Here’s another new beer in the 2017 Samuel Adams American Summer Variety Pack: Samuel Adams Tropic of Yuzu, described on the label as ale brewed with spices with yuzu juice added. What is Yuzu? Yuzu is a citrus fruit not unlike a large yellow orange in appearance, or perhaps a grapefruit. What about the spice? Grains of Paradise are used here, and to good effect to add balance and a savory, drying kick to this quenching summer brew.
If you’re a regular Samuel Adams drinker, you are probably already familiar with grains of paradise from the iconic Samuel Adams Summer Ale, now in its 21st year. Both beers are wheat ales at base and use citrus fruits (lemon in the case of Samuel Adams Summer Ale), though Tropic of Yuzu seem to have more spice and a tad more exotic fruit. I first enjoyed Samuel Adams Summer Ale in 1996 at an inaugural event for that very beer, where I met Jim Koch himself for the very first time.
You will receive two bottles of Samuel Adams Tropic of Yuzu and the other 5 featured beers in the variety pack. Those other beers are:
· Samuel Adams Berliner Weisse
· Samuel Adams Golden Hour
Ingredients from the website:
HOP VARIETIES: Hallertau Mittelfrueh and Spalt-Spalter Noble hops
MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend and White Wheat
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS: Grains of Paradise and Yuzu juice concentrate
Samuel Adams Tropic of Yuzu has an alcohol content of 6% by volume with 20 IBUs. My bottle is notched as best before September 2017. Samuel Adams 12-packs run around as low as $13.29 in my area, though I received my bottle of Tropic of Yuzu directly from Boston Beer for review purposes. To pay it forward for their generosity, I donated groceries to my local food bank.
Samuel Adams Tropic of Yuzu pours to a lustrous yellow orange color with a medium sized, short-lived head formation and a vibrant juicy fruit nose. Taking a sip, the beer has soft caramel malt appropriate to a pale ale with citrusy (lemony to my taste) Yuzu dried out very nicely by the pungent grains of paradise. The beer finishes with a hint of citrus and much drying spice, it’s quenching, refreshing and delicious.
Samuel Adams Tropic of Yuzu is well suited to quaffing on a hot day. You could peg it as a fruit beer, but I’ll call it a spiced ale as the Grains of Paradise are more pronounced than the citrus to me. It’s a beer I would love to see in six-packs (though it is currently not offered that way), or on tap at my local Taco Mac.
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