I am beginning to think of the Sam Adams brewery as a think tank. You know — a bunch of people sitting around and thinking up new kinds of beer, launching into experiment mode and, if it works, sending it out into the world.

Here's what they've launched recently (or will be launching soon):

Samuel Adams Belgian Session Beer. Session beers are typically low alcohol, though there's no abv on this label. Off white large head, creamy, with gold heading to amber beer underneath. Hops and malt both come through on the nose, citrus, bread, a hint of caramel. The palate is light and refreshing and reflects the nose with a little more emphasis on the malt. Dry, good bitterness through the end, medium acidity, low carbonation, light alcohol, light body, medium flavor intensity. Good for summer.

Sam Adams' “Long Shot” variety six pack is upon us, presenting the beer of three home brewers, winners of the Samuel Adams Long Shot American Home Brew Contest (and pictured below):

A Dark Night in Munich, (Munich Dunkel Style), from Corey Martin of Texas. 5.9% abv. Substantial frothy light brown head, light malt nose, and a big malt palate of caramel , coffee, roasted notes, nuttiness, on a dry palate with excellent balance, medium-plus body.

Five Crown Imperial Stout, from Joe Formanek of Illinois. 8.9% abv. Dark brown head, huge, creamy, all malt nose. Hints of sweetness again from the rich malt on the palate, bitterness in the background, but definitely there, good acidity, good balance of components. 8.9% abv, but it doesn't cone across as warm or out of place, full bodied stout, dark brown to black beer, loads of flavor and a long malt finish. Coffee predominates. Substantial.

Derf's Secret Alt from Fred Hessler, a Sam Adams employee. 9.3% abv. Light brown frothy head, huge malt nose, caramel, hints of chocolate, kernel flavors, brown bread, hints of sweetness on the palate, but basically a dry beer, good bitterness — the hops are hiding in there somewhere, I tell you — mild tannin, good carbonation, flavors of malt, malt, malt including caramel, coffee notes, toast. Long flavorful finish.

The variety pack includes two of each beer, suggested retail price $9.99.

Jim Beauregard is a local wine and beer writer who can be reached at regardingwine@aol.com.