Sam Adams Winter Classics Pack 2013?

really???
that looks really interesting!!
what is the Escape Route kölsch that looks interesting

wow cool if thats a legit list then thanks alot very exciting LOL!

 

I'm surprised at the lack of Alpine Spring. That's easily my least favorite of their main seasonals, but I thought Sam Adams considered it their main lineup.

Looks like an improvement over last year's spring lineup.

 

they should have included alpine spring instead of boston lager

 

Alpine Spring has been discontinued. Cold Snap white ale is its replacement.

 

Yeah, that's definitely the Spring lineup. I thought they would include the new Rebel IPA in the spring pack but it would seem that the Boston Beer Co. is going to make people try that on its own. Then again, if Sam Adams does another Hopology variety pack maybe they'll put it in there.

 

I thought Sam Adams considered Alpine Spring, Summer Ale, Oktoberfest, Winter Lager to be their main seasonal line, guess I was wrong. That was definitely the weakest link of the group.

 

No, you are correct. SA's core seasonals were Alpine Spring, Summer Ale, Okto, & Winter Lager. Unfortunately for Alpine Spring fans, that particular seasonal wasn't sellling well enough for Boston Beer Co. so they're replacing it.

 

Was it the Caramel Porter? If so, I'm running out to get one now!

 

just 4059 porter.
that caramel porter sounds good

 

Meh, not too exciting but worth picking up anyway I suppose.

 

I have yet to pick this up. I'll need to pick it up tomorrow while I'm out and about

 

I can't even begin to express how bummed I am about Alpine Spring, I loved that beer and would look forward to it every year since it came out. It did seem to sell well in my area too. Oh well, I guess now we get yet another "White Ale brewed with spices". I love Kolsch's, though, so there could be some hope, but I am wondering what exactly is going to make this one different from their East-West Kolsch and I am hoping this is simply not a re-branding and a marketing ploy.

But I am sure we will be finding out soon enough, as going by SA's release schedule we should be seeing this Spring pack in about a week.

 

I thought the Juniper was decent. Have always liked the Fezziwig. Definitely miss the Holiday Porter, especially with the chocolate cherry bock in there - sickly sweet, and just awful.

 

This year I have only bought one case of the Winter pack. Dropping the porter was too much for me to get another case as I don't care much for the White Christmas. I am glad the Maple Pecan Porter is back for the Spring.

 

White Xmas was a miss for me. Bad.

 

I wish they'd just stop with all of these spiced white ales. I don't think I'm gonna buy one this year.

 

They want to force a white down your throat every chance they get. I don't understand it.

 

Me either! They used to be the Lager kings (I say this because for a while it seemed as if each new release was a Lager) but now they have seemed to have shifted towards the...white ale end of the spectrum?!? Huh?!?

 

I've liked most of their white ales. I liked Little White Rye especially.

I think it's more they try to have a certain checklist in their seasonal packs.
1) Boston Lager
2) Big seasonal (Winter lager, summer ale, etc)
3) IPA (Juniper IPA, Latitude 48, etc)
4) Sweet flavorful (Cherry chocolate, maple pecan, hazel brown)
5) White ale
6) New style they are testing out

 

I think that's a bit overboard. By my count, Sam Adams currently bottles 11 different year-round and seasonal/specialty lagers. That is still way more than any other craft brewer of comparable size and distribution.