We've made it to Christmas Eve! Thank you all for joining us this year in the 24 DoB and a special thank you to all that blogged! I hope all of you have enjoyed the beer tasting experience and have found a couple beer to add into your beer rotation. Merry Christmas to you all! - Tony, Katy, Mark, and Tom
Why we picked it: It's become a tradition that we enjoy a 22 ouncer on Christmas Eve. I believe this is also the first time a Sam Adams' beer has made an appearance in the 24 DoB. 22 ozs, 9.0% ABV, and gingerbread...what else could you ask for on Christmas Eve!
About Sam Adams' Merry Maker: This rich dark gingerbread stout entices with the aromas of the holidays. The flavor of gingerbread comes alive, beginning with the smooth sweetness and heartiness of dark roasted malts and a touch of wheat. But it’s the intensity and spices of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, & ginger that add a wicked kick for a jolly playful brew full of merry mischief.
Beer Advocate Score: 83 pts
Hop Varieties: East Kent Goldings and Fuggles
MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two row pale malt blend, wheat, Special B, Paul’s roasted barley, and flaked oats
YEAST STRAIN: Samuel Adams ale yeast
COLOR: Deep mahogany / 75 SRM
SPECIAL INGREDIENTS: Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, & ginger
ABV: 9.0%
IBUs: 25
Case Cost: $6.99 per bottle
*website: http://www.samueladams.com/craft-beers/merry-maker
Ah...the last beer. Getting ready to finish another chapter in this most excellent adventure we call the 24 days of beer. A hearty thank you is in order for those who started this brilliant tradition...and to all who keep it alive. Tony (and his excellent wife who indulges her husband in such frivolous yet worthwhile pursuits)...I can't tell you how much I appreciate the noteworthy effort and time that you have put into it. We pulled of sorting and distributing 72 cases...no small feat! Mark...thank you for being the spokesperson for the 24DOB and finding (grumbles) 72 people who just had to be in on this this years journey.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all that blogged consistently...shame on you who didn't. But I am still so glad that we all got to drink this case together and discover some interesting beers. Merry Christmas to all and to all a great beer!
Drank this late last night as I was up cooking before heading out of town today. Not a bad finish to the 24DOB with the cinnamon flavor. This reminded me of a Dublin draft Guinness infused with cinnamon.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holiday's everyone and try not too eat/drink to much!
First thank you Tony and his fabulous Wife that supports this venture every year! Thank you to all the other elfs that helped (Mark and I think Tommy). I rarely drink but love participating every year. This year was super like every year. On to my thoughts about the beer.
ReplyDeleteEver wonder what it would be like to date someone much older than you? Imagine she is full bodied, rich, dark and smooth as silk. When I was in my mid 20's I was presented with an opportunity to do such a thing and of course jumped at the opportunity much like I jumped into this beer. And just like this beer the woman was overwhelming with flavor and no matter how much I had, there was always more. I wondered if she would ever finish just like this beer. Holy shit this beer is not for the faint of heart and be prepared to step up your stamina and give it all your got (that is what she said).
Half way through I realized I should have finished all my chores before starting this thing. Oh well hopefully my girlfriend will do the rest today b/c I am a puddle (no more I am done!).
Merry Christmas!
My first year and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience - thank you all who worked to pull this together. I enjoyed this beer for lunch today. From the first pour I was intrigued. Rich, dark, definitely tasted like gingerbread. The large bottle made it easy to share with the family - some who gave it mixed reviews (but then again they didn't like Mad Elf either!). Couldn't drink too much of this before it becomes overwhelming but it was a good choice!
ReplyDeleteBeen with the kid all day so I needed this. Bad. All 22 ounces. Didn't have high hopes cuz the last Sam Adams special release I had was terrible. Cracked this open and got overwhelmed by the ginger. Took the first sip and got overwhelmed by the ginger. The spices kicked in a bit later. This is good. Really good. On par with the 3 stouts we had earlier. Would definitely pick this up again. A-
ReplyDeleteBeen another great year. Special thanks to the whole crew that put in time, money, research, garage space, organizing, recommendations and sorting skills to make this happen once aga in. Truly been a pleasure ladies and gents. Merry Christmas and hope to blog with you all next year.
The Sam Adams Gingerbread Stout was pretty good. Nice Christmas Eve beer. Thanks again to Mark, Tony and Katy for organizing the 24 DOB again and Merry Christmas to all.
ReplyDeleteA BIG full beer to end another successful 24 DoB. Before I get to the beer, I would like to thank our organizers, Mark and Tony and the comment wrangler, Katy. I like most everything Sam Adams puts out, especially their Oktoberfest and this one didnt disappoint. I enjoyed the the gingerbread and its hard to go wrong with a stout. Its a perfect christmas flavor. Merry Christmas, happy belated Haunaka, Kwanzaa, etc. See everyone next year.
ReplyDeleteAnother great year of 24 DoB! Thanks to everyone that helped organize.
ReplyDeleteI was a little scared when I saw gingerbread beer, but I wad pleasently surprised. A great end to a great year. A
Merry Christmas and I hope to see everyone next year!
I'd first like to point out how shocked I am that Brad liked this. Anyway, on to the beer. I had this after the Great Lakes and a couple of glasses of wine and paired it with massive wrapping of Christmas presents and the assembly of a princess tent. The first sip made me dread the entire experience. Overwhelming ginger flavor (and I love gingerbread) and my only thought was, good god, I have to drink 21.5 more ounces of this and it's 9% ABV and I'm going to end up drinking it even though I hate it and then I'll be hopelessly drunk and won't even feel good about myself and then I'll wake up all hungover at 5 am when children start jumping into my bed and I'll think, why do I feel so shitty, and then I'll remember it's because of a gingerbread beer and then I'll feel even worse and Christmas will be ruined. Again.
ReplyDeleteSo then I had the second sip. Much better. Kept drinking. The spices went from offensive to very nice. Tasted like a good stout. I don't think I'd go out of my way to hunt this down or ever order it, but it was quite tasty.
Full rankings tomorrow but thanks again to Mark and Tony. Love December. Except for the 25th through the 31st when I have no one telling me what to drink and have to freestyle it and I feel lost.
Holy crap, it's after midnight. Time flies when you're drinking gingerbread stout. Merry Christmas!
DeletePretty good. I'm a Sam Adams hater - most of their offerings are too bitter for my tastes but this was a perfect Xmas eve brew. Spice flavor, dark, and decent ABV.
ReplyDeleteHad a great time this 24 days - I think my fave was the tank 6 or 9 or whatever it was called. But all in all a good exp, just like last year only no baby delivered on the 17th. Thanks to all for putting this together. I'm totally down with another seasonal event - even if it's for fewer days.
Merry Christmas!
Tank 7. Duh
DeleteI have not had very good luck with gingerbread beers in the past...they always sound great but don't usually deliver. I also am a bit of a Sam Adams hater (I have my reasons), but Dogamnit this is flippin delicious. Bold malty stout with big gingerbread spice that certainly does not suck. This is one of those beers that tastes like Xmas in a glass. A tip of my hat to you Mr. Adams,,,I do like this one.
ReplyDeleteI prolly wont run right out and get more of this, but if I see it again next year I will grab a bottle or 2. It is safe to say that this monster gave me a lovely buzz.
So my in-laws are taking their sweet time to wander over for Christmas morning and to avoid dealing with a hyper 6 year old and a hyper 2 year old who want to open all presents, I'm going to go ahead and rank the beers for this year.
ReplyDeleteAgain, love this event. Always an excuse to drink some proven winners, find some new favorites, and sample beers that I would never be bold enough to purchase. This year was no exception. Thanks again.
Top Tier
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale - Always my favorite. Has been for years and I doubt it can ever be replaced.
Boulevard Tank 7 - Another one that I new was great going in. Pretty much the perfect beer for this style in my opinion.
Highland Gaelic Ale - Had never had this before and absolutely loved it. Will definitely see this out.
Schlafly Christmas - Thought this would be way too spicy and fruity and holidayish but thought it was great. Proves that winter beers not made in California can work. Schlafly had a solid performance this month.
Second Tier
Accumulation - Not very wintry but a winter beer for me.
Gonzo Porter - A very good porter. I've got a few I like better and the strength should probably keep me from deciding it is a favorite.
Anchor Steam - Quite an upset for Anchor Steam to end up here based on where they started in my rankings. As Tommy and others warned me, this was very different from previous versions and all in a good way. I think they should go ahead and not change the recipe for next year but I expect we'll be lamenting the addition of an entire redwood to each bottle a year from now and wishing for this one.
Great Lakes Christmas - Another good winter beer. A bit too thick to make top tier but I definitely like it.
Third Tier
DC Brau Tradition - Yeah, you'll all mock me for this and there is no way it belongs in a winter beer tasting event, but I've got too many memories to place this any lower.
Schlafly Pumpkin - By far the best pumpkin beer I've ever had and if it wasn't for the Anchor Steam performance this would definitely get the upset of the year award.
Three Brothers Drift - I do like my IPAs. Not sure this belongs in December either and a tad fruity but not bad at all.
Fourth Tier (combination of bland beers and beers that just aren't my thing)
Troegs Mad Elf - I appreciate it, I just don't like it.
Fade to Black
Sam Adams Merry Maker
Bell's Christmas - the definition of generic
Evolution Secret Spot
Hardywood
Fifth Tier
Wake and Bake - Almost made the fourth tier but just too much coffee
Flying Dog K-9
Allagash Dubbel - Definitely most disappointing beer of the year
Pranqster - So. Much. Yeast.
Flying Fish - Can't get past whatever that initial taste and aftertaste was.
Victory - Everything bad about a winter beer in one 12 ounce package
Innis and Gunn - Get your filthy rum out of my beer. This is the only one I might actually turn down. Or choose a Heine Light over.
So there we go. Another solid year.
An excellent ending to another great 24DOB! Thanks to all who put this together. Great choices all around. Count me in next year.
ReplyDeleteAfter last year's gingerbread beer, my expectations were low but this was very good. Nice body to it and I did not think that the gingerbread was overpowering. This one got passes around at the family gathering and the vote was unanimous. Even among the non-beer drinkers. I will grab a couple of these next year.
**passed**
DeleteWhat another great year of 24 DOB. Apologies bfor falling behind as a flu knocked me out for a few days. Fortunately, DOB is the greatest motivator to get healthy.
ReplyDeleteAs far as our final brew, I give it a solid above average. Perhaps I was still recovering and my taste buds not appreciative of the flavors, but I didn't find it particularly distinctive. I don't want to be overwhelmed by gingerbread, but I needed a little more to standout. Grade: 6.5/10.
Anyway, I'm still catching up, but will post rankings when done.
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ReplyDeleteNow that this has come to and end (and a day late for me) I have to say thanks for all of you who put this together, selected the beers, maintained this site, etc. This was my first year with the 24 Days of Beer and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was not overwhelmed with some of the earlier beers but they got better as I moved through them. The best thing about it is I got introduced to some beers I probably never would have tried and found a few new favorites. This one was a good ending. A good hearty stout. I didn't detect the gingerbread with the first sip or two but as I got through it, the flavor became more pronounced. Looking forward to next year. Merry Christmas everyone!.
ReplyDeleteFirst thank you for allowing me to be a part of this annual tradition. I have enjoyed it and look forward to next year.
ReplyDeleteI've had this beer in the past so I was aware of this selection before drinking it. I enjoyed the previous occasion and enjoyed it this time as well. I am glad this beer was a part of this venture.
Great way to end an excellent venture. Many, many thanks to all who put this together and for allowing me to join in. Great experience.
ReplyDeleteI actually did drink this beer on Christmas Eve, just forgot to blog about it. I thought it was an excellent stout. I do like a lot of Sam Adams beers, but was kind of surprised that such a well-known name would be included in this collection. Then again, however, it could be arguably said that Sam Adams started the micro- and craft-brew revolution. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the color and flavor of this brew. I too was somewhat dreading the gingerbread, but did not find it overpowering in the least. Very happy there was 22 ounces of it, also.
Thanks again to all. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. Looking forward to 24DOB 2015!!