The Dirt
Extreme beers usually refer to brews with complex tastes accompanied by high alcohol - say 12-18% abv. So what do you get when you multiply extreme by two? Sam Adams Utopias. Released every two years, this beast comes in at a healthy 27% abv. No, that's not a typo folks.
Utopias is a blend of previous batches, with some having been aged for 18 years. They've spent time in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels, Spanish Sherry barrels, Madeira casks, and Port barrels from Portugal - all of which give Utopias an unseen level of complexity. It's brewed with champagne yeast, which allows for the high alcohol level. However, it is uncarbonated, allowing it to be stored and saved at room temperature. In fact, it's best served at room temp, and is meant to be saved after opening (besides it's abv, the other reason for this will be clearly revealed below).
Upon opening the mash tun-like bottle and pouring a few ounces, Utopias smells like the world's greatest Ports. Then when you take your first sip - WOW. Your brain tries to write down what your taste buds are screaming, but it can't keep up. After only one sip, it's abundantly clear that this is the most complex thing I've ever tasted. After a few more sips, Sherry and Port appear to make up the front end, while the back has a Cabernet Sauvignon profile - fruity with a hint of dry. Occasionally tastes of cinnamon appear through the barrel-aged flavors, along with maple syrup. Nearing the end of the 4oz. pour, my friend pointed out undertones of dark chocolate, and maybe even hints of a little toffee and raisins. There are a million other flavors that I could not grasp long enough to describe, but together makes for one incredible experience.
What's surprising about Utopias is that the alcohol is not that present. There is a slight tingle on the tongue at first, but otherwise you wouldn't guess that you're drinking 27% alcohol - it's that silky smooth. Also interesting is the Utopias glass that comes free (+ S&H) with the purchase (see below). It was made special for drinking Utopias, and it actually makes a difference. My friend drank from a small snifter glass and noted that the alcohol was present in the nose of the beer, but was not as potent in the Utopias glass. We deduced that the taller and slim design allowed the alcohol to escape, but on the sip would concentrate the flavors to the nose. Meanwhile, the snifter glass's bulb shape trapped it all. That...or the 27% was getting to us and we were completely making that up.
Worth it?
Well, it's a yes-no answer really. If you find it hard to spend more than $7 on a 6-pack, this beer certainly isn't for you. If you shop on the top shelf of the bourbon shelf, then perhaps. As someone who is on a quest to find the best tasting beers in the world, I can't put a price on something like this. But the liquor store sure did - roughly $200 with tax for 750 mL. Yup, that's nearly $8/oz. for those of you keeping score at home. So logically, the answer is no. But this experience isn't about logic - it's about a once-in-a-lifetime experience of something rare and unmatched. So for us, the answer was yes. The fact that I was even able to purchase this was a miracle. Most stores get about two bottles (if your store even gets one), and one usually goes to someone at the store. The last one is either pre-ordered or snatched up very quickly. I happened to see that my local store listed it on their website. That could just mean they've had it before, but when I asked one day after checking out, they said they had one. It was in a locked display case for all to see. My decision was made then and there, and if it happened again...chances are I'd pull the trigger once more.
The Final Word
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