Beer Man: Artful, unique Tetravis is worth the …

Beer Man is a weekly profile of beers from across the country and around the world.

This week: Samuel Adams Tetravis

Boston Beer Co., Boston

www.samueladams.com

Sam Adams' Tetravis is a perfect example of why distribution laws in the United States need to be modified.

What we have here is a Belgian quadruple-style ale that every serious beer drinker in the country should have a chance to try. However, few will because the companies that control the rights to distribute Samuel Adams beers aren't ordering Tetravis. Apparently, they don't think they will sell enough to make it worthwhile. So beer drinkers in those areas will never even see it in a store.

I received a 750ml sample of Tetravis a few weeks ago, and the day after thoroughly enjoying the 10.2% ABV ale I began the task of finding it in my local stores. I was told by several that as much as they want to carry it, none of the distributors holding the rights to sell Samuel Adams were ordering it. Case closed.

Dear lawmakers: Please change existing laws so that if a distributor is not carrying a brewery's product, a seller has the option of ordering it direct from the brewery. For once, let's create laws where everyone wins — the distributor, the brewery, the store owner and the consumer.

Here is why I am so passionate about this: Tetravis is the best beer I've had in 2013. It had a lot of competition. But there is no doubt in my mind.

Belgian quadruples are known for strong fruit aromas, esters and flavors from the way special yeasts and grains are combined. Usually this results in characteristics of plums, raisins, dates, bananas, etc. Tetravis is the first one I've had where the fruit was more like dark berries, such as blackberry or black currant. It made Sam Adams' offering unique.

That isn't all. Brown sugar, vanilla, oak and clove also were prominent. Add to this a creamy mouthfeel, no alcohol bite, appropriate sweetness, sufficient aging and a clean finish provided by bottle condi! tioning with champagne yeast. This is art.

Distributors should not be worrying that they won't sell 40 pallets of Tetravis — they should realize that not all beers are mass produced and sales of specialty beers will continue to increase at the expense of tired American lite offerings. The 21st century awaits.

Samuel Adams' Beer Finder link for Tetravis is available here. Since it is hard to find, calling the Samuel Adams brewery is an option. Press materials state it was available nationwide starting in September. Good luck.

Many beers are available only regionally. Check the brewer's website, which often contains information on product availability. Contact Todd Haefer at beerman@postcrescent.com. To read previous Beer Man columns Click here.