Every years hordes of homebrewers take a long shot to become a sure shot by entering Samuel Adams home brew contest.

Long shot story made short: the competition starts out regionally and escalates through several rounds of tasting where winners are finally picked. The winners then go on to compete against top brews made by Samuel Adams employees. The top three winners are picked and are eventually mass produced for a six pack that hits store shelves in the spring.

I was fortunate enough to get my first taste of one of this year’s winners, the Traditional Bock, through a sample more than a month ago, but even though it was made available in April, I was unable to find the six pack in stores in this area until last week.

This years winners are the before mentioned Traditional Bock made by Alex Drobshoff of California. He is joined by a Double IPA made by another Californian Mike McDole and a Cranberry Wit made by Samuel Adams Employee Carissa Sweigart.

I didn’t get the chance to try the IPA before one of my friends swilled it down, but the other two are definitely beers worth buying.

The bock is dark, sweet and the perfect pairing for deserts or a more hearty meal. The second time I tried it, I decided to eat desert first and I wasn’t disappointed.

From the bottle: “Alex’s brew is a bright copper German inspired bock with a complex, full bodied mouthfeel. Hints of rich plum and cherry aroma paired with its toasty malt flavor make this the perfect beer to linger over on a cool evening.”

I agree.

Most of the time, when fruit meets dark beer, I feel disappointed. But this beer, while fruity, still kept a dark richness.

The Cranberry Wit also held true to form. I’m partial to wit beers, especially in the summer. While the cranberry was more of an afterthought than a stronger taste, this beer is still a great match for hot summer days.

So hit the stores and grab a six pack before they disappear. They are only available for a limited time.

Samuel Adams Imperial White should come with a warning.

Not because it’s bad but because it packs a punch.

The fruity and refreshing taste would never lead you to believe that the beer comes in at a whopping 10.3 percent alcohol.

I think Sam Adams puts it best saying, “This is not just a more intense version of our spring seasonal Samuel Adams White Ale.  Imperial White is a new recipe that stands on it own merits.  In fact, it is more of a wine substitute than just another refreshing witbier.  This is a beer that should be sipped and savored and you’ll be amazed at the flavors you’ll discover as the beer warms and opens up.”

As I said, it’s fruity but it doesn’t taste like your typical white beer. Yes, it’s fruity but it’s much more bitter and full bodied than most other white beers.

The spicy notes mean the beer could easily stand in for your favorite glass of wine when eating a hearty steak or a spicy meal. Yet the fruity finish also means it is an excellent pairing for desserts and cheeses or you can just drink it on it’s own for refreshment during the hot summer months.

Other beers in the Imperial series are the Double Bock and Imperial Stout. 

The Imperial series can be found at Jasper’s at 4 Temple St. in Nashua.