United Nations of Beer

Samuel Adams White Ale

by Ann O'Connel
(CO, USA)

Samuel Adams White Ale
Samuel Adams, MA, USA
Visit the UNOB's Massachusetts Beer Guide

Having lived for a while in Boston, there's one name I automatically equate with patriotism, the Fourth of July and beer: Samuel Adams.

I love the brand, I love the commercials showing burly brewers taking pride in their craft and I love the tale of this supposed American patriot.

Unfortunately, I've never loved the beer – I think it's overrated. (Pause. Wait for lightning to strike, as I've officially committed blasphemy in the eyes of my Massachusetts friends.)

However, one beer may redeem the brand for me. I decided to give another of Sam’s brews a shot, the White ale. Now I am reconsidering my view of Sam.

I'm a huge wheat ale fan and whites are my favorites. Although Sam's White Ale doesn't live up to my all time fave, Pyramid Brewery's discontinued Beatnik White, it's an okay substitute.

The White ale has the typical Sam Adams bitter undertones, but captures the sweet overtones of a good white and even comes pretty close to a traditional white's color.

The label states that it's "Ale brewed with spices especially for spring". But it fails to mention what those spices are. A visit to the website reveals that it's a "proprietary blend" including orange and lemon peel, dried plum, grains of paradise, coriander, anise, hibiscus, rose hips, tamarind and vanilla.

I definitely taste the citrus in the blend, and can envision this brew served with a lemon or orange slice. As for the other spices, well, they sound neat. Especially grains of paradise, whatever that might be!

Regardless, I think Samuel Adams White ale could use a little stronger hint of vanilla, along with a little more sediment to make it a true wit beer.

Even so, it’s a strong mass-marketed white and I'm glad Sam gave its American spin to this traditionally Belgian-style of brewing.