Sam Adams Releasing Two New Seasonals, Hopscape and Fresh as Helles

Courtesy of Sam Adams

BOSTON, MA -  Samuel Adams was one of the first craft brewers to offer rotating beers that capture the essence of each season, and now, from January through April, the brewers are introducing drinkers to two new seasonal beers: Samuel Adams Hopscape and Fresh as Helles. It may be unconventional to have two seasonals at one time of year, but Sam Adams has never been known to follow the rules. The brewers felt that these two brews capture the essence of the ever-changing season across the country from January through April.

Available January and February, citrus and piney hop flavors with a nice lingering bitter finish make Hopscape best enjoyed during cold, brisk temperatures. While the honey malt aroma and orange blossom notes of Fresh as Helles make it a perfect pairing to welcome late spring weather during March and April.

“At the start of 1988 we introduced our first-ever seasonal beer, Samuel Adams Double Bock, a traditional spring beer originally brewed by German monks,” said Jim Koch, Samuel Adams founder and brewer. “While we pioneered rotating beers for the season, this season’s beers have changed more times than we can count. The variety in the weather during this time of year begs brewers and drinkers to explore flavors that match the ever-changing season. It might seem crazy, but after we brewed a few test batches of Hopscape and Fresh as Helles in our Nano Brewery, we knew we had two seasonal beers that captured the essence of the schizophrenic weather around this time of year.”

Brewer Megan Parisi continued, “With Hopscape, we knew we wanted to brew a hop-forward beer to match the bitterness of the cold. Our Sam Adams Nano Brewery gave us the chance to experiment with a variety of hop trials until we nailed the citrusy and piney flavor profile we were going for. On the flip side, for the more fickle side of this season, we knew we wanted to brew a more delicate beer. We found that our helles recipe created the perfect base for balancing the flavor of tangy Mandarina hops and floral orange blossom petals. As brewers, half the fun is brewing multiple trials until we get just the right flavor – or in our case flavors – that we’re looking for.”

Courtesy of Sam Adams

Hopscape, the first new brew for 2017, is brewed with four varieties of West Coast hops that add bold pine and grapefruit notes to the deep golden wheat ale. Chinook, Citra, Centennial, and Zeus hops impart citrusy, dank resin and grapefruit rind aromas that lead into a balanced flavor of bright citrus and piney hop character. White wheat and a two-row pale malt blend add a crisp, light sweetness, and the beer finishes with a slightly lingering bitterness.

Courtesy of Sam Adams

Fresh as Helles is a refreshing light amber, medium-bodied helles brewed with Mandarina hops and orange blossom petals. The beer’s lively, citrus flavors pair perfectly with the changing season. Soft citrus notes of orange blossom add a bright accent to the slightly sweet honey malt notes, leading to a round, smooth finish.

Hopscape & Fresh as Helles Availability

Samuel Adams Hopscape will be available nationwide from January through February 2017. Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles will be available nationwide from March through April 2017. Both brews will be available in six-packs for a suggested retail price of $7.99-$9.99, 12-packs (bottles and cans) for a suggested retail price of $14.99-$17.99, 16 oz. single serve cans for a suggested retail price of $1.99 - $2.49, and on draft. From January through April, both beers will also be available in the Samuel Adams Spring Variety 12-Pack for a suggested retail price of $14.99-$17.99, and 24-packs for a suggested retail price of $22.99-$24.99. Price for each package varies by market.

To find where Samuel Adams beers are sold near you, visit www.samueladams.com/find-a-sam.

ABOUT THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father's attic. Inspired and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking about beer, Jim brought the recipe to life in his kitchen. Pleased with the results of his work, Jim decided to sample his beer with bars in Boston in the hopes that drinkers would appreciate the complex, full-flavored beer he brewed fresh in America. That beer was aptly named Samuel Adams Boston Lager, in recognition of one of our nation's great founding fathers, a man of independent mind and spirit. Little did Jim know at the time, Samuel Adams Boston Lager would soon become a catalyst of the American craft beer revolution.

Today, The Boston Beer Company brews more than 60 styles of beer. It relentlessly pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of classic beers by searching the world for the finest ingredients. Using the traditional four vessel brewing process, the Company often takes extra steps like dry-hopping, barrel-aging and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. The Company has also pioneered another revolution, the 'extreme beer' movement, where it seeks to challenge drinker's perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company has been committed to elevating the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions around the globe, and is one of world's most awarded breweries at international beer competitions. As an independent company, brewing quality beer remains its primary focus. Although Samuel Adams beer is America's leading craft beer, it accounts for only one percent of the U.S. beer market. The Boston Beer Company will continue its independently-minded quest to brew great beer and to advocate for the growth of craft beer across America. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com. 

Samuel Adams, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and Boston Lager are registered trademarks of Boston Beer Company.

SAMUEL ADAMS CELEBRATES TWO DECADES OF HOMEBREWING INGENUITY WITH THE 2016 LONGSHOT AMERICAN HOMEBREW CONTEST

Courtesy of Boston Beer Co

BOSTON, April 28, 2016— The brewers at Samuel Adams proudly announce a call for entries for the 2016 LongShot American Homebrew contest, and the release of the LongShot Variety six-pack featuring the winning homebrews from last year. This year marks the 20^th anniversary of the national contest, which Sam Adams founder and brewer Jim Koch first started in 1996, when there were barely 1,000 breweries operating in the U.S. Today, there are more than 4,000 American breweries in operation and more than 1.2 million people who brew their own beer at home. Ever since drinkers got their first taste of Boston Lager in 1985, Jim has made it his mission to give back to the craft beer and homebrewing communities through programs such as Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream and the Craft Brewer Experienceship, Hop Sharing, and the LongShot Homebrew competition. Today, America is the envy of brewers in the rest of the world, where entrepreneurs are taking their inspiration from American craft brewers.

LongShot Homebrew Contest Background:

Jim Koch created the Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Contest to celebrate the innovative spirit of American homebrewers. Jim himself has deep homebrewing roots having brewed the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in his kitchen 32 years ago, and recently released a book titled “Quench Your Own Thirst,” which details the lessons he’s learned over the past three decades as a brewer and an entrepreneur. A number of past LongShot winners have followed in Jim’s footsteps and gone on to become professional brewers, turning their homebrewing hobby into a full-time career, including Cesar Marron (2013), Don Oliver (2006), Bob Gordash (1996), and 2015 winner Tim Thomssen, who left his full-time job to join a brewery shortly after he won.

“When I first homebrewed Samuel Adams Boston Lager 32 years ago, craft beer didn’t exist as we know it today, and few American beer drinkers had ever tasted a beer with so much flavor,” said Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams. “Today the craft brewing community is flourishing, and we want to recognize our nation’s best homebrewers, by making their delicious brews available to drinkers across the country.”

Calling All Homebrewers for the 2016 Competition:

To celebrate the contest’s 20^th anniversary and honor craft beer innovation, Samuel Adams is asking homebrewers to submit their best and most innovative beers for this year’s contest. To be considered for the 2016 LongShot contest, homebrewers must submit a beer whose style is part of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) Style Guidelines. A full list of applicable styles can be found at http://bjcp.org/stylecenter.php. The 2016 judging panel will consist of notable seasoned brewing experts from across the country, and for the first time, past LongShot winners. Winners will be announced in early October at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival in Denver. The ultimate prize: entries from two winning homebrewers and one Samuel Adams employee winner will be featured in the Samuel Adams LongShot variety pack, available nationwide in 2017. Those interested in entering can visit www.samueladams.com/longshot for contest rules, regulations and information on purchasing a homebrewing kit. The homebrew submission window is July 1-July 22, 2016.

While Samuel Adams is accepting entries for the 2016 contest, the Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Contest variety six-pack with winning brews from the 2015 contest will be available nationwide this spring in select retail locations. The variety pack will include two bottles each of Tim’s Raspberry Berliner Weisse, Kevin’s Belgian Golden Ale, and Colin’s Neighborino Flanders Red Ale.

Courtesy of Boston Beer Co

About the 2015 winners:

·         Tim Thomssen’s Raspberry Berliner Weisse (Lincoln, Nebraska):

At first look, you notice the big frothy head of this Raspberry Berliner Weisse. The bright notes of raspberries are balanced by refreshing tartness, followed by a wonderful fruity sweetness and clean finish. (4% ABV)

·         Kevin Nanzer’s Belgian Golden Ale (Mountain View, California):

This Belgian Golden Ale has notes of fruit, clove and pepper in the aroma, balanced by subtle malt character, with a clean citrus taste and bitterness from the hops. This beer should be sipped slowly to savor the delicious flavors. (9.1 % ABV)

·         Colin Foy’s Neighborino Flanders Red Ale (Samuel Adams Employee Winner, Cincinnati, Ohio):

This Flanders Red was brewed the traditional way, with “younger” beer blended with mature beer that has been aged in wood for several months, while Brettanomyces and Lactobacillus labor to produce fruity, tart and acidic flavors. (6.3 % ABV)

How the winners were chosen:

·         The beers were judged on the aroma, appearance, flavor and mouthfeel according to the style category under which it was submitted. Eight semi-finalists were selected during the first round of judging conducted at three regional judging locations in New England, California, and Illinois.  

·         The final winners were ultimately selected by a panel of industry judges including Jim Koch. The winning brews were judged as the best examples of their style. Industry judges include Bob Townsend of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Tony Forder of Ale Street News, John Holl of All About Beer Magazine, Jason Alstrom of Beer Advocate, Don Russell (aka “Joe Six Pack”) of Philadelphia Daily News and esteemed beer writers Jay Brooks and Lisa Morrison.

·         The Sam Adams employee winner is voted on by visitors to the Boston Brewery.

How to get your hands on these beers:

The Samuel Adams LongShot Variety Six-Pack is available nationwide in select retail stores beginning in April for a suggested retail price of $9.99 -$10.00 (prices vary by market).

Samuel Adams, Sam Adams, Boston Lager, Brewing the American Dream, LongShot, and American Homebrew Contest are registered trademarks of The Boston Beer Company.

ABOUT THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY:

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father’s attic. Inspired and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking about beer, Jim brought the recipe to life in his kitchen. Pleased with the results of his work, Jim decided to sample his beer with bars in Boston in the hopes that drinkers would appreciate the complex, full-flavored beer he brewed fresh in America. That beer was aptly named Samuel Adams Boston Lager, in recognition of one of our nation's great founding fathers, a man of independent mind and spirit. Little did Jim know at the time, Samuel Adams Boston Lager would soon become a catalyst of the American craft beer revolution.

Today, The Boston Beer Company brews more than 60 styles of beer. It relentlessly pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of classic beers by searching the world for the finest ingredients. Using the traditional four vessel brewing process, the Company often takes extra steps like dry-hopping, barrel-aging and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. The Company has also pioneered another revolution, the 'extreme beer' movement, where it seeks to challenge drinker's perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company has been committed to elevating the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions around the globe, and is one of world’s most awarded breweries at international beer competitions. As an independent company, brewing quality beer remains its primary focus. Although Samuel Adams beer is America's leading craft beer, it accounts for only one percent of the U.S. beer market. The Boston Beer Company will continue its independently-minded quest to brew great beer and to advocate for the growth of craft beer across America. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA Hits Shelves Nationwide

Courtsey of Samuel Adams/Boston Beer Co

 The Newest Member of the Rebel IPA Family Now Available in Bottles, Cans and on Draft

BOSTON, February 9, 2016– The brewers at Sam Adams announced today that they’re releasing the newest member of the Rebel family to craft beer lovers across the country with the nationwide launch of Rebel Grapefruit IPA in bottles and cans. Drinkers first got a taste of this thirst quenching IPA back in November when it was released on draft, and the brewers are now offering it year-round in bottles and cans.

Brewer’s Notes:

Brewed with real grapefruit – California-grown Star Ruby and Star Rio – Rebel Grapefruit IPA hits the palate with a juicy citrus punch.  These grapefruits are known for their thicker peel, and during the brewing process the peel is added in the kettle to give the beer a tart, sharp character. Before the beer is filtered, grapefruit juice is added for a sweet juiciness and to round out the bitterness from the peel. The grapefruit amps up the citrus and fruit notes of the four hop varieties, including Mosaic hops, which impart the tropical, citrus notes at the forefront of this beer.

In addition to Mosaic hops, three other hop varieties are added at different stages of the brewing process for even more hop flavor and aroma. The resulting beer is distinctly bright, with a juicy tartness that is complemented by the hops:

·         Mosaic (kettle & dry-hopping): Sweeter fruit notes of Mandarin orange, pineapple and grapefruit, with hints of eucalyptus
·         Centennial (dry-hopping): Medium citrus, intensely floral with hints of wood
·         Cascade (kettle): Citrus and grapefruit with subtle floral balance
·         Citra (kettle): Strong citrus, tropical fruit and slightly floral

“We experimented with dozens of test batch IPAs in our nanobrewery with different combinations of hops and grapefruit, and love this marriage of citrus and bitterness,” said Seth Adams, Brewer at Samuel Adams. “Rebel Grapefruit IPA showcases what we like most about American hops, and we’re psyched that drinkers can now enjoy this juicy IPA at home and at their favorite bar.”

Courtesy of Samuel Adams/Boston Beer Co

Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA is available nationwide on draft, in six-packs of bottles for a suggested retail price of $7.99-$9.99, and in 16 oz. cans for a SRP of $1.99-$2.49. The beer will also be available in the upcoming Pack of Rebels Variety Pack for $15.99-$18.99. Price varies by market.

Samuel Adams Rebel and Samuel Adams Boston Lager are registered trademarks of The Boston Beer Company.

ABOUT THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY:

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father’s attic. Inspired and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking about beer, Jim brought the recipe to life in his kitchen. Pleased with the results of his work, Jim decided to sample his beer with bars in Boston in the hopes that drinkers would appreciate the complex, full-flavored beer he brewed fresh in America. That beer was aptly named Samuel Adams Boston Lager, in recognition of one of our nation's great founding fathers, a man of independent mind and spirit. Little did Jim know at the time, Samuel Adams Boston Lager would soon become a catalyst of the American craft beer revolution.

Today, The Boston Beer Company brews more than 60 styles of beer. It relentlessly pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of classic beers by searching the world for the finest ingredients. Using the traditional four vessel brewing process, the Company often takes extra steps like dry-hopping, barrel-aging and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. The Company has also pioneered another revolution, the 'extreme beer' movement, where it seeks to challenge drinker's perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company has been committed to elevating the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions around the globe, and is one of world’s most awarded breweries at international beer competitions. As an independent company, brewing quality beer remains its primary focus. Although Samuel Adams beer is America's leading craft beer, it accounts for only one percent of the U.S. beer market. The Boston Beer Company will continue its independently-minded quest to brew great beer and to advocate for the growth of craft beer across America. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

Samuel Adams Nitro Beers Launch Nationwide

Courtesy of Samuel Adams

Nitro White Ale, IPA and Coffee Stout Hitting Shelves 

BOSTON, January 25, 2016 – Water. Malt. Hops. Yeast. These are the four traditional ingredients in beer. With the new Samuel Adams Nitro Project, the brewers want you to experience a fifth ingredient: nitrogen, in place of carbonation. After experimenting with countless iterations and test batches in the nanobrewery at the Sam Adams Boston Brewery, the brewers are excited to announce the release of the first three brews from the Samuel Adams Nitro Project – Nitro White Ale, Nitro IPA, and Nitro Coffee Stout. Nitro beers are most commonly associated with stouts, but the brewers stretched the boundaries and started nitrogenating a variety of styles. There are very few breweries that offer nitro beers to drinkers at all, and virtually none that offer a variety of nitro beers in cans on an everyday basis. Nitro beers seemed, to the brewers at Sam Adams, like the perfect way to fundamentally transform the flavor profiles of a variety of beer styles. To fill you in on what makes this project different, the brewers share everything you need to know about the Nitro Project:

What is a nitro beer?
The ‘nitro’, of course, is short for nitrogen gas. All beers contain a significant amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) when the beer is carbonated as part of the brewing process, but nitro beers use a combination of both nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Nitrogen is mostly insoluble in beer, so the resulting bubbles are smaller and create the rich, creamy texture familiar to nitro beers. On the flip side, beers that use CO₂ generally have larger bubbles and a more pronounced acidity and carbonated texture. Think of the difference between carbonated water and still water.  Both are water but the taste experience is radically different.  When a nitro beer is poured, it creates a beautiful cascade down the side of the glass, a thick, creamy head and a smooth mouthfeel.

What beers are debuting in the Samuel Adams Nitro Project?
The first three of more beers to come!

Courtesy of Samuel Adams

Nitro White Ale is a smooth, velvety, medium-bodied brew. Orange peel, coriander and Grains of Paradise lend hints of orange and peppery spice, and the first sip reveals these flavors alongside a light wheat character. When poured, Nitro White Ale shows off a billowing white head and a pillowy body that softly cascades into bright gold. (5.5% ABV)

Courtesy of Samuel Adams

Nitro IPA is boldly bitter yet smooth. The brew has an initial cap of creaminess, which gives way to hop intensity gathered from Amarillo, Centennial, Galaxy, Polaris, Simcoe, and Zeus hops. The hop varieties lend resinous pine, citrus and floral notes to the amber-bodied brew. (7.5% ABV)
 

Courtesy of Samuel Adams

Nitro Coffee Stout is a jet black brew with a rich, robust character. Dark roasted malts create notes of bittersweet chocolate with hints of dark fruit. Sumatran Mandheling and Indian Monsoon Malabar coffee add a deep roast dimension to the brew. (5.8% ABV)

 How does nitro work on tap and in cans?
When a nitro beer is poured on tap, it requires a specially-designed nitro faucet. These special faucets have internal plates or “sparklers” with small holes drilled in them, and when the beer is forced through the holes at high pressure, it produces tiny bubbles which create the trademark nitro cascade. The tight bubbles create a creamy, uniform, thick head on the beer. To produce the high pressure, nitro beer is forced out by a nitro gas blend, which is typically 75% nitrogen and 25% CO₂.  Because the pour is so important, the brewers stress that nitro beers require a perfect marriage between brewer and bartender. The brewer perfects the recipe in order to gain the desired flavor profile, and the bartender must have the proper draft line and equipment in order to create the cascade and the best possible drinker experience.

In cans, a hollow, cylindrical plastic widget, which the brewers refer to as the nitrogenator, is used to replicate this distinctive nitro delivery. Once the can is popped open, the pressure from the nitro is so intense, the brewers recommend pouring immediately into a glass and pouring straight down the center of the glass for the best possible experience. The result is a mixture of the small bubbles and the liquid in the glass.

What does Samuel Adams founder and brewer Jim Koch have to say about the Nitro Project?
“We started experimenting with nitro beers in the mid 1990’s when we brewed a Boston Cream Ale and over the years, I’d estimate we brewed more than 50 beer styles and worked with 200 recipes to ultimately create these three unique beers. We quickly discovered that you can’t just put any beer on nitro.  We needed to develop recipes where nitrogen was the unexpected fifth ingredient and brought out the desired flavor profile of the brew.  For example, with the IPA, the lack of carbonation reduces the perceived bitterness by cutting the acidity (carbonation produces carbonic acid on the tongue, nitrogen doesn’t) so without the carbonation we really had to amp up the amount of hops we used.  We’re excited for drinkers to finally get a chance to try our Nitro beers and experience the cascade – which is like a science experiment in a glass.”

Where can drinkers find the Sam Adams Nitro Project brews?
Nitro White Ale is available nationwide on draft. Nitro White Ale, Nitro IPA and Nitro Coffee Stout will be available in 4-packs of 15 oz. cans beginning in February for a suggested retail price of $8.99-$10.99 (all prices vary by market).

ABOUT THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY:

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father’s attic. Inspired and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking about beer, Jim brought the recipe to life in his kitchen. Pleased with the results of his work, Jim decided to sample his beer with bars in Boston in the hopes that drinkers would appreciate the complex, full-flavored beer he brewed fresh in America. That beer was aptly named Samuel Adams Boston Lager, in recognition of one of our nation's great founding fathers, a man of independent mind and spirit. Little did Jim know at the time, Samuel Adams Boston Lager would soon become a catalyst of the American craft beer revolution.

Today, The Boston Beer Company brews more than 60 styles of beer. It relentlessly pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of classic beers by searching the world for the finest ingredients. Using the traditional four vessel brewing process, the Company often takes extra steps like dry-hopping, barrel-aging and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. The Company has also pioneered another revolution, the 'extreme beer' movement, where it seeks to challenge drinker's perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company has been committed to elevating the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions around the globe, and is one of world’s most awarded breweries at international beer competitions. As an independent company, brewing quality beer remains its primary focus. Although Samuel Adams beer is America's leading craft beer, it accounts for only one percent of the U.S. beer market. The Boston Beer Company will continue its independently-minded quest to brew great beer and to advocate for the growth of craft beer across America. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

Sam Adams Announces The release Of Samuel Adams Cold Snap

Courtesy of Sam Adams

Craft Beer Drinkers Celebrated for their #SnapTheCold Weather Social Buzz

BOSTON, January 13, 2016–The Sam Adams brewers today announced the anticipated release of Samuel Adams Cold Snap, a Belgian-style unfiltered White Ale with a bright snap of seasonal citrus, fruit and floral spices, perfect for snapping out of the cold weather funk. Inspired by the season and its changing weather, Sam Adams is also asking drinkers how they celebrate the weather with Cold Snap in hand. Via Twitter, @SamuelAdamsBeer will be tracking weather-related social posts across the country in real time with the “Cold Snap Cold Map”. The city that tweets the most about the weather will be awarded Cold Snap parties this season.

Cold Snap is brewed with an exotic blend of fruits, flowers and spices from around the world including Grains of Paradise from West Africa, anise from Turkey, hibiscus from Egypt and Nigeria, tamarind from India and fresh-ground coriander from California, to create just the right balance of flavor and character. The brew is bright and fresh, with flavors ranging from the subtle fruit sweetness of orange peel and plum to the distinct, peppery bite of fresh-ground coriander. Pale and wheat malts give Cold Snap its hazy golden appearance and crisp, smooth finish.

The Sam Adams brewers use a special brewing method to add the spices to Cold Snap called “dry spicing,” which is similar to “dry hopping.” Unlike a traditional white ale, which only adds spices to the kettle process of brewing (the part when you boil water and add hops and malt), the brewers also add spices during the phase of brewing after fermentation, called “ruh,” to add more flavor and complexity. This process avoids over-brewing the ingredients that sometimes result in a harsh aftertaste (similar to the taste of leaving a teabag in hot water for too long). Instead, Cold Snap is perfectly infused with a smooth and flavorful character of fruits, flowers and spices.

Brewer & Founder Jim Koch on Cold Snap:

“Let’s face it, there are times when the weather in January and February just sucks and all you can do is wait for better weather. So in the spirit of looking forward to spring, we brewed Cold Snap with its crisp, vibrant character and exotic fruits and spices. It captures the essence of the season with maybe some snow on the ground and thoughts of spring in our heads,” said Jim Koch, Samuel Adams Founder and Brewer. 

Tweeting about the weather? #SnaptheCold @SamuelAdamsBeer:

After one of the snowiest winters in Boston’s history, the brewers know first-hand that at this time of year, drinkers flock to social media to air their cold weather experiences. So this year, Samuel Adams is asking Twitter users around the country to tweet @SamuelAdamsBeer using hashtag #SnapTheCold to show how they celebrate the weather. All cold weather-related tweets will be tracked in real-time on the “Cold Snap Cold Map” during the coldest week of the year from January 17^th to January 23^rd, and Sam Adams will reward the most vocal city with Sam Adams parties in their city where drinkers and Doppler followers can unite over a beer. Craft beer drinkers can visit www.SamuelAdams.com/ColdestCity for more info on the Cold Map and to see where their city stands.

 Get Your Mitt(en)s on Cold Snap:

Samuel Adams Cold Snap will be available nationwide from January through mid-March in 6-packs for a suggested retail price of $7.99-$9.99, 12-packs (bottles and cans) for a suggested retail price of $14.99-$17.99 and on draft. It is also available as part of the Samuel Adams Cabin Pack variety 12-Pack for a suggested retail price of $14.99-$17.99. (All prices vary by market.)

  
ABOUT THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY:

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father’s attic. Inspired and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking about beer, Jim brought the recipe to life in his kitchen. Pleased with the results of his work, Jim decided to sample his beer with bars in Boston in the hopes that drinkers would appreciate the complex, full-flavored beer he brewed fresh in America. That beer was aptly named Samuel Adams Boston Lager, in recognition of one of our nation's great founding fathers, a man of independent mind and spirit. Little did Jim know at the time, Samuel Adams Boston Lager would soon become a catalyst of the American craft beer revolution.

Today, The Boston Beer Company brews more than 60 styles of beer. It relentlessly pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of classic beers by searching the world for the finest ingredients. Using the traditional four vessel brewing process, the Company often takes extra steps like dry-hopping, barrel-aging and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. The Company has also pioneered another revolution, the 'extreme beer' movement, where it seeks to challenge drinker's perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company has been committed to elevating the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions around the globe, and is one of world’s most awarded breweries at international beer competitions. As an independent company, brewing quality beer remains its primary focus. Although Samuel Adams beer is America's leading craft beer, it accounts for only one percent of the U.S. beer market. The Boston Beer Company will continue its independently-minded quest to brew great beer and to advocate for the growth of craft beer across America. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

Samuel Adams Releases 2015 Batch Of Samuel Adams Utopias

Courtesy of Samuel Adams

SAMUEL ADAMS RELEASES 2015 BATCH OF EXTREME BARREL-AGED BEER, SAMUEL ADAMS UTOPIAS

Rare, Limited Edition Beer Hits Shelves in November 

Boston, November 10, 2015–The brewers at Samuel Adams today announced the limited release of highly-coveted Samuel Adams Utopias, a beer unlike any other. Only the ninth batch brewed since the first release in 2002, this year’s Utopias, like previous vintages, was brewed in small batches using traditional methods, blended with previous vintages going as far back as 1992, then finished in the Barrel Room at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery.

About Samuel Adams Utopias

For beer fanatics, Samuel Adams Utopias has become one of the most sought-after beers on earth. Meant to be savored like a fine cognac or port, Utopias is a rich, uncarbonated extreme beer known for its extraordinary flavor profile. Utopias has aromas of wood, toffee, cocoa, raisin and maple, which hint at its distinctive flavors, which range from hints of molasses, earthy wood, dates, and light smoke to nuts and toffee.

With each new batch of Utopias, the brewers at Sam Adams push for a complex flavor profile, and during this process have created brews with alcohol levels reaching over 30% ABV; this year’s beer is 28% ABV and is best enjoyed as a two ounce pour in a snifter glass at room temperature. While some of the barrels have reached over 30% alcohol, the brewers blend down because the goal is to craft complex flavors, not an extreme alcohol percentage.

Courtesy of Samuel Adams

About the Barrel-Aging Process

For the 2015 Utopias, the Sam Adams brewers used a variety of malts for the brewing process and during fermentation used several strains of yeast, including one traditionally reserved for champagne. The beer was then blended with Utopias vintages from previous years including some that have been aging for more than 20 years in the Barrel Room. Aging the beer over a longer period of time accentuates the beer’s distinct vanilla notes and creates aromas of ginger and cinnamon. Some of this aged beer is over twenty years old, old enough to drink itself.

About the Brewing Process

Utopias is brewed using traditional methods. The brewers begin with a blend of two-row Caramel and Munich malts that imparts a rich, deep amber color. Noble hops – Hallertau Mittelfrueh, Spalt Spalter and Tettnang Tettnanger – are also added to lend complexity and balance. During fermentation, several yeast strains are used, including one normally reserved for champagne which the brewers call a “ninja yeast.” This fresh beer is then blended with a variety of different barrel-aged beers and “finished” in a variety of barrels to impart additional complexity and flavor.

About the Finishing Barrel Process

This release of Samuel Adams Utopias also uses a blend of beer finished in a variety of barrels. “Finishing” is a creative way for the brewers to impart additional flavor from a variety of barrels before the beer is bottled. This final step of finishing the beer lasts several months before the beer is bottled and imparts flavors ranging from fruit like cherry and raisin to chocolate, leather and oak. The multi-step and lengthy process results in flavors reminiscent of a rich vintage Port, fine Cognac, or aged Sherry, while feeling surprisingly light on the palate.

New this year, the brewers used White Carcavelos wine barrels to finish the beer, in addition to barrels that once housed cognac, Armagnac, ruby port, sweet Madeira, and Buffalo Trace Bourbon. White Carcavelos wine barrels help to amplify the dried fruit and oak flavors of this year’s Utopias. Carcavelos wines are blended and fortified like a port, are off dry and topaz colored with nutty aromas and flavors. Carcavelos comes from a small region of Portugal and the barrels are very rare, which made the Sam Adams brewers all the more excited to experiment with them as finishing barrels.

Courtesy of Samuel Adams

Founder & Brewery Jim Koch on 2015 Utopias:

“Sam Adams Utopias is the lunatic fringe of extreme beer. The recipe stretches the limits of the brewing process, flavor complexity, and as a by-product, alcohol content. While barrel aging is now a mainstay of a thriving craft beer community, we have been experimenting with barrel aging for nearly 25 years and this year’s batch is made from a library of barrels, some of which go as far back as 1992. This is an other-worldly beer that’s just as radical today as it was in 1992 and I am excited for drinkers to sip and savor it.”

Utopias-seasoned cigars, perfect for craft beer and cigar lovers alike:

Samuel Adams is teaming up with Ted’s Cigars to release limited-edition Utopias-seasoned cigars, flavored with the 2015 batch of Utopias. Ted’s Cigars uses their proprietary process of aromatic seasoning to create a cigar unlike any other. The Utopias-infused cigar features a distinct subtle sweetness, and notes of maple and vanilla from the brew, as well as a spicy complexity from the tobacco blend. This extreme beer brings out a creamy, spicy sweetness from the cigar and enhances the subtle leather and smoky character in the cigar’s finish. Hand-rolled in the Dominican Republic, the cigars make an unexpected stocking-stuffer and will be available on TedsCigars.com through the end of December. Pair the cigars with Samuel Adams Utopias for the ultimate holiday treat.

Where to find Utopias:

The first batch of Utopias bottles can be found in the hands of Samuel Adams employees. Since Utopias was first released, each bottle number corresponds with when each employee was hired, making Founder and Brewer Jim Koch number 1 and Brewer Dean Gianocostas number 2. For all other beer lovers, fewer than approximately 10,000 bottles of Samuel Adams Utopias can be found at select specialty beer and liquor stores for a suggested retail price of $199 per bottle. Price varies by market.

ABOUT THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY:

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father’s attic. Inspired and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking about beer, Jim brought the recipe to life in his kitchen. Pleased with the results of his work, Jim decided to sample his beer with bars in Boston in the hopes that drinkers would appreciate the complex, full-flavored beer he brewed fresh in America. That beer was aptly named Samuel Adams Boston Lager, in recognition of one of our nation's great founding fathers, a man of independent mind and spirit. Little did Jim know at the time, Samuel Adams Boston Lager would soon become a catalyst of the American craft beer revolution.

Today, The Boston Beer Company brews more than 60 styles of beer. It relentlessly pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of classic beers by searching the world for the finest ingredients. Using the traditional four vessel brewing process, the Company often takes extra steps like dry-hopping, barrel-aging and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. The Company has also pioneered another revolution, the 'extreme beer' movement, where it seeks to challenge drinker's perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company has been committed to elevating the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions around the globe, and is one of world’s most awarded breweries at international beer competitions. As an independent company, brewing quality beer remains its primary focus. Although Samuel Adams beer is America's leading craft beer, it accounts for only one percent of the U.S. beer market. The Boston Beer Company will continue its independently-minded quest to brew great beer and to advocate for the growth of craft beer across America. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

Sam Adams Announces New Nitro Series Of Canned Beers

Courtesy of Boston Beer Co

Jim Koch, founder of Boston Beer announced at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver a new line of Nitro-line of canned beers that should hit the market in Febuary 2016.  Beers in the Nitro line are, Samuel Adams NitroWhite Ale, Samuel Adams Nitro IPA, and Samuel Adams Nitro Coffee Stout. See specs below on the nitro line of beers.

Courtesy of Boston Beer Co/Samuel Adams

Nitro White Ale will be released for the first time and is one of the inaugural offerings of the Samuel Adams Nitro Series. Nitro beers use nitrogen in the carbonation process vs. standard CO2 and are known for their captivating cascade and smooth creaminess, yet for many, nitro is solely linked to stout. Our brewers experimented with a variety of styles and discovered that nitro truly can be the missing fifth beer ingredient.
  

·         White-capped and lively, the billowing white head of this distinctive nitro brew softly cascades into bright gold. The first sip reveals a smooth velvety taste with light wheat character and hints of orange, while an undercurrent of peppery spices from the Grains of Paradise adds a bright finish. 

·         Nitro adds creaminess to the White Ale’s wheat character, while the spice and citrus keep it vibrant. There are hints of orange and pepper in the aroma of this medium-bodied brew.

·         Pairing with Food: The wheat and citrus of this brew are a great complement to the light flavors of salads and fish but can also help cut the richness or heat in dishes like chili verde.  The smoothness that the nitro creates is also fun to pair with dishes that have a similar creaminess like Chevre cheese while the spice can complement desserts like spiced cookies.

·         Pricing & Availability: Samuel Adams Nitro White Ale will be available nationwide beginning in January 2016 on draft and February in 4-packs of 16oz.

Courtesy of Boston Beer Co/Samuel Adams

 Nitro IPA will be released for the first time and is one of the inaugural offerings of the Samuel Adams Nitro Series. Nitro beers use nitrogen in the carbonation process vs. standard CO2 and are known for their captivating cascade and smooth creaminess, yet for many, nitro is solely linked to stout. Our brewers experimented with a variety of styles and discovered that nitro truly can be the missing fifth beer ingredient. 
 

·         Boldly bitter, yet surprisingly smooth, Nitro IPA has an initial cap of creaminess which reveals a brawny hop intensity beneath it.  The hop character leads with notes of resinous pine and citrus for a flavorful, lingering finish. This 7.5% ABV, medium-bodied brew is deep amber in color.

·         The hop varieties used in Nitro IPA impart unique flavors and aromas to the brew:

o    Amarillo: Orange, grapefruit and notes of tangerine with some sweetness

o    Centennial: Medium citrus floral

o    Galaxy: Citrusy, spicy and herbal with hints of green fruit and red berries

o    Polaris: Intense floral, fruity, subtle mint

o    Simcoe: Strong pine character

o    Zeus: Earthy and spicy with soft hints of citrus

·         Pairing with Food: The brash hop character of this IPA is mellowed a bit by the nitro leaving a surprisingly smooth brew that makes a great pairing for boldly flavored dishes.  The hop bitterness helps cut the fattiness of fried foods like fish & chips and richness of cheeses while enhancing the spice of jambalaya.  For the softer side, the spiciness of the hops is a great complement to the spice pumpkin cake while cutting its sweetness.

·         Pricing & Availability: Samuel Adams Nitro IPA will be available nationwide beginning in February 2016, in 4-packs of 16oz. cans 

Courtesy of Boston Beer Co/Samuel Adams

  Nitro Coffee Stout will be released for the first time and is one of the inaugural offerings of the Samuel Adams Nitro Series. Nitro beers use nitrogen in the carbonation process vs. standard CO2 and are known for their captivating cascade and smooth creaminess, which works well with stouts. Our brewers also experimented with a variety of styles and discovered that nitro truly can be the missing fifth beer ingredient for a number of different beer styles.

·         Smooth, velvety cream cascades into a jet black, darkly enticing brew, revealing a rich, robust character. The dark roasted malts create notes of bittersweet chocolate with hints of dark fruit, while Sumatran Mandheling and Indian Monsoon Malabar coffee adds a deep roast dimension.

·         Sumatra Mandheling coffee from Indonesia is grown in volcanic soil and creates rich chocolate and earthy flavors, along with a mild acidity. Indian Monsoon Malabar coffee beans are exposed to monsoon rain and winds for up to four months, to mimic the conditions Indian coffee beans faced when shipped to Europe during Great Britain’s rule. The beans develop a smooth complexity with lower acidity in these conditions.

·         Pairing with Food:  The rich, dark flavors of Nitro Coffee Stout make it a great pairing for a variety of foods. Creamy cheeses or game meats like venison bring out the beer’s dark fruit notes, while the sweetness of chocolate desserts is balanced by the brew’s roasted character. Oysters are also a classic stout pairing, as the briny character of the oysters is a perfect foil for the dark, roasty notes of the stout.  

·         Pricing & Availability: Samuel Adams Nitro Coffee Stout will be available nationwide beginning in February 2016, in 4-packs of 16oz. cans

 

Samual Adams Brewer And Founder Jim Koch Is Writing Quench Your Own Thirst

Courtesy of Macmillan Publishers

 Samual Adams Brewer And Founder Jim Koch Is Writing Quench Your Own Thirst

Flatiron Books to Publish in April 2016

Boston, September 28, 2015 — Jim Koch, the founder of The Boston Beer Company, brewer of Samuel Adams beers, and a key catalyst in the American craft beer revolution, is writing a book titled QUENCH YOUR OWN THIRST: BUSINESS LESSONS LEARNED OVER A BEER OR TWO. Based on more than thirty years of experience as a business owner and brewer, Koch offers unprecedented insights into the whirlwind ride from scrappy start-up to thriving public company. His innovative business model and refreshingly frank stories offer counterintuitive lessons that entrepreneurs and drinkers can apply to business and to life.

Koch’s anecdotes, quirky musings and bits of wisdom go far beyond brewing, and QUENCH YOUR OWN THIRST provides surprising advice on sales, marketing, hiring, and company culture. Koch narrates a fun, engaging guide for building a career or launching a successful business based on your passions and becoming successful while doing what you love.

Bob Miller, president and publisher of Flatiron Books, and Will Schwalbe, executive vice president of editorial development and content innovation at Macmillan, in partnership with The Boston Beer Company, announced to beer lovers at the Great American Beer Festival that the Macmillan division will publish QUENCH YOUR OWN THIRST.

“The idea of writing a book has been brewing for more than a decade,” said Koch. “When I meet people in bars, they are always curious about the early days of Samuel Adams and how I built the brewery to become what it is today. Then, about two years ago, I started writing in earnest, but it wasn’t until I connected with Will and the experienced team at Flatiron that I really understood what the book could be. I’m excited to share Quench Your Own Thirst with folks looking to start a business, build a business, or learn more about what makes The Boston Beer Company a company I want to work for.”

"Jim is one of our generation's iconic entrepreneurs," observed Schwalbe. "I've been a huge fan (and by fan, I mean drinker) of Samuel Adams. But until I met Jim, I had no idea what an unorthodox thinker he is. As someone passionately interested in business and beer, I was totally fascinated listening to Jim talk about the early days of the American craft beer movement and about the trials of starting a new business. This book gives everyone the opportunity I had to share a beer with one of the most original business minds of our time. Reading Quench Your Own Thirst is like having a great tavern chat, with lessons in business that read like a conversation shared over a pint or two with an adventuresome friend." 

The World Exclusive rights to the book, which will be published in April 2016, were negotiated through Jim Levine at the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency who represented the author.

Flatiron Books is a division of Macmillan. For more information please contact Flatiron Books Senior Publicist Steven Boriack at (646) 307-5163/steven.boriack@flatironbooks.com and visit www.quenchyourownthirst.com.

About Macmillan

Macmillan Publishers is a global trade publishing company, owned by Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck, with imprints in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and around the world. U.S. publishers include Farrar, Straus and Giroux; Flatiron Books; Henry Holt and Company; Picador; St. Martin’s Press; Tor/Forge; Macmillan Audio; and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Macmillan Publishers is based in New York City, with many of our publishers located in the historic Flatiron Building.

About Jim Koch:

Jim Koch is the founder of The Boston Beer Company and brewer of Samuel Adams beers. He founded the company in 1984 using his great-great grandfather's recipe and helped revolutionize the American beer industry. Samuel Adams Boston Lager helped pave the way for the craft brewing movement, bringing rich, full-flavored beer to the American beer landscape. Today, The Boston Beer Company brews more than 60 styles of beer, relentlessly pursuing the development of new styles and the perfection of classic beers. With Jim at the helm for more than 30 years, The Boston Beer Company has become one of the largest American craft breweries but still only accounts for one percent of the U.S. beer market.

Motivated by his own challenges starting a business, Jim launched the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program in 2008. With a focus on helping small business owners in food, beverage, hospitality, and craft brewing, the program provides micro-loans as well as nation-wide speed coaching events that pair owners with Samuel Adams employees and local business professionals who provide real-world advice based on their areas of expertise.

Jim currently serves as Chairman and was the company’s Chief Executive Officer until January 2001. Prior to starting The Boston Beer Company, he was a manufacturing consultant for The Boston Consulting Group and taught adventure skills for Outward Bound. Jim received an undergraduate as well as advanced degrees in Business and Law from Harvard University.