DeKALB |

Grade: C+

The Beer: Sam Adams White Ale is the Boston Beer Company’s take on the Belgian-style witbier — German for white ale — which is commonly associated with brews like Blue Moon and Hoegaarden. However, the beer lacks the distinct citrus flavor found in Blue Moon and Hoegaarden.

According to the Boston Beer Co., Sam Adams White Ale contains “orange and lemon peel, dried plum, grains of paradise, coriander, anise, hibiscus, rose hips, tamarind, and vanilla flavors.”

Unfortunately, the orange and lemon peel flavors are seemingly absent from the flavor, which makes the beer taste closer to Stella Artois, Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat and other less sweet-tasting Belgian-style witbiers.

The Good: The beer has a very good middle ground between sweet and bitter. It costs $1.50 less than Hoegaarden for a six-pack.

The Bad: Someone fell asleep on the job when they were supposed to put in the citrus flavor. The feeling of disappointment from Sam Adams White Ale is comparable to the disappointment that one gets after hearing Panic at the Disco’s “Pretty. Odd.”

The Cost: $7.49 for a 6-pack. $12.99 for a 12-pack.

The Recommendation: Sam Adams White Ale would appeal to someone who wants to try a white ale, but is not a fan of fruit and citrus flavors in beers. Fans of sweeter-tasting witbiers will be sorely disappointed.

The Bottom Line: Sam Adams White Ale was a disappointment. By no stretch of the imagination is it a bad beer, but the Boston Beer Co. is known for high-quality special brews and most liquor stores carry several excellent witbiers at comparable prices.