I would venture to say that Samuel Adams Boston Lager has done more for the craft beer movement than any other beer. I would also say that the overwhelming majority of beer enthusiasts cite this beer as their first introduction to better beer. It's the revelation brew that teaches drinkers that beer doesn't have to be bland and flavorless. I fondly remember the days when I stocked my fridge with Boston Lager as I began my lifelong boycott of Big Beer. From there my tastes expanded and the Boston Lager slowly faded into obscurity. So I was somewhat torn recently when a friend offered me this beer after many years divorced from it. I thought it couldn't possibly stand up to the scrutiny of a honed imperial palate. Boy was I wrong. Much to my surprise, the Samuel Adams Boston Lager was just as delicious as I remembered.

In the glass, this beer has a rich deep golden coloration. It comes with a frothy white head that likes to stick around for a while. On the nose, I found a pleasant mix of earthy tones and grassy notes. Lagers in general aren't the most complex of brews, so going into the Boston Lager, I was expecting nothing more than a solid no-thinker drinker.

Probably the most surprising aspect about the Boston Lager was the mouthfeel. It actually has a very nice body for a base lager. The sweet malty character reminds you of a quality amber at times, giving your taste buds something meaty to latch onto. Flavor wise, it closely matches the aroma: nice earthy notes with a grassy character. I also found a nondescript spice note swirling around that gives the beer a zesty personality. The hop profile is nicely balanced and non-aggressive, making this beer a flavorful easy drinker. The finish is clean and exits with a sweet malty aftertaste.

Overall, the Samuel Adams Boston Lager is a delightfully refreshing brew that I can recommend to any and all beer fans. To be perfectly honest, I somewhat dismissed this beer when it was offered to me. My subsequent experiences with the Samuel Adams brand has often been hit and miss. Sometimes they surprised me, sometimes they left me scratching my head. Also, the prolific success of the Boston Lager and its relentless market infiltration had me discounting its viability. It was a bridge beer and nothing more, right? I happily admit today that I was wrong. Boston Lager is not only an enlightening beer, it's one to enjoy for a lifetime.