Sam Adams White Ale - ($7.99 for a six-pack at Hannaford).
As the beautiful month of April unfolds in this great state, I sit and ponder two of my biggest life questions: when will the spring ales begin to be brewed and, more importantly, why are there three inches of snow on the ground? Luckily, Sam Adams beat most other breweries to the punch, delivering its seasonal drink in the form of a Witbier, a Belgian style white ale. Like most white ales, this beer pours a bit cloudy, definitely translucent but by no means transparent. The color is actually more of an off white, packing in flashes of gold and deeper shades of amber than I am used to seeing in most white ales (specifically Allagash). The pour was a bit uneventful, as are most other brews from Sam Adams, because of the head's easy predictability?it receded to a flat top without any sort of noteworthy speed or sloth. This beer's taste was rather interesting, combining a splashy citrus flavor with the standard wheat body of a white ale, all while preserving the taste of malts on the sweeter end of the spectrum. I must admit, however, the finish of the beer leaves much to be desired through its stringy, almost empty feel. Like most other Sam Adams' beers, the White Ale showcased Sam himself on the front holding up a goblet so as to toast the drinker for buying his historic beer, combining a color scheme of sky blue in the background, forest green on the fringes, and staunch white lettering for the names. I think it is very interesting that Sam decided to use a White Ale for its spring brew, seeing as the traditional season for white is undoubtedly winter while spring is typically associated with green and other pastels. Perhaps he knew that "spring" in the northeast typically just means cold rain and snow, playing us all for fools while he concocts other subtle ways to laugh all the way to the pub. This is a good beer, though not one of my favorites. My Scores: Taste: 3.0/5 Label: 2.7/5 Benefit/Cost ratio: 2.8/5.
Yuengling Traditional Lager - ($7.69 for a six-pack, available at Uncle Tom's).
I was first exposed to this lager during my Spring Break trip to Florida, cracking the green bottle as I sat by the pool with the other 70 somethings who live there year round. My first impression was a good one?the Yuenling Brewing Company made no mistake to broadcast that this beer is a lager when making the label, plastering the type of beer on the label in almost the same size font as the name of the beer. Like most other true lagers, this Pennsylvania-based beer pours a perfect gold color and has a head that dissipates quickly. The carbonation is pretty good, though I noticed it was harder to take bigger gulps out of the bottle than other, tamer brews. The finish of this beer is fun, giving the very subtle bite of a lager while tickling my taste buds with the presence the full bodied taste delivers?a terrific combination for any drinker's mouth. Indeed this is a good "outdoor" beer because it combines the flavor profile necessary to compliment grilled meats and spring air, regardless of whether you are on the beach or on the Quad. One of the most shocking points of interest for this beer is the fact that it comes in a green bottle, a telltale sign that the drinking experience may be a bit shady. But after drinking this beer, I think I may have to start judging these beers not by the color of their glass but by the content of their cold, bubbly character. My scores: Taste: 3.6/5 Label: 3.0/5 Benefit/Cost: 3.3/5.