[Note: You may have noticed a lot of Sam Adams posts this week... that's what happens when you do a bunch of interviews and get "all access". And a lot of free beer. I'm just sayin']

I discovered beer with my first sip of Samuel Adams Boston Lager. I’m not saying it was my very first, but that it set me off in the right direction. It was different and it challenged me. Still the favorite of its creator and The Boston Beer Company President, Jim Koch, it made me realize that beer was not a simple beverage and that it could truly push the limits of expectations. True to form, Sam Adams is ruffling feathers again.

The Sam Adams Imperial Series of craft beers doesn’t mess around. These are big beers. They will kick your ass with flavor and intensity, and offer no apologies. They are perfect examples of what can happen when someone skilled in the art wants to take a beer style to the edge and threaten to throw it over. This trio of brews consists of Samuel Adams Imperial Stout, Samuel Adams Imperial White, and Samuel Adams Double Bock.

Sam Adams Imperial Stout
To put it simply, stouts are black ales that owe most of their character to the highly roasted barley malt used in their creation. They are often mildly hopped and balanced with flavors of chocolate and coffee. The imperial version of the stout is the highly hopped high-alcohol big brother to the base style. And pours into the glass like liquid midnight.

You can see and hear the thickness of this beer and the mocha-colored head gently floats atop awaiting your first taste. Putting your nose into the glass you inhale. Your wanton wafting draws in huge coffee and chocolate aromas with a hint of dried fruit.

This is not an intro-level beer. The first taste coats your mouth in a bitter wash of chocolate and anise that finishes with a barista inspired bite. As you swallow, you’ll feel the gentle warming of this 9.2% ABV beast, continuing its esophageal edging. After tasting this beer, you’ll see why it was at one time reserved for royalty.

Samuel Adams Imperial White
White style ales, or witbiers, hail from Belgium. This style is typically brewed with unmalted wheat, malted barley, and spiced with orange peel and coriander.

The Sam Adams Imperial White hugs the style guidelines tightly while slipping in a tongue-kiss for good measure. This beer greets the glass without appeal and pours out a heartily clouded golden-orange that seems to glow from within. It is crowned with a prominent white head with steadfast lacing. Aromas of spice and tropical fruits dance along with the slight bite of alcohol in this 10.3% ABV homage to this typically refreshing brew. The taste is smooth and strong with a strong measure of spice and a slick malty sweetness. The clearly present alcohol in this one heats its way down and lingers without overpowering the big picture.

This is truly a sipping beer that is meant to be savored. Picture the lovechild of a tripel/wheat wine/witbier orgy and you're almost there.

Samuel Adams Double Bock
Bock style beer is a dark, highly-malted, lightly hopped German style lager that skirts the high end of the alcoholic atmosphere for beer.

Samuel Adams Double Bock (or doppelbock as the style is more traditionally known) doesn’t bother with skirting anything. It takes both of the highlights of the style, malt and alcohol, and pounds the boundaries.

Upon pouring the thick, crystal-mahogany liquid into the glass you’ll notice how it embraces the sides and holds on tight. The head is thin and short-lived and creates a gentle and consistent lace. The maddeningly malty aromas are true to form for a beer that uses over half a pound of malt per bottle; a loaf of bread in each glass. You need to sip this one slowly and take in the warming effects of the 9.5% ABV as it caresses your tongue with its sweet, thick fingers. This is one seductive beer that needs time to be enjoyed.

The brewers at Samuel Adams have accomplished their goal. The Imperial Series of beers is the embodiment of intensity and flavor and undoubtedly pushes the boundaries of traditional beer styles.

I say it’s about time we brought “big beer” to the masses. Save your “lite” beers for chugging and savor these bold brews like a fine wine. The Imperial Series is now offered year-round and can be found anywhere that fine malt beverages are sold. Don’t be afraid to challenge the everyday and push your beer boundaries.

$9.99/4-pack
www.samueladams.com