When I first heard about the Sam Adams Brewer Patriot Collection from Jen I was immediately intrigued. I was interested to see what exactly the beers were like and what kind of flavors would be present. With the help of some family members I managed to get my hands on a couple of 4 packs.
The styling definitely fit a colonial theme associated with the package. It also was boxed as a set, which was excellent to prevent light struck (aka skunking) from poor shipping conditions.
One comment I heard from a few people was the strong malt and roast character of the beers. I realized after tasting them that this was probably because these people grew up drinking beer after western American hop explosion took place. The high IBU beers are their norm, not the exception. So if you think Sierra Nevada and Stone as your normal beers you may want to avoid these beers. They are of an older age when the hop was used, if at all, for subtle character.
The Traditional Ginger Honey Ale was my first beer. The aroma had rich scent of honey and ginger with a hazy golden color to the beer. The beer had a definite ginger spiciness with a hint of lemon. This beer could be a popular summer thirst quencher across the country if the folks at Sam Adams marketed it right.
Next was the 1790 Root Beer Brew which had 5.5% alcohol, high for what the cultural norm is for a normally a soda beverage, but not unheard of in the home brewing culture. It has aggressive flavor for a root beer with licorice and root smell. This followed through in the taste with definite estery qualities more typical in an ale, but it may be due to the yeast used.
Okay now it’s time for the big boys...
The James Madison Dark Wheat Ale doesn’t fit the norm. No typical wheat beer here, not a German Hefe, nor the weaker American wheat. The aroma contains some of that roasted character I mentioned earlier. Good head retention and belgian lace, but not nearly the carbonated foam present in it’s German cousin. There is a sweet wheat taste to it but not nearly the clove typical of German yeast strain, so I suspect an American strain of yeast. I was impressed by the craft brewed nature, but frankly I prefer the German version.
Last but certainly not least the George Washington Porter, to quote a certain hoppy brewery. “You won’t like this beer” it has a distinct roast almost chocolaty malt character in the aroma. Hold it up to light, on second thought don’t bother you won’t see anything anyways. In comparison to the Pale Ales and IPAs that dominate the American craft beer scene this is a whole nother animal. Malt dominates and shows it can hold it’s own as a flavor. It demands respect. My biggest complaint is I have run out of it.
Ready for a Malt adventure? Then give this unique 4 pack a try.
Picture of the box
Followup: A review of the pack by the Arizona Republic.
Another review in the Boise Weekly
