Samuel Adams Winter Classics Variety (2015)

Well, to be fair, Jim Koch has probably forgotten more than I'll ever know about --- Umm, well maybe not "more" --- but he sure seems to have conveniently forgotten a lot of beer history!

 

Ick, I believe I had one of those bottles. Are these the ones that tasted like soy sauce? Hence, the Chinese restaurant comment?

 

LOL. People have been clamoring for cases of Fezziwig for as long as they've been marketing the 'Winter Classics'. Seems to be everyone's favorite. But they'll never give it to you. Why? Because that'd be like 'Christmas every day.' The 2 (or 4) bottles you get in the variety are like gifts. If you could go and buy it on its own, the magic is lost and it wouldn't be long before people lamented (if for no other reason than that it's available outside the classics pack) the demise of the 'real' Old Fezziwig and "It's just not the same beer it used to be" becomes standard issue in the reviews.

 

If anyone from the SA camp looks at this forum:
OLD FEZZIWIG SIXERS PLEASE

 

OR...

A holiday 12 pack of 6 Porters and 6 Fezziwig!! I would buy tons of those.

 

I'm on board with what seems to be the general consensus: Old Fezziwig and Holiday Porter are awesome and worth seeking.

 

Disappointed to see they switched out dark depths and third voyage for rebel series.

 

Had my first Old Fezziwig tonight from the variety pack bought at Sam's over the weekend. Always enjoy it and would buy six packs if available!

 

Eh, while both were interesting, Dark Depths was kind of a mess of a beer and Third Voyage just couldn't hide the alcohol in it.

Rebel Rouser is a definite upgrade over those two.

 

I just picked it up today. $12.99 per 12 pack is a pretty solid deal for these beers.

I'm looking forward to trying the new ones and revisiting the Porter and Old Fezziwig!

Note that is a sale price.

 

Well.... I liked the Old Fezziwig and the Chocolate bock. I thought they were the two best of the bunch. The BL smells slightly skunked/sulfur... a first for this beer. I dunno, maybe my tastes are changing. They all seem to be decent, but, I wouldn't go back for another 12 pack. Onward.

 

That's weird, I hardly ever have Boston Lager anymore since I started exploring craft beer but when I had a draft a couple of months ago it almost tasted like it had a little Belgian in it, which I definitely don't remember from years ago. It was a pretty pricey restaurant too, hopefully they don't have dirty lines...

 

I'm sure that type of thing happens. Not every employee cares enough to do things properly.

 

Got my first of the season. Great pack. Holiday Porter was a standout to me, don't remember it being that good. Really good. Sparkling Ale reminded me of drinking a really well made roll of bread. I enjoyed.

Great mix pack.

 

Great pack! Like every one of them. Love the bock, porter and Fezzi.

 

As someone who does not enjoy hop bitterness, I was pleasantly surprised by the Sparkling Ale. Floral in the nose and on the palate, slightly sweet, with just a little non-harsh bitterness in the finish.

 

OF and HP: Two beers that no matter how deep I go down the craft beer rabbit hole, I'll always come back to these fantastic, nostalgic, and at this point, I'd say classic holiday beers. I didn't buy one last year because no porter, and wrote to BBC to express my displeasure, as apparently, did a lot of us.

I note they **DIDN'T** listen to my advice and come out with a barrel-aged Old Fezz, nor did they opt to do individual bombers or 6-packs of the individual beers, but baby steps...

Cheers, Merry Xmas, and happy holidays to everyone!

Mike