Fall Beer Sightings (2019)

My favorite right behind Ofest is the Fezziwig. I wish more than anything they would do that in 6 packs. Did the one you mentioned include the Caramel Bock and Maple Ale? I can't remember which, but I loved one of those. I'll also say the Spruce Lager from last year was pretty good. More accurate is surprisingly good and wasn't what I was expecting.

 

Went to my local store in the Boston area that usually gets Sierra Nevada releases on the early side. No Oktoberfest beers of any stripe yet. They still had a lot of Sam Adams Summer out, but were down to only a couple packs of SN Summerfest.

Probably try again next week.

 

Oh, well it was this one... Fezziwig is interesting, but just does not quite do it for me. Make your own six pack, especially in a big box retailer, I do it all the time! I have not had the Caramel Bock or Maple Ale.

The Spruce was on point, here is the variety 12 I am referencing for the fall. I got this last year... https://www.billsdist.com/product/details?prodID=1081

I really liked the Pumpkin and the Coffee pale ale was just ok, sweet finish. As for the Black Lager, that was very meh to me.

 

It felt like 99 with the humidity yesterday according to the heat index. Got upwards of "feeling like" 120ish I think the weekend before that. Gets humid here too.

And we get boat loads of snow in the winter and it can "feel like" negative whatever in the winter with the wind chill.

I'll drink an Oktoberfest in all of the weather above though.

Ha, made a real impact huh?

 

I have posted the same sentiment many times in BA threads and have verbally discussed this with Sam Adams Sales Reps multiple times. I must confess that I am conflicted on what Boston Beer Co. folks are thinking here. There is no doubt in my mind that Old Fezziwig would be a popular selling holiday beer. Are they refusing to sell this as a standalone beer to coerce people in purchasing the Winter variety packs? If so, this marketing strategy is not working on me since I refuse to buy these packs. But if they were to offer Old Fezziwig as a standalone product I would buy a 6-pack (and probably more than one).

Sometimes I wonder why Sam Adams has decreasing beer sales but then I think of the one example above and I stop wondering.

I am reminded of a quote from the movie Forrest Gump: “stupid is as stupid does”.

Cheers!

 

After starting the season early with a Market Garden Old Zahm (weirdly bitter aftertaste that wasn't pleasant) I just snagged Great Lakes Oktoberfest, Pumking and Warlock, all 2019 vintages.

 

Just went to a semi-local spot that usually has a decent selection of new releases -- nothing for Fall. Guess I'll stick with Summerfest and Spaten Premium at the smoker and grill this weekend -- another dirty, thankless job.

I remember Ohio getting early releases last year too.

 

Jacks Abby Copper Legend hit local stores yesterday. First fall beer I've seen.

 

Jack, have you ever brewed the clone recipe that's out on the internet? I'm pretty sure I printed that recipe from somewhere but never got around to brewing it. Maybe someone's personal experience about whether it's an accurate recipe will prod me to brew again if it's a positive experience with the resulting beer. Homebrewng would give you an unlimited source..

 

No, I haven't.

My typical homebrew batch is 5 gallons. While I am of the opinion that Old Fezziwg is a 'desireable' beer for Holiday drinking I really do not want 2 cases (48 bottles) of this beer. 1-2 6-packs would 'scratch my itch".

If you want to brew this batch and send me some I will be happy to provide you with some of my homebrewed beers in exchange.

Cheers!

 

I would too and I feel the same way in thinking that is their reason. I don't understand why they don't just offer it. I would say that marketing strategy isn't working on a lot of people. Don't get me wrong, I buy 1 variety pack a year just to get 2 bottles, but I would buy several cases and stock up if it were sold as a stand alone. It just seems they would come out better financially to offer it.

SA variety packs are beginning to be like a box of chocolates: "you never know what you're gonna get."

 

See I just can't be pleased I guess. I like snow, but wouldn't want to be shoveling it all winter. A few good snows a year is good enough for me. But I absolutely hate the heat. I used to love summer when I was a kid, but now that I'm older its just a miserably hot version of any other day.

LOL yea I guess it did. Nah, it's just been a few years and I can't for the life of me remember which one it was I liked. Hell I might have liked both.

 

Well, you can always be assured of getting Boston Lager and of late it seems that Sam '76 is a popular choice for packs as well (so you can taste your beer?).

Cheers!

 

That's my thinking.

I often say, "I don't have to shovel humidity."

 

You also hit the nail on the head! However, I do try to wait till after Halloween to have my first Celebration of the Season!

 

Harvest if probably one of the first fall seasonal I have. Can’t wait to see it!

 

Ayinger has typically been the earliest beer to show, I try and like Marzens, but they’re really just ok at best. I really like the lighter Fest beers.

 

They push Sam '76 so much, I often wonder how sales are for that beer.

I could see it either struggling, or doing really well.

Nah man, I start drinking that in October. While it holds up well, I always like to try it super fresh and then compare it over the rest of the fall.

 

I love Celebration and will also buy it as soon as I see it in the stores.

I don't mind Sam 76 at all. Its by no means my favorite or even a regular in my fridge, but I don't mind it and will buy a pack of it every now and then.

 

I'm ready for fall beers! soon a plethora of crappy pumpkin beers will be out, not talking about those- (although I normally buy a few- Elysian especially) I'm mostly looking forward to Avery Kaiser in cans- love that they brought this back even though its a dumbed down version of one of my old favs. (8% ABV opposed to 9.5% or whatever it was before)