Written by I think this might be a first for The Brew Club – I’m talking about a beer that I haven’t tried yet! Sam Adams Infinium is that beer that I’m pondering, and before I run out to buy it I wanted to see if perhaps you have tried it and what your opinions are.
Infinium sounds interesting enough, but I’ve been disappointed by interesting-sounding beers before, despite the fancy names and fancy wrappers. With the beer budget being more carefully spent nowadays, I thought I’d ask for some feedback, but if you want to cut to the chase, just scroll down a bit to participate in our simple poll.
There’s a few good reasons I want to try this beer. Among them, I think that a collaboration beer between one of the oldest breweries in the world, Germany’s Weihenstephan and Sam Adams, a relative upstart from America has to be decent at least, right?
The description of Infinium from the Sam Adams website also has my interest piqued. (but that’s what copywriters do, right?) Here, check it out and tell me this doesn’t sound good to you.
“A groundbreaking brew, made with only the four traditional ingredients: malted barley, hops, water and yeast, Infinium™ is a crisp champagne-like beer with fine bubbles and a fruity, spicy aroma. The crisp clean malt character and delicate fruit notes in this beer are complemented by a slight citrus flavor from dry hopping with Bavarian Noble hops. Bottle conditioning adds another layer of complexity…”
I think that its interesting that this beer was developed with the ‘German Purity Law’ of 1560 in mind, where only water, malt, hops and yeast are supposed to be used. To me, a non-brewer, that would seem to be a tough challenge and I’d be interested in seeing what these great beer minds were able to produce together.
It seems that the intent was to create a beer that could take the place of champagne for celebrations like New Year. Good timing, I’d say! The description goes on to say that the 10.3% ABV beer is “Light and dry with a crisp clean malt character, and delicate fruit and spice notes” and its look is “Pale golden with a sparkling effervescence.”
Sounds ‘champagney’ to me, which could be a very good thing, but I would hope Sam Adams Infinium is different enough to NOT be champagne. Know what I mean?
So, I admit to being smitten by the story behind this beer, and as someone that respects both breweries I’m encouraged. But, I’m not quite sure I want to spend $20 or so on a beer that sort of tastes like champagne. (If it does) So, that’s where you come in!
Have you tried Sam Adams Infinium? What did you think of it? Would you recommend it to a friend? Let us know in the comments section. And/or, enter your answer in our simple poll. I’m curious what you think! 
Loading ...Help a brother out and let me know before New Year!
I’ll offer another selection for your poll Scott – Bring it on!
As you know I’ve tried a number of exotic brews for The Brewclub including Brewdog’s Tactical Nuclear Penguin which weighed in at $60 bucks for a 330ml bottle. (You might recall I gave it one and a half stars)
I’ve had a sip of Sam Adams Utopia – which was more akin to a fine Armagnac than a beer (and yes I have some fine Armagnacs on my shelf).
I’ve also given Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier 5 stars and at the time I wrote:
“For the future, it was recently announced that the Weihenstephan brewery has teamed up with Sam Adams to use their combined expertise and innovation to produce a new 10% ABV beer in the spring of 2010 that aims to “…explore the limits of the Reinheitsgebot and to brew a beer that represents the platinum standard in the art of brewing.” I for one can’t wait.”
Nothing has changed for me in the intervening year or so… if two of the world’s best respected breweries have worked to create this brew, then I would love to try it.
I for one will be scouring the shelves of UtoBeer in London’s Borough Market for a bottle.
Bring it on!
.-= Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Please Mister Postman =-.
Thanks Bob! Looking back, that was solid research on your part! I hope you get to try it and perhaps a proper review! From what I’m reading, most people seem to like it, but not love it. Interesting, but not earth-shattering. I’m waiting for more feedback before I decide.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale =-.
I tried it and did like it! I wouldn’t say anyone will confuse it with champagne, but there are some similarities I thought as the description above mentions. I don’t know fi I’d buy it again, but I am happy I tried it. I’d say bring it on as Bob The Brit does!
@Mass – Thanks for sharing!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Beer Review – Sam Adams Old Fezziwig Ale =-.
I was uterly un-impressed. it was too sweet for my tastes. I was really looking forward to this beer, maybe my expectations were to high, but it left my feeling like I had wasted 20 dollars on a bottle of beer.
.-= Peter at Simply Beer´s last blog ..Weyerbacher Riserva 2010 =-.
@Peter, that’s what I’m trying to avoid! Seems though from the little poll you are in the minority. Interesting.
Anyway, thanks for sharing. You being a home-brewer for many years, your opinion carries a lot of weight with me.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Merry Christmas from The Brew Club =-.