Samuel Adams Merry Mischief Gingerbread Stout Brewed by the Boston Beer Company
Merry Mischief is a rich dark gingerbread stout that entices with the aromas
of the holidays, hinting at the merriment and spices within. The flavor of
gingerbread comes alive beginning with the smooth sweetness and heartiness
of dark roasted malts and a touch of wheat. But it’s the intensity and
spices of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, & ginger that add a wicked kick for a
jolly playful brew full of merry mischief. ABV: 9.0%. Malts:Samuel Adams two
row pale malt blend, wheat, Special B, Paul’s roasted barley, and flaked
oats. Hops: East Kent Goldings and Fuggles.
History
Brewers have long made beers inspired by the season. Originally this was due to
ingredient availability and brewing conditions but the beers also became festive
creations to match celebrations and the season. This is no more prevalent than
the winter holidays when specially made treats abound. One such tradition was
the maltier spiced brews called “wassails”. This mulled concoction with a
variety of spices was enjoyed at holiday celebrations begetting the term of
going “a wassailing”.
What better pairing at these festivities than holiday treats like gingerbread.
Going back to the days of Dickens, we found our inspiration for this gingerbread
stout. The traditional English stout, with its dark roasted malts, is the
perfect backdrop for the warming spices of gingerbread like cinnamon, clove,
nutmeg, and ginger. To go one step further, we increased the strength and added
flaked oats to create a velvety smoothness that mimics the taste of the
gingerbread for a warming treat on any winter’s night.
Boston Beer Company Story
The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that
Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father's attic. After bringing the
recipe to life in his kitchen, Jim brought it to bars in Boston with the belief
that drinkers would appreciate a complex, full-flavored beer, brewed fresh in
America. That beer was Samuel Adams Boston Lager(R), and it helped catalyze what
became known as the American craft beer revolution.
Beer Review by Beer Advocate
Appearance - Molasses black in color, the beer seems to pour just about as
thick, topping off with a tall but short-lived tightly packed mocha foam. Specks
of lace ride the side of the glass in a Calvin and Hobbes toboggan ride-like
zig-zag.
Aroma - Merry Mischief smells like opening a Christmas tin of ginger snap
cookies combined with a pumpkin pie; ginger and molasses notes with big clove,
nutmeg, and cinnamon. Roasted malts give the beer a singed pie crust nose
followed by a pinch of mocha and hint of espresso coffee grounds. Lactose
sweetness doesn't appear quite so strong but seems to bury the malt aromas a bit
on the finish.
Taste - Forward spice reiterates the classic ginger snap cookie flavor while the
other aforementioned spices pile on memories of the recent fall desserts;
pumpkin pie! Lactose sweetness and soft wheat withhold the more aggressive
attributes of the "stout" side of this beer. Roasted malt, molasses, and coffee
peek through but this beer remains approachable even for it's boastful alcohol
percentage.
Mouthfeel - Smooth, robust and full-bodied, Merry Mischief is a playful beer
that combines soft wheat and a round sweetness feel with sharp spice, gritty
roasted malt, and mellow alcohol for a satisfying and warm, soothing finish.
Overall - With a nicely blended, not over-the-top, mélange of spices and full
base of roasted malt, Samuel Adams Merry Mischief puts a welcome spin on an
imperial stout that's not so imperial feeling. If you find yourself spending
extended time in the cold this winter season, trade in your mug of hot cocoa for
a delectable Merry Mischief when you get back inside.
Boston Beer Company Story
The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that
Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father's attic. After bringing the
recipe to life in his kitchen, Jim brought it to bars in Boston with the belief
that drinkers would appreciate a complex, full-flavored beer, brewed fresh in
America. That beer was Samuel Adams Boston Lager(R), and it helped catalyze what
became known as the American craft beer revolution.
Today, the Company brews more than 30 styles of beer. The Company uses the
traditional four vessel brewing process and often takes extra steps like
dry-hopping and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. It passionately
pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of its classic beers by
constantly searching for the world's finest ingredients. While resurrecting
traditional brewing methods, the Company has earned a reputation as a pioneer in
another revolution, the "extreme beer" movement, where it seeks to challenge
drinkers' perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company strives to
elevate the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions
the world over, and in the past five years it has won more awards in
international beer competitions than any other brewery in the world. The Company
remains independent, and brewing quality beer remains its single focus. While
Samuel Adams is the country's largest-selling craft beer, it accounts for only
about one-half of one percent of the U.S. beer market.
