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Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat is a fruit beer by the Boston Beer Company. It was introduced in 1995 as a summer seasonal brew but became so popular that it is now available all year round. It is made with Michigan cherries and a touch of honey, and is described as having a sweet, refreshing taste. However, reviews are mixed, with some drinkers describing it as the worst beer of all time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat |
| Brewery | Boston Beer Company |
| ABV | 5.3% or 5.4% |
| Ingredients | Michigan cherries, honey, malted wheat, Noble hops |
| Flavour | Sweet, fruity, refreshing, crisp, bitter, malty, smooth |
| Colour | Light, reddish brown, orange, amber |
| Format | Bottle, can |
What You'll Learn
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat is a summer seasonal brew
The beer has a distinctive cherry character, with the fruit added at two different points during the brewing process: once during the mash and again during finishing. This gives the beer a strong cherry scent and flavour without being too overpowering. The addition of honey also contributes to the sweetness and depth of flavour. While some drinkers find the cherry flavour too artificial and cloying, others appreciate its unique, refreshing taste.
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat has a light colour and an ABV of around 5.3% to 5.5%. It is best paired with salads, mild cheeses, or light desserts. The beer has a divisive reputation, with some drinkers loving its fruity, refreshing taste, while others find it too sweet or artificial. However, it has developed a large enough following to be introduced as a year-round style, rather than just a summer seasonal brew.
The Boston Beer Company, which produces Sam Adams Cherry Wheat, is known for its innovation and willingness to experiment with different beer styles. This particular brew is an excellent example of their creative use of native ingredients to produce a unique and refreshing beer. While it may not be to everyone's taste, Sam Adams Cherry Wheat has certainly made its mark in the world of craft beer.
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It has an ABV of 5.3% or 5.4%
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat beer is a unique brew with an ABV of 5.3% or 5.4%. It was introduced in 1995 as a summer seasonal beer, but its distinct cherry character and large following led to it becoming a year-round offering.
The beer is crafted with Michigan cherries and a touch of honey, balancing sweet fruitiness with crisp, cereal notes from malted wheat and subtle citrus flavours from Noble hops. The result is a refreshing, light beer with a complex flavour profile.
The ABV, or alcohol by volume, of 5.3% or 5.4% places it within the typical range for craft beers, which tend to have slightly higher ABVs than mass-produced beers. This percentage indicates the volume of ethanol (alcohol) present in the total volume of the beverage.
While the ABV provides insight into the alcohol content, it does not tell the whole story of the drinking experience. The perception of alcohol strength can be influenced by various factors, including the presence of carbonation, serving temperature, and the drinker's sensitivity to alcohol.
Cherry Wheat beer, with its ABV of 5.3% or 5.4%, offers a balanced drinking experience where the alcohol is noticeable but not overpowering. The beer's unique flavour profile, combining sweet and crisp elements, has garnered mixed reviews, with some praising the balance and others finding it too sweet or artificial.
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The beer is light in colour and slightly hoppy
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat Beer is a light-coloured, slightly hoppy beer. It has been described as having a white foamy head typical of wheat beers, with an amberish body and a slight reddish tint. The beer is noted for its strong cherry aroma, which has been likened to that of natural cherries, cherry candy, or cherry cough drops.
The taste of the beer is described as surprisingly less bold than its aroma, with a balance of cherry, malt, and wheat flavours. It is said to be relatively light-bodied, smooth, and drinkable, with a slight bitterness and a lingering cherry aftertaste. Some reviewers note that the cherry flavour is not as prominent in the taste as it is in the aroma, while others describe it as overpowering and artificial.
The beer has a 5.2-5.4% ABV and is considered refreshing, making it suitable for summer drinking. It pairs well with salads, mild cheeses, and light desserts.
Overall, Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat Beer is a unique and well-liked style, with a distinct cherry character. While some reviewers praise the balance of flavours, others find the cherry flavour too strong or artificial.
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It is brewed with Michigan cherries and a touch of honey
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat is a unique beer that combines the sweetness of Michigan cherries with a subtle touch of honey, resulting in a refreshing and flavourful drinking experience. The addition of cherries, a native ingredient, with a sweet and fruity character, sets this beer apart and gives it a distinct cherry presence that has made it one of the most well-liked styles of Samuel Adams beer.
The brewing process involves adding cherries at two different stages: during the mash and again during the finishing. This ensures that the cherry flavour is not overpowering but rather balanced and complementary to the other ingredients. The result is a beer that is light on the palate, with a subtle sweetness and a hint of honey, creating a complex and surprising depth of flavour.
The honey used in the brewing process adds a subtle touch of sweetness that enhances the overall flavour profile. While it is not a dominant note, it provides a smooth and slightly sweet character to the beer. The combination of honey and cherries creates a unique taste that is both refreshing and intriguing.
The Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat beer is an excellent example of how native ingredients can be used to create a delicious and unique drinking experience. The Michigan cherries and touch of honey come together to form a complex, sweet, and refreshing beer that has gained a dedicated following since its introduction as a summer seasonal brew in 1995. This beer is a testament to the innovation and creativity of the brewers at Samuel Adams.
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It is a fruit beer, or wheat ale, from the Boston Beer Company
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat is a fruit beer or wheat ale from the Boston Beer Company. It was introduced in 1995 as a summer seasonal brew and was so well-liked that it became a year-round offering. It is a unique beer that follows the centuries-old American tradition of brewing beer with native ingredients. In this case, the key ingredients are Michigan cherries and a touch of honey. The sweet fruitiness of the cherries is balanced by the crisp, cereal notes of malted wheat and subtle citrus flavours from Noble hops. The result is a sweet, refreshing beer that is light on the palate but complex in flavour.
The beer is light in colour and slightly hoppy, with an ABV of 5.4%. It pairs well with salads, mild cheeses, or light desserts. While some reviewers find the cherry flavour too strong or artificial, others appreciate the balance it brings to the beer. Some describe it as a good option for those who don't usually enjoy the taste of beer.
Cherry Wheat has a distinct cherry character that sets it apart from other Samuel Adams beers. Cherries are added at two different points during the brewing process: once during the mash and again during finishing. This ensures that the cherry flavour is well-integrated and not overpowering. The beer has a smooth finish and a syrupy, medium body.
Overall, Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat is a unique and refreshing fruit beer or wheat ale. It offers a well-balanced blend of sweet cherry flavours, crisp wheat notes, and subtle citrus hints. With its year-round availability, it has become a popular choice for those seeking a fruity and complex beer.
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Frequently asked questions
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat was introduced in 1995 as a summer seasonal brew. However, due to its popularity, it is now available all year round.
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat is made following the centuries-old American tradition of brewing beer with native ingredients. It is made with Michigan cherries and a touch of honey.
The beer is described as crisp and fruity with a hint of honey. The sweetness of the cherries is balanced by the crisp, cereal notes from the malted wheat and subtle citrus flavour from the Noble hops.
The beer is best paired with a salad, mild cheeses, or light desserts.
