Tasting Notes and Review of Samuel Adams Longshot Boysenberry Wheat

Boysenberry Wheat is based on the homebrew recipe developed by Samuel Adams employee Ken Smith. As part of the Longshot competition the Boston Beer Company holds an employee homebrew competition and the winner gets to see his or her recipe brewed and included in the Longshot mixpack. Ken Smith's Boysenberry Wheat was the 2006 winner.

Boysenberry Wheat is cloudy with a pale straw color. The thick head is off white with caramel hints. The aroma of this wheat beer prepares the drinker nicely for a very boysenberry event. The nose is full of sweet, berry notes. When I open a bottle my first impression is of opening a bag of jelly beans - something I haven't done for a very long time but the sense memory is undeniable. The flavor is the same - very sweet, almost cloying, and full of berry. Sometimes berry beers like this one have some balancing acidity from the fruit but there's none of that here. This would be a great beer for summertime sipping.