Samuel Adams Utopias - A Beer (Literally) Like No Other

A few years ago, Jim Koch, the founder of the Boston Beer Company (which produces Samuel Adams beer), decided that he and his brewers should try and push the limits of beer in terms of depth of flavor, alcohol content and the very notion of the beverage itself...the result was Samuel Adams Utopias.

At 27.5% ABV (!!), it is the strongest beer in the world. The alcohol content is not the only unique aspect of Utopias...The beer is sold in a bottle shaped like a brew kettle that is made with a copper exterior and porcelain lining. Beer as art? You bet.

It is only produced every other year and in VERY limited batches. Only 9000 bottles were made in 2009 and each had a suggested price of - gulp - $200!! At 24 oz. per bottle, each ounce will run you about $8.30, but lucky for us...

We recently attended a very rare tasting of Samuel Adams Utopias at Blanchard's Wine & Spirits in West Roxbury. The tasting was led by the one and only, Bob Cannon...

Utopias is brewed with a variety of malted barley and noble hops as well as - get this - maple syrup! It is then aged in oak barrels that once held wine and whiskey. The beer has a bright amber/copper color with perfect clarity. It has no head and no carbonation, aromas of maple, oak and vanilla, and a texture that resembles a cognac or port.

The taste...reminiscent of a whiskey, but slightly sweeter and with a smoothness that seems impossible considering the very noticeable alcohol. Spectacular... The beer was served with vanilla ice cream - a perfect pairing cutting Utopias' very slight bitterness and enhancing its flavor with every bite.

We polled a few of the other attendees for their reaction to Utopias and not surprisingly, it received rave reviews: "Delicious maple and vanilla flavor notes." "Exceedingly smooth." "Sweet and desserty, I could sniff at it all day." "Shockingly smooth considering the alcohol content." "A beer that I could sip for hours on end."

In our video segment, we combined a discussion with Bob Cannon about Utopias (from our tour and tasting at the Samuel Adams brewery) with still photos from the tasting at Blanchard's. You'll find much more information on the brewing details and a really nice look at the beer colors and texture itself...

Many thanks to Kevin from Blanchard's Wine & Spirits for having us and of course, Bob Cannon and the Boston Beer Company. Cheers!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Samuel Adams
• Utopias
• beer
• Blanchard's Wine & Spirits
• Bob Cannon

[MrCseakssneaks]

@the3ktor HAHAH me too.

but damn this shit is to expensive ill stick to my lagunitas

[DiMoNico1981Swe]

I love Samuel Adams Boston ale =)), and like Sierra nevadas "Celebrations ale =). I have never try this one, but its very expensiv, in sweden cost 1300 kronor, translate to $ will be like 230$

[the3ktor]

I just watch this on history channel, my god!! the perfect beer!!!, love boston lager, my favorite beer!!

[UnionKid15]

Very cool thanks for posting this.