Samuel Adams Griffin’s Bow

May 9th, 2012 by Scott in Other Beer Reviews

Samuel Adams Griffin’s Bow is part of a series of limited release beers from the Boston Beer Company. The local grocery store had a bunch of the limited release beers in stock so I picked a couple up. Griffin’s Bow is an oaked blonde barleywine. Toasted oak was put into the beer when it aged to add the wooden flavor.

The nose reminds me more of an IPA than a barleywine with floral and fruit notes. Color is somewhat copper, most likely a mixture of the blonde barleywine and the oak. First taste was not at all what I expected; not sure what to put down but also not sure whether I like it or not. Further tasting reveals a very powerful sweet fruit taste with a definite oaked flavor blended in. Smooth mouthfeel with decent carbonation; the 10% ABV is hidden well to me.

This is a very different beer and not something I would drink often, but I think it’s worth a try. The 22oz bottle was $5 at the grocery store; with the high alcohol content that’s a lot of alcohol for your money.