(Courtesy Space X)

And the brewery is celebrating this stratospheric announcement with the release of Utopias 2021, a barrel-aged blend that defies gravity.

Here’s the deal…

Samuel Adams has been named the official beer of Inspiration4, the first all-civilian spaceflight mission to orbit and they are marking the occasion with the October 11 release of Utopias 2021 their highest gravity beer, as well as the most expensive brew at $240, that they offer.

First released in 2002, when the concept of ‘extreme beer’ was still novel, a Samuel Adams Utopias release still remains a buzz-worthy event.

Every Utopias is an exotic blend of multiple batches of their extreme beers, some held in reserve for just this coveted biennial release.

(Courtesy Samuel Adams)

Some of the beer in this year’s Utopias dates back nearly three decades, aging in wooden bourbon casks. Brewers then finish the blend in a combination of Carcavelos, Madeira, Ruby Port, and Sherry Oloroso barrels. And this year Sam Adams brewers also aged a portion of the blend in Sauternes French oak wine casks for the very first time.

Each Utopias presents fruitful opportunities for brewer creativity thanks to the thoughtful aging and blending process. This year, brewers dipped into their secret stash of Michigan Balaton cherries, knowing the subtle sweet and tart notes of these unique stone fruits would enhance its already otherworldly profile with the addition rich black cherry and dark fruits notes.

“Since the introduction of Utopias in 2002, brewers have explored uncharted territory with each brew, experimenting with different kinds of aging barrels, new flavors, and different blending techniques,” said Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams. “The result is always worth waiting for.”

Samuel Adams only releases this pricy small-batch exotic every two years. And at 28% ABV its 2021 Utopias owes more to a vintage port or fine sherry than to beer…It’s a drink to be savored over many years.

A Worthy Cause for an Otherworldly Beer

In celebration of the Inspiration4 mission, Sam Adams will donate a maximum $100,000 to support Jared Isaacman’s challenge to raise $200 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To further support of the cause, Samuel Adams brewer Jim Koch is offering his personal bottle number one of 2021 Utopias, signed by himself and the Inspiration4 crew, and a trip to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery for the St. Jude Charitybuzz auction.

“Utopias is a high gravity beer and I’m honored to take it to new heights with our friends on the Inspiration4 mission,” Koch added. “It’s always great to see Utopias support the community and that includes donating my number one bottle to a noble cause like St. Jude.”