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Samuel Adams

Boston Ale®

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When we opened our Boston Brewery in 1988, we created a special brew, Boston Ale, to mark the occasion.  A “stock” ale with a distinctly American character, we use earthy English hops along with the sweetness of caramel malts, and ferment it as an ale and aged at cool temperatures.

#BostonAle

HOP VARIETIES

Hallertau Mittelfrueh, East Kent Goldings, English Fuggles

MALT VARIETIES

Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend and Caramel 60

YEAST STRAIN

Top-fermenting Ale

COLOR

Red to amber, 14 SRM

SPECIAL INGREDIENTS

ALC. BY VOL/WT

5.4% ABV - 4.2% ABW

IBUs

34

CAL PER SERVING

188

AVAILABILITY

Year Round

TASTING VIDEO

Samuel Adams Boston Ale

TASTING NOTES

earthy
Traditional English ale hops provide distinct earthy/spicy notes.
toffee
Sweet caramel malt notes adds smoothness and complexity.

Food Pairings

See More Pairings with Boston Ale See More Recipes Cooked with Boston Ale

Every Craft Beer

Has a Story

  • BostonAlethetools
  • BostonAlethetrade
  • BostonAlethelegacy

  • THE TOOLS

    Our  Boston Ale, a stock ale, has distinct earthy and spicy notes from the traditional English ale hops supported by the sweetness of caramel malts.  The ale yeast imparts a variety of fruit and ester notes, while a longer, cooler fermentation adds smoothness and complexity.

  • THE TRADE

    Keeping with the stock ale style, we ferment Boston Ale at warm ale temperatures. The beer is then krausened and dry hopped like Boston Lager and aged at cold temperatures like a lager.  The English hops used in Boston Ale give it an earthy, spicy character that complements the sweetness of the malt.  The resulting beer is smoother than most ales, yet richer than most lagers, with a round robust taste.

  • THE LEGACY

    We first brewed Boston Ale to celebrate the opening of our Boston Brewery. Like Samuel Adams Boston Lager®, it originated with an old family recipe from  Jim Koch’s father's attic. As a stock ale, Boston Ale has its roots in colonial New England.  One of the few styles to originate in the United States, stock ales began when beer was aged in barrels in cool rooms called “stock cellars”.  This aging process imparted a smoothness and body which became the hallmark of this style.

brewing american dream

Brewing The American Dream

Samuel Adams® began in a kitchen. That's why we strongly believe that no dream is too big. Learn how Samuel Adams® is helping food and beverage small business owners reach new heights.

Learn More

The Boston Beer Company is America’s leading brewer of handcrafted, full-flavored craft beers. Founder and Brewer, Jim Koch, brews Samuel Adams® craft beers using the time honored traditional four-vessel brewing process, and the world’s finest all-natural ingredients. With over 30 distinctive, award-winning styles of craft beer, Samuel Adams offers discerning beer drinkers a variety of brews. The brewery has won more awards in international beer tasting competitions in the last five years than any other craft beer brewery in the world.

© The Boston Beer Company, Boston, MA

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