Sam Adams
Samuel Adams Rebel IPA recipe reformulated with exclusive hops
The “Rebel” that changed it call is a little different going forward. Samuel Adams Rebel IPA, which debuted in 2014, has been reformulated.
It has taken four years for the Boston brewery to tweak the changes to Samuel Adams Rebel IPA, in an undertaking called Project Lupulus. The experiment was put in place to work with new varieties of hops that aren’t yet available to the public. Hops are in extremely high demand, so finding a future winner for a recipe gives you an advantage on stock.
The hop variety that has risen from months and years of experimentation is HBC 566 and HBC682, two hops that are proprietary and exclusive to the brewery. HBC 566 boasts lemon, lime, and orange and eucalyptus flavors, while HBC 682 is used for bittering.
“This is the first time we’ve significantly changed the recipe of a flagship beer. As hop varieties evolve, we want to use the new varieties to keep brewing the best beer possible,”- Jim Koch, Founder – Boston Beer Company
In total, seven hops make the new Samuel Adams Rebel IPA – Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, Chinook, Mosaic, HBC 566, and HBC 682. Caramel malt was also removed from the recipe, leaving only Two Row malt.
Samuel Adams Rebel IPA (reborn) is shipping nationally on draft and 12 bottles.
Style: IPA
Hops: Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, Chinook, Mosaic, HBC 566, and HBC 682
Availability: 12oz bottles, Draft
Debut (New Recipe): January, 2017
Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles coming in March
Samuel Adams Fresh As Helles, a new lager, will join the brewery’s lineup March, preceded by new seasonal Hopscape.
In the fall of 2016, the Boston, Massachusetts brewer created the first batches of Samuel Adams Fresh As Helles. The lager features Mandarina hops, and orange blossom petals.
In a special breakfast during this year’s Great American Beer Festival, Jim Koch introduced Fresh As Helles to a small group of attendees. The malt-forward boasts notes of honey and orange citrus. A winter seasonal, the citrus in the is beer will remind you that spring is not far behind.
Fresh as Helles is a refreshing light amber, medium-bodied helles brewed with Mandarina hops and orange blossom petals. The beer’s lively, citrus flavors pair perfectly with the changing season. Soft citrus notes of orange blossom add a bright accent to the slightly sweet honey malt notes, leading to a round, smooth finish.
Samuel Adams Fresh As Helles will be a 12 ounce bottle, can, and draft release starting in March instead of February.
Style: Helles Lager (w/ Orange Blossom)
Hops: Mandarina
Availability: 12oz Cans, Bottles. Draft. March-April
Debut: March, 2016
5.4% ABV, 18 IBUs
Samuel Adams Hopscape debuts
Samuel Adams Hopscape, a hoppy American wheat ale slated for January, is hitting shelves.
The Boston, Massachusetts based brewery has two new seasonals headed to shelves over the next few months. The first – Hopscape. The base beer is an American wheat ale, brewed with four bold and juicy hops – Chinook, Centennial, Zeus, and Citra. The result is a soft wheat ale, with strong notes of pine and citrus.
The citrusy, piney, and resinous notes that the hops contribute to Samuel Adams Hopscape make it the perfect pairing for spicy foods, while its crisp wheat character balances the spice.
Samuel Adams Hopscape will be available starting in January in 12 ounce bottles, cans and draft.
Style: Wheat Ale
Hops: Chinook, Citra, Centennial, Zeus
Availability: 12oz Bottles, 12oz Cans. Draft. Seasonal Release.
Debut: January, 2016.
5.5% ABV, 30 IBUs
Samuel Adams Big Hapi honors Red Sox hitter David Ortiz
Samuel Adams Big Hapi, a beer honoring Red Sox all-star David Ortiz, debuts on Friday, November 4th.
David Ortiz, aka “Big Papi” played his last Major League Baseball game on October 2, 2016. Ortiz finishes his career with a .286 average, 541 career home runs, ranking17th on the MLB all-time home run list, 1,768 RBIs (22nd all-time). Among designated hitters, Ortiz is the all-time leader in MLB history for home runs (485), runs batted in (RBIs) (1,569), and hits (2,192).
To honor one of their hometown heroes, Jim Koch and his brewing team have created Samuel Adams Big Hapi, an imperial IPA brewed with mango juice.
“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to watch David Ortiz hit homers out of the park while enjoying a cold Sam Adams. Now, I’m excited to toast to his record-setting career with Big Hapi Double IPA. We’re thrilled to honor our hometown baseball hero by doing what we do best, brewing beer, and giving craft beer and baseball fans a commemorative brew to honor an extraordinary legend.” – Jim Koch, Boston Beer founder.
541 bottles of Samuel Adams Big Hapi will be available at the brewery on November 4th starting at 2 pm. All proceeds from the sale will go to the David Ortiz Children’s Fund.
Style: Imperial IPA (w/ Mango Juice)
Availability: 24oz Bottles. 541 Bottle Run.
Debut: 11/4/16
8% ABV
Samuel Adams Rebel Juiced IPA debuts
Samuel Adams Rebel Juiced debuts today, Halloween 2016.
Bold tropical hops are the focus of this latest addition to the Boston brewery’s lineup. If Mosaic, Mandarina, and Zeus hops don’t do the trick, the brewery adds a touch of mango puree for an extra burst of juice.
At 55 IBUs, the hop varieties below were selected for the tropical aromas and juicy flavors they impart rather than for their bitterness. Zeus hops were used in the kettle and the Mosaic & Mandarina hops were used to dry hop.
Samuel Adams Rebel Juiced debuts on October 31st on draft nationally starting today. 12 ounce bottles will follow in January, 2017.
Style: IPA (w/ Mango Puree)
Hops: Mosaic, Mandarina, Zeus
Malts: In-house 2-Row Pale Blend
Availability: Draft until January, 2017. 12oz Bottles. Year-round
Debut: Halloween, 2016
6.2% ABV, 55 IBUs
Sam Adams Ginger Beer, a spicy alcoholic potential
Sam Adams Ginger Beer looks to be in the Boston brewery’s future.
What was once a traditionally non-alcoholic brew has gained a good bit of popularity in the United States as an alcoholic beverage.
Recent industry releases in the ginger beer category include Not Your Father’s Ginger Ale, and Nashville brewed Wild Ginger.
While ginger beer may seem like a unique niche in the alcohol market, Boston Beer Company is no stranger to experimentation. In addition to their successful Boston Lager and various IPA’s, the brewery has made everything from mead to radlers as well as launched the Nitro Can Series. All on top of releasing one of the most expensive beers in the American market – Utopias.
Sam Adams Ginger Beer is slated to be a limited release. The brewery has not yet announced this offering.
Style: Ginger Beer
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: TBA
6% ABV
Sam Adams Nitro Cans now shipping nationally
Boston Beer Company, makers of what you know as Samuel Adams beer, have officially launched their first nitrogenated beer can offerings, nationally.
First up in the series is Sam Adams Nitro White Ale. Brewed with Citra hops, plus Grains of Paradise, orange peel, and coriander, 5.5% ABV.
There are two more nitro cans to be released in the upcoming months. February will see the release of Sam Adams Nitro IPA, brewed with six different hops including Zeus, Polaris, Galaxy, Amarillo, Centennial and Simcoe. 7.5% ABV
March release is Sam Adams Nitro Coffee Stout. Hopped with East Kent Goldings, the coffee laden beer finishes at 5.8% ABV.
All Samuel Adams Nitro Can offerings will be available in 16 ounce cans, 4 packs. Retail prices between $8.99 and $10.99.
