Review: Samuel Adams' New Holiday Stout Gives Both Beer And Chocolate Lovers A Reason To Celebrate

Beer fans and chocolate lovers unite: Craft beer icon Samuel Adams has launched a limited-edition stout that promises to enliven your palate with the spirit of the season. If the Cherry Chocolate Stout lives up to its description, it might bring true holiday cheer to those who imbibe.

I'm a fan of stouts, and I appreciate a creamy beer that asserts nuances of roasted malt, brewed coffee, and dark chocolate, coupled with the sweetness of toffee and caramel. Unlike porters, there's something about a full-bodied stout that hits your palate from all sides, while leaving a light creaminess behind. I'm also a bona fide chocolate devotee, and I find pure joy in a piece of good quality, melt-in-your-mouth dark chocolate. Since Samuel Adams declares that its new Cherry Chocolate Stout is smooth and indulgent, boasting fudge-like chocolate, cherry cordial, and sweet vanilla, I simply had to give it a taste.

I was quite excited to sample Samuel Adams' latest concoction, and not just because I like beer and chocolate. I appreciated how the beverage aligned with everything I love about the holidays — joyful celebrations, cozy evenings, and a bit of decadence. For this review, I put the stout to the test and evaluated its appearance, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel. Did it live up to the hype? Without spoiling the surprise, I'll say this: I was glad I was given the assignment.

Some recommendations are based on firsthand impressions of promotional materials and products provided by the manufacturer.

I took the sampling of this stout quite seriously, as I would any honest review. I started with a clean palate to ensure flavors of the stout weren't compromised. Next, I pulled the stout from the refrigerator about 10 to 15 minutes before tasting it to allow it to come closer to the ideal serving temperature of 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, as this gives the deep malt and chocolate flavors a chance to bloom.

I poured the stout into a tall glass and took note of the appearance. I was hoping for a tall, creamy, tight head of foam that lingered for a bit. I also noted the color of the beer as stouts are often dark brown (almost black) with amber or ruby hues. I also assessed the aroma and checked for notes of roasted malt, chocolate, and coffee.

Lastly, I sipped the beer and evaluated both the taste and the mouthfeel. I let the beer linger on my palate for a moment to allow the unique flavors to blossom and evolve. I also considered the texture and noted the carbonation level, body, and creaminess. Putting all the elements together — appearance, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel — gave me a true sense of what this stout has to offer.

I'll start with the appearance since that was the first step in the sampling process. I was enamored by the volume of tight, creamy foam on top of this beer. It was piled high like whipped cream and stuck around for a respectable amount of time. I almost wanted to scoop the foam like ice cream, but I refrained. While the foam was dissipating, I moved to aroma. I was enchanted by what wafted from the glass. I detected roasted coffee beans, dark cocoa, and toffee. I figured if the beer tasted as good as it smelled, I would be in heaven.

I only needed one sip of the Samuel Adams Cherry Chocolate Stout to realize I was smitten. The beer was smooth and creamy, and felt like butter melting on my palate. The flavor was that of rich stout and chocolate-covered cherries. And when I say "rich," I don't mean overly robust or bitter; the roasted malt essence of the stout married perfectly with the chocolate, cherries, and hint of vanilla. As the beer sat and warmed a bit, the flavors were further enhanced and full-bodied. That means that with each sip, this beer got tastier. 

In my opinion, Samuel Adams nailed it with this winning invention. The commingling of stout, chocolate, and cherries (with a smidge of warming vanilla) was truly satisfying. I found the beer enjoyable to drink from start to finish because the nuances changed and evolved over time.

In the beginning, the foam was high and the beer was slightly chilled. During that time, I was able to let the froth melt in my mouth while enjoying the crispness of the roasted malt. As the beer came closer to room temperature, flavors developed and matured until I felt like I was sipping stout and eating chocolate-covered cherries at the same time.

I envision enjoying this stout in a few different scenarios this holiday season. I look forward to pairing it with a festive holiday meal (or enjoying it after as a comforting dessert), sipping it fireside on a chilly evening, and perhaps enjoying it with friends and family on game day. I think this stout will be a welcome holiday treat in every situation.

The limited-edition Samuel Adams Cherry Chocolate Stout will be available nationwide starting October 26, 2026. The beer will be sold in the Winter Break Variety Pack alongside the festive and smooth Winter Lager, the rich and spiced Old Fezziwig, and the spiced and citrusy Winter White Ale. This stout has a 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), which is slightly higher than a standard beer, which has an average of roughly 5% ABV. 

The 12-pack variety pack has a suggested retail price of between $15.99 and $17.99, and the 24-pack has a suggested retail price of $27.99 to $29.99. In the 12-pack, there will be three cans of each of the four varieties and, in the 24-pack, there will be six cans of each variety. The festive beer arrives just in time to bring holiday cheer to folks who love stout, chocolate, and cherries, all in one cheerful sip.