Samuel Adams Spring Thaw pack..

I really liked Maple Pecan Porter but the rest were just okay. Probably won't buy again because I didn't enjoy the others enough even though I would like more Maple.

 

I saw it coming in with Nugget Nectar today in Ohio, so it should be to you soon.

 

Looks like the same Hop-ology line-up as last year, except that they've tweaked the Latitude 48 recipe with Mosaic hops. I hope to give it a try soon.

 

This was a nice solid mixed 12. The Maple Pecan was outstanding, although still a very simple session beer.

I found the IPL funny. It's sort of Sam Adam's attempt to cash in on the popularity of Jack's Abby's Hoponious Union while falling completely short. Nothing wrong it, it's a good solid session beer, but compared to Jack's, it might as well be water. :-)

 

Just curious, and it's entirely possible that this is a really freaking dumb question, but this last weekend I was looking at the descriptions on my box of Spring Thaw and noticed some odd references to Texas. Hopefully you can read the picture. I'm not sure if the same descriptions are online somewhere. Look at the Double Agent description and the Alpine Spring description. On Double Agent, it has an asterisk after IPA and the reference asterisk is "Beer in TX." And on Alpine Spring, a lager, the asterisk says "Ale in TX." WTF does that all mean? Again, may be a stupid question...

ETA: I just realized BA resized the picture. Clicking on it makes it slightly bigger, or you can follow the direct link --> http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb315/diamondjewel101/download.jpg which makes it bigger and more readable.



All that aside...my favorite of the 6 choices in order were:

Double Agent IPL
Maple Pecan Porter
Alpine Spring
White Lantern
Irish Red
Boston Lager

I thought all of them were reasonably solid but nothing overwhelmingly outstanding. I actually like Boston Lager pretty well, but out of the six choices, it was old news and boring to me. I went into it thinking I'd like the Maple Pecan Porter the most, but the IPL surprised me. And I thought Alpine Spring was solid, more orangey than I was expecting. White Lantern definitely wasn't my favorite representation of a wit and the Irish Red definitely wasn't my favorite representation of an Irish Red either. But I like wits better than Irish Reds.

 

Mape Pecan was by far my favorite beer in the box. I would love for it to get its own 6 pack. 2nd place for me goes to the IPL. Worst was The Lantern...very bland. Boston Lager tasty as always. Alpine and Irish are MEH.

 

TX state law forces certain definitions:

"In Texas, “beer” is defined as a malt beverage that contains at least ½% ABV but no more than 4% ABV. Any “beer” with an ABV above 4% is considered “ale."

http://www.brewtiful.com/?p=219

 

Yep. Though, the number is 5% ABV.

http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/marketing_practices/bulletins/MPB007.pdf

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/ale-tx-144517/

 

I liked the Double Agent, drank one at my friends beer store and bought a case. This will be a great summertime beer.

 

How odd...and silly. But thanks for answering my question! You too, Craigory

 

Still haven't picked this up yet. I will do so just for the Maple Pecan porter. Had it at a beer fest 2 years ago and it was awesome! I'm more interested in the comparison to draft. I hope it's not too different.

And even though they might not be the "toppest" notch, there are more than 1 or 2 new beers here, which makes splitting/having a sixer a pretty easy chore.

 

No prob! I think it is odd too however I live in PA, so I really can't say anything about any other state's beer/alcohol laws.

 

Have had the Alpine Spring in bottle and on draft, and if you can find it fresh on draft and dont feel like a stout, or don't have a better choice, it's definitely worth it. Their stuff is pretty hit or miss for me, but I enjoyes that one.

 

Had to bump this because I just had it finally. The Maple Pecan Porter was clearly the best. You can taste the pecans, maple syrup, chocolate, and coffee. Its a well put together, well made, and well balanced beer. I would definitaley but a sixer of this if it was available. The worst was the Alpine Spring. It basically had everything I dont like about lagers.

 

If I were to personally rate this pack..

1.) Maple Pecan Porter
2.) Double Agent IPL
3.) Irish Red
4.) Alpine Spring
5.) Boston Lager
6.) White Lantern.

Now I don't find any of these bad but to rate in order of taste/flavor/creativeness.

I am just not too big into Wit beers so that is why the Lantern is at the bottom.

 

I would buy 5 easy!