Review: Samuel Adams Alpine Spring
Spring is nowhere near in the air just yet, but Samuel Adams gave us a sneak peek at its latest brew, Alpine Spring.
Sounds (and kinda looks) more like a shampoo or a body wash, but let’s not judge on name alone.
Sam Adams describes this unique brew thusly: “This beer has the balanced maltiness and hoppiness of a helles, the strength and smoothness of a bock, and the unfiltered haze of a kellerbier. Although it’s categorized as an unfiltered wheat lager, this one-of-a-kind beer transcends any one style, and the crisp, citrus flavor notes make it a perfect offering for spring.”
Ultimately it comes across mostly as a relatively traditional (albeit unfiltered — Sam Adams’ first) German-style lager, light in body and modest with the hops. Lots of flavor in here, citrus on the nose, with a moderately sweet body reminiscent of honey and caramel. The finish is lasting, recalling milk chocolate and gingerbread, with more orange peel bringing up the rear. Not so much refreshing as it is filling and almost dessert-like.
5.5% abv.
B+ / $8 per six-pack / samueladams.com