Folks, we have a winner! Samuel Adams Smoked Lager is my favorite of the three "new" beers in the 2017 American Craft Lagers 12-pack. Let's see what that sampler offered for competition, shall we?

You get 2 bottles of the Smoked Lager in the 12-pack plus two bottles each of the following:

·         Samuel Adams Kellerbier

·         Samuel Adams Coffee Black Lager

·         Samuel Adams Noble Pils

·         Samuel Adams Boston Lager

·         Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles

The Kellerbier, Smoked Lager, and Coffee Black lager are “new”. I use quotes there because some may be variations on previous Samuel Adams beers. The Smoked Lager is a prime example, as Boston Beer has offered three rauchbiers previously that I have tried. The first was Samuel Adams Bonfire Rauchbier. First released as part of the 2011 Harvest Collection 12-pack, it most closely resembles Samuel Adams Smoked Lager I think. Let's look at the stats for it:

Alcohol by Vol/Wt: 5.7%ABV – 4.5% ABW

Calories/12 oz.: 213

IBUs: 19

Malt Varieties: Two-row Harrington, Special B, Caramel 60, and Weyermann Smoked Malt 

Hop Variety: Spalt Spalter Noble Hops

Yeast Strain: Samuel Adams lager yeast

Now let's compare to those for Samuel Adams Smoked Lager:

HOP VARIETIES: Cascade
MALT VARIETIES: Pale two-row malt, Munich Malt, Smoked-Beech Malt, Carafa Special 1
ALC. BY VOL/WT: 5.0% ABV – 3.91% ABW
IBUs: 20

Bitterness is about the same, although as you can see they have changed up the strength, hops and malts a bit. Still, the two are most akin, more so than the other two Samuel Adams smoked brews, Samuel Adams Cinder Bock and Samuel Adams Bonfire Blonde.

Boston Beer says this about Samuel Adams Smoked Lager, From their website:

This traditional rauchbier’s delicate balance of beechwood smokiness and toasty malts make it the perfect beer for sitting around a fire pit with friends or warming up on a chilly night.

Samuel Adams Smoked Lager pours to a deep amber color with a thick creamy head and a heady smoky nose. Taking a sip, the beer is firm and full with smooth caramelly malts and a permeating, abundant smokiness. Hickory and bacon come to mind, and the beer finishes with a balancing bitterness and more smoky notes. It’s not Schlenkerla by any means, but this is the smokiest beer I’ve ever had from Sam Adams and a step closer to the latter in my opinion. I just love the full maltiness and permeating moderate smoke here.

I really enjoyed this one. Both bottles are gone, and hey, you can't beat the price these days. Where else are you going to get 24 ounces of rauchbier for about 2.40?? I apid $14.99 for the sampler, and my bottle is notched as best before May of 2018.

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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