Sam Adams The Vixen

The Dirt
Easily the best beer in the Sam Adams experimental lineup, The Vixen is a chocolate chili bock. Now if there's one beer style I do not usually drink, its chili beers. I appreciate them, but usually cannot drink more than a sampler worth. They usually have just too much of a focus on the chili, but The Vixen has the balance done perfectly. The chili coupled with the chocolate makes the beer almost have an ancho chili chocolate pie like profile, making it very drinkable.

The beer is mostly dominated with the very smooth chocolate flavor, especially up-front. The chili comes in slightly at the end, giving just a hint of bite on the tongue. This perfect pairing makes for a chili beer that I was able to drink not only a glass-full, but an entire bomber worth. It makes for a good after-dinner sipping beer on a cold evening. So I guess it's aptly named: smooth, good body, and a hint of spice.

Worth it?
Simply, yes. If you're like me and love chocolate beers but do not typically care for chili beers, this is a great way to hit both sides of the spectrum. It's basically an alteration to the regular Sam Adams Chocolate Bock (to be reviewed soon).

The Final Word

Sam Adams Third Voyage

The Dirt
Another entry on the Sam Adams experimental beer line, Third Voyage is a double IPA that uses Cascade hops from different regions of the world. The approach created a very good and drinkable double IPA, but was lacking some of the impact of other doubles I've had. Solid Cascade hop flavor at the front with a little biscuitiness on the back, but could use a little more of both. Like the Tasman Red, the Third Voyage gets better with warmth. But again, if left to become too warm, it gets a bit too bitter and the alcohol begins to dominate the taste profile.

Worth it?
A very good double IPA worth my time and penny, but didn't get me as excited as other doubles I've had. I think it may have been a little pricy given others in the market, but if you're like me, it's hard not to buy the whole lineup of experimental beers like this. But if you don't regularly buy beers like this, I think there are better for the price for your special purchase, such as the Dogfish 90 Minute.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Tasman Red

The Dirt
Part of Sam Adam's new experimental line, the Tasman Red is meant to be a red IPA, which likely was influenced by the recent emergence of the black IPA style. The Tasman starts out strong with a good initial hop flavor with a red ale kind of maltiness. The hoppiness reminded more of a hoppy pale ale, but still a good amount. But all of the show is up-front, as I found the back-end kind of lacking. The whole profile just kind of *poof* and disappears. If only some of that red ale-ness lingered, and some biscuit notes were added at the end. In its defense, the Tasman gets a little better as it warms up. The hop flavor lasts a little longer and there are some more hints of caramel at the back-end. But don't let it warm too long, as it gets a bit too bitter, and not the good kind. An interesting idea that could use a few tweaks.

Worth it?
It was certainly worth the try, and wasn't half bad. But if a few tweaks were made to shore up the back-end, it would then be a nice buy. Unless you're a big Sam Adams fan like me or want to see what a first attempt at a red IPA results in, I'd say hold off for now. Then again, this was the most economically priced beer in the series, and was a pretty good deal at less than $5.

The Final Word

Deschutes Obsidian Stout

The Dirt
Typically I'm more of a fan of the big flavor, semi-sweet, and alcohol packed stouts and imperial stouts. But Deschutes' Obsidian Stout has managed to win my heart from a different angle: a dry stout. With a very dry and bitter dark chocolate roast profile paired with a medium body, this stout is fantastic when not looking for rum cake in a bottle. Actually, this is a great anytime stout. Want a dark beer? It's got flavor and warmth. Want something not too heavy? The dryness and body keep from overwhelming your system. It's a stout I could drink multiple of in a evening without feeling like I ate a whole box of chocolate fudge brownies awash in bourbon - which would be awesome by the way. Putting brownies on my grocery list...

Worth it?
Oh yeah. I love my big profile stouts, but the Obsidian gives me the flavor I want along, but with drinkability. Deschutes is on sale often in my area, but it's worth it regardless. I look forward to it being a staple in my winter beer lineup.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Infinium

The Dirt
Sorry Miller High Life, but someone just took your tag line and made it...well...real. A collaboration with Weihenstephan (the oldest brewery in the world at over 900 years old), the Infinium's characteristics make it the real champagne of beers. I don't mean it's the "cream of the crop", but literally like champagne. With high carbonation and pear notes that fade away to a dry white grape kind of flavor profile, it's hard not to think of champagne. But hints of citrusy hops are there, especially at the very end. The nose fits this description as well, with an apple cider aroma and citrus undertone. More simply put, you think cider/champagne but deep down know its base is a beer. The whole experience leaves you to almost believe it will be a sour, but doesn't quite go there and instead has that champagne dryness. It's actually a rather refreshing beer, but still very strong at 10.3% ABV. It would be neat if Sam Adams takes the concept and attempts a sour. But in its current form, the Infinium provides the craft beer lover a drink for popping and toasting when the ball drops at midnight. Be sure to share though, otherwise the flavor and dryness get a little too dominant on the taste buds.

As a note, I struggled with its rating. It's a very unique, and even good, beer. But I wouldn't want to drink it on any other night, and too much of it kind of ruins its specialness. Hmmm, wonder if it would've been good in orange juice...

Worth it?
This is the second year I've had the Infinium on New Year's Eve, and it's fun exactly for that. It's probably cheaper than a champagne of comparable quality, so as a beer lover I like the alternative. So yes, it's worth trying a unique beer on a unique night, even if you only do it once. But other occasions? If champagne is an option, then yes. Otherwise, wait until the ball drops.

The Final Word