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Samuel Adams Cherry Bomb

Samuel Adams
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🌍 United States · Imperial Wheat Ale · One of 1 Imperial Wheat Ales in hopIQ

Samuel Adams Cherry Bomb is a bold Imperial Wheat Ale launched in 2026, targeting the booming high-ABV beer trend. At 9% ABV with just 10 IBU, it delivers bold black cherry sweetness and a smooth, pillowy wheat body that masks its strength entirely — the alcohol is almost imperceptible on the palate. Brewed with Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops and natural cherry, Cherry Bomb is Samuel Adams' statement entry in the flavoured imperial ale space.

ABV
9%
Bitterness
Mild10 IBU
SRM
golden6
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Very crisp and mildly bitter.

Trim and gentle — the beer moves through with an unforced, easy rhythm.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Imperial Wheat Ale.
Hop character
floral
hoppy
Malt character
wheat
honey
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
clean
Distinctive notes
dark fruit
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Samuel Adams Cherry Bomb

Appearance

Pale golden-amber hue with exceptional clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass in delicate lacing. The body appears light and luminous, with steady carbonation visible as fine bubbles rising through the liquid. Excellent head retention speaks to the wheat malt's natural protein content and skillful brewing technique.

pale goldencrystal clearcreamy head lacing

Aroma

The nose opens with ripe black cherry and dark stone fruit notes that dominate immediately, followed by a gentle floral undertone from the Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops. Subtle honey and wheat grain aromas emerge on closer inspection, providing textural depth without competing with the fruit. The alcohol remains well-integrated, adding only a soft warmth rather than harsh spirit character.

dark cherry prominentfloral Hallertauclean wheat backbone

Taste

Entry is smooth and sweet, with concentrated black cherry and stone fruit flavors that coat the palate generously. The mid-palate reveals a soft, pillowy wheat body that carries the fruit notes forward while maintaining balance; the 10 IBU bittering is barely perceptible, allowing the natural cherry sweetness to dominate fully. Alcohol at 9% integrates seamlessly, contributing warmth and body without any solvent-like harshness or hot character.

black cherry forwardsilky wheat bodylow bitterness

Finish

The finish extends with lingering cherry sweetness and a whisper of honey, fading gradually into the wheat-driven aftertaste. No sharp edges or astringency; the close is mellow and complete.

sweet cherry fadehoneyed tail
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
76
Appearance
82
Finish
75
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Samuel Adams Cherry Bomb

Serve at 5–8°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 5–8°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass
Recommended for this style

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Samuel Adams Cherry Bomb

About Imperial Wheat Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial Wheat Ale?

Imperial Wheat Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Imperial Wheat Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same sweet, fruity, wheat character as Samuel Adams Cherry Bomb will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

WHERE TO BUY

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