Sam Adams Fall Variety Pack 2016

Is it just me or are most of these beers incredibly sweet? Hoppy Red, Oktoberfest, Maple Ale, and Toasted Caramel Bock...yikes that last one is thick and syrupy. Not bad but hard to drink a full 12 oz. Maybe these beers will drink better when the temperatures drop later this month? I may have to pick up another pack in a few weeks to find out.

In contrast, I am thoroughly enjoying the Sierra Nevada fall pack right now. All of the four beers are clean and crisp. I was skeptical about the Hoppy Wheat IPA but it has been a delicious surprise. I'm on my second 12-pack already and will be buying at least a couple more this fall for sure!

 

I finally picked up a 12 pack today. Looks like it took a while to get to KS but I can't wait to try the 4 new (to me) beers in it.

 

thanks for that.

 

Precisely why I had second thoughts and didn't end up picking up a pack and probably won't. As I was reading the descriptions of the beers and thinking about it, it seems as if I would have a sweetness burnout quickly.

I agree and the Hoppy Wheat was a very nice surprise.

 

This goes a little against my prior post, but it wouldn't be a bad idea for them to swap out the lager for the Boston Ale once in a while. That's an underrated one.

Otherwise people just need to get over it. You can use the lager for cooking if it bugs you that much.

 

Boston Lager is a great beer. And yes, it's available everywhere year round. But I never get it unless I buy a variety pack. I don't ever want a six pack, but two bottles twice a year when I buy these is perfect. I bought the Sam's Club version with the pumpkin instead of Toasted Caramel. I'm fine with that, although I'd prefer last year's pumpkin saison which I thought was tasty and certainly unique.

 

Besides Boston lager and Octoberfest, I've only tried the Toasted Caramel one, and it was actually pretty good! Though, I don't think I would be able to drink more that one of those in one session. It seems like most of these beers are sweet (according to people in BA), but that's a positive for me. Most of the beers I try are hoppy to super hoppy, so it's a nice change of pace.

 

So... I'm actually surprised that my favorite is 'Bonfire Blonde'. I went in thinking it would be the worst, but that smoky flavor and smell remind me of thanksgiving. lol

If I had to rate the new beers it would be

1. Bonfire Blonde
2. Toasted Caramel Bock
3. Maple Ale
4. Hoppy Red (doesn't really fit fall/Autumn)

 

I'm pretty much in agreement. Including all six in the pack, I'd rate them:
1. Boston Lager
2. Bonfire Blonde
3. Maple Ale
4. Toasted Caramel Bock
5. Oktoberfest
6. Hoppy Red (pretty much the entire reason I'm not getting a second 12-pack)

 

Overall, I feel like this is one of the best fall packs SA has put out. Favorite fall 12 pack of this year. I'm a little disappointed with SN's one. :/

 

Haha, I'm on the other side of the fence - I am loving the SN fall pack.

 

Lol, I see. I was hoping Flipside would be included. I pretty much only bought their 12 pack for Tumbler, which I think is awesome!

 

Drinking the hoppy red now. Should be in the spring pack. Not harvest. Boston ale or brick red would be a good replacememt.
So nostalgic for a walk on a 48° night on wet cold leaf covered boston red brick sidewalk, to be met by warmth and good cheer inside a pub with Boston Ale on tap. Yum.