‘The lunatic fringe of extreme beer’ now available in Dayton

Local News
By Mark Fisher
Nov 17, 2016
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The lifting of the alcohol cap earlier this year on beers allowed for sale in Ohio has paved the way for what may be this country's most extreme beer to become available for the first time in the Buckeye state — starting today, Nov. 18.

The beer is Samuel Adams Utopias, an ultra-rich, port-like beer meant to be sipped and not guzzled, because of both its 28 percent (56 proof) alcohol by volume level, and its price: $199 for a ceramic decanter containing 24 ounces — the equivalent of two cans of beer, and a couple of ounces less than a standard-sized (750-ml) bottle of wine.

Because the beer is not carbonated, however, it can be opened and closed multiple times without concern it will go flat or spoil. The brewery suggests the beer “is best enjoyed as a two-ounce pour in a snifter glass at room temperature.”

The special brew is vintage-dated, and it’s not made every year — the current release, the 2015 Utopias, is the ninth batch made since 2002. The beers are blended with previous vintages going as far back as 1992, then finished in the Barrel Room at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery.

Boston Beer Company Founder and Brewer Jim Koch himself describes Sam Adams Utopias as “the lunatic fringe of extreme beer.”

Here's how the Samuel Adams web site describes the 2015 vintage of the specialty elixir:

“If you’re a fan of vintage ports, fine Cognac or aged Sherry, this beer is right up your alley. This year’s brew is flavorful and slightly fruity, with a subtle sweetness and a deep rich malty smoothness, yet still light on the palate.

“Carefully timed brewing and blending was key to this year’s Utopias. Some of the batches we blended had been aged up to 22 years in a variety of barrels in our Boston Brewery. This process adds flavors like nutty oak, toffee, honey notes, fig, chocolate, raisin, vanilla, & spice to the beer.

“The 2015 blend was aged in single-use bourbon casks from the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery. A portion was also aged in hand-selected finishing barrels which bring out notes of wood, molasses, tobacco, and spice. We also used Madeira, Carcavelos, Cognac, and Armagnac barrels, which gave this brew dark fruit aromas.”

According to Jennifer Glanville, Samuel Adams Brewer and Director of Brewery Programs, Sam Adams Utopias will be released today, Nov. 18. At least one southwest Ohio retailer, Jungle Jim’s, invited customers to enter a lottery for a chance to buy a bottle.

In an email, Glanville told us the following Dayton-area bars, restaurants and retail outlets will have “a few bottles” of Samuel Adams Utopias:

• Arrow Centerville

• Arrow Kettering

• Belmont Party Supply

• Ollie’s

• The Market

• Dorothy Lane Market Centerville

• West Milton IGA

• The Cellar

• Miami Valley Wine & Liquor

• Ray’s

• Bunker’s

• Kroger Centervile

• Kroger Stroop

• Manor Wine

• Beer Barn

• Inn @ Versailles

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About the Author

Mark Fisher, a 1981 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1976 graduate of Beavercreek High School, is a third-generation Dayton-area resident who has worked for the Dayton Daily News since 1983. He covered higher education and K-12 education accountability issues for nearly 20 years before taking over the food and dining beat in 2006.