Sometimes, Ninkasi (the beer god) is kind. The other day, I went into my local liquor store looking for a bottle of Thomas Hooker Liberator Doppelbock, which was reportedly in stock. Unfortunately, it was in stock-before I got there. The beer had sold out, much to my dismay.

Ninkasi, it seems, was merciful to me that day. Noting my disappointment, she offered up a newly arrived four pack of specialty beers brewed by Boston Beer in the stead of the Liberator. As it turned out, I was well pleased with the Sam Adams beers, though I shan’t give up my quest for the Liberator-it was merely relegated to another day.

For now, though, I sip a bottle of Samuel Adams Traditional Ginger Honey Ale. Apparently, this particular beer in the collection is based upon a recipe of none other than Thomas Jefferson himself. The beer salutes our nation’s brewing history, as represented by the brewing propensities of our founding fathers.

Jefferson reputedly favored a brew that he and his wife crafted spiced with ginger, lemons, and wildflower honey. Boston Beer has recreated that brew using the same ingredients for inclusion in their collection. I must admit that they have a winner here: perhaps not something that will put Anheuser-Busch out of business any time soon, but still a brew I would love to see offered up in six-packs.

Samuel Adams Traditional Ginger Honey Ale pours to a cloudy yellow color with a very light head formation and a spicy ginger nose. The palate offers up a smooth maltiness that serves as the backdrop for the spices: mainly, the ginger. The palate just bursts with fresh ginger flavor, like biting into a raw slice of the potent, pungent root.

The sweetness of the honey balances just slightly, and you can taste that too, although to a lesser degree. Finally, the citric character of the lemon peel is apparent too, and it marries wonderfully with the ginger, especially in the finish, which intensifies in spiciness and is slightly tart.

Of all the beers in the Brewer Patriot four pack collection, I think this one begs to be served with food. It would be the perfect accompaniment to spicy Thai or Chinese dish, especially one that is ginger-lade in and of itself. For a ginger lover like me, that’s true nirvana.

Don’t miss this one.