Samuel Adams launches co-fermented craft beer

Boston brewery Samuel Adams has launched a new hybrid brew produced by co-fermenting a lager and an ale called Sam ’76, which it hopes will compete with imported lagers such as Corona and Stella Artois.

Sam ’76 is made by co-fermenting a lager with an ale

Sam ’76 was developed in Samuel Adams’ nano brewery in Boston over the course of a year. Testing over 60 different brews, the team began with two active fermentations – a base lager and a base ale – each with their own respective yeast strains. The base beers were brewed, then combined with both yeasts working to finish fermentation.

The result is a 4.7% abv beer, with the combination of “multiple yeast strains and dry-hopping during a late stage of fermentation” creating a profile “not possible in a typical brewing process,” according to the brewer.

“We’ve brewed a revolutionary beer that brings together the best attributes of lager and ale with a taste and aroma that will completely surprise any craft beer drinker,” said Jim Koch, Samuel Adams founder and brewer.

“We wanted to offer drinkers a craft beer they can enjoy during any drinking occasion, from a tailgate to an afternoon with friends, and that’s exactly what Sam ’76 delivers. It took many iterations to get right, but with one sip you’ll understand why this beer is so unique.”

The brew is made using a combination of American Cascade, Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops, which the brewer says impart a “tropical citrus” aroma that gives way to a “bright, juicy citrus hop flavor without overpowering the palate with a strong hop bitterness”.

Sam ’76 is available in six-pack cans for $8.99-$9.99, 12-pack cans for $15.99-$17.99, and 16 oz. single serve cans for $1.99-$2.49.