I can’t say for sure. Alpine Spring is modeled after an unfiltered style of German beer.

The White Lantern is in the Belgian witbier style. If you want to try “not beer”-like beers, just taste your way through Belgium. They do the whackiest and tastiest stuff to their beers. I can only have them in small doses, as I prefer English or German styles for everyday drinking. White Lantern is going to be similar to something like Hoegaarden or Blue Moon,

Maple Pecan Porter is going to be a rich, dark beer, with a lot of toasted malt flavor. If you don’t drink a lot of dark beers, it’s probably also going to fall into the “not beer” category for you.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/5 "2013-02-07T21:05:07Z")

</div>

> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> Ace – sneaking off now to see whats in this Sam Adams variety pack. Hoping theres a “bog standard Sam Adams Boston lager” in there somewhere.
> 
> Becks is by far my favorite beer. Its so expensive that I only buy a couple six packs a year. Drink a bottle maybe every three or four weeks.
> 
> So far I’ve liked the Sam Adams that I tried. It just tastes and feels so different in my mouth. Like ice tea when you’re craving a Coke. I like both, but they are different.

Yeah, if you want something clean and crisp tasting, I would give both the Sam Adams Light and Noble Pils a shot. The regular Sam Adams Boston Lager is going to be a little bit heavier on the malt and hops than the Beck’s, but you might like it. I think Noble Pils will have more the flavors you’re going for, but they’re going to be a touch more hoppy than Beck’s, at least from my memory (it’s been ages since I’ve had Beck’s.) But I think you would enjoy those styles.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/6 "2013-02-07T21:09:27Z")

</div>

Try a regular old Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It’s quite good, IMO.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/7 "2013-02-07T22:03:34Z")

</div>

> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> Becks is by far my favorite beer. Its so expensive that I only buy a couple six packs a year. Drink a bottle maybe every three or four weeks.

You need a Costco membership. It is weird that it’s almost the most expensive 6-pack at Safeway et al., and among the cheapest for a case at Costco. Can’t remember exact price, under a dollar a bottle.Cheaper than pisswater Corona, anyway. Good deals on Newcastle as well.

Yeah, it’s all beer. Usually the variety packs only have one weird one. The fall pumpkin beer is decent. The rauchbier (smoked) is… interesting. But when I buy Sam half cases, the Boston Lager is usually the one I look the least forward to.

Noble Pils is inoffensive, but I don’t consider it something I’d go out of my way to get. I am not a hop fiend, and I find it very lightly hopped.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/8 "2013-02-07T22:03:43Z")

</div>

> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> Becks is by far my favorite beer. Its so expensive that I only buy a couple six packs a year. Drink a bottle maybe every three or four weeks.

Wait, you think Beck’s is an expensive beer?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/9 "2013-02-07T22:14:37Z")

</div>

> [@Telemark](#):
>
> Wait, you think Beck’s is an expensive beer?

Yeah, I didn’t want to comment on that. Maybe it depends on where you are, because it’s a pretty cheap import around here. It’s actually the same price as Sam Adams, usually, which is about $8.99/six pack. Looking at my local liquor store, the twelve-pack is actually _cheaper_ than Sam Adams, with Beck’s being $12.99 and Sam Adams being $13.99.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/10 "2013-02-07T22:24:03Z")

</div>

“standard Sam Adams Boston lager”

I’m not a big beer drinker, but IMO this beeer just awful - tastes like dishwater. I’ve tried several times draft and bottled.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/11 "2013-02-07T22:27:02Z")

</div>

> [@FrankJBN](#):
>
> “standard Sam Adams Boston lager”
> 
> I’m not a big beer drinker, but IMO this beeer just awful - tastes like dishwater. I’ve tried several times draft and bottled.

_shrug_ Different strokes. It’s the beer that got me into drinking beer, and still remains my favorite lager. I don’t understand any sort of dishwater comparison, to be honest. If my dishwater tasted like that, I’d be doing dishes much more regularly.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/12 "2013-02-08T16:29:34Z")

</div>

I tried the Sam Adams Boston lager last night. It was really good. Thats one I’ll buy after this variety pack is gone.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/13 "2013-02-08T16:32:47Z")

</div>

> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> I find myself wanting beer. A Becks, Pauli Girl, Moosehead, Dos Equis, Dark Michelob or even Budweiser. I want beer!!! Dammit. 😛

Many people would have problems labelling **those** as beer. 😃

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/14 "2013-02-08T16:34:23Z")

</div>

> [@pulykamell](#):
>
> Yeah, I didn’t want to comment on that. Maybe it depends on where you are, because it’s a pretty cheap import around here. It’s actually the same price as Sam Adams, usually, which is about $8.99/six pack. Looking at my local liquor store, the twelve-pack is actually _cheaper_ than Sam Adams, with Beck’s being $12.99 and Sam Adams being $13.99.

That’s what I was thinking as well. Beck’s isn’t unusually expensive really- about $9 per six-pack, which is the same ballpark (within a buck or so) of much better (IMO) German brands like Spaten, Paulaner, Hacker-Pshorr and Hofbrau.

Expensive is when a bomber of something costs more than $10 bucks on it’s own.

So if you liked the regular SA lager, you’ll probably like most European import lagers, and probably even that new Budweiser Black Label or whatever it’s called. (it’s the Los Angeles entry in the Budweiser Project 12 competition). You’ll also probably like the Coors Batch 13 pre-prohibition pilsner if you can find it. Both beers are lagers, but are a step above the generic stuff of their main brands.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/15 "2013-02-08T16:39:43Z")

</div>

My GF bought me an Ommegang gift pack last week. A big bottle of their Hennepin, Chocolate Stout, and Three Philosophers, and a glass.

It’s very highly rated beer, and it’s good stuff, but not something I’d want to drink every day. Halfway through a bottle I’m wanting a Yuengling or an MGD. Guess I just prefer swill.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/16 "2013-02-08T16:39:56Z")

</div>

> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> I tried the Sam Adams Boston lager last night. It was really good. Thats one I’ll buy after this variety pack is gone.

Yay! I knew we’d find you something to like in the Sam Adams line-up. I drink a lot of “geeky” beers, but Sam Adams Boston lager is my first love, and you never forget your first love.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/17 "2013-02-08T16:48:24Z")

</div>

> [@bump](#):
>
> That’s what I was thinking as well. Beck’s isn’t unusually expensive really- about $9 per six-pack, which is the same ballpark (within a buck or so) of much better (IMO) German brands like Spaten, Paulaner, Hacker-Pshorr and Hofbrau.
> 
> Expensive is when a bomber of something costs more than $10 bucks on it’s own.
> 
> So if you liked the regular SA lager, you’ll probably like most European import lagers, and probably even that new Budweiser Black Label or whatever it’s called. (it’s the Los Angeles entry in the Budweiser Project 12 competition). You’ll also probably like the Coors Batch 13 pre-prohibition pilsner if you can find it. Both beers are lagers, but are a step above the generic stuff of their main brands.

Yeah, I don’t know where _aceplace57_ is at, but it would be worth exploring to see if there are any Polish, Czech, or Slovak beers in the area. I live in an area with a large Central/Eastern European population, so it’s pretty easy to find them, but I suggest looking for the following brands:

Golden Pheasant (Slovak)  
Budvar (Czech)  
Zywiec (Polish)  
Okocim (Polish)  
Tyskie (Polish)

You might find them at a cheaper price than your favorite German imports.

If you like dark beers, Zywiec and Okocim both have really awesome Baltic porters that are practically steals at their price, but they can be hard to find.

Also, try Pislner Urquell. I’ve had very mixed experiences with it here in the US. I don’t want to sound like one of those “the-beer-is-_totally_-different-over-there” types of drinkers, but it really is very different. I love Pilsner Urquell in the Czech Republic or neighboring countries. It just tases fresher, maltier, tastier. The stuff I’ve gotten in the US has almost invariably been a disappointment.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/18 "2013-02-08T16:50:02Z")

</div>

> [@hrhomer](#):
>
> Try a regular old Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It’s quite good, IMO.

I’ve tried most of the SA beers, and must say that their Boston Lager is the best.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/19 "2013-02-08T18:03:10Z")

</div>

> [@bump](#):
>
> Expensive is when a bomber of something costs more than $10 bucks on it’s own.

I split a $30 bomber of some exotic barley-wine with a buddy the other night. Now that was an interesting beer!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\
**Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635/20 "2013-02-08T18:11:46Z")

</div>

If you like the Boston Lager, just wait 'til fall when the Octoberfest comes out. Best beer of the year, as far as the seasonal beers go.

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-samuel-adams-for-the-first-time/649635.md?page=2)