beer_name: Samuel Adams Winter Lager
text: 12 ounce bottle into a pint glass A - A strong pour delivers a bountiful head that rises to about a finger and a half thick and off white in appearance. The retention seems pretty good. Trace amounts of carbonation are rising to the top. The color is light than I was expecting for a bock, more of brown and quite clear when held up to the light. S - Caramel, roasted malts along with some spice notes and hops hit the nose. Overall, not quite as strong as I was expecting. T - Caramel and malts are definitely present. There is a nice combination of hops and spice notes. Again, like the nose, not as full bodied as I would have wanted but nothing terrible. M - Medium bodied with ample carbonation. Into the mouth, the palate tastes caramel and roasted malts. Then comes a subtle blast of carbonation that cleans the palate for the spice notes and slight hoppy finish. A pretty smooth finish overall. D - Like the Creamy Stout, this beer appeals to a larger crowd, and it seems to fit the bill. Personally, when I have a bock, I want something full bodied and heavy, especially during the winter. I understand what Sam Adams is putting out but this beer seems more like a fall/spring beer, not a winter beer or maybe even a bock for that matter.