Utopias is bottled in a custom, 25.4-ounce ceramic decanter modeled after the iconic copper brew kettles.
Samuel Adams
Whether it’s new flavors, styles or limited-editions, breweries have seemingly always been able to capitalize on the love that beer drinkers have for these types of brews.
One of the ways Samuel Adams has done this is with its Utopias line, a special collection of barrel-aged extreme beer that has been penetrating the market since during (mostly) odd years since its initial release in 2002. The Boston-based brewery recently revealed its 11th batch of Utopias, which will available starting on October 15.
“Since it was first brewed, Sam Adams Utopias has been nothing short of a labor of love. As brewers we take pride in everything we make, but there’s something special about putting such a unique, extreme beer in the hands of not only the craft beer community but our coworkers,” says Jim Koch, founder and brewer, Samuel Adams.
This sought-after beer requires a time-intensive, multiyear brewing, aging and blending process. Like its predecessors, 2019 Utopias is a blend of earlier batches of Samuel Adams’ extreme beers, which have been aging in wooden bourbon casks from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Brewers took portions of this beer and transferred them to Aquavit, Carcavelos and ruby port barrels to impart complex flavors to the beer.
This year, brewers also experimented with Cognac and Madeira finishing barrels which enhanced 2019 Utopias with distinct vanilla notes and subtle nutty and elegant dark fruit aromas. As a final step, and to add a slightly tart note, brewers blended in a touch of Kosmic Mother Funk (KMF), a wild ale that is fermented for two years in Hungarian Oak foeders at the Boston Brewery. Only 77 wooden casks of Utopias were brewed this year, creating the highest naturally fermented beer at 28 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).
This year, however, Utopias are even more unique. It marks the first year that employees from Dogfish Head, which was acquired by The Boston Beer Company family earlier this year, joined co-workers at Samuel Adams to take part in Utopias’ time-intensive hand-bottling and packaging process. A tradition that has been carried on since the Utopias’ inception, each bottle of this limited release is numbered, with coworkers receiving the digits that correspond to their hire date.
“Involving new members of our team from Dogfish Head in the bottling process this year signified collaboration, progress and inspired future innovations that we can’t wait to share,” adds Koch.
Bottled in a custom, 25.4-ounce ceramic decanter modeled after the iconic copper brew kettles, the company notes that the correct glass selection is imperative for the tasting process. Samuel Adams recommends a a small-bowled Cognac or snifter glass at room temperature in one-ounce pours to enhance the aromas and flavors.
As for food, Samuel Adams suggests pairing the brew with clam chowder; Cobb salads; fish and chips; mango chicken chili; pineapple upside-down cake; and fruit-topped bread pudding.
Samuel Adams Utopias can be found at select specialty beer and liquor stores for a suggested retail price of $210 per bottle. Price varies by market and availability is limited, where laws allow.
In addition to select locations, Utopias will be available for the first time on tap in the Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom on November 15. Tickets and event information are pending.