It was Father’s Day, 2017, and my kids wanted to do something different. So, they decided to take me to…Taco Mac? OK, well, that was maybe just a little bit different, because this was the Taco Mac in Woodstock, about 10 miles from my home, instead of the one 2.5 miles away in Canton. And if I’m being totally honest, it was my idea to go here, because they had a couple drafts I really wanted to drink. Bigfoot Barleywine was one, a beer I’ve long enjoyed but never had on tap, and Samuel Adams Longshot Wild Child, which would be the first time I’d ever had a draft Longshot beer, too.
Before we talk a little more about the Wild Child, lets look at this year’s runners up, shall we?
Brian Ferullo from Bel Air, MD with a Specialty Beer (American Rye)
Hats off to Brian! I’m a big fan of rye beers.
Dennis Abrahams from Nashville, TN with a Strong British Ale (English Barleywine)
Good job Dennis! English barleywines are wonderful!
Jennifer Pereira from Providence, RI with a Historical Beer (Lichtenhainer)
Kudos to Jennifer! I was born in and grew up in Rhode Island myself, and Lichtenhainer sounds fascinating!
Mark Witzel from Douglasville, PA with a European Sour Ale (Fruit Lambic)
Way to go Mark! Lambics light my fire.
Myra Oxonian from Montara, CA with a Pale Bitter European Beer (German Helles Export bier)
Props to Myra, I love a good German bier!
The highest order of congratulations, however, are due to the three winners, including Duane Wilson of Horseheads, New York for Samuel Adams Longshot Wild Child. Co-credits are due to Mike Edwards who cooperated on this brew.
Duane says about homebrewing:
I love to cook. Making beer's a lot like that. We strive to make a lot of styles and we're always looking to improve them. I enjoy the engineering that goes into making a primo beer.
From the label:
This mixed-fermentation American wild ale leads with an aroma of stone fruits. Apricots lend a dry, fruity flavor and the brew finishes with a pleasant, lingering tartness.
Samuel Adams Longshot Wild Child has an alcohol content of 5.7% by volume with 17 IBUs. It is brewed with apricots. I paid $9.99 a six-pack for bottles and $7 for an 11-ounce draft at Taco Mac. My bottle is notched as best by September of 2017.
Samuel Adams Longshot Wild Child pours to a pale golden color with a short lived fluffy head and a tart funky yeasty nose. Taking a sip, the beer is tart and sour in the palate, funky and acidic with notes of white wine and apricot. The quite sour finish is very refreshing, indeed.
This is the last of this year’s Longshot winners from my sampler. Looks like its time to go buy another six of them. Once they’re gone, they’re gone…
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