Samuel Adams Cream Stout

Review Date 9/8/2000   Last Updated 8/2/2018 By John Staradumsky

Ok, this is my second favorite cream stout of all time, after Watney's Cream Stout, which is no longer available here in the states. Cream stouts are less bitter and smoother than dry stouts. They fall in the family of milk stouts, which actually had lactose sugars added to sweeten them (this one doesn't).

Samuel Adams beers have often been criticized in the past because some of them are contract brewed. What does that mean? Simply put, contract brewing means that a smaller brewery or company will contract with a larger brewer with excess capacity to produce their beer for them. It's a common practice throughout the industry, but one that Boston Beer has been criticized for. In point of fact, it has allowed them to bring fresh beer closer to market, and one of the breweries they used in the past (Hudepohl-Schoenling in Cincinnati) they have actually purchased.

Samuel Adams Cream Stout pours to a jet black color with a light creamy head and a rich chocolate nose. Sipping this beer will call forth notes of rich dark chocolate pudding mixed with roasty espresso. The body is smooth and drinkable, with a slight roasty bitterness in the finish. According to the label, "Tradition has it that ale drinkers of Samuel Adams' day considered all other stouts to be merely milk. This was the cream." Though I'm not sure how true that was back in Sam's day, a case could certainly be made for it today.

Update 7/2/2014: As we close in on Independence Day, Samuel Adams is always a good decision. As of old, this wonderful beer is smooth, roasty malty, creamy and delicious. it packs a firm tight head and excellent Brussels lacing, and heck, it's downright delicious. I still get all those wonderful chocolate pudding note, the smooth creaminess, and gently grassy English hops. These days, this is part of the "Brewmaster's Collection", and I can see why.

Ingredients from the website:

HOP VARIETIES: English Fuggles, East Kent Goldings


MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, malted wheat, roasted unmalted barley, chocolate malt, and Caramel 60

Samuel Adams Cream Stout has an alcohol content of 4.9% by volume and 28 IBUs. Sherlock's in Marietta sells it for $7.99 a six-pack, when its in season.

Update 8/2/2018: A new label for Samuel Adams Cream Stout (again), but the beer is as wonderful as ever. Smooth creamy palate, rich chocolate pudding notes with the skins, roasty and smooth, sweet milk chocolate nose. Finishes smooth, creamy and chocolaty. One of my favorite Samuel Adams beers and a bargain at $8.99 a six-pack.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 

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