Sam Adams' 28% Beer: Where To Buy?

The Samuel Adams Utopias beer, with 28% alcohol by volume, is an extreme beer by the Boston Beer Co. brewery. Due to its high alcohol content, it is illegal in 15 states in the US, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. Beginning October 11, it will be available at select specialty beer, wine, and liquor stores, where laws allow.

Samuel Adams Utopias beer is illegal in 15 US states

Samuel Adams Utopias is a unique beer with an ABV of 28%, which is extremely high for a beer. It is released every other year by the Boston Beer Co. and is aged in a variety of wooden casks, including bourbon and French oak. The beer is finished with cherries, which add a rich black cherry and dark fruit flavour.

Due to its high alcohol content, Utopias is illegal in 15 US states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. Each of these states has a maximum limit on the ABV of beer that can be sold, and Utopias exceeds this limit.

The beer is also very expensive, retailing at around $200 to $240 for a 24.5-ounce 25.4-ounce bottle. It is meant to be sipped and savoured, like a fine cognac or port, and is characterised by its complex, nuanced flavours.

Utopias is a highly sought-after beer, with only about 13,000 bottles produced each release. The first bottles go to Samuel Adams employees, with the corresponding bottle number relating to their hire date. The beer is available at select specialty beer, wine, and liquor stores and can also be found using the Samuel Adams website, which allows searches by zip code.

It is available at select specialty beer, wine and liquor stores

Samuel Adams' Utopias beer, which has an alcohol content of 28%, is available at select specialty beer, wine, and liquor stores. Due to its high alcohol content, it is illegal in 15 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. Therefore, it is essential to check the local laws before attempting to purchase this beer.

Utopias beer is a limited-release, extreme beer with a unique flavour profile. It is often compared to a complex port, cognac, or fine sherry and is meant to be sipped from a snifter at room temperature. The beer is aged in various barrels, including bourbon, Madeira, port, sherry, and French oak wine casks, giving it subtle notes of honeyed apricot and caramel. The brewing process also involves using multiple yeast strains, including one typically reserved for champagne, and a "ninja yeast" that can survive high alcohol levels.

The select specialty beer, wine, and liquor stores that sell Utopias beer are typically those that cater to beer enthusiasts and collectors. These stores usually stock a wide range of craft beers, limited releases, and unique offerings. They often have knowledgeable staff who can guide customers towards the right purchase and provide information about the beer's characteristics and production methods.

To find these select specialty stores, beer enthusiasts can start by checking online or contacting local beer and liquor stores in their area. Some stores may have websites or social media pages where they announce new or limited-edition products. Joining online communities or forums for beer enthusiasts can also be a great way to gather information about which stores carry Utopias beer. These communities often share insights, reviews, and availability updates for sought-after beers like Utopias.

It is important to act quickly if you find a store that carries Utopias beer, as it is a limited-release product and may not be restocked frequently. Additionally, due to its high alcohol content and unique production methods, Utopias beer commands a premium price, typically selling for around $200 per bottle. However, for beer enthusiasts seeking a unique and complex drinking experience, Utopias beer from Samuel Adams is worth seeking out at these select specialty beer, wine, and liquor stores.

It is released every other year in October

Samuel Adams' Utopias beer is released every other year in October. The Boston-based brewery releases a new version of its Utopias limited-edition beer every two years. The beer is available at select specialty beer, wine, and liquor stores, where laws allow. Due to its high alcohol content, Utopias is illegal in 15 US states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, and Idaho. This makes it unavailable on shelves in these states.

The beer is released in October every other year, with the 2021 batch available from October 11. The specific date for the next release is yet to be announced. The limited-edition beer is highly anticipated by beer enthusiasts, with its unique blend and high alcohol content. The beer is produced in extremely limited quantities, with a small number of bottles available for purchase.

The release date of Utopias is strategically chosen to align with the cooler autumn and winter months. The beer is meant to be savoured slowly and enjoyed at room temperature, making it an ideal beverage for the colder season. The October release also contributes to the sense of exclusivity and anticipation surrounding the limited-edition brew. With its high price tag and limited availability, Utopias is positioned as a premium product, perfect for beer connoisseurs seeking a unique and indulgent experience.

The biennial release schedule allows Samuel Adams brewers to experiment with different ageing barrels, flavours, and blending techniques. Each release of Utopias offers something new and exciting for beer enthusiasts to discover. The time between releases also builds anticipation and creates a sense of exclusivity. By releasing Utopias every other year, Samuel Adams ensures that the beer remains a highly sought-after and coveted product.

It costs $210-240 per bottle

Samuel Adams' Utopias beer is a highly coveted and expensive beer that fetches a price of $210-240 per bottle. This limited-edition beer is released by the Boston Beer Co. every other year and is known for its high alcohol content of 28% ABV, making it illegal in 15 states across the US. At this price point, the beer is a luxury item for those who can afford it and is often compared to a complex port or cognac.

The high price tag of Samuel Adams' Utopias beer is due to several factors. Firstly, the beer is produced in extremely limited quantities, with only 13,000 bottles available for purchase in 2017. Secondly, the beer undergoes a unique and lengthy aging process, with some batches being aged for nearly three decades in wooden bourbon casks and finished on 2,000 pounds of cherries. This lengthy aging process adds to the complexity of flavours in the beer, including notes of honeyed apricot and caramel, black cherry, and dark fruits.

The Utopias beer is also bottled in special packaging, with the bottles designed as replicas of the company's giant brewing kettle. This adds to the exclusivity and luxury of the product. The beer is meant to be sipped and savoured at room temperature, much like a fine cognac or port, and is described as an "extreme" beer by the brewery. The complex flavours and high alcohol content make it a unique and indulgent experience for those who are lucky enough to try it.

The Utopias beer is available at select specialty beer, wine, and liquor stores, where laws allow. Due to its high alcohol content, it is illegal in several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia. These laws restrict the availability of the beer and contribute to its exclusivity.

Despite the high price tag, the Utopias beer is a sought-after item for beer enthusiasts and collectors. It represents a unique and indulgent experience, offering complex flavours and a high alcohol content that sets it apart from typical beers. For those who can afford it, the Utopias beer offers a taste of luxury and exclusivity in the world of craft beer.

It is described as tasting like a vintage port, cognac, or fine sherry

Samuel Adams is best known for its Boston Lager, but the brand has expanded its range to include other beers, such as the Boston Ale and Black Lager. One of its more unique offerings is the Utopias beer, which has an alcohol content of 28% ABV. This makes it illegal in 15 US states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

Utopias is an "extreme" beer, according to the brewery, and is often compared to a complex port or cognac. It is described as tasting like a vintage port, cognac, or fine sherry, and is sipped from a snifter at room temperature. The beer is aged in wooden bourbon casks, some of which have been ageing for nearly three decades. After blending, the batches are aged in 86 different barrels that previously held Madeira, port, and sherry. This year's Utopias also includes some of the blend aged in Sauternes French oak wine casks, adding "subtle notes of honeyed apricot and caramel." The beer is finished on 2,000 pounds of cherries, including Michigan Balaton cherries, which give it a "rich flavor of black cherry and dark fruits."

The complex flavours of Utopias are a result of the unique ageing process, and the beer is considered an "extreme" and "special" brew. It is a limited-edition release, with bottles retailing for $240 each. Beginning on October 11, it will be available at select specialty beer, wine, and liquor stores where laws allow.

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