Three Beers for Sam Adams

Sam Adams, the original micro-brew (or at least the one that made well-made, craft beer famous in the US), runs a competition for home-brew champions. The 2008 winners are now available in a special six-bottle box that comes with two bottles of each. Here's my take on the beers:

Double IPA -- This is a cloudy, bright red-orangy color beer. It has a very bright and lively nose, but is very bitter and round in the mouth. The flavor lasts a while, but you have to really like a hoppy, bitter beer to want to come back to it.

Traditional Bock -- The bock is a rich crimson color that produces a hefty head and has a sweet smell. It is smooth and not bitter at all. I get some cocoa with this one.

Cranberry Wit -- I was most worried about this one, because I tend not to like fruity beers (especially the Belgians). But this one proved my worries were misplaced. It is bright, not too spicy, and has some bite, without being too much. The cranberry itself is not very evident, but it gives a summery, light, yet flavorful taste that is a nice change from the lemon or other summer flavor beers. My surprise pick for the best of the three.