Sam Adams Winter Classics

http://www.samueladams.com/varietypack/winterclassics/index.aspx

 

I see they have a new "classic" this year. ;-)

 

I agree. Except for "we" replace it with "I". I look forward to this more than, quite honestly, any other seasonal release. So many memories associated with the Winter Classics pack. My first real holiday season of getting into craft beer many years ago now.

And before anyone else can say it...I CAN HAZ OLD FEZZIWIG IN SIX PACKS? Is that beer ever on tap anywhere? If it is, I will make it a point to find said place and drink to my hearts content.

 

I had the Black and Brew last year. I don't know why they have it listed as "new" though...

 

That page hasn't been updated; black and brew is not "new" and I notice the photos are of the old labels.

 

I really like that there's no White Ale, Latitude 48, or something else along those lines. When I think winter beers, porters, stouts, and spiced beers to come to mind so this pack delivers for me.

Not to hijack the thread but if anyone has heard what will be in the Saranac 12 beers of winter, I'm curious to find out.

 

I've never seen it, and I occasionally go to the semi-official Sam Adams bar (Doyle's), where they will throw some oddball SA kegs on tap that you won't find elsewhere...

There are 3 on-tap reviews though, so a couple of kegs have leaked out over the years...

 

I think this is last years release. Aslo, I wish they'd stop release traditional Boston Lager in these packs. Its a good beer, but throw in two extra Old Fezziwigs, and I'd be one happy man-child.

 

Stop with the chocolate bock already!

 

Went there in July and fell in love with that place. Excellent bar food. Best clam chowder I've ever had.

 

I'm curious when their Merry Mischief gingerbread stout is coming out...

 

They also have new 22s coming out, a winter spiced wheat beer and a gingerbread stout I believe

 

I really wish they'd stop putting Boston Lager in every damn mixed pack. Everyone has had that beer a million times now. We get that it's your flagship. Give us something different!

 

Both of those last year seemed pretty divisive. I never had the old chocolate bock recipe but this one thats been included the last couple years gets a lot of haters. The black and brew I enjoyed well enough but certainly there are much better coffee beers out there.

If there haven't been any changes since last year then I'll definitely buy at least one pack again. At this point it's become a tradition for me and I'm sure many other BA's to get at least one winter mix pack a year just for Old Fezziwig. It's not even a favorite beer of mine but I do love it around the holidays and I love the character it's named after.

 

I love the off the wall SA stuff. The Maple Pecan Porter (Sample A/B thing) and Oak Aged Porter (had it on tap at WoB Raleigh) were awesome. EW Kolsch was great too.

And I agree. These are the best of the SA releases. Ive been known to buy bottles of Winter Lager in shithole bars that dont sell it and keep it in the cooler until summer.

Next random thought with seasonal creep (and based on when Fall stuff landed), shouldnt we already see these beers? but seriously, when does it usually land?

 

I truly feel sad for people that have to drink their winter holiday beers when it's raining. They taste much better when you have the fire going and snow is falling outside.

 

Yeah, but they do that more for the non-beer geeks that often pickup SA variety packs for BBQs/etc. If you want to bother carrying a flagship, then you need to really embrace the concept of a flagship. Consider that your typical SA variety pack usually includes 1-2 seasonals, and 3-4 one-offs... often times SABL is the only beer in that pack that can be purchased year round.

So, for every beer geek who says "to hell with SABL, give me Kosmic Mother Funker instead", there is some guy who drinks the SABL and has the proverbial light bulb click on and says "this Sam Adams stuff is pretty good - I should pick it up next time I'm at the store".

That, plus, it is Jim Koch's favorite beer.