When it comes to Bay State-born food and drink, we all have our favorites.

Ken’s Italian Dressing. The now hard-to-find Friendly’s Fribble. Legal Sea Foods Clam Chowder. A Kayem’s Fenway Frank. The always delicious Hoodsie Cup.

And then there are the brands that bring Boston flavor to the rest of the country.

Topping that list has to be Samuel Adams (samueladams.com), the brewing company that started in Jim Koch’s kitchen and now stands as a billion-dollar industry that holds tight to its roots. Considered one of the pioneers of craft brewing, Sam Adams is celebrating its 40th birthday in a big way.

Standing by Samuel Adams Taproom bar (samadamsbostontaproom.com) and taking in the expansive view of Faneuil Hall Marketplace recently, I asked Jim Koch himself to choose which beer I should drink that day.

He didn’t hesitate. “Do we have any Double Bock on hand?” He asked our server. They did. This beer, Koch told me, doesn’t sell big and is expensive to create. But its backstory – the recipe is based on beer drunk by monks during Lenten fasting to sustain them – is one he’s dedicated to always creating.

The Double Bock was first brewed and sold in 1993 and it said to have launched the “extreme beer” category.

This Wicked Easy fan loved it.

This summer, Samuel Adams celebrates its history with special events – and special brews – to help beer lovers look back and ahead:

Summer Ale Summer Bash, May 18: The Downtown Boston Taproom’s rooftop setting will be decked out in summer attire, and DJs Jungle Punk and Rome Thrasher will be spinning the tunes. Sam Adams will debut the Summer Ale Beer slushy machine. There will be special edition Summer Ale giveaways and other surprises. The event runs from noon to 6 p.m. and tickets are free but required. You can make a reservation at Eventbrite.com.

Sam Sessions Mini Music Fest, May 23: Over at the brewery itself, the anniversary celebration continues with Sam Sessions, a mini music festival that features local bands (of course) performing from 5-9 p.m. You’ll be able to partake in the release of Samuel Adams Stage Hopper, a dry-hopped Pilsner brewed in collaboration with Boston Calling, one of Boston’s favorite music festivals.

Far Out Ice Cream will be on hand serving up cold and sweet treats. There will be lots of prizes and giveaways, including Boston Calling tickets. Tickets are free but a reservation is required. You can do that at Eventbrite as well.

And then there are places around Boston where you raise a Sam Adams.

There’s Fenway Park itself, where Sam carries a bevy of options. Extra fun is a pre-game (or during game if you don’t have tickets) Sam at The Bullpen (thebullpenboston.com), where tall cans rule.

Or how about Boston’s Beantown Pub (beantownpub.com); the only place you can sip a Sam while looking out at Samuel Adams grave?

You can head to the Brewery itself in the heart of Jamaica Plain (30 Germania St.) and do a full tour complete with history, some lore and lots of sips.