Sam Adams Winter Lager

Samuel Adams Winter Lager is a seasonal, dark-amber to deep-brown lager brewed in Massachusetts, and the color is the first clue to its character: this is a lager built around toasted malt rather than hop bite. The producer's own description points to warm cinnamon and ginger on the nose, layered over the toasty sweetness of malted barley and a hint of citrus. No ABV or IBU is listed for this listing, so judge it by style: winter-seasonal lagers like this usually sit in the middle of the strength range and keep bitterness modest, letting the malt lead. In the glass, expect a gentle spice note rather than anything sharp. The cinnamon and ginger read as seasoning, closer to baking spice than to a heavily spiced ale, and they sit on top of a bready, lightly caramelized malt body. The citrus mentioned in the description tends to show up as a faint orange-peel brightness near the finish, which keeps the sweetness from feeling heavy. Because it is a lager, the fermentation character stays clean, so the malt and spice come through without much fruity ester noise. Serve it cold but not ice-cold, around 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). Straight from a very cold fridge the spice and malt are muted; a few minutes on the counter lets the cinnamon and toasted-grain notes open up. A standard pint glass works, but a tulip or a shaped pint glass with a slight taper does better, since it concentrates the aroma and supports the head. At the table, this style suits roasted and braised dishes where caramelized flavors are already in play: roast turkey or chicken, glazed ham, pork loin with apples, and sausages with mustard. The malt sweetness also handles sweet-and-savory sides such as roasted squash, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce. For something lighter, aged cheddar and gouda pair well, and a gingerbread or apple-based dessert echoes the spice without overpowering the beer.