Samuel Adams Utopias

This weekend, one of my friends in the city told me he had gotten his hands upon a bottle of the ubber expensive Samuel Adams Utopias.  Much more surprising was the generous invite bestowed upon myself to partake.  Lets just say that if given that invite, I am surely not going to be turning it down.  Therefore, here we go!

Samuel Adams Utopias


Appearance- Mahogany in color with very noticeable ruby highlights throughout the beer.  No head or carbonation, but that was known before I even poured.

Smell- BOOZE.  Although this is not the only thing, its hard for it not to be the first thing you observe (and not surprising at 27% alcohol).  Beneath the alcohol is maple syrup sweetness as well as figs and strong dark fruits.  At the finish of each whiff is a stinging alcohol in the nostrils.

Taste- Strong dark fruits; figs, plums, and raisins.  Sweet taste throughout the beer, best description I could give is it is that it is very "rich".  Although the alcohol is quite noticeable from the get go, it rises towards the end with a strong bite on the tongue and a warming sensation with each sip.  A very interesting and enjoyable maple syrup aftertaste.

Mouthfeel- A certain creamy feel even with the alcohol bite (if that makes sense) in the beginning which is followed up with a finishing hard alcohol bite on the tongue.  No carbonation, warming alcohol sensation.

Overall and Notes- This, as expected, was a very different beer.  Incredibly rich with an interesting alcohol bite that would intrigue those who enjoy sipping on bourbon.  Seeing the high price on this beer gives me the lingering suspicion that I have tried it for both the first and last time.  What a foreboding feeling.