2OO9 SAMUEL ADAMS UTOPIAS

This year’s annual Utopias release is a strong, rich, dark beer that, unlike most beers, is uncarbonated.  It is brewed with several different strains of yeast, including a variety typically reserved for champagne.  A blend of two-row Caramel and Munich malts gives the beer its rich ruby-black color and the blend of three kinds of Noble hops; Spalt Spalter, Hallertau Mittelfrueh and Tettnang Tettnanger give the beer its floral character and spicy note.  This batch is a blend of liquids, some of which have been aged in a variety of woods, including Scotch whiskey barrels for up to 16 years.  A portion was also aged in hand-selected, single-use bourbon casks from the Buffalo Trace Distillery.  The extended aging process enhances the distinct cinnamon, vanilla and maple notes in the beer’s flavor.  This year’s batch was finished in sherry casks from Spain and muscatel and port casks from Portugal.  The sherry casks add nutty, oak and honey notes, while the muscatel and port casks contribute slightly more elegant, dark fruit aromas and flavors.  The limited-edition 2OO9 batch will be bottled in numbered, ceramic brew kettle shaped decanters.  Since its first release in 2OO2, Utopias has held the title of “world’s strongest beer” in the Guinness Book of World Records with 25 percent APV; the 2OO9 weighs in at 27 percent.  The recommended pour is two-ounces served at room temperature and suggested retail is $15O per bottle.  Available from Atlas Distributing, Burke Distributing, Commercial Distributing, L. Knife & Son and Merrimack Valley Distributing.