Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams) Samuel Adams Utopias (2013) Barley Wine at 28% ABV (C$198.99 at NLC Howley Estates, 710 ml, no bottle date or best before, reviewed 29-Nov-2015)
Appearance: clear medium amber with no head or lacing. (4/5) Aroma: boozy dark fruit, raisins, maple, earthy. (9/10) Taste: moderately strong sweet, mild bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium-full syrupy body, flat carbonation, boozy finish. (4/5)
Looks, smells, and tastes like a liqueur – a sherry or a port, for example – and not at all like any other beer. The aromas promise a boozy sweet blast, but the flavour is actually surprisingly smooth, with much less sweetness than expected. Sure, it’s hot – with a nearly 30% ABV, that’s fairly unavoidable – but not aggressively so. A unique brew that’s definitely worth sampling. (17/20)
My 206th from the 2010 Edition (195th from the 2013 edition), and 217th combining both editions.
8.5/10 #1001beers #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
