Samuel Adams Boston Lager

While not an IPA, which as previously noted is the preferred style in this household, the Sam Adams Boston Lager is probably the second most purchased beer (next to "something new that looks tasty"). Brewed by the Boston Beer Company, which technically produces most of its beer in Cincinnati, it's the original offering that the company's founder concocted in his kitchen using his great-great-mumble-great grandfather's recipe.

I've had the pleasure of visiting their brewery in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, which is where I discovered my body's unfortunate aversion to hops. The Jamaica Plain brewery is their testing facility, where thousands of eager beer drinkers line up for a free tour that includes a tasting of three different beers. Few things are more shameful than drinking IBC Root Beer with a bunch of minors while everyone else around you is tasting beers, including one that likely won't make it to market called the California Common (a steam beer, like Anchor Steam or Flying Dog Old Scratch).

But I digress. The Boston Lager is a Vienna style lager, developed in Austria and eventually exported to random places like Mexico, where it became Dos Equis. Among lagers, which is a pretty big category, the Boston Lager is relatively hoppy, and also a bit sweet, even complex, almost more like an ale. Our friend Liz feels patriotic when she drinks it, more American somehow. We must note that the brewers have no familial connection to Samuel Adams, brewer and patriot, but picked him as a mascot to lead Americans in a revolution away from crappy beers. At least, that is the story we tell ourselves.

Just the facts, ma'am: Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Boston Beer Company, Massachusetts, Vienna lager, 4.75% alcohol by volume.

There are elves in Vienna, right? They probably like beer.