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Sam Adams Utopias to return at $150 a bottle, gives beer lovers an 'inspired' taste experience
By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009
Sam Adams Utopias isn't your normal beer.
First, there's the hefty price tag. It's $150 per bottle — granted it's an attractive ceramic, kettle-shaped decanter.
Second, there's the alcohol content. At 27 percent, it's the world's strongest beer — about five times as powerful as a regular Budweiser.
Then, there's the way you're supposed to drink it. Utopias is uncarbonated and should be served at room temperature in a snifter glass. Think port or cognac.
''It's my life's work to elevate people's thinking about beer and to push the boundaries of traditional brewing in order to offer beer lovers an inspired drinking experience,'' Boston Beer Co. founder and brewer Jim Koch said. ''Today, Utopias is our best example of that quest.''
The 2009 release of Utopias — the first batch since 2007 — hits specialty beer and liquor stores this week. (Unfortunately, the beer isn't sold in Ohio due to state alcohol laws, so you'll have to take a road trip to find it.)
The beer has devoted fans, many of whom have never actually bought a bottle because of the price, but just sampled it at beer festivals.
''I can honestly say it is my favorite beer in the world, and after five trips to Denver for Great American Beer Festival and numerous beer festivals and tastings, that's saying a lot,'' says Dustin Miley, 37, of Akron, a member of the Society of Akron Area Zymurgists homebrewing club.
''The last time I went to Denver, I spent several minutes just savoring the rich, complex aroma before finally giving in and tasting the magical brew.''
But it's a difficult beer to describe.
''This beer's flavors are so complex they are almost beyond description,'' said Daniel Kromke, 49, of Parma, a certified beer judge. ''There are dark fruit notes of raisins and plums, subtle vanilla and chocolate, caramel and, of course, warming alcohol without being too hot.''
Utopias is brewed with several different yeasts, including a variety usually reserved for champagne. It also contains multiple kinds of malt and hops.
The 2009 batch is a blend of liquids, some of which have been aged in a variety of woods, including bourbon casks, for up to 16 years. It was finished in sherry casks from Spain, and muscatel and port casks from Portugal.
The sherry casks added nutty, oak and honey notes, while the muscatel and port casks contributed dark fruit aromas and flavors.
Only 53 barrels were made so finding the beer can be difficult.
For more details about Utopias, call 800-372-1131 or visit http://www.samueladams.com.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Sam Adams Utopias isn't your normal beer.
First, there's the hefty price tag. It's $150 per bottle — granted it's an attractive ceramic, kettle-shaped decanter.
Second, there's the alcohol content. At 27 percent, it's the world's strongest beer — about five times as powerful as a regular Budweiser.
Then, there's the way you're supposed to drink it. Utopias is uncarbonated and should be served at room temperature in a snifter glass. Think port or cognac.
''It's my life's work to elevate people's thinking about beer and to push the boundaries of traditional brewing in order to offer beer lovers an inspired drinking experience,'' Boston Beer Co. founder and brewer Jim Koch said. ''Today, Utopias is our best example of that quest.''
The 2009 release of Utopias — the first batch since 2007 — hits specialty beer and liquor stores this week. (Unfortunately, the beer isn't sold in Ohio due to state alcohol laws, so you'll have to take a road trip to find it.)
The beer has devoted fans, many of whom have never actually bought a bottle because of the price, but just sampled it at beer festivals.
''I can honestly say it is my favorite beer in the world, and after five trips to Denver for Great American Beer Festival and numerous beer festivals and tastings, that's saying a lot,'' says Dustin Miley, 37, of Akron, a member of the Society of Akron Area Zymurgists homebrewing club.
''The last time I went to Denver, I spent several minutes just savoring the rich, complex aroma before finally giving in and tasting the magical brew.''
But it's a difficult beer to describe.
''This beer's flavors are so complex they are almost beyond description,'' said Daniel Kromke, 49, of Parma, a certified beer judge. ''There are dark fruit notes of raisins and plums, subtle vanilla and chocolate, caramel and, of course, warming alcohol without being too hot.''
Utopias is brewed with several different yeasts, including a variety usually reserved for champagne. It also contains multiple kinds of malt and hops.
The 2009 batch is a blend of liquids, some of which have been aged in a variety of woods, including bourbon casks, for up to 16 years. It was finished in sherry casks from Spain, and muscatel and port casks from Portugal.
The sherry casks added nutty, oak and honey notes, while the muscatel and port casks contributed dark fruit aromas and flavors.
Only 53 barrels were made so finding the beer can be difficult.
For more details about Utopias, call 800-372-1131 or visit http://www.samueladams.com.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Posted 02:46 PM, 11/03/2009
They make it sound like a bargain at $150 a bottle, ha.
I'd chug it ! Heck with that sniffter stuff.
Norka, Oh
Posted 03:03 PM, 11/03/2009
MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm BEER ( done in my Homer Simpson voice)
Posted 03:04 PM, 11/03/2009
Its really not beer. Saw it on a special on History channel about beer making. Its only "beer" because of how it is made from barley and hops. But all that aging in barrels/casks, the alcohol content, no carboniation, and drinking it like a cognac make it a "special kind of beer"
Never had it, and not saying I wouldn't like it, just that it is really beer in the normal sense.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:02 PM, 11/03/2009
"Unfortunately, the beer isn't sold in Ohio due to state alcohol laws, so you'll have to take a road trip to find it."
Typical!
, OH
Posted 12:06 PM, 11/04/2009
For 150 bucks a bottle it should come delivered by a Craigslist "therapeutic massage specialist".
Akron, Oh
Posted 02:00 PM, 11/04/2009
Paulie- that right there was pretty funny.
Richfield, OH
Posted 04:28 PM, 11/04/2009
Paulie - that was funny. I've seen this beer offered in past years and was tempted to buy it just to taste it. But you can buy an incredible bottle of Cab for $150.
