Samuel Adams, hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, has long been one of the standard bearers of American craft brewing. Known for helping push the craft movement into the mainstream, Samuel Adams has experimented with just about every style imaginable over the years. As the non-alcoholic space continues to grow, it’s no surprise to see Samuel Adams stepping into the ring to see if they can bring their brewing pedigree to the sober side of the beer aisle.
This week we are drinking Gold Rush from Samuel Adams. As a lager, expectations lean toward something crisp, clean, and refreshingly balanced. Gold Rush pours a pale golden color that looks exactly like the style promises, with an aroma of roasted malt drifting up into the sniffy holes. From a visual and aromatic standpoint, Samuel Adams seems to be setting the stage for a classic, easy-drinking lager experience.
When Gold Rush from Samuel Adams finally finds its way into the flavor funnel, the first sip delivers light, crisp roasty notes with a slightly bitter and somewhat hoppy finish. The medium body gives it a bit more presence than some lighter lagers, but there’s also a lingering note that reminds me of those classic NA beers of the past—specifically that worty whisper that might make you feel like you accidentally cracked open an O’Doul’s. It’s not terrible, but it does keep the flavor from fully finding its lager-loving landing.
Untappd gives Gold Rush from Samuel Adams a 3.5 out of 5. I’m coming in quite a bit lower at a 2.7, mainly because that lingering NA wort flavor keeps it from feeling like a fully polished product. Samuel Adams clearly knows how to brew beer, but this one doesn’t quite strike gold for my particular palate. As always, though, your face hole may feel differently, so give it a try and see where it lands on your own lager.
#ADDTOCART: Samuel Adams Original Perfect Pint- “Take Pride in Your Beer” | Set of 2
HAPPY EVERY HOUR – NA BEERS + 90s: Senior Sober Curator Justin Lamb has been sipping and reviewing na beers for The Sober Curator for almost five years. We’ve lost track, but we’re pretty sure he’s reviewed over 130+ with no signs of slowing down.
Welcome to HAPPY EVERY HOUR, your go-to hub for all things NA (non-alcoholic). We review alcohol-free beers, ciders, wines, spirits, RTDs (ready-to-drink), and share NA cocktail recipes that taste just as good—if not better—than the boozy originals. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just taking a break, this is where great taste meets zero proof.
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What is Samuel Adams Gold Rush NA beer?
Samuel Adams Gold Rush is a non-alcoholic lager brewed by Boston Beer Company. It aims to deliver the crisp, balanced characteristics of a traditional lager while keeping alcohol content below 0.5% ABV.
How does Samuel Adams Gold Rush NA beer taste?
Gold Rush has a pale golden appearance with roasted malt aromas. The flavor is light and crisp with slightly bitter and hoppy notes, though some drinkers may notice a lingering wort-like flavor common in certain non-alcoholic beers.
Is Samuel Adams Gold Rush a good non-alcoholic lager?
Opinions vary. Untappd users rate the beer around 3.5 out of 5, while some reviewers note that the lingering NA wort flavor prevents it from fully matching the smooth finish of a traditional lager.
How strong is Samuel Adams Gold Rush NA beer?
Like most non-alcoholic beers, Gold Rush contains less than 0.5% ABV, which is the standard threshold for beverages labeled as non-alcoholic in the United States.
Is Samuel Adams making more non-alcoholic beers?
Samuel Adams has expanded into the alcohol-free space as demand for NA beverages grows. Many traditional craft breweries are now experimenting with non-alcoholic beers to serve the sober-curious and alcohol-free market.
