Yes...it's hard to believe, I had never been to the Sam Adams Brewery until this past week. I plan on making it a monthly pilgrimage!! 30 minutes of free beer?! (yes, the tour's free, the beer's free, even a 7oz glass is free! just an optional donation to local charities at the end) There's no thinking involved in that decision. Simply amazing.
They give you the standard background of the ingredients of beer and what each does, tell you about the fermentation process, nothing fancy. What's surprising is the size of the place...probably not much bigger than your standard CVS. And this is one part of the largest American-owned American brewery??? I mean, yeah, there are 2 others (PA and OH), but you must imagine that the Boston one supplies at least most of Massachusetts. Incredible.
After the quick tour, they bring you into a pub-style tasting room and give you almost free reign over pitchers of Sam Adams for 30 minutes. We had Boston Lager, Summer Ale and the Boston Brick Red.
I was too excited, I started drinking my Boston Lager before I remembered to take a picture!! No need to describe it, it's Boston Lager! If you're from Boston.. or MA, or the Northeast in general, its practically a requirement upon birth to have one!
Next came the Sam Summer. Once again, no description here. If you haven't had one.. drink up NOW before your heart weeps all winter waiting for the next release again late next spring. It's pure summery goodness.
Samuel Adams Boston Brick Red! Now here's a new one! If you live outside the immediate Boston area, get your ass into a Boston pub and order a pint! You can't get it outside the Metrowest area, and you can't buy it in any packie, even in Boston. Draught only!! MMMMM, this was DELISH! A beautiful rich red pour in the glass...an Irish red-style ale that was incredible smooth, yet flavorful. Strong hop and caramel aroma, initial mild hop taste fading into the nice, but not overly, sweetness of the malts. No beer expert but picked up some caramel taste, maybe slight coffee notes. Ridiculously smooth finish, no lingering hoppiness. Definitely will be a top draught pick of mine from now on!! Gotta try it!
While there, I picked up the 3-pack of the Barrel Room Collection for about $6-$8 bucks cheaper than buying them individually at a local packie (which they tell you you can't do, that the collection is supposedly exclusive to the brewery.... don't fall for it! but the 3-pack in the 'gift store' is definitely a money-saver. I won't be talking about the different beers even the slightest right now until I actually try them, but here's a sneak peak for ya kiddos... (yup, they're big'uns! 1 pint 9.4oz! about 25.5oz)
Another recent addition to my soon-to-be-consumed collection is another 3-pack. This one's from Costco..yes Costco! Mi madre picked it up for me, she's the bestest! It's a collection of Samuel Smith beers, almost true imperial pint size bottles...550mL. According to Wikipedia, the most accurate reference in the galaxy according to itself, Samuel Smith's Old Brewery is the oldest (independent) brewery in Yorkshire (1758), yup its a bloody red-coat beer!, and also owns a number of pubs which serve ONLY their own beer..not even a sody-pop can be served there! The pack includes their Oatmeal Stout, Old Brewery Pale Ale and Organic Lager Beer. Again...just a teaser, I'll tell ya 'bout 'em when I pour 'em down into my belly!
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