This is from the Sam Adams newsletter


After its two year hiatus, the most unique beer you will ever get your hands on is back! We are proud to announce the release of the 2007 vintage of Samuel Adams Utopias®!

First and foremost, Samuel Adams Utopias is a beer. It is the most extreme beer ever brewed, it doesn't taste like a beer, but it is a beer through and through. Brewed with only hops, malted-barley, water and yeast, the 2007 release of Samuel Adams Utopias is a blend of several batches, some aged up to 13 years in a variety of woods, including bourbon, sherry, Madeira, brandy & Cognac casks. Each add unique flavor notes and layers of complexity to the beer.

I got to taste a number of test batches with the brewers and they have done a phenomenal job. There were so many different wood barrels with different ages and each one brought a unique flavor to the table. And for the final blend, the brewers crafted a beautiful tapestry of flavors that all complement each other. Without a doubt it is the most amazing liquid I've ever tasted!

I think these people would agree. This is how well Utopias was received at the GABF.



The beer's warm, sweet flavor is richly highlighted with hints of vanilla, oak and caramel. With an alcohol content of 27% by volume, its complexity and sweet, malty flavor is reminiscent of a deep, rich vintage Port, fine Cognac or aged sherry while being surprisingly light on the palate. And like the world's finest after-dinner drinks, Samuel Adams Utopias is not carbonated and should be served at room temperature.

Damn that sounds good! Now, I know you are wondering where you can find Samuel Adams Utopias. You will only be able to find this at fine beer and liquor stores. Ask your local store or wholesaler if they have ordered any for your area. And due to strict alcohol laws, you won't be able to find Utopias in the following states: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, or West Virginia.



And if it couldn't get any better than the liquid, Jim Koch and world-renowned glass maker, Georg Riedel, designed a custom glass for Samuel Adams Utopias. Georg Riedel is a legend in the world of wine and spirits for pioneering the idea of specially designed glassware that enhances the flavor of the specific beverage for which it was designed. He came all the way from Austria to taste Utopias with Jim at our brewery. Together they designed this special glass.

This glassware is meant to bring out the myriad of flavors experienced in Samuel Adams Utopias. And while we can't make Utopias available to you on the website, you can get the glassware at our online store.

This is the most extreme batch of Samuel Adams Utopias we have ever made. It's been two years since the last vintage and who knows when we'll do it again...

You know, I've had it and it is quite good. It's interesting, very interesting. I don't kow if I'd want a whole bottle, though, or if I'd want to spend the money to get one. Oh well.

you know i'd actually like to try the new vintage. It's def unique that's for sure. Also had to changed the title becuase for some bizarre reason I can't explain it was redirecting for no reason I could find.

Awesome, I never had or seen it before. Wonder if the local beer store I go to will get a few bottles in. Anyways, how much did it cost? or is it in the original post and didn't see it?

It shouldn't be THAT hard to find. Most stores with a good beer selection should have some. It's around $160 this year for a bottle I think I saw... Don't hold me to that exact price, but it's in the $160-$170 range I believe. I'd love to try it again... I just need to find a few people to go in on it with.

It is going for $150 at Julio's in Westboro, MA........my buddy actually got a bottle for free from the brewery and I hadn't tasted it in years and it was phenominal, worth the $150? Well yes, I have bought some Scotch for the same price, similar in size, so at least to me if it is good, and I have no problem with the $150 price tag then it is always a great purchase.

Yeah, you have to look at it like buying a bottle of Scotch or something like that, not beer. Supposedly you don't have to drink it in one serving, either. It will hold up for a while. I've definitely payed $120 for a good bottle of scotch before (not for me, because I don't like scotch, but as a gift). It's 54 proof, too, so you don't drink THAT much at a time... maybe I'll talk to some family members and see if anyone wants to go in on some for Thanksgiving. I bet it'd be great for an aftermeal drink.

Def is a great digestif! Also had a Rasinette (Half Utopias, Half Triple Bock) I know a lot of people have expressed their disgusted for the SA-Triple bock but those two combined together really taste like raisinettes and it is fantastic, imo.

Chettah wrote:
Awesome, I never had or seen it before. Wonder if the local beer store I go to will get a few bottles in. Anyways, how much did it cost? or is it in the original post and didn't see it?

yeah...sadly as others have mentioned it's about $150 a bottle....yikes. check out some beer fests in your area though, if it's a good one Sam Adam's often brings it. I've had it abut 3 dif times that way

Franchise wrote:
Def is a great digestif! Also had a Rasinette (Half Utopias, Half Triple Bock) I know a lot of people have expressed their disgusted for the SA-Triple bock but those two combined together really taste like raisinettes and it is fantastic, imo.

See now that I'd try, the flavors in the triple bock are just far too concentrated for me and I can't get over it. I'm also still willing to try stuff even when it's styles I don't generally like

I paid $140 for mine @ Cardoza's Liquors in Dartmouth, Ma. It is a special occasion brew...Last time we had it for New Years 03/04. The one I just purchased will be for the this years Super Bowl.GO PATRIOTS!

I wish I could pick it up for $140. The only place in NYC I found that carries it is charging $250. Reluctantly, I'm actually going to pick up a bottle if they have any left.

The weird thing is, I can't even seem to find anybody online selling the stuff except for ebay. Annoying.

http://www.cardozas.com/

go to the web site and maybe they will mail it to you.

So, I did pick up a bottle at $250. Bastards. I did voice my distaste for charging that much and not even getting the glasses to go with it but que sera, sera. No, I haven't tried it yet and will likely not for some time. This isn't one of those special occasion beers, in my opinion. but rather a special paring beer (or is it pairing...I digress). I'll wait for a suitable tasting or meal to break it out and only with people who can appreciate it. I keep my Malheurs for the special occasions.

As a funny side note, I was looking on ebay at some listings for Utopias and came across this clueless seller:

" The container has not been opened
, but any incidental contents
are not intended for consumption.
· This item is not available at any retail outlet, and the
container has a value that substantially exceeds the current retail
price of the alcohol in the container. "

It's fairly evident that the seller is from the Beanie Baby era who thinks they will get rich off trinkets. Cracks me up.

Haha, oh eBay! Yeah, there's always some Stone Vertical Epics, Three Floyd's Dark Lord, Westvleteren 12 or something like that up there.

My favorite are the people selling Stone VE 07... it's like, hey, I can still get this at stores!

snowman156 wrote:
I did voice my distaste for charging that much and not even getting the glasses to go with it.

I just picked mine up a couple nights ago. The glass should not come with it. There is a tag inside with a serial number and a website you go to and you get it that way. They did not want to ship the glass with the bottle for fear of damage.

Mr Hammond wrote:
snowman156 wrote:
I did voice my distaste for charging that much and not even getting the glasses to go with it.

I just picked mine up a couple nights ago. The glass should not come with it. There is a tag inside with a serial number and a website you go to and you get it that way. They did not want to ship the glass with the bottle for fear of damage.

Hmmm interesting, this is one of those beers that I've never loved. I like it, but I don't love it. I really would like to try the new one at some point though.