Saranac fans, lets discuss the winter variety pack

Suprisingly, I've yet to see this in my area (WAY Upstate NY). Am looking forward to sampling the new brews, though. As a general rule, I like Saranac, so I'm sure these will be decent for my tastes.

Feel free to berate me, but Saranac Pale Ale is one of my favorite session beers.

 

I'd expect the ipa to be thin and watery like their other ipas but the lager could be a gem. IMO they make some of the best lagers of most any brewer in the US

 

I wish they would brew the Pale Pale Ale again. Doesn't get the best reviews on BA but it's One of the best beers I've had of theirs. Other than that, most of their beers are okay but nothing great. I'll drink them(if your buying or donating) but I won't plunder my money on them.

I'd love to support my local breweries, but the fact is they need to step it up. Way to many world class craft beers out there, that are equally, if not better in price.

For example, at my beer store now you can get

A. A growler of Sackets Harbor(prob worst brewery in ny) 1812 Amber for 10.99
B. A growler of Great Divide Oatmeal Yeti for 10.99
C. A growler of Left Hand Milk Stout 9.99

 

I want a growler of Left Hand Milk Stout.

 

Saranac has some dogs but they have some good beers too. I liked the wild hop pils this year as well as the white IPA and they make quite a variety of styles. They are the cheapest and they are right next to Southern Tier on the shelf. They have made a variety of styles from kolsch to shwarzbier over the years and people tend to look right down their nose at them. They even make a lemon ginger saison. Who knew?

Flying dog and saranac are comparable in my opinion in that they each have some good offerings (notice I didn't say great) and they have some really bad ones. Flying dog has cool artwork. Saranac has been around over 100 years.

 

Growing up in CNY I always like to give new Saranac offerings a try. Definitely tend to be hit or miss but they make some solid beers. Black forest is one of my favorites - hope it'll be in the winter pack.

 

I usually don't buy variety packs (although the Ithaca Box of Hops looks awesome), but if the Black Forest is in there, I might pick this one up...that beer is amazing.

 

I, too, am looking forward to this years Winter mix pack. There appears to be some interesting brews that will be worth a try.

It hasn't shown up in the Binghamton area yet. We seem to be on the tail end of every distribution. We finally got Warlock two weeks ago, even though Southern Tier is only a 4 hour drive away from us.

One of the most enjoyable Saranac brews I've had was their Blueberry Blonde Ale that they were pouring after the Boilermaker. Run the race and drink beer on them. What a great reason to run, lol.

 

I've seen it, haven't bought it yet. I'm actually looking forward to it. New brewer who came from Founders and Gordon Biersch who seems to know his shit. At the hop harvest this year they had a sixtel of a Mosaic IPA and had I not known it was Saranac I'd have said fresh Flower Power or similar, it's was THAT good. They debuted a "West End IPA" at the GABF which is touted as a "California Style" IPA, hope that released here locally. The Lagacy IPA that came as a bonus beer in the summer and fall variety packs was head and shoulders above any hop forward beer they've put out this far. All in all I'd say they are heading in a great direction and I hope it keeps up. Being local of LOVE to say "yeah they make Saranac here" and not get that same look I do now but what do I know, time for another UC. Cheers!

 

Wild Hop Pils is one of my favorite beers of 2013. Loved that stuff.

 

Holy hell, pardon the spelling. On my phone.

 

And then there's this, you forever have a larger soft spot in my heart Saranac....

 

The Saranac winter collection is available in Marcy, NY.
I am leery of Rudy's Spiced Christmas Ale, but the Moonshadow Black IPA is excellent.
Unfortunately, I am not familiar at all with Decotion Cocotion if that is a style, so I don't know how to compare it to anything else I've ever tried. I just opened a bottle. There is definitely an unfamiliar hop or yeast in there, but I find it interesting, very drinkable, and quite tasty. I will leave it to the experts to tell us more about this beer.
One thing that I miss about Saranac beers in this 125th year is the detail on the labels.

 

White IPA. Pretty good and only 24.99 a case
Legacy IPA that was in the two 12 pack was pretty good too.

That's about it

I used to drink a lot of Saranac way back in the day when I found craft. I first had it at the old triangle tavern watching Dustys band.

I remember buying the 12 beers of Xmas packs and always hoping they were as good as the description. I was let down a lot.

The white IPA is a good cheap beer but its hard to find fresh.


Enjoy

 

I like Saranac, but I agree on the thin/watery sentiment and wished for a little more body and mouthfeel on their beers. I will give the ones mentioned here a shot if I can find them. Thanks!

 

Saranac was one of my first introductions to craft beer and they're still one of my favorites. They make so many varieties that they're bound to have some misses and some hits. Their Irish Stout is among the best IMO. I absolutely loved the Legacy IPA that they hid in their 12 packs earlier this year. Big Moose Ale is also a perennial favorite - a bit bigger than a pale ale but not quite an IPA.

From what I've read the Decoction Concoction sounds like a malty bock, though I'm a hop head bocks do have their place and I do enjoy them occasionally. The Christmas Ale could be interesting.

I will definitely be getting this 12 pack!

 

I just bought the winter pack in Syracuse. The Moonshadow is excellent! I like to support Saranac but must admit their beers have not been my favorites due to the thin/watery complaints people have commented on. This Moonshadow is none of that -- it is very flavorful and full-bodied. Even a better offering than their White IPA which I also thought was very good. I used to love Christmas 12-packs that would have 12 different beers.

 

I wish they would go back to the 12 days of christmas and have the 12 different beers in the pack. Wonder why they ever stopped it?