OK, so so far the 2016 Samuel Adams Fall Varierty pack has been a hit chez Bruguru, so it was bound to happen that there might be at least one “meh” in the box. For me, that’s Samuel Adams Maple Ale. Not to say it was a bad beer, but it didn’t wow me for reasons we will soon discuss.

This is not the first maple beer from Boston Beer. Samuel Adams Maple Pecan Porter has been around for about 5 years, and they’ve used maple syrup in their Tripel Bock and Cranberry Lambic since the 90s. Only the Maple Ale and Maple Pecan Porter use it as a signature ingredient, however.

Other beers in the Fall Pack:

Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Samuel Adams Octoberfest

Samuel Adams Hoppy Red

Samuel Adams Toasted Caramel Bock

Samuel Adams Bonfire Blonde Ale

From the label:

As vibrant in color as the liveliest fall foliage, with a deep red hue supporting rich notes of caramel and vanilla followed by a smooth maple finish. Warming enough for a chilly fall day, these autumn flavors dance against a lightly sweet malt background.

Ingredients from the website:

HOP VARIETIES Chinook

MALT VARIETIES Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, Special B, Naked Oats

YEAST STRAIN Samuel Adams Ale Yeast

Samuel Adams Maple Ale has an alcohol content of 6.3% by volume with 18 IBUs. I paid $13.29 for my 12-pack at Target. My bottle is notched as best before January of 2017.

Samuel Adams Maple Ale pours to a deep chestnut color with a thick creamy head and a soft toasted malt nose. Taking a sip, I get soft cookie malt, toasted nuts, light molasses and a gentle suggestion of maple all leading into a balanced gently grassy finish. The beer is a little flinty in the nose and palate, which I like, but I would like more maple. It does come out a bit more as the beer warms, but still not enough to satisfy me for a beer touted as a “Maple Ale”.

That said, it's a decent tasty brown ale and at the bargain price, I can't say I wouldn't buy it again.

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