https://www.globalbeer.com/beers/van-steenberg-sampler-pack/ First time I’ve seen this so I picked it up today and I’m pumped! I do have access to the big hitters of classic styles, but as I’m complained about before, very little variety. 4 of the 6 beers in this sampler I have never had. The variety in this sampler also seems to be a decent array of flavor. So to me this is a good find. What other samplers have you found that for whatever reason really jazzed you up?
That sounds incredible. Locally- Odell consistently puts out amazing mixed buckets. They change them quite a bit and put delicious one-offs as well as seasonal tasty bois in there too. I think a mark of a great variety pack is how many just don’t get drank by you before you have to go get more beer.
I bought a Van Steenberge 6-sampler pack shortly after I got into exploring craft beer and imports. I think it was in the late 90s. That pack had two beers that are in the OP's pack, Gulden Draak and Piraat Ale, but the other 4 were Augustijn Ale, Bornem Amber Ale, Bornem Double and Bornem Triple, and Bruegel Amber Ale. I've never been much of a rater or reviewer, and it's been too long ago to recall how well I liked the beers. However, they probably were some of the first Belgians that I had tried, and I do recall not particularly liking Belgian beers early on in my craft/imports drinking 'career'. Love 'em now, though. OP, enjoy your find.
I excitedly picked one of these up a month ago and cracked the Helles followed by the Schwarz. Both tasted off. Checked the dates: Brewed 0ct 2018 Best by Oct 2019 Returned the rest. Pretty bummed. I saw it for the first time at grocery store I frequent weekly in early fall of last year. I passed because I wasn’t really in the seasonal mood for those particular beers at the time. That tells me that this beer had about a month Left to live on shelves by the time it arrived stateside, at least where I live.
That is a serious distribution/supply chain issue that needs looked into. I’m assuming your grocer just received it (since you frequent store and saw it for first time) so they probably are an innocent victim like you as consumer. 1-2+ year old beers being handed to a retailer is just unethical business IMO.
Man, I been blowing through this sampler, only 2 left. Every beer has been a treat and a change of pace! Hope to find this exact same sampler again in the very near future.
Oh my gosh, Schmaltz does this Hanukkah menorah sampler pack with 8 beers you're supposed to drink on each night of the holiday and light a candle on the bottle eventually making a full menorah. Each beer is freaking amazing, and it includes some rare one offs or aged beers. Absolutely amazing if you ever see it! It also comes with a sweet 8oz glass plus Hanukkah candles.
