Sam Adams 2005 Imperial Pilsner is OUTSTANDING
Nov 13 '05
The Bottom Line Well worth it if you like hoppy beers!
Another Sunday, another uncategorized beer. I saw Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner 2005 Harvest at my local liquor superstore for $4.99. At 24oz and with a hefty abv of 8.8%, I figured it was worth a try.
I couldn’t find anything about this on the Sam Adams web site. I did find a press release at BeerAdvocate.com that, it the midst of vast paragraphs of puffery, said that the brew “uses enormous, almost reckless, quantities of Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops selected fresh from this year's Bavarian hops harvest”. It also says it will be complex, yet drinkable and reported 110 International Bitterness Units.
OK. Time to see what this has.
The Nose A very hoppy first aroma, followed by a mild and slightly sweet fruit aroma
The Pour Darker than I expected, almost a medium amber. Strong., long-lasting head.
The Taste Very hoppy (ya think?), so much so that the alcohol is not apparent. Medium body – this is a little more syrupy than the typical pilsner or IPA. The carbonation is mild. It has a mild citrus flavor once the hops are through punching me around and a little sweetness on the finish as well. I tend to like IPAs and so I like this. Not as bitter as you might expect, given the 110 IBU. Maybe the citrus and the body is moderating it.
The Aftertaste The bitterness just keeps going and going and going…..The buzz is as noticeable as the hops.
This is tremendous. I can’t remember enjoying a new beer this much, even the pricey Bell’s Batch 7000 (at $16.99 a six pack). I will buy this again, at least a couple more bottles. Flavor, bitterness and buzz are a winning combination.
As for food compatibility, this needs strength to go with it. I’m eating a roast beef sandwich on an onion bagel. The press release suggests beef and flavorful cheeses and that is right on. It’s not going to work well with seafood. Salty snacks might be ok, spicy ones would not go with this.
So, for taste 5*s, I will buy more. Highly recommended.
Thanks for reading. God bless!
You might be interested in some of my other restaurant and gourmet reviews:
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Goose Island Demolition Ale
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