Samuel Adams Imperial Pilsner

Bottled as ’’Hallertau Imperial Pilsner’’ 8.1% abv, served in a footed pilsner glass. Pours a hazy sunset orange color topped by a half inch of head. Smells of bread and dried apricots. At first sip you are greeted by intense sweetness then as the liquid goes toward the back of the mouth it turns very bitter. Has flavors of orange, persimmon, and grass. Leaves some very nice lace. One of the first Sam Adams beers that I have had in awhile that I didn’t pour out in disgust. Nicely done.

Pours a dark gold with a reddish hue and a pillowy white head. Aroma is hoppy of course but not bitter, mostly sweet and fruity hops. A lot of pineapple and some pine as well. As it warms I am noticing some butter in the nose as well. Flavor starts out with the same sweet and fruity character that is not too overwhelming. Quickly turns heavy on the hops but does not get bitter and provides a nice hop oil sort of character. Bitterness comes in on the finish and is a bit strong but not unpleasant as it seems the natural accompaniment. Medium body and moderate carbonation. Very nice example of a style though it seems nearly and American, specifically northwestern, IPA rather than European strong lager. Definitely a good display of the Hallertau hops.

Sharp and strong, this beer peaks midway each sip with a multi-layered explosion of Hallertau hops and some alcohol. Beer gets friendlier as it warms. Very good.

Bottle. Pours a wonderful orange color with a very large white head. The head is really frothy and just screams drink me. Strong aromas of hops, although there are hints of malts as well. Lively taste that is creamy in the mouth. Aftertaste is strong hops as would be expected, although it would be nice to have some other flavors. All in all a very good beer worth drinking.

pours a orange gold with a medium tight off white head. Aroma is grassy and pine hop, toasted malt, a little tea and leather. Flavour is pine and floral hop bitterness, some sourish earthy toasted malt, I don’t get a lot of malt sweetness in the body. Heavy hop completely covers that. Finishes slightly dry with a lingering pine and just a hint of alc.

2008 Bottle - Pous a dark yellow with a lasting off white head....strong lacing, aroma is pine resin and sour malt, flavour follows, very well balanced citrus bitterness and caramel malt...a lot of alcohol, works well...very fun to drink...

Pours sort of a golden-amber color with a thick off-white head and some pretty good retention. This beer laced well. Very zesty and tart tasting with lots of hops. Definitely some alcohol bite to this. I didn’t notice much malt at all which surprised me based on the style (the few Imperial Pilsners I’ve had were quite malty) but didn’t surprise me because I already knew this was going to be hop heavy. This was interesting and fun to try. Maybe the best Imperial Pilsner I’ve had... better than Rogue, a little better than Clipper City’s and probably a toss up with Dogfish Head.

Fresh bottle (hopefully). Pours clear golden amber with short lived head. Aroma is iced tea, caramel, and floral hops. Flavor is iced tea crazy with floral hoppiness. Really bitter dry finish. Slightly syrupy body. Need to try again and rerate.