A Pint Half Full

Purchased from:
Still working off those gifts...

ABV%:
5.3%

Color:
Hazy yellow, golden wheat color.  Decent frothy head.

Aroma:
Lemons and citrus hops.  Tangy.

Taste:
Somewhat thin and watery.  Slight citrusy hop taste at the front, finishes smooth and especially dry.  Definite taste of the zing from lemons.  Light flavors all around.

Overall:
I've come to believe that the Boston Beer Company can be genius at times and at other times, utterly fail.  The Boston Lager still stands on its own as one of my favorite beers.  The flavor is consistent, balanced, and full providing you a hops fix with a nice maltiness.  It's just solid.  The Sam Adams Coastal Wheat is one of those "other times" unfortunately, when they step away from their forte and try something new. 

I must preface by saying I'm not a big Hefeweizen, wheat beer guy and I don't drink it much.  The Coastal Wheat is brewed in this style.  A wheat beer must be brewed with at least 60%-70% wheat malt rather than barley malt.  This gives these beers a more fruity, spicy flavor and impart a golden hazy color.  Sam Adams has gotten the color down here but the rest of the beer doesn't stand up for itself.  They had to add a bunch of lemon zest to the brew.  You smell and taste the tartness of the lemons that it overpowers anything the beer had to offer.  Which isn't to say the beer itself had much to offer.  It's kind of fizzy and soda water-y.  Really low hop bitterness and without any natural flavors from the wheat malt detected.  I suppose it was refreshing and crisp, but at the cost of any substantial flavor whatsoever.

2/5