Boston Beer Company Samuel Adams Fat Jack
What the brewers say
“More than twenty-eight pounds of pumpkin per barrel for a full-bodied sweetness and deep russet color. Classic pumpkin-pie spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice … an undercurrent of roasty smoked malts.
What our panel thought
Aroma: “A smooth blend of pumpkin-pie spices (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg) and a rich, bready sweet caramel malt character (bordering on toffee) compete for dominance, with a pleasant note of fresh-baked pumpkins.”
Flavor: “Deep malt sweetness comes through as caramelized brown sugar and toffee, supported by a very nice spice character with notes of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Surprisingly balanced, considering the sweetness, thanks in part to the spice profile. Clean, crisp, warm finish with a slight lingering sweetness, but far from cloying. Definitely a big beer.”
Overall: “This beer has a lot to offer—full-bodied, rich, and complex, with a very well designed spice profile that’s not too spiced nor too sweet. It all comes together well, and the warmth of the beer makes it bigger than most pumpkins. Big yet approachable.”
