Sam Adams apple spice ale: what it is and where to buy

Sam Adams apple spice ale is a fall-style ale built around apple and warming spice, and you can find out about it at CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd in Westford. Check the Sam Adams page for what we have in stock today, or call or stop in and we will look on the shelf with you. Below is what the style tastes like, how to serve it, and what else from the brewer we carry.

What is an apple spice ale?

An apple spice ale is a beer brewed with apple and the kind of spices you would put in an autumn baked dessert. The base is an ale, so it is brewed with top-fermenting yeast, which tends to give fruitier and rounder flavors than a crisp lager does. The apple and spice sit on top of that malt backbone rather than replacing it.

That makes it a different drink from a cider. Cider is made from fermented apple juice and has no grain base. An apple spice ale is still a beer first, with the malt, the hop bitterness and the body you expect from one, and the apple and spice are the seasonal twist.

Breweries tend to release this kind of beer in the fall, when apple orchards, cooler evenings and cooking with cinnamon and nutmeg are on everyone's mind in New England. If you are searching for it in October, you are searching at the right time of year.

What does it taste like?

Expect a beer that smells like apples and baking spice before you taste it. Cinnamon and nutmeg are the usual suspects in this style, and a little sweetness from the apple tends to round out the malt. The spice is meant to be a warm note, not a candy one.

Because it is an ale and not a heavy dessert beer, the body is usually moderate. It should feel closer to an amber or a brown ale than to a thick stout. If you normally drink easy lagers, this will taste fuller and more aromatic. If you drink hop-heavy IPAs, it will taste softer and sweeter.

If you want a closer description of the exact recipe from the brewer, the label on the bottle or can is the best source.

Where can you buy Sam Adams in Westford?

CBC Liquors is at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford, and we carry a range of Sam Adams beer. Our Sam Adams brand page shows the Sam Adams products we have in stock, with our own best sellers from that brewer shown first. Stock changes through the day, so that page is the quickest way to see what is on the shelf right now.

We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Pickup runs on the same hours, so you can choose what you want, then collect it when you are ready.

Our Google rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 339 reviews. If you are not sure what you are after, the people at the shop can talk you through the beer section.

What other Sam Adams beers does CBC Liquors carry?

If the apple spice ale is not on the shelf when you come in, there are other Sam Adams beers to look at. SAM ADAMS Boston Lager is the brewer's best-known beer and a good reference point for what a Sam Adams lager tastes like. Samuel Adams Summer Ale and SAM ADAMS Porch Rocker are lighter, brighter options.

For something hoppier, SAM ADAMS Just The Haze is worth a look if you like a hazy, juicy beer. If you want a Sam Adams without the alcohol, SAM ADAMS NA October Fest is a seasonal non-alcoholic option.

For a mix of styles in one box, SAM ADAMS Star Spangled Variety lets you try several beers from the same brewer. Availability moves, so check the brand page or ask at the shop.

What if you want apple flavor without the beer?

If it is the apple you are after, our cider section is the next place to look. Cider is made from apples, so the apple flavor is front and center, and it is usually lighter and often drier or sweeter depending on the maker. It suits people who like the idea of an autumn drink but not the malt of an ale.

If you want something crisp rather than spiced, the easy drinking beer section holds beers that are made to be simple and refreshing. For something with more bite, our IPA shelf is the opposite end of the spectrum from a spiced ale.

The whole beer section is worth a browse in the fall. Seasonal releases tend to arrive in waves, so what you see this week may differ from next week.

How should you serve and pair an apple spice ale?

Serve it cold, but not ice cold. A fridge-cold bottle can mute the aroma, so letting it sit out for a few minutes before you pour helps the apple and spice come through. A regular pint glass or a tulip-shaped glass works well for catching the smell.

For food, think of the dishes that already share its flavors. Roast pork, roast chicken and sausages go well with apple. Squash soups and root vegetables suit the warm spice. A sharp cheddar gives a nice contrast to the sweetness.

It also works at the end of a meal alongside something like an apple crisp or a plain cake, where the spice in the beer echoes the dessert. As with any alcohol, enjoy it at your own pace and only if you are 21 or older.

Can you get it by pickup or delivery?

Yes, for what we have in stock. CBC Liquors offers pickup, delivery and shipping as well as walk-in shopping. Pickup hours match our store hours. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM.

Beyond Westford, we also serve Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton, Lowell, Billerica, Tyngsborough, Carlisle, Boxborough and Dunstable. Each town has its own page with the details for that area.

If you are planning a gathering, our party planner can help you work out what to buy, and the full list of delivery areas shows where we go.

How do you check whether it is in stock today?

The fastest route is the Sam Adams page on our site, which reflects what is in the shop. Seasonal beers can come and go quickly, so if you have your heart set on one, it is worth looking before you drive over.

You can also stop in at 142 Littleton Rd and ask. If a particular bottle or can is not there, we can point you to something close to it from the same brewer or from another one on the beer shelves.

We stock a wide range overall, with 4,617 products and 1,892 brands in the shop, so there is usually a good alternative within reach if the exact beer is not available.