Being a big fan of Ayinger’s Celebrator, this latest offering from the Sam Adams brand had some serious competition standing in its path. While the throne isn’t in any danger, the Boston Beer version of the brew is still good in its own right.

Appearance

The Imperial Double Bock pours a ruddy brown in color with a light tan head that faded slowly.

Aroma

This one definitely smells like a bock. It’s malty and sweet with light fruit and nutty aromas. There’s not much a hint of the 9.5% ABV in the nose.

Taste

This is a pretty decent double bock. It’s got the requisite sweet maltiness with a touch of nuttiness in the finish. There’s a nice caramel flavor in there as well. In terms of mouthfeel, it’s on the fuller side of a medium bodied beer.

Overall

The Imperial Double Bock joins the stout and white in surprising me with their overall impression. It’s a decadent brew that I would love to have on a consistent basis in the fridge, but its price tag probably won’t allow that too often.

Rating: 3.5/5

At least, that was my reaction after enjoying the surprisingly good Imperial Stout from Boston Beer. The Imperial White is another in the company’s Imperial Series and is, yet again, a surprise in it’s own right.

I was initially skeptical of this one as I eyed in on the shelf. Sam Adams and I haven’t always seen eye to eye when discussing their wheat based beers (Cherry Wheat, I’m looking at you). Lucky for both of us, this wasn’t a product destined for the sink.

Appearance

This one pours a hazy amber with a nice orange tint to it. The creamy off-white head faded slowly.

Aroma

Orange zest, a grassiness from the wheat and spices (clove and coriander, perhaps) dominate the nose on each sniff. I didn’t get a whole lot of banana as is typical of the style.

Taste

First off, the mouthfeel on the Imperial White is much thicker, more viscous than any other witbier I’ve had. It’s full of malt sweetness, wheat, spices and fruits. A light orange and banana combination comes out more as the beer warms. At 10.3% ABV this is one brew you want to take slow.

Overall

This brew was not at all what I was expecting. Due to the higher alcohol and its thickness i would almost expect this to be something I would sip in the winter, but the spices and fruit remind me of hot summer days. Perhaps I’ll try and save some for the winter and see how they hold up over time. Sam Adams Imperial White is a unique take on a witbier — one that I thoroughly enjoyed and, despite the price tag of a four pack, will be buying it again.

Rating: 3.5/5