Samuel Adams Spring Thaw pack..

Actually this doesn't sound half bad. If I see one around I'll likely pick it up. Out of curiosity, where did you get it? I'm in Boston and was at the liquor store tonight and didn't see any indication of one. If especially intrigued by the IPL and the Porter...a little nervous about the Alpine Spring and White Lantern (never much enjoyed SA's attempts at a white beer)

 

I'll end up the same as you, OP. I hate IPAs, so the IPL will be total fail for me I'm sure. The Maple Pecan Porter is the one I'm most intrigued by, but we've got another week to wait on the new Sam Adams pack it seems.

 

Maple Pecan Porter sounds the most interesting to me.

 

Sounds pretty good. I'm not quite sure on the IPL, but I'll give it a try.

 

Not an SA hater at all; I always buy a mixed of theirs each season. My predictions:

IPL - Favorite. The BL is a classic, and if they have taken any cues from Jack's Abby, this will be good. I'm looking for crisp and fruity.
Maple Pecan Porter - Can go either way here. Could be quite good, but could also be too artificial in its flavors. Their Hazel Brown from a bit back was a little too additive flavored to me.
Irish Red - Should just be a solid beer. Never had an Irish red that knocks my socks off, but Boulevard's is probably my favorite. If they make a beer that rivals that, I'll be happy.
Alpine Spring - I've had it. It's fine. Not offensive.
White Lantern - I plan to give this one away. I'll try it, but I sure hope it isn't anything like White Christmas. I'm sorry SA, but that was one of the most foul brews of the year.

 

I'm anticipating the IPL being my favorite, anybody know the they hops used in it?

 

Spring Thaw is already out? That's insane. The first day of winter was a week ago!!!

 

Seriously, if the packs are about the fiscal quarter then they should name them differently, like Happy New Beer's

 

Wow I know they're always the first to release seasonals, but it's not even 2013 yet!!

It'll be tough for them to impress anyone in Massachusetts with the IPL, since Hoponius Union has set the bar so high.

I have tickets to the open house for this sampler pack so I'm trying to not taste any of it until then (1/17). I hear they're also re-releasing New Albion pale ale at this event.

 

Glad to see the Maple Porter making into a pack finally. I had the two samples at a beerfest two years ago and the Maple Porter blew the other sample out of the water.

 

Nothing I look forward to more every year than kicking up my feet in the backyard on a 15 degree January day, looking around at the soft, billowy blanket of snow on the ground and getting my lips frozen to a cool glass of Alpine Spring from the SA Spring Thaw Pack.

 

Maple Pecan porter and pancakes poppy!

 

I think these seasonal packs are great for sampling different styles but I will probably avoid it as I have yet to find a Porter that I've enjoyed. I had the Alpine Spring last year and it is one I can take or leave. Irish Red will probably be released in six packs and I'll pick it up when it becomes available. I'll wait until it starts getting warm to pick up BL. The Wit and Double Agent sound interesting.

 

Sounds like a good pack in general. Personally, I still love Boston Lager. While other beers might be bolder and have zanier ingredients, BL is still just plain good.

 

I was so confused to see a Spring 12 pack out already, I just walked passed it. Crazy!

 

Summer pack will be out in a week.

 

Spring stuff already? Its not even 2013 yet for Christ sake.

 

Yeah I mean I get the whole quarterly release thing, but couldn't this wait another quarter? I'd rather drink Winter Lager in March and Maple Pecan Porter in June than Alpine Spring in January.

 

Gotta be honest... I read this thread this morning and just shook my head. At 4pm I can't help it and have to comment.
I understand the marketing notion of being first to market and all that. But this is beyond ludicrious. In the end, I realize, I am not the target market. My assumption is that most of these were packaged in December and by the time I would even consider a Spring pack they'll be too long in the tooth for me. (given alternatives, not saying they will be bad) I won't buy it. I detest winter and love when Spring is sprung. You didn't need to earn a four year degree to realize that SPRING items aren't on the consumer's mind BEFORE Christmas and New Years. Boston Beer is very successful and doesn't need tips from us... but as a consumer I get a vote.. and I vote... NO not now and then NOT in the Spring because of their chosen distribution strategy.... (stepping off soap box now) BTW, what's with the 5 votes for Boston Lager as the beer people are MOST looking forward too.. That's classic