From One Bottle, a Legend Emerges

Best Sam Adams label ever.

Sam Adams Norse Legend
Sampled: Saturday, May 5

 This one ale could validate the entire experimental Sam Adams line. Every sahti poured for me – albeit the three – has been a delight of juniper and dry, spicy malt.

Sahti originates from Finland, where it is a traditional malt beverage built on a blend of malted and unmalted rye, oats and barley. In lieu of hops, juniper berries provide spice and bitterness.

This domestic take does not disappoint. In fact, Norse Legend excels.

Onward from the double image of the label – at the right angle, a gnarled tree turns into an ancient face – Norse Legend acknowledges its heritage and spreads to new territory.

Freshly sliced oranges pop off the nose. At 7 percent, Norse Legend goes down easily as an orange-brown ale with solid stripes of juniper.

The orange flavor runs strongly but with deference to its Finnish background. Its inherent dry spiciness and dry finish hint at the two doses of rye berries influencing the ale.

Norse Legend finishes dry in a manner wholly satisfying and without nearing the territory of IPAs. By a country mile, Norse Legend finishes ahead of the other Sam Adams experimental beers. You can throw a lot of hops at a beer, but throwing two rounds of juniper berries develops its uniquely.

Let us hope Norse Legend might bring sahti to the mainstream. These regional styles deserve the same play as hefeweizen and Indian pale ale - so long as they are brewed well. Craft brewers have dabbled in sahti, but someone has to take the plunge. Let this legend take grasp of reality.