beer_name: Samuel Adams Imperial White
text: Poured from a 12 oz bottle into nonic pint glass. Sam Adams Imperial White is a little difficult to rate because of it's status as "imperial witbier" but I have tried to review accordingly. A - Not white at all, more of clear, orangish amber. Two fingers of head rise initially but fade somewhat quickly and settle to nothing, no lacing, likely due to the high ABV. S - Wow, this smells much more like a wit than I'd expected! Moderately strong overtone of coriander rides on huge fruity wheat aromas. Lots of citrus is packed in here as well (orange and lemon) with an ample tropical fruit-like sweetness. Touchs of chalky aroma are noted as well. T - Coriander mixes with a very sweet wheat malt flavor that tastes like a combination of orange, banana, vanilla, and pineapple. No tangy or musty/chalky flavor as in some Belgian examples of the style, just a pleasant and complex fruit flavor. Coriander continues after the sweetness fades and mid to late palate there's a briney flavor going making for an interesting contrast against the huge sweetness. Salt and spice quickly spiral into a rather sudden burst of alcohol, contributing a mild to moderate bitterness and finishing things clean. M - Not something I'm used to in a wit...I can't tell if it works for this brew or not. Solid medium body to be sure, thinning out near the end of the sip. Carbonation is moderate to low, giving this beer a dessert like character. D - To put "imperial" and "witbier" in the same sentence seems a bit paradoxical, but Sam Adams has managed to make such a thing quite drinkable. The noticable alcohol gets a little annoying after a bit but the rich flavors more than compensate. Probably not the crisp, refreshing beverage one will reach for after a day outside, but definitely a beer worth tasting and exploring.