Sam Adams Rebel Rider Review

Name: Sam Adams Rebel Rider
Style: India Pale Ale
ABV: 4.5%

Well the Sam Adams IPA trifecta has come full circle. First it was Rebel IPA, then there was Rebel Rouser Double IPA and now we finally have Rebel Rider IPA, which is their new year-round session IPA. Though I noticed on the Sam Adams website under the "Rebel Family" section that there is one more space on the right hand side, so perhaps there will be another Rebel IPA in the near future?

I've also noticed that I have been on a session beer binge as of late, so this'll probably be my last one for a while. Then again too, I say that to myself about a lot of beer styles.

Appearance - A mildly hazy yellow color with some equally mild carbonation. The head is white and takes on a rather soapy appearance. The lacing itself is also quite soapy as well but still has some very good retention.

Aroma - Upfront I'm getting some moderate citrus and light floral hoppiness along with some pale malts and something that almost resembles flaked corn notes. If you didn't tell me, I'd say this almost smells like a India Pale Lager (IPL).

Taste - Bitter hoppiness and light citrus notes upfront followed up by some pale maltiness. The aftertaste is mainly bitter hops and pale malts, the former of which lingers around afterward. The flavor is quite simple really.

I feel that Rebel Rider reminds me more of an IPL than an actual IPA, which isn't necessarily a bad thing in this case. The flavor is pretty good for what it is and I would consider the be a fine example as to how to do a session IPA/IPL the right way. While I can't see myself buying this to have at home, if I'm going to a picnic and need a good beer you can drink throughout the day without making a fool of myself, then I would definitely recommend this.

Sam Adams Rebel Rider - 8/10

Sam Adams Boston Lager Review

Name: Sam Adams Boston Lager
Style: Vienna Lager
ABV: 4.9%

Since I've started this blog, I have looked at some beers that not a lot of people have heard of before. On the flipside, there have been beers that everyone had that I haven't looked at yet. Such is the case with Sam Adams Boston Lager, which is the final beer from this year's fall sampler pack.

What can be said about Boston Lager? Well for starters, it is arguably the most well known craft beer out there (Yes, I do consider Sam Adams to be a craft brewer.) and it can be found in pretty much every part of the country. As of late, they have been using the song "I'm Shipping up to Boston" by The Dropkick Murphys in both their radio and TV spots. It was also the first recipe that Jim Koch came up with when he started Sam Adams 30 years ago.

Boston Lager pours a clear amber/dark orange color with some mild carbonation. The head is thin and white in appearance and the lacing is rather sparse.

The nose has some Munich maltiness upfront along with mild some roasted barley and toffee sweetness with a floral & bitter hop profile encompassing the aroma.

The flavor starts out fairly malty with some toffee and Munich malt sweetness. The floral hops are a bit more pronounced here while the bitter hops make up what is an otherwise dry aftertaste.

The body has a bit of weight to it but not overly so. The carbonation has a bit of a kick to it as well but it feels rather crisp as a whole.

Even though it's 30 years old and is one of the most widely produced beers on the market right now, I still consider this to be a good beer that has held up well. It is, by no means, the best craft beer out there. However you aren't making a bad choice by having this either, which is more than what I can say about some other craft beers I've had before this.

Sam Adams Boston Lager - 8/10