Beer-articles 1038

Sam Adams is adding an unusual seasonal beer to its winter lineup: a Cherry Chocolate Stout featuring chocolate, cherry, and vanilla flavors alongside a dark malt roast. The brewery describes the 6% ABV beer as a festive option, suited to sipping by the fire or serving to holiday guests.

The stout will be available only in Sam Adams’ annual Winter Variety Pack, a 12-pack that includes four beers. Alongside the new release are three returning favorites: Winter Lager, with cinnamon and ginger notes; Winter White Ale; and Old Fezziwig, a spiced brown ale with caramel and toffee flavors.

The brewery suggests enjoying Cherry Chocolate Stout after dinner or pairing it with dessert. Sam Adams has tried unconventional flavors before, including a tart, salty Gose called Verloren, which has since been discontinued. The brewery also previously made a cherry-chocolate bock.

The Winter Variety Pack is set to go on sale October 26. Read more about the beer.

Samuel Adams has been named the most recommended beer brand of 2026, according to YouGov’s annual report. Its recommendation score was 88.7%, based on customer recommendations over the previous 12 months.

Guinness and Stella Artois followed in second and third place. Other familiar brands on the list included Blue Moon and Heineken.

The brand’s American roots are reflected in its name and brewing location. Samuel Adams was named for the Founding Father, who had ties to the beer trade, and the company brews in Boston.

The story of its flagship Boston Lager began with a family recipe. In 1984, entrepreneur Jim Koch found instructions for Louis Koch Lager in the attic of his family home in Ohio. He brought the recipe to Boston and adapted it into the lager that helped launch the Boston Beer Company. The business grew, and a Samuel Adams brewery later opened in Boston.

Today, the independently owned brewery makes Boston Lager as well as year-round beers including an American Light lager, Cherry Wheat ale, New England Juicy IPA, and East Coast IPA.

Online beer drinkers have praised Boston Lager as an approachable, balanced example of a classic beer. One Reddit user recalled that it sparked their interest in trying different brews, while another described it as a straightforward, neither-too-bitter-nor-too-sweet beer.

Boston Beer reported a difficult third quarter, with depletions and shipments both down about 5% as consumers faced higher gas prices, inflation and pressure on discretionary spending. The company expects full-year volumes to decline by a mid-single-digit percentage, at the low end of its previous outlook.

Performance varied across the portfolio. Sun Cruiser grew about 60% in tracked channels during the quarter, while Angry Orchard recorded its sixth consecutive quarter of growth. Those gains were offset by declines in beer and hard seltzer. Twisted Tea remains the leading malt-based hard tea, but its sales have been affected by weaker demand for multipacks and retailers’ focus on displays for ready-to-drink spirits.

Boston Beer is reassessing Truly’s strategy, including its product, positioning and packaging, as the hard seltzer brand continues to struggle. Management said it aims to stabilize or grow the brand rather than abandon it. Advertising has been redirected from campaigns that did not appear to lift sales toward brands where the company sees a stronger response.

The company highlighted several growth initiatives. Sun Cruiser is expanding its distribution and marketing, while new products Rally Dog, a vodka-based ready-to-drink beverage, and LYTT, a high-alcohol malt-based drink, are being rolled out. Rally Dog is expected to reach more states, with a national expansion planned for 2027. LYTT has expanded beyond its initial markets and is also expected to become available nationally next year. Management cautioned that these launches are unlikely to materially affect 2026 results.

Despite weaker volumes and higher freight costs, gross margin rose 90 basis points year over year to 51.7%, its highest quarterly level since 2017. Improved brewery efficiency, product mix, procurement savings and pricing helped offset higher commodity and tariff costs. Boston Beer raised the lower end of its full-year gross-margin and earnings guidance, now forecasting gross margin of 49% to 50% and adjusted earnings per share of $9 to $10.50.

The company also reported continued progress on productivity efforts and said domestic production at its own breweries accounted for 98% of volume in the quarter, compared with 89% a year earlier. It has repurchased $80 million of shares year to date through Oct. 16.

Management expects the broader beer and beyond-beer market to remain under pressure through the end of 2026. It pointed to weak consumer purchasing power as a key headwind, while noting that shoppers are shifting toward smaller, lower-priced packs. Executives said the emerging vodka-based beverage category is growing quickly but remains highly competitive, and that the number of successful brands may narrow over time.

Stout can seem intimidating if you’re new to it, but its dark color doesn’t necessarily mean a heavy, bitter beer. The style ranges from light, dry Irish stouts to rich, high-alcohol imperial and pastry stouts. Knowing what to look for can help you find one that suits your taste—and avoid writing off the whole category after a single sip.

1. Thinking Guinness is the only stout worth trying

Guinness is a famous example of stout, but it’s far from the only option. Murphy’s, for instance, is another Irish dry stout, with nitrogen in the can to create a creamy pour. If you’ve tried Guinness and didn’t enjoy it, another stout may be a better fit; if you like it, there are still plenty of other styles to explore.

2. Assuming all stouts taste alike

Stout includes many distinct styles. Dry Irish stouts are often around 4% to 5% ABV, with roasted, coffee-like notes and an easy-drinking finish. Milk stouts use lactose for added sweetness and body, while oatmeal stouts tend to be smooth and creamy.

Imperial stouts are typically stronger and more intense, with flavors that can include dark fruit, molasses, and licorice. American, pastry, foreign extra, and fruited stouts offer still more variety.

3. Expecting every stout to feel heavy

A stout’s dark appearance can make it seem richer than it is. Dry stouts are often surprisingly light and refreshing, and can be enjoyed year-round. Strong imperial, milk, and pastry stouts are more likely to be full-bodied and suited to sipping in smaller pours.

4. Skipping the tasting notes

The label can offer useful clues. Look for descriptions such as coffee, cocoa, dark chocolate, toasted bread, caramel, nuts, or dark fruit. Style names can help, too: a dry stout is likely to be roasty and less sweet, while a milk stout is usually sweeter and creamier. “Imperial” generally signals a more powerful beer.

5. Overlooking craft-brewery options

Limiting your choices to familiar mass-market brands can mean missing out on a wide range of stouts from craft breweries. Try a local taproom or specialist bottle shop. At a brewery, ordering a flight can be an easy way to compare styles; starting with lighter beers and finishing with darker ones can make the differences easier to notice.

6. Not accounting for barrel aging

Barrel-aged stouts, especially imperial versions, can be substantially different from their unaged counterparts. Aging in bourbon barrels may add vanilla, caramel, toasted coconut, and oak notes. Over time, the beer can also develop softer, sherry-like flavors and dried-fruit character.

These beers are often high in alcohol, so they’re generally best enjoyed in small pours. Barrel aging can also take months or years, allowing the flavors to deepen.

7. Believing nitro always means better

Nitrogen creates smaller bubbles and a thick, creamy head, giving a stout a smooth texture. That can be appealing if you prefer a mellow beer, but it isn’t automatically better. Traditional carbonation may suit you more if you want roast, coffee, chocolate, or bitterness to stand out.

8. Ignoring the ABV

Alcohol content can hint at a stout’s body and intensity. A beer around 4% to 5% ABV is often lighter and easier to drink. As the ABV rises, the stout may become fuller, sweeter, and warmer, with flavors such as molasses or raisin. Stronger beers are often better for sipping than drinking quickly.

9. Forgetting to look for balance

A good stout brings together roasted malt, sweetness, bitterness, body, and carbonation. Too much roast without enough balance can taste harsh or ashy; too much sweetness can make a beer feel cloying. Stouts can be bold without being overwhelming when their flavors work together.

10. Judging the whole category from one beer

One stout—whether a light dry stout or an intense pastry stout—can’t represent them all. If you didn’t enjoy your first try, choose a different style next time. Someone who found an imperial stout too rich might prefer an Irish dry stout, while someone who wants more intensity may enjoy an imperial version.

11. Feeling intimidated by the choices

Stouts may seem unfamiliar if you usually drink lighter lagers, but trying one doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with a familiar dry stout, ask a bartender or shop staff for guidance, or sample a few styles in a flight. Stouts are often served warmer and with a foamy head, so they may be different from the cold, low-foam beers you’re used to—but that’s part of the experience.

Traditionally, Ukrainian cooks braise pork for vereshchaka stew in beet- or bread-based kvass, a fermented drink. Since kvass can be difficult to find outside Ukraine—and making it takes time—dark beer makes a convenient substitute.

The beer gives the pork a slightly different flavor, without kvass’s distinctive beet or bread notes, but keeps the dish close to its traditional roots. Choose the darkest beer you can find for the richest result.

Beer-Braised Roast Pork

Serves: 4 to 6
Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 to 2½ pounds pork shoulder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 small head garlic, cloves separated and peeled
• 2 to 3 tablespoons sunflower oil or another neutral oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3 cups dark beer or kvass
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs
• 2 to 3 sprigs parsley

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 375°F.
2. Cut the pork into bite-size pieces and place them in a large bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper. Finely mince the garlic, then toss it with the pork.
3. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Brown the pork on all sides in batches, taking care not to crowd the pan. Transfer the browned pieces to an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle with oregano and pour in about three-quarters of the beer.
4. Bake for 1½ to 2 hours. Meanwhile, deglaze the frying pan with the remaining beer and simmer until most of the liquid has cooked off. Mix the softened butter and flour into a paste, then stir it into the reduced beer. Cook over low heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
5. Let the pork cool slightly. Divide it among plates, spoon the sauce over the top, and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Jason and Travis Kelce’s Garage Beer is planning a wedding at an Eagles tailgate, blending football, live entertainment and a very Philly-style celebration.

On October 26, Garage Beer and True Fan Tailgate will host the event, billed as the “Tailgate Wedding of the Century.” One selected couple will exchange vows among Eagles fans, with former Philadelphia defensive tackle Beau Allen expected to attend. Delco Donny and Philly Pops are set to perform, and food will be prepared on Kingsford charcoal grills. Garage Beer Classic and Garage Beer Lime will also be served.

The couple will receive a $2,000 gift card for wedding rings from Philadelphia jeweler Steven Singer and a honeymoon at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City.

The event reflects Garage Beer’s playful approach to marketing, but it comes as the company is also working to expand. On October 13, the Columbus-based brand secured a $20 million financing deal with Tiger Finance to support its growth into new markets and the development of additional products.

Jason and Travis Kelce became co-owners and operators of Garage Beer in June 2024. The company has also attracted investment from Durational Capital Management, which announced a strategic partnership with the brand in September 2025.

The Kelces’ profiles have helped raise Garage Beer’s visibility, while the company has leaned into humorous, sports-focused promotions. Jason Kelce and Beau Allen, for example, appeared in a Western-themed commercial called “Brotherly Shovel.” Garage Beer has also produced longer comedy projects, including the 17-minute promotional film Brewmite II.

Jason has said the brand’s advertising should be fun and straightforward. “When it comes to beer, I think when you’re having fun and you’re being personable, you’re being creative, all the best beer ads I know are fun, creative,” he told People in 2025.

Philadelphia is a natural setting for the celebration. Though Travis played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Jason spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Eagles and remains closely associated with the city.

The tailgate wedding pairs that connection with Garage Beer’s unconventional promotions—and gives one couple a wedding day that will feel more like an Eagles game-day gathering than a traditional ceremony. Read the original story.

As fall arrives, beer drinkers may not be ready to switch to heavy stouts, porters, or pumpkin ales—especially when warm weather lingers. A crisp German Kölsch offers a refreshing in-between option, and Gaffel Kölsch is one standout.

Kölsch originated in Cologne and is brewed with ale yeast, then cold-conditioned for a clean, lager-like finish. Gaffel’s version is lightly bodied and briskly carbonated, with flavors of fresh bread and a touch of lemon zest. It’s refreshing, aromatic, gently bitter, and easy to enjoy over a few rounds.

The family-owned brewery sells most of its beer within about 100 kilometers of Cologne. At 4.5% ABV, Gaffel Kölsch pairs especially well with fish and salads. It was also included in Men’s Journal’s list of 50 favorite beers of the year.

Cape Coral’s 41st Oktoberfest runs Oct. 16–18 and Oct. 23–25 at the German American Social Club, bringing together German food, live music, carnival rides and traditional festivities.

For Christine Blasses, this year’s Ms. Oktoberfest, the celebration is about more than beer and bratwurst. She describes it as a chance to share Gemütlichkeit—a German sense of warmth, togetherness and friendship. Blasses, who was born in Bavaria and now lives in Cape Coral, says she hopes to help connect the German and American communities and encourage younger people to get involved with the club.

The festival grew out of an Oktoberfest tradition that began in 1810 to mark the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria. Cape Coral’s German American Social Club started hosting a private celebration in 1964 and later opened its event to the public. Organizers say it now draws around 40,000 visitors across the two weekends, making it Florida’s largest standalone Oktoberfest.

Guests can expect German bands, dancing, chicken dancing, carnival attractions and classic festival dishes, including bratwurst and potato pancakes. Blasses will represent the club and German culture, meet attendees and judge the stein-holding contest.

Dates, hours and tickets

The festival takes place at the German American Social Club, 2101 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral.

• Fridays: 4 p.m.–midnight
• Saturdays: noon–midnight
• Sundays: noon–8 p.m.
• Admission: $8 in advance or $10 at the gate; children 12 and under enter free
• VIP passes: $125–$150, with private seating, a bar and restrooms
• Parking: Free

For event details and tickets, visit the Cape Coral Oktoberfest website.

Amber and pale ales share a British heritage and are both top-fermented beers, but differences in color, malt, hops, and flavor make them distinct. Their alcohol levels are similar: pale ales generally range from 4% to 6% ABV, while amber ales are typically around 4.5% to 6.2%.

Color and malt

Pale ales are usually golden to light amber, while amber ales tend toward reddish-brown or copper. Their color ranges overlap on the Standard Reference Method (SRM) scale: pale ales generally fall between 4 and 16, and amber ales between 11 and 18.

Amber ales get their deeper color and richer character from toasted caramel or crystal malts. These malts lend sweetness and sometimes nutty or caramel notes. Hops balance that sweetness with mild bitterness and occasional citrus flavors, though amber ales are not usually considered especially hoppy.

Pale ales typically lean more on hops than malt. American pale ales, in particular, often feature citrus and pine notes, with a subtler malt sweetness. As a result, pale ales tend to taste lighter and more refreshing, while amber ales are often fuller-bodied and sweeter.

Styles and origins

Pale ale originated in 18th-century England, where the name distinguished lighter beers from dark styles such as porters and stouts. Pale ales now include several varieties. India pale ales (IPAs), for example, generally have more hops, stronger flavors, and higher alcohol content. Belgian pale ales tend to use more malt, while English pale ales often balance malt and hops more evenly.

Amber ales are related to British Isles styles such as Irish red and Scottish ales. American amber ale became a distinct style during the 1980s craft-beer movement. Amber and red ales are sometimes labeled interchangeably, though Irish red ales are typically maltier and less hoppy than American amber ales.

Serving and food pairings

Amber ales are generally served at 45–55°F, while pale ales are often served a little warmer, around 50–60°F. Tulip glasses suit amber ales; a standard pint glass is a good choice for pale ales. Tulip glasses also work well for IPAs, helping concentrate their aromas.

Pale ales pair easily with many dishes, including spicy foods, Asian cuisine, and rich meals such as cheesy pizza. Amber ales work well with sweet-and-savory foods, cheddar or Parmesan, cheesy pasta, and chocolate desserts. Both styles are good matches for barbecue and grilled meat.