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Samuel Adams Imperial Pilsner

Percentile
96
overall

bottled
common

on tap
unknown

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
9573.73/5.03.72/5.0Special8.8%99.2Lager glass
Commercial Description:
2005 info:This lager is made with fresh Bavarian hops, straight off the vines from the 2005 harvest in Germany, and packs an 8.8 percent alcohol content that's twice as strong as most popular beers.
Boston Beer Co. is brewing only 60,000 24-oz. bottles, which are due to begin arriving in stores in November.

2007 release info:
Yes, we're a little obsessed with hops. Every autumn for over twenty years, Jim Koch has traveled to one of the oldest hop-growing regions in the world, the Hallertau region of Bavaria in Germany, to hand-select Noble Bavarian hops, including the Hallertau Mittelfrueh variety. This special variety is considered to be one of the best in the world, prized for its unique taste and aroma. Samuel Adams® Hallertau Imperial Pilsner is a celebration of these extraordinary hops. This beer is one of the hoppiest in the world, without being overly bitter. With the first sip, you will experience an explosion of some of the world's finest hops. And we mean “explosion” in a good way. Brewed as a showcase for the hops, this bold brew highlights the spicy, citrus flavors and aromas of the Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops that are abundant in the recipe. The intense hops flavor is balanced with the slight sweetness from the malt. The brew remains pleasantly well-balanced from beginning to end, due to the quality of the hops, and continues to always be, well, "hoppy," providing hop lovers with an amazing beer drinking experience.
Available in 12oz. bottles.
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
 arrogantb (700), Denver, Colorado, USA
4.3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/59/104/516/20
Sep 1, 2009  
Dark yellow almost orange with a head that lasted the whole way down. The first smell from the bottle is an amazing dose of hops. The second smell from the glass is just as glorious. Jim Koch is speaking the truth when he touts the amount of hops because the nose is amazing. Fruity, grassy, floral hops and then the taste is more hops and a nice malty backbone with some caramel flavor. This is unlike any pilsner I have ever had but the smell is so beautiful and the taste is delicious. This beer is hoppier than many IPA’s I have had but doesn’t have much bitterness to speak of which I believe is noted on the carton. This has completely upset what I thought I knew about Sam Adam’s. I have had several of their beers but nothing even comes close to this. The 8.8 ABV is undetectable to the taste at first but a little astringent on my tongue halfway through. Top notch and every bit as hoppy as claimed on the label, hopheads should love this. I will now proceed to give Sam Adams lineup a second look, well done. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 09-17-2007 16:09:37


Atlove (36), USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/514/20
Aug 23, 2009  
Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner pours a hazy orange with a fluffy cream head, well-laced. Resinous hops...so different than the taste of American IIPAs and such in terms of hop flavor...maybe I’m used to be ambushed by cascade hops in most ’strong, hoppy’ beers. Spicy, strawberry, mango, not what I’m used to. I have so much respect for Jim and the beers he makes.


 MmmcKay (269), Brentwood, Tennessee, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/103/57/104/514/20
Aug 22, 2009  
Orange copper in color with decent lacing. Nose of fresh hops, bushes, shrubbery, but not vegetal. Plant like and pleasnt. Very fresh. Hops have faded a touch since I last had it. Still they provided the intense hop experience I was craving. Just a touch of alcohol pokes. Very well put together beer. Amazing that it’s basically a year old.


 drowland (1380), Tallahassee, Florida, USA
3 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/512/20
Aug 5, 2009  
12oz bottle into a pint glass. Good, not awesome. This is a style that gets kind of muddled when imperialized. Big malt taste with a fair amount of hops. Too sweet and the hops come across as bitter plants.


 Joakgust (324), Stockholm, Sweden
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/103/514/20
Aug 1, 2009  
Bottle, 355ml - Semi hazy firey amber beer with a small head. Aroma is malty sweet with notes of caramel and hops. Flavor is sweet with dominant notes of grassy hops and caramel. Some notes of alcohol. Nice but very dry and bitter.


 yespr (11906), Copenhagen O, Denmark
3.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/56/103/513/20
Jul 26, 2009  
12 fl oz bottle. Pours hazy orange with a small off-white head. Aroms is mild citrusy and crisp grassy. Bitter and fruity hops flavour. Subdued malt flavour. Bitter and slight grassy flavoured finish.


 Bhops (331), Dallas, Texas, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/104/516/20
Jul 4, 2009  
Pours clear amber with thick head. Nice hop aroma with some malty sweetness. Nicely balanced flavor, with some alcohol. Creamy and thick. Very surprised by this beer.


jcp23 (47), Duluth, Georgia, USA
4.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/105/510/105/519/20
Jun 28, 2009  
Bottle into snifter. Intensely rich, resinous, floral hop nose. Solid hazy perfect glowing golden orange colour with thick off-white head. Lots of splattered lacing on the glass. Flavor is full, rich, citrusy, resiny Hallertaus. These hops deliver a huge punch, while also displaying a smooth, mellow character that coats the tongue in heavenly hoppiness. The huge hoppinesss is supported by a perfectly balanced sweet, sumptuous caramel malt that blends and flows beautifully together. A rich, palate filling symphony of lusciousness. I can’t say enough about this beer. I love it. Absolutely one of my all-time favorites. Best beer I’ve had from Sam Adams(come on Utopias!) I call SAIP "Beer Nirvana". Please make more. Soon.



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