Wait what? The Samuel Adams spring edition Cabin Pack is already on store shelves? Yes, it is, and here I am still finishing up my Winter Classics 12-pack. Truth be told, Samuel Adams Scotch Ale was the main reason I bought the Cabin Pack, but I was also intrigued to try the new Samuel Adams Session Ale, an Extra Special Bitter (ESB) in style.

Of course, this isn’t the first ESB from Boston Beer, as I count three of them they’ve produced in the past. Ben Franklin’s Gold was an ESB I enjoyed back in 1997 at the now-defunct Samuel Adams Brewhouse in Philadelphia; a cask ESB I enjoyed at the Mews Tavern in Wakefield, Rhode Island that same year, and Longshot Special English Ale, also released in 1997. 1997 was the year of ESB for Boston Beer, it seems.

I’m not sure why Boston Beer calls this “Session Ale”. It’s not a session ale in the classical sense. Those are generally in the mild ale style with an alcohol content of 4% by volume or lower. Samuel Adams Session Ale does not meet those criteria. There is a current craze for “Session IPA”, and I feared this beer was one of those originally, though it’s not. Still, why didn’t they just call it Samuel Adams ESB?

Here’s what they say about Samuel Adams Session Ale on the label:

This down-to-earth ale celebrates the floral, bitter & slightly spicy character of Tettnanger hops along with more earthy notes from East Kent Goldings. A variety of malts, including English Marris Otter add just enough backbone and sweetness. So pull up a chair and stay awhile.

Worth noting from the website:

In brewing our Session Ale, East Kent Goldings hops are added at 4 points during the brewing process – including dry hopping in order to create the fullest impression of their character. These hops contribute a mellow bitterness with earthy, herbal, floral, and apricot notes.

And ingredients:

HOP VARIETIES: East Kent Goldings, Tettnang Tettnanger Noble hops

MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, Maris Otter, Honey Malt

YEAST STRAIN: Samuel Adams Ale Yeast

Samuel Adams Session Ale has an alcohol content of 5% by volume with 30 IBUs. I paid $13.99 for my Cabin Pack, not a bad price these days.

Samuel Adams Session Ale pours to a brilliant copper color with a thick creamy head and a luscious sweet malt nose. Taking a sip, those malts are simply beautiful up front if a little thinner than I’d like for an ESB. The bready Marris Otter and the sweet aromatic honey malts are truly stunning here, and they’re nicely underlined by the yeasty fruit. The finish is nicely grassy bitter and a bit tea-like from the EKG hops. That delightful hop aroma becomes more pronounced as the beer warms.

A very drinkable and tasty beer, I really love the malts here, and I would advise drinking this beer fresh to fully appreciate the delicate malts and hops. The use of Tettnangs is curious in an ESB (though they share some traits with the EKGs). Boston Beer does love using Noble hops, though. As an ESB I’d rate this beer at 3 ½ stars, but I’ll add a ½ star hedonistically (because I’m really enjoying it) and for value.



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