Beer of the Week: Samuel Adams Blackberry Witbier

Beer score: 6.0

Company: Samuel Adams
ABV: 5.5
IBU: 10

This is another brew Samuel Adams has released several times over the decades, and this year they decided to grace us with this one for their Spring collection release.

This one pours a fairly light, hazy golden shade while giving off fruity tart smells, a little citrus perhaps and definitely some blackberry.

That blackberry is also there in the taste, but it's not so strong as to ruin the beer. Sweetness and tartness combine her with the blackberry flavor for a not unfortunate combination, but again, it's not all that strong.

The texture here is also not strong, but it's not the weakest around either.

Not a bad brew, but not really worth going out of your way to try. If someone hands you one, sure, toss it back, but there's no need to go searching for this one.

Beer of the Week: Samuel Adams Alpine Spring

Beer score: 5.1

Company: Samuel Adams
ABV: 5.5
IBU: 18

The folks at Samuel Adams have brought this beer out several times over the decades, sometimes with a slightly different name, and this year they've released it once again for their Spring collection.

Pours a slightly hazy golden color into a clear glass. Gives off some typical, premium bready beer-like scents with maybe just the barest hint of citrus.

On the tongue, it has some pale bitterness up front and then a slightly sweet aftertaste that lingers. There are a little of woodsy flavors here, along with maybe some honey.

Not a weak beer, but also not overly strong.

Not a bad beer, but also not all that great.

Probably one of the most mediocre beers produced by Samuel Adams. Again, not bad, but nothing great. Your Budweiser friends might think it's something special.

Beer of the Week: Jenlain Ambrée

Beer score: 4.4

Company: Brasserie Duyck
ABV: 7.5
IBU: 25

I've tried this one a few times over the years, and I hate to say it, but it's always kind of let me down. I think my expectations were just too high.

Anyway, this French brew pours a slight reddish color while giving off some fruity and bread-like smells.

Extremely sweet. The honey sweetness is so strong it destroy any other flavoring. There is some spiced fruity flavor and maybe a little apple among all that sweetness. At least it goes down light and smooth.