Sam Adams Fall Variety Pack 2016

Huh, I am confused. Went to Sam's Club yesterday and the 24 variety pack had 20lbs of pumpkin instead of the toasted caramel bock. That sucks. Side note, saw 28 packs of the Octoberfest for $25 there. May have to get some of that.

 

Curious as to the standouts in this fall's pack. Thoughts? Worth picking up as a whole?

 

Occasionally, Sam Adams will do this with the 24 packs at Costco. A year or two ago, the winter variety 24 pack at Costco featured Chocolate Bock. If I recall correctly though, Chocolate Bock was inserted somehow in addition to the normal lineup, not in lieu of one of the other beers.

 

I really like the toasted caramel. The bonfire blonde was good in a weird way and the maple ale....well I have no idea where they hid the maple??

 

Boston Lager is included in Sam Adams variety packs for the same reason Pale Ale is included in Sierra Nevada variety packs. It is pretty much industry standard to include your flagship beer in seasonal variety packs. One-off variety packs, like SA Latitude 48 De-Constructed or SN 4-way IPA for instance, typically won't include flagships. It is what it is.

 

I completely understand that, but to me personally, I want it gone.

 

I guess I'm in the minority, but I love having Boston Lager in the mix packs. It's the only time I'll have it, and I always forget how good it is. Takes me back to the late 90s, when I first got into craft.

 

Based on the feedback, Bonfire Blonde is a Rauchbier moreso than an American Blonde (its classification here on BA). Sounds like a reboot of Sam Adams Bonfire Rauchbier from a few years ago.

 

I like it all but the fact we are FORCED to get the Boston Lager. It is a turn off to have this shoved down our throats, seems like case with every variety pack and why I don't really buy them anymore.

 

I agree, we all have had it and to be honest if we wanted it would buy it alone. I want a fall pack of fall beers, not the all year stuff.
REMOVE THE BOSTON LOL>

 

Drink half your glass and now take a deep breath. Chopped ragweed and asparagus. Yum. Have a Claritin?

 

Overall, this year's variety pack from Samuel Adams is very worthwhile. Boston Lager is always excellent. Octoberfest seems crisp and balanced this year. Hoppy Red is fine from the bottle, since it brings a quality taste but notably overwrought aroma. Bonfire Blonde is not for everybody, but that's the experimental quality at Sam Adams that I respect. It reminds me of one of my favorite Single Malt Scotches, Laphroiag. Sam brings the smoke on this one. Maple ale is also a very interesting, distinctive brew, although it's a sweet for my tastes. Toasted caramel bock also is along the lines of a sweeter, less hops beer, but really well balanced. Thumb's up for bringing the variety.

 

The Summer Pack didn't perk my interest at all. The Fall Pack sounds great!

 

I'm on this fall pack with my next visit to the grocery store

 

Picked it up about a month ago. I liked the Caramel Bock and Bonfire. The maple was decent. could have used a stronger maple flavor. The Hoppy red is so so but not bad. I'd give the set as whole a 3.5.

 

The summer pack was decent. You didn't really miss out on much.

 

I drank the bonfire blonde without looking closely at the label- all I saw was "blonde" Needless to say I was a little surprised when I smelled and tasted it and it reminded me of a bonfire. I then looked at the label more closely, and had to chuckle at the apt name. They definitely nailed the bonfire part!

 

That's a nice mix, follows the ebbs and flows of New England fall. Boston Lager late September, the crisp fall air brings in Octoberfest, Hoppy Red or Bonfire for the days when the frost hits your windshield in the morning before being swept away by the still pleasant Autumn afternoon sun.

Maple and Caramel for the days where the sun can never quite cut through the rapidly deepening cold of an approaching winter.

Friggen beautiful

 

I will always hold a special place in my heart for this variety pack. Oktoberfest is the beer that got me into craft beer and helped me appreciate Boston Lager more.

Will definitely pick this up soon. Really want to try the bock.

 

not a fan of sam adams.