Sierra Nevada - Snowpack (Winter Sampler)

Meh.. I'm starting to not enjoy IPAs as much. Ill probavly still buy at least one 12 pack and give the Boomerangs to my neighbor.

 

I love SN. But i find it a little distasteful that their fall sampler, (which i was still pleased with) included SNPA but not Flipside and now their winter variety pack will not only exclude Celebration but once again include SNPA. (not that i won't buy at least two of those during the season.

 

Yeah... what's the point of including the regular pale ale? We can all get that any time, anywhere. I'll probably just get the coffee stout and Boomerang as a seasonal from my favorite shop, which will most likely split this up for their singles.

 

I'm surprised that so many people don't understand that SNPA is included for business reasons, not because SN thought it especially belongs in the pack.

As Bill already explained, SNPA is one of their best selling (if not their best) selling beer, and just because a few thousand people who visit this site each month would rather see something like Celebration doesn't mean they will oblige. It's business/marketing strategy of product exposure. People may have never been attracted to SNPA specifically but will buy a seasonal themed pack and drink it and say, "Hey I'll grab a sixer of this next time instead of New Belgium or Sam Adams."

 

I'm down.

 

I really enjoy celebration...in fact I've had it for thanksgiving dinner for quite a few years...but to be honest beer camp kind of soured on SN mix packs. I'll try the boomerang and drink copious amounts of celebration.

 

Any idea if their coffee stout will be sold by itself?

 

shhhh, I thought it was a sly reference to it being summer where those hops came from, despite it being in a winter pack

 

Game, set...

...and match.

I'm betting this is exactly why Celebration isn't included. I'm sure SN sees a dip in pale ale sales when Celebration is released. Why put the hot, hyped up beer into a mix pack when they can continue to sell it while simultaneously moving more of a product that slows down during the season?

(This is all, of course, pure speculation, and Bill is welcome to tell me how wrong I am)

And of course, I agree...the pale is the only even remotely "aw, nuts" beer in there. Honestly, just make it four of each of the other three beers and I'd be a happy camper. But who am I kidding? I'll probably be buying this, too.

 

I'm a bit surprised that so many posters think that these samplers are intended for the diehards.

I've always considered samplers--from any brewery-- as an introduction to a brewery, not some esoteric product aimed to those that live & die by their beer consumption.

As far as the Pale Ale, I've been drinking it for over 20 years and I still marvel at its near perfection. Why hide your light under a bushel? Market that thing! Samplers are a marketing vehicle.

 

Tell me more.

 

I 2nd this motion.

 

Better buy it now and put it away, come Thanksgiving the Summer 2015 mix pack will be on the shelves.

 

Bill,

Could you clue us in on the ABV of the new beers? Looking forward to this!

 

So their "highly experimental homage to their fanboys" mix pack turns you off to the more middle of the road seasonal mix packs?

 

Why would they add Celebration, which is one of their highly successful core seasonal beers and sold in 6s and 12s for years now, to a new type of seasonal mix pack which is more middle of the road? Why would they dilute what is already one of their most successful lines of the year by adding it to another package?

 

I just can't stress enough how bummed out I am that the Fall Pack never made it to my area, which is FULL of just about every other SN offering. I was really, really looking forward to it. I'm not even sure who to direct my frustration at... Most of the retailers have blamed a distributor when questioned. I didn't bother asking which, as it wouldn't matter if I did contact them. Defeatist? Maybe. But also realistic. I'm guessing it was some sort of distribution disagreement: distributor vs. SN.

Just be happy you actually got to pick up the Fall pack. At this rate, I'm very concerned we won't see the Winter pack either - in that case I may have to make some calls, but what can one guy do, you know?

 

This is a pleasant surprise when checking BA today. They've been hitting some home runs with these seasonal packs! Super excited for all of these. I do wish they omitted the ipa for Celeration. Looks like a solid line up nonetheless and I can't wait to pick up a couple of these for the holidays

 

As always great customer service from transparency and visibility on Beeradvocate Bill. Thank you for the response, and I look forward to those lagers you're speaking of! If they're anything like the home run that was the Vienna Lager, then count me in!