Sam Adams Cherry Wheat Beer Review
July 10, 2009
Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat is a beer that I’ve been tempted to try from time to time, but for some reason I’ve just not been able to bring myself to buy it. As it happened, Liz, our intrepid Brew Club member brought it in for our latest beer exchange!
I also thought that reviewing this particular Sam Adams beer would be a good follow up to the Strawberry flavored beer review that were recently posted. We do like themes here at The Brew Club!
Not being overly impressed with the strawberry flavored beers from Lancaster Brewing or Pete’s, I’ll admit to being more than a little jaded about the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat – even before I opened it. Still, I’ll try putting that aside and review the beer on its merits.
The Sam Adams Cherry Wheat is a 5.2% ABV fruit-flavored ale. The first thing I noticed about the beer after opening it was the aroma! Pouring the Cherry Wheat into my glass, the cherry aroma became even more apparent. Even though the cherry smell was really strong, it smelled to me, very natural and not as synthetic smelling as the aforementioned strawberry beers did. It says right on the bottle that its a “wheat ale brewed with real cherries and natural flavors added.”
As you can see in the picture, the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat poured into my glass creating a white foamy head typical of wheat beers. The Sam Adams beer itself was an amberish color that didn’t look like anything out of the ordinary. It might have a very slight reddish tint, but maybe that’s just me knowing its a cherry flavored beer?
On to the taste! The taste of this beer was initially a little surprising to me because the cherry smell seemed so strong – and then the cherry taste was not quite as bold. Cherry is DEFINITELY pronounced in the flavor, just not as much as it is in the ‘nose’. I thought this beer would be like drinking cherry juice – but it wasn’t.
The beer was relatively light bodied, and very drinkable in the sense that it was smooth and slick. Just a little hop toward the finish, but otherwise I mostly tasted cherry (obviously) and some malt flavors. The Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat left an OK mouthfeel and wasn’t really that bitter and it provided a lingering cherryish aftertaste that wasn’t bad.
My overall impression of this particular Sam Adams beer is mixed. I certainly enjoyed it more than either of the two Strawberry flavored beers I just had, but I’m still not a fan of fruit flavored beers. Ain’t gonna happen – not today anyway!
That all being said, if you ARE a fan of fruit-flavored beers, than I think you will like the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. Its a quality beer, as are most of the Sam Adams beers, but this simply boils down to personal preference. It doesn’t taste like a cherry wine cooler, but for a beer it is on the sweet and fruity side (kind of like Neil). Did I say that?
So, if you want to try a good fruit flavored beer, give this a try. Its better than the Lancaster Strawberry Wheat and the Pete’s Strawberry Blonde, and also better than the Leinenkugel’s Berry Weiss which is probably modeled after this beer anyway.
On the other hand, if you like beer that tastes like beer, you won’t feel like you’ve missed anything if you skip it, but you can’t go wrong with the Sam Adams Chocolate Bock!
Rating: 
Have you tried the Cherry Wheat? What did you think? Do you have a favorite fruit-flavored beer?
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Posted in 2 Star Reviews, Ales, All Brews Reviewed, American Beers, Flavored Beers
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July 10th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I actually likes this beer, I would have gave 3 or 3.5 stars. Better than Berry Weiss, yes.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I can’t wait for you to try a cherry lambic (Kriek). That is a good cherry wheat beer. I think it is far better than Berry Weiss and infinitely better than Blue Dog, too. I think I would be inclined to go 2.75/3.0 on it simply because it is that much better than the above options. Did you think it had a cherry medicine quality to it…I kind of do.
Michael Reinhardt’s last blog post..Ten Fidy: Oskar Blues
July 10th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Michael- I did have the raspberry Lambic and it was just great! On your suggestion, perhaps I’ll grab the cherry next time. The Lambic review is ‘on deck’ of publishing, so stay tuned!
Regarding the Cherry wheat – no doubt it is a quality beer, I just couldn’t get into it. Its much better than the others, but I think I would still pass on it given options. I think it did have something of a medicinal taste going for it – I think anything cherry-flavored just reminds everyone or cough medicine!
Scott-TBC’s last blog post..Liberty Ale by Anchor Brewing
July 12th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Don’t get me wrong, I would rarely get this one. In regards to the Lambic…they are simply terrific. It goes to show you how great fruit can be in a beer if done right.
Michael Reinhardt’s last blog post..Simcoe Single Hop IPA by Mikkeller
July 13th, 2009 at 5:47 am
i have never enjoyed the Cherry Wheat from SA. As opposed to Pete’s Strawberry Blonde, which to me has a real strawberry taste, the Cherry Wheat has a fake candy taste similar to ice cream shell topping. To me it overpowers any taste the beer itself might have. scores 3 out of 10 with me…so far the lowest scoring of all the SA beers ive had. Barely beats SA Blackberry Witbier.
For reference, the only fruit beer I have enjoyed (and only wheat beer Ive enjoyed) is Hangar 24 Orange Wheat.
Mike R’s last blog post..Ep. 011 — Top 5 Firsts In History
July 13th, 2009 at 11:12 am
@ Mike R, that Hanga4 24 Orange wheat actually sounds pretty good. I find myself enjoying a good wheat beer, and orange seems to be a natural choice to flavor it as opposed to berry flavors. I’ll keep a lookout for it, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
It’s from a small brewery here in Southern California. They just started bottling their beer so I severely doubt they have any distribution outside this area. They use locally grown oranges which give its a fresh and natural orange taste. Very light in color, hazy for a wheat beer. The brewery itself is expanding rapidly to meet demand. Where are you at Scott? beer trade?
Mike R’s last blog post..Ep. 011 — Top 5 Firsts In History
July 13th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Mike – N. NJ right outside NYC. Sure, I’m good for a trade – anything in mind?
Scott-TheBrewClub’s last blog post..Liberty Ale by Anchor Brewing
July 15th, 2009 at 9:51 am
The first time I had this, I thought it was ok, but then I couldn’t take it. It is way to up fron with the cherry flavor, which is an unnatural cherry flavor.
I have a ton of respect for Sam Adams and enjoy many of their beers. Just not this one!
nate’s last blog post..The Sour Beer Trend?
July 15th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Anything the beautiful west coast has to offer…Stone, Alesmith, Port Brewing, Deschutes, Rogue, Bruery, Hangar 24, etc. i dont have much collector wise
Mike R’s last blog post..Ep. 012 — Top 5 Villains
June 24th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I would have given it a 5.
Simply because it has a unique beer taste, that tastes awesome! It’s also not a fruity beer despite it’s name – it doesn’t taste like cherries. Try it, it’s not going to be like drinking cherry soda folks!
I feel like most people are afraid to admit how awesome this beer is because it has “cherry” in the name. Forget that! This stuff will put you on your arse as fast as any other beer out there!
I’d bet that if they had called it Earth Wheat, and forgot to mention that it had cherries it, this beer would get nothing but rave reviews.
But I commend Sam Adams for calling it what it is, Cherry Wheat Beer – because as it turns out, Cherry Wheat Beer is just awesome.
June 24th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
@ErwinS – thanks for popping in! I don’t rate the awesomeness of beers based on how quickly they put me on my ass – I don’t even consider that when rating a beer.
You could call it whatever you wanted to – it wouldn’t change the experience I had with it at that time. I didn’t trash the beer, it just wasn’t my thing.
I thought that their Blackberry Wheat was better.
http://thebrewclub.com/2010/05/26/blackberry-wheat-beers/
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sam Adams Summer Ale – Beer Review =-.
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:56 pm
I really like Cherry Wheat. I’d give it a 4 out of 5. I would go so far as to say it’s one of my favorite beers. The cherry taste is not overwhelming, as one might expect. If anyone is unsure about trying Cherry Wheat, I encourage you to try one, it’s an enjoyable beer experience.
July 23rd, 2010 at 5:59 pm
@Frank – thanks for sharing! Another big fan of the Cherry Wheat. Maybe I should give it another try…
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sea Dog Blueberry Beer =-.
August 7th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Had this beer for the first time at the Hollywood Casino by Harrisburg Pa and was surprised at how good it tasted. I didn’t think I would like a beer with a cherry flavor but I was totally impressed.
August 8th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Another positive remark about the Cherry Wheat. The masses are suggesting that I give this beer another try!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Mi Chelada =-.
August 23rd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Beer with a Cherry on top — or in this case the bottom of my pilsner. I am a big fan of wheat beer and cherries, but not koolaid sweet drinks. Sam’s Cherry Wheat hit the mark for me! I loved it — but can see how somefolks would not appreciate the flavor.
October 5th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I used to love this beer back in high school. My friends all teased me and said it tasted like children’s tylenol. But to me it tasted like the end of summer.
.-= NG´s last blog ..Ayalon =-.
October 5th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@NG – Its often the case that a so-so beer is made better by the good memories that it helps invoke!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Victory Festbier =-.
May 6th, 2011 at 10:40 am
I have to say I would of given it a higher rating. I’m not really a beer person and this is a drink I enjoy having often. I really enjoy it. I’m actually gonna buy a case of it today.
May 6th, 2011 at 10:45 am
@Alison – Thanks for the comment! I’m actually going to be giving this beer another try in the near future as part of my search for beers that women who don’t like beer may like for helping with breastfeeding.
http://thebrewclub.com/2011/05/06/beer-and-breastfeeding/
As I recall, the beer wasn’t bad (few Sam Adams beers are actually) I’m just not into fruit-flavored beers so much.
A case? Impressive!
May 26th, 2011 at 1:25 am
Hi Scott
Out of curiosity, I grabbed a six pack of CW along with my usual Boston Lager purchases and was pleasantly surprised. Never liked other fruity concoctions but I find this beer has the right balance. Perfect for washing down a pound of Florida stone crabs.
May 26th, 2011 at 9:02 am
@Federico – Nice! I actually need to revisit this beer, perhaps now that its getting warm up here in NJ. Seems a lot of people really like it, I thought it was OK, not great.
May 26th, 2011 at 9:55 am
Scott, I would have given CW a higher grade as well. Give it another try on a nice sunny hot day. When I do buy it (I get 2-3 six packs a year of it), it is totally refreshing after mowing the lawn in summertime! I guess as most wheat beers should be however.
With other fruitbeers, most are much too overpowering in the fruit dept but with CW you can still tell that it is a beer. For me, Sam CW and Magic Hat’s #9 are my favorite fruit beers.
May 26th, 2011 at 10:15 am
This is a beer that I tried about 4 years ago when I first started drinking craft beer and haven’t had it since. I remember thinking that it was ok then. I should probably pick it up again sometime and give it a proper review.
May 26th, 2011 at 11:12 am
@Anthony – I agree, I’m not into most fruit flavored beers either. #9 I think is pretty good in that sense because its definitely a background flavor (apricot) where as most others its all up in your face! I think the Cherry Wheat is somewhere in between? I’ll make it a point to revisit it soon.
@Scott – Sounds like we’re on the same page!
December 8th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
ive been looking for the cherry wheat brew i am from phila none of the local bars dont carry the flover, give me a heads up on the delious beer