Topic Archives: Small Batch Series
Smuttynose Strawberry Short Weisse: August 9th
On Thursday, August 9, 2012, from 5pm to 7pm, Smuttynose will release Strawberry Short Weissin the Small Batch Series.
Smuttynose Strawberry Short Weiss, our take on a Berliner Weisse, is lightly tart, refreshing and incredibly drinkable. It’s also one of our staff’s most beloved beers.
Bottles arrive Thursday, Kegs ship after August 20th.
Style: Berliner Weisse (w/ Strawberries)
Availability: 750 ml bottles, $15 each. 4 Bottle limited. Brewery only. Limited Draft
Batch Size: 27 barrels (30 cases of 750 ml bottles, 121 5.2 gallon kegs)
3.7% ABV, 5 IBUs
Samuel Adams Small Batch “Fat Jack”
More pumpkin laden brew on the way from the makers of Samuel Adams. Fat Jack looks to be making an appearance in the Small Batch Series.
This rich and luscious brew indulges in flavor with over 28Ibs of pumpkin per barrel, for a full bodied sweetness and deep russet color. Classic pumpkin pie spices of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice ignite a warmth and spark that’s deepened by an undercurrent of roasty smoked malts. The result is a delectable brew full of enveloping layers of flavor and spice.
At Samuel Adams we love experimenting. This series of limited edition brews represents some of our favorite small batch creations.
Style: Pumpkin Beer
Hops: East Kent Goldings, Fuggle
Malts: Samuel Adams Two-Row Pale Malt Blend, Caramel 60, Special B, Smoked Malt
Extras: Real Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Allspice
Availability: 22oz bottles
Arrival: Initial release: August, 2012
8.5% ABV
READ MORE: Small Batch Series
Sam Adams Dark Depths, Cinder Bock Arrive
The newest additions to the Sam Adams Small Batch lineup are now arriving – Dark Depths and Cinder Bock.
Cinder Bock
Cinder is billed as a “rauchbock” or smoke bock.
Unusual and playful this half-breed brew begins with a rush of smoky, almost savory, aromas and flavors. The distinctive campfire smokiness of a rauchbier lingers and beings to reveal the rich and velvety malt smoothness of a double bock with a notes of toffee and caramel. This roguish brew transforms from its bold start to a hearty and satisfying finish.
Style: Dopplebock (smoked)
Hops: Hallertau Mittlefruh
Malts: Two Row Harrington, Metcafe, Copeland Pale, Caramel 60, Smoked Malt
Availability: 22oz bottles (One time brew, as of 3/12)
9.4% ABV
Dark Depths
Depths is a IPA or a hoppy porter ( Need some clarification) brewed with a lager yeast for an interesting mesh of styles.
Across the cold and brackish waters of the Baltic, the English Porter was transferred, from a mild ale to a dark and complex lager that confounds definition. Immersed in dark, roasted malts and a bold citrus hop character, these big and contrasting flavors are brought together with the smoothness of a lager for a brew that’s bold, mysterious, and full of flavor. Batch #1
Style: Hoppy Porter? IPA (ish)Hops: Saaz, Zeus, Ahtanum, Simcoe
Malts: Two Row Harrington, Metcalfe, Copeland Pale, Carafa I, Caramel 60, Munich
Yeast: Lager
Availability: 22oz bottles. One time brew (As of 3/12)
7.6% ABV
Other additions to potentially released soon: Verloren, and Norse Legend.
Tasman Red, Dark Depths, Third Voyage Get 12oz Labels
The Samuel Adams Small Batch series is very active and constantly evolving. In 2011, 4 beers were released in the new series – Tasman Red, Griffin’s Bow, The Vixen, and Third Voyage. We here at BSJ think we’ve got the 2012 lineup figured out too – Dark Depths, Cinder Bock, Verloren, & Norse Legend. Each of these beers are both interesting and complex, on top of being a far departure from the brewery’s usual lineup.
New twist: 3 of these beers look to headed for 12 bottles. Tasman Red – 1 of the 3, released last year in 750s but also first to hit tap handles. Third Voyage – released in 2011, imperial IPA. Dark Depths – A hoppy baltic porter/IPA that is still awaiting release.
Samuel Adam’s Norse Legend
The Samuel Adams lineup of Small Batch beers are ever expanding. 4 were released in 2011. The potential 2012 releases are already taking shape. The brewery is expanding not only the series, but with new styles too. Just yesterday it was a gose, today a sahti – Norse Legend.
This ancient Finnish-style brew dates back to the 1500s as one of the oldest continuously brewed styles. Deep amber in color, this rugged brew’s distinctive aroma and flavor comes from aging on a bed of juniper berries. The herbal, woodsy, and ripe citrus character of the juniper enlivens a sturdy and smooth malt backbone for a fresh and flavorful brew. At Samuel Adams we love experimenting, This series of limited edition brews represents some of our favorite small batch creations.
Style: Sahti
Availability: 750ml bottles, Draft.
Arrival: TBA
7% ABV
2011 Series: Tasman Red, Griffin’s Bow, The Vixen, and Third Voyage.
2012 Series: Dark Depths, Cinder Bock, Verloren, & now Norse Legend (all tentative)
Sam Adams “Lost” Beer
Samuel Adams continues to expand their Small Batch Series in 2012. On the schedule is Verloren, and gose. There aren’t a lot of U.S. brewers making a gose, especially a brewery as large as Boston Beer. That’s probably why they dubbed it “Verloren” or “lost” beer . (It’s Dutch.) The style originated in Goselar, Germany in the 18th century. Gose became very popular the adjacent city of Leipzig, Germany due to a lot of local breweries brewing the style. Gose all but died out during WWII due to brewery closings. Expect this beer to have a touch of sourness, with notes of lemon & salt.
A link to the ales of Saxony that had all but vanished, Gose is a peculiar yet captivating brew. With a base of an unfiltered wheat ale, it’s vivid and refreshing yet also has a softness to it. The flavor is brought to life by an unexpected touch of salt for a mineral quality, and coriander for a peppery spice. The result is an unusual and delicate brew that’s full of flavors to discover. Batch #1
Style: Gose
Hops: Saaz
Malts: 2 Row Pale, Munich, Malted & Unmalted Wheat
Adjuncts: Coriander, Salt
Availability: 22oz bottles
Arrival: TBA
6% ABV
The series to date features Tasman Red, Griffin’s Bow, The Vixen, and Third Voyage.
Potential Additions in 2012: Dark Depths, Cinder Bock, and now Verloren.
Sam Adams Cinder Bock
Sam Adams has just released 4 beer in the brewery’s new Small Batch Series, and aren’t stopping there. Cider Bock is looks to join the crew next year. Cinder is billed as a “rauchbock” or smoke bock.
Unusual and playful this half-breed brew begins with a rush of smoky, almost savory, aromas and flavors. The distinctive campfire smokiness of a rauchbier lingers and beings to reveal the rich and velvety malt smoothness of a double bock with a notes of toffee and caramel. This roguish brew transforms from its bold start to a hearty and satisfying finish.
Speculation: Some of these brews will make another appearance in the future (they are labeled a “Batch #1.) Depending on popularity, I would assume there could be a Batch #2 release. Others released in the series include Tasman Red, Griffin’s Bow, The Vixen, and Third Voyage. Coming in 2012: Dark Depths.
Style: Doppelbock (smoked)
Hops: Hallertau Mittlefruh
Malts: Two Row Harrington, Metcafe, Copeland Pale, Caramel 60, Smoked Malt
Availability: 22oz bottles
Arrival: 2012
9.4% ABV
