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The Boston Beer Co. has chosen the two styles that will square off in this year’s Samuel Adams Beer Lover’s Choice 2010 contest.

Since 2005 the brewers of Samuel Adams have been offering drinkers a voice in choosing one of the new beers they will introduce in the coming year. This summer the trend continues as Boston Beer will take two recipes on the road to be judged in a head-to-head consumer taste test. Among the first stops on the tour will be The International Great Beer Expo at Neversink--an official polling place for the Beer Lovers Choice competition. The 2010 contestants are:

Sample A: a Belgian-style IPA, an incredibly complex beer that begins with the fruity, sweet, slightly tart and spicy characteristics of Belgian ale yeast. The blend of malts, including a traditional slow-roasted Czech variety, adds a crisp, slightly roasty note. This is complemented by a combination of German and American hops, which add complex notes of eucalyptus, pine and citrus. The beer finishes with the distinct hop bitterness expected from an IPA, immediately demanding a second sip.

Sample B, an American Rye, which is a deep, reddish-hued ale brewed with both rye and roasted malt for a spicy character. The slight roastiness and sweetness from the malt is complemented by floral and citrus notes from the combination of German Hallertau Mittelfrueh and American Ahtanum, Centennial and Amarillo hops in this beer. The rye imparts additional complexity by adding a spicy and slightly drying finish to this medium-bodied brew.

Which will you choose?