 Samuel Adams Mighty Oak Ale |
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Samuel Adams Mighty Oak Ale |
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The beer world, like any other, moves in cycles. I hesitate to call these cycles“fads”, because they tend to stick with us long after first emerging. India Pale Ales were one of the first, then Imperial beers, and not that long ago India dark ales. I’m not sure if it’s a trend yet, but lately I’m starting to see more Oak Aged beers hit the shelves. That being the case, you can hardly fault Boston Beer, makers of the Samuel Adams line of beers, for getting in on the act. Samuel Adams launched a barrel Room collection a few years ago that features oak-aged beers, among them Samuel Adams American Kriek. Those beers are pricey (about $9.99), though, and can be a bit overwhelming to those new to the art of oak aged brew. Fear not, however. If you’re looking to get an idea of what an oak aged beer might be like, Uncle Sam (Adams) has the brew for you with Samuel Adams Mighty Oak Ale. Mighty Oak Ale was selected by popular fan vote to be included in the 2012 Brewer’s Choice sampler. This year’s 12-pack included a wealth of new brews, including Mighty Oak Ale, Samuel Adams Alpine Spring, and Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA. That’s a lot of new beer for about $13. Consider my Local Taco Mac offered an oak-aged beer from Allagash recently at $9 for an 11 ounce pour; the same beer is sold in 750 ML bottles for about the same price as the entire Sam Adams Brewmaster’s sampler. Mighty Oak Ale is a red ale/amber ale in style brewed with the Boston Beer staple Harrington malt variety among others. English Fuggle and East Kent Golding hops are used as well, and the beer is moderate in strength at 5.7% alcohol by volume. That’s a bit of a novelty, as many American oak aged beers are generally stronger, but Boston beer was looking here to concoct a beer of average strength that could feature those wonderfully toasty, vanilla-laden notes of oak. Let’s see how they did, shall we? Samuel Adams Mighty Oak Ale pours to a bright mahogany color with a light creamy, slightly tan colored head formation and a subtle vanilla nose. The palate is rich with chewy red ale malty notes up front, hinting at caramel and fresh toasted malt. Oaky wood notes emerge softly and build into the finish, where they combine with hints of vanilla and a slightly refreshing tartness. That’s the wood at work again. Hops are very lightly pronounced, but that’s a good thing as too many would detract from the malt and wood dance going on here. A very nice beer indeed, not overpowering yet resplendent in oaky glory. The benefits of the wood were such that I had to check my tongue for splinters after sipping. All kidding aside, this one is just another reason to pick up the Brewmaster’s sampler, and I look forward to Samuel Adams offering it again on tap and in 6-packs in the future. If you’re new to the world of beer and oak, Samuel Adams Mighty Oak Ale is an approachable, affordable place to start your journey.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box. *Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer. (B)=Bottled (D)=Draft |
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