Erin Elizabeth
If you’re looking for a quality beer to pair with your favorite afternoon snacks or for when you’re watching your favorite game, you can’t go wrong with a refreshing can or bottle of Sam Adams.
Since 1984, this beer brand has become one of the best-selling beers in the United States. Their main brewery in Boston, Massachusetts, is a popular spot to sample their taproom brews.
Sam Adams offers a wide selection of flavors to enrich your taste buds if you’re looking for a beer with pizzaz in every sip. Some have a subtle, fruity flavor profile, while others have a slightly roasted sensation.
Although most people shy away from beers that taste too bitter, Sam Adams balances this flavor profile with a subtle sweetness that gives first-time drinkers a taste that they’re comfortable with.
Best Sam Adams Beers
I compiled this list of the best Sam Adams beers to help you narrow down flavors that might resonate with you.
Sam Adams Octoberfest
First up on my list of the best Sam Adams beers is Sam Adams Octoberfest.
This limited edition flavor is available from August through October and has a smooth texture with a roasted yet sweet flavor profile.
One bottle of Sam Adams Octoberfest contains 190 calories, an IBU of 15, and a 5.3% APV. I consider it a great option for anyone who prefers beer with a low bitterness.
The Octoberfest beer is made with Tettnang Tettnanger and Hallertau Mittelfrueh hops blended with a unique malt blend and a hint of caramel malt.
It’s a great beer to sip as summer transitions into fall and is the perfect treat for an authentic Oktoberfest celebration.
This beer tastes great with pretzels, sauerkraut, chicken schnitzel, bratwurst, and other Oktoberfest delicacies.
Sam Adams Utopias
Next up on this list of the best Sam Adams beers is Sam Adams Utopias, another limited variant.
Every two years, Sam Adams creates a new formula for this blend. For example, they released their Cognac and Madeira brew in 2019 and their Balaton Cherry brew in 2021.
Sam Adams Utopias have a 28% ABV level, about seven times higher than the average percentage for beer.
This barrel-aged beer uses the finest yeast to keep it from fermenting. Additionally, it isn’t sold and shipped in 15 states because of its alcohol content.
Consider pairing this beer with steak or clam chowder to enhance its sweetness and tartness.
Sam Adams Holiday Porter
Although Sam Adams Holiday Porter is lighter than most British porter options on the market, I enjoy trying it whenever it’s available.
It’s available every winter and incorporates several types of malted barley to give it a robust and full-bodied sensation.
It has a roasted and smoky aroma when opened and hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. Like many other Sam Adams beer options, it has an ABV of 5.8%.
It has a bitter aftertaste similar to some dark chocolates, but I consider it an excellent option for anyone who prefers that over fruitier flavors. I like pairing this with artisan cheeses or holiday desserts.
Sam Adams Noble Pils
Next up on the list is Sam Adams Noble Pils. This beer has a floral and citrusy aroma, unlike the previous entries on this list.
In addition, this pilsner has a slightly lower ABV percentage than their standard brews, measuring 4.9% per bottle.
Its formula incorporates honeyed malt notes of spring barley that balance out the hops of subtle bitterness.
Its initial aroma smells like dried fruit and fresh bread. Although this isn’t one of my favorite beer options, I recommend trying it if you prefer exploring new flavors.
It has a slightly sticky aftertaste from its malts that can linger on your tongue for a bit.
Sam Adams Belgian Session
Sam Adams Belgian Session is one of the best seasonal beers that tastes great in the summer.
Its Belgian yeast gives the beer hints of flavor similar to toffee and caramel, making it an ideal option for those who love fruity and spicy brews.
It’s flavorful and has a crisp feeling with every sip, making it the perfect treat for the hottest days.
Its fruity aroma is another feature I love whenever I buy a few bottle packs at the store.
If you have a summer barbecue, pair this beer with a burger, fries, or a hot sandwich to counteract your food’s saltiness. It also has a 4.5% APV.
Sam Adams Winter Lager
Sometimes, finding quality lagers during the coldest months can feel overwhelming.
Thankfully, Sam Adams Winter Lager offers the taste of a traditional winter bock with spicy and fruity hints.
This seasonal brew is available from November to January, making it the perfect drink to enjoy as the holidays approach.
Its aroma has fragrant hints of clementine and orange, offering fruity contrast to most winter-based flavors. It also has a touch of cinnamon and ginger, giving it a crispy, spicy feel.
It has a 5.6% ABV, contains 181 calories, and is made with Hallertau Mittelfrueh, and Spalt Spalter Noble hops. It tastes best with baked brie, roasted turkey, gingerbread, and apple pie.
Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale
Autumn is the best time to enjoy pumpkin-flavored delicacies, including beer.
I remember enjoying Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale as the leaves began to fall and Halloween came creeping around the corner.
Unfortunately, it might be hard to find this variety compared to their Jack-O.
It used real pumpkins in its recipe to ensure authentic flavor. It smells like caramel once opened, making it a great option for anyone who loves beer with a sweet aroma.
It also has common spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, typically found in pumpkin products. It has a sweet aftertaste that anyone with a sweet tooth will enjoy.
Sam Adams Porch Rocker
Lemonade is the perfect treat for beating the warmest spring and summer days, so why not try a refreshing bottle of Sam Adams Porch Rocker if you want something that replicates its tart and zesty feel?
This seasonal Radler is available April through August and is the perfect drink to have if you love lounging by the pool.
It contains Hallertau Mittelfrueh Noble Hops, Samuel Adams’ two-row pale malt blend, and has a 4.5% ABV. It also has a noticeable lemon aroma that stays fresh when cooled.
I love pairing their Porch Rocker with spicy dishes like hot wings.
Sam Adams Chocolate Bock
Another one of the best Sam Adams beers is their discontinued Sam Adams Chocolate Bock.
I consider it a great beer for anyone looking for a darker option to drink. It has a smooth and rich texture, perfectly replicating the taste of chocolate for anyone craving a beer with minimal bitterness.
Sam Adams produced its sweet flavor by aging it on a bed of Ecuadorian cocoa nibs. When I tried this beer, I could detect traces of pure chocolate, vanilla, and honey.
This beer might be too sweet for some people, but I love enjoying a bottle after dinner as an alternative to most dessert wines.
Sam Adams Boston Lager
Every major beer company has its iconic, classic flavor, and Sam Adams Boston Lager is no exception.
Since 1984, this lager has become a favorite among beer lovers. Unlike several of the options on this list, it’s available year-round.
It has the perfect flavor balance because of its spicy hops and sweet roasted malts. It doesn’t have a strong aroma, but it smells floral and grainy.
It has a deep amber color, contains 175 calories, and has a 5% ABV.
It goes great with a wide selection of small plates, entrees, and desserts, including black bean soup, burgers, fried chicken, and dark chocolate.
Sam Adams Ruby Mild
Some beer enthusiasts prefer drinking beer that isn’t too strong or too watery.
Sam Adams Ruby Mild lands somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. I consider it a dark and mild beer since it has a subtle hop balanced by its seven malts.
Aroma-wise, it has a pleasant caramel-like fragrance when opened, with hints of earthy flavors.
However, its smooth sweetness isn’t overbearing and has plenty of balance with its bitter hops.
Its alcohol by volume is 5.6%, slightly higher than Sam Adams’ Boston Lager but significantly lower than their Utopias.
The best food to pair with this Sam Adams beer is mild cheddar cheese and smoked sausages.
Sam Adams Blueberry Hill Lager
If you’re in the mood for a fruity beer, consider sampling a Sam Adams Blueberry Hill Lager.
As you can tell from its namesake, it has a hint of blueberry to give it a citrusy edge from its Tettnang Tettnanger Noble hops for an added subtle citrus, despite the flavor being more subtle than other blueberry-flavored lagers. Its malts have a hint of sweet honey to balance the beer’s tartness.
A bottle of Blueberry Hill Lager contains about 160 calories and a 5.5% ABV. It also has a crisp and smooth aftertaste.
The best foods to pair with this tart and fruity beer include salads with nuts and cheese.
Sam Adams American Kriek
Sam Adams American Kriek offers people a new take on international sours, brewed with Balaton cherries.
The company sold this beer as a part of their Barrel Room and Limited Release packages. It doesn’t have an intense bitterness, so it’s a great option if you crave something tart yet filling with a 7% ABV.
When I tried this beer, I could detect a hint of toasted oak within its rich malt, resulting from the kriek’s barrel-aging process.
It has a sour aftertaste, which I consider a nice change of pace to ones that are sweet or bitter. However, it might be overwhelming for anyone sensitive to tartness.
Sam Adams Maple Pecan Porter
Sam Adams Maple Pecan Porter offers the sweet taste of authentic maple syrup in its recipe, sourced from Vermont.
This seasonal porter has a nutty aroma because of its hint of pecan. Its flavor profile also incorporates chocolate and coffee.
It’s a great springtime pick-me-up with smoked dishes, like chili, meat, and other barbecue specialties.
If you’re interested in sipping this drink, it has a sweet yet nutty aftertaste, so if you’re a fan of flavor combinations, you might enjoy this brew.
I recommend it to anyone looking for beers with minimal bitterness. It has a 5.6% ABV and contains about 150 calories per bottle.
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat Beer
Last up on this list of the best Sam Adams beers is their Cherry Wheat Beer.
I consider this a great drink to sample if you want something crisp and fruity. This hazy golden brew is available year-round, so you’re bound to find a pack at several stores.
It incorporates Michigan cherries to give it a tart sensation and balances it with honey to add a subtle sweetness.
A 12-ounce bottle contains 176 calories, 16 grams of carbs, and an ABV of 5.3%. I recommend pairing it with cheddar cheese, grilled chicken, or cheesecake to enhance your food’s flavor.
Best Sam Adams Beers
- Sam Adams Octoberfest
- Sam Adams Utopias
- Sam Adams Holiday Porter
- Sam Adams Noble Pils
- Sam Adams Belgian Session
- Sam Adams Winter Lager
- Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale
- Sam Adams Porch Rocker
- Sam Adams Chocolate Bock
- Sam Adams Boston Lager
- Sam Adams Ruby Mild
- Sam Adams Blueberry Hill Lager
- Sam Adams American Kriek
- Sam Adams Maple Pecan Porter
- Sam Adams Cherry Wheat Beer
Final Thoughts
Over the years, Sam Adams has become a popular beer option for many people throughout the United States.
Their brew’s mixture of sweet and bitter flavors offers quality flavor in every sip, regardless of whether you’re in the mood for a year-round or limited edition brew.
Hopefully, this list of the best Sam Adam beers can help you find a few new favorite flavors that taste great with any dish. Some options taste stronger than others, but they offer plenty of variety to match different flavor preferences.
If you prefer sampling something different, check out this list of the best coffee beers.
