Sam Adams Cherry Wheat Ale

[jimbimbo]

I went out to my crappy Liquor store and bought a six pack of the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat Ale last night. When I first opened it and took a whiff from the bottle I could smell an intense cherry that smelled like candy, but when I drank it the cherry flavor almost went away. I could really taste a bread character and the cherry came in a slight tartness and in the after taste. I'm not a super beer critic, and I don't have a great experience with tasting. The thing I found that was weird is that the cherry aroma is so distinct and the cherry that mush in the taste. I think that it's a pretty nice beer. Anyone got any information on it or on wheat beers?

[Crut]

Its been a while since I had the Cherry wheat, but IIRC, i didnt like it all that much. It seemed like it had too much fake cherry flavor to me. Being in Cherry capitol of the world, We like to think we know a thing or two about how cherries are supposed to taste, and thats not what i think cherries taste like. Ive tried too many cherry wheats and been disappointed.
I just taps a cherry pail (pale) that I did last fall. Very light and delicate and the subtle flavor of the cherries not too overpowering. My buddy loves the SA cherry wheat, but it just doesnt taste like true cherries to me.
-Crut

[Thirsty Mallard]

I'm on the other side... I like Sam Adams Cherry Wheat! I think it is a great beer, although I really can't drink too many of them. I like that the cherry flavor isn't overpowering.

Having said that, I can see Crut's argument... a beer made with real cherries is a whole new ballgame.

On another note, my fiance LOVES SA Cherry Wheat and that is why I am making a Raspberry Wheat Ale for her right now... gotta keep the ladies happy!

[Vanna #1]

I'm on the other side... I like Sam Adams Cherry Wheat! I think it is a great beer, although I really can't drink too many of them. I like that the cherry flavor isn't overpowering.

Having said that, I can see Crut's argument... a beer made with real cherries is a whole new ballgame.

On another note, my fiance LOVES SA Cherry Wheat and that is why I am making a Raspberry Wheat Ale for her right now... gotta keep the ladies happy!

MMM yummy! Your a good guy Thirsty.

[jimbimbo]

Yeah I can tell that it almost seems like the cherry was very over powering in the aroma for sure. One thing I did notice after having a few, is that my tongue would feel prickly. I don't know what that is about, but I think that using all real cherries as opposed to adding flavoring might make a better beer. I haven't drank fruity beers and I assume that using real fruit can prove to be daunting when trying to develop consistency and that is why I think that Sam Adams added the flavoring.

[numsquat]

My wife really likes the SA Cherry Wheat. So when I do a regular American Wheat I have extract around and will do a growler for her for the evening. I keep several extracts around for for her to add to wheat or blondes.

Not big on the SA or extract myself though. If I do a 10 gal batch I will do 5 gal on cherry puree for one keg.