2010 Sam Adams Winter Classis

[jmferris]

I was disappointed in the chocolate bock. Too light/thin for taste. I was expecting something hearty, complex, and potent. Didn't get any of those out of the CB. It was ok, but didn't taste as good as the bottle looked.

After going through three of the Winter Classics packs, I can tell you there is some very distinct quality issues with the Chocolate Bock right now. One pack, both of the CBs were like you described. The second was great, and the third I had a bottle of each good and bad.

Definitely been a craps shoot with them for some reason or another.

 

[devilishprune]

I picked up the pack last weekend and enjoyed every one of them except for the white ale, but that's likely because I have yet to have a white ale that I've enjoyed.

The standouts for me were the holiday porter and the Boston lager (never had it before). The porter had some nice hoppiness in it that I usually don't get from the porters that I drink, and I loved it. Also, for some reason that Boston lager was exactly what I wanted that night. Light, crisp, and with a perfume-y floral hop aroma.

The bock was really good too, never had a beer that chocolaty before. Winter lager was doable, and so was the Old Fezziwig.

 

[moti_mo]

You got a bad bottle. Its a better beer than Avery's. Much better.

I liked Noble Pils. It wasn't stellar, but i thought it was very good. I do think Avery's (Joe's Pils) and Victory's (Prima Pils) are both much better beers than the SA Noble Pils however. Just my opinion. Hard to tell which beers you guys are talking about though since the original post touting Avery's Pils as being good called it Avery's Prima Pils.

 

[MisterGreen]

Their winter lager seems to vary year to year I've noticed. It isn't nearly as good this year as it was last year.

I couldn't agree more. I first had it back in 2009 and it was amazing. This year I cracked one open and it was just okay. I'm not sure what they changed.

 

[dvdanny]

I love their Holiday porter, really wish that was sold year around. old fezziwig was doable but at the same time i also bought a 6-pack of anchor christmas ale and though their flavor profiles are similar the Anchor packs so much more flavor and is a way better spiced christmas ale then old fezziwig.

White ale I thought was ok, i am glad they replaced the spring seasonal with noble pils though. Chocolate Bock was alright, really chocolaty but didn't have the rich Bock flavor I was expecting. Winter Lager is my least favorite seasonal, taste like Boston Lager but with spices instead of hops, that said I am and always have been a fan of boston lager.

+1 for getting rid of Cranberry lambic, just didn't get the flavor they were trying to get with that... at least it tasted better then Pyramid Apricot Ale though (worst beer I ever put in my mouth).

 

[HexKrak]

I just got one of these last night, and the chocolate bock is amazing! It really carries the full chocolate flavor, and where a lot of chocolate beers finish a little sour, this finishes smooth sweet and almost creamy. It's a fantastic cool weather brew, and I'll be trying to replicate it to have on hand for just such occasions.

 

[Keefer]

I liked the Holiday Porter the best out of the seasonal beers, definitely gonna have to find some Baltika. SA's Boston Lager is always welcome in my home. Was offered a Sam Adams on Thanksgiving (when someone says Sam Adams I think Boston Lager), and was a little disappointed to be handed an Old Fezziwig.

Didn't really like the Chocolate Bock, probably my least favorite of the pack. Maybe it's because I don't really like beer that doesn't taste like beer.

 

[gator_brewer]

I'm just glad they finally got rid of that damn cranberry crap, plus replacing the sam light they usually have in the holiday pack was a huge bonus.

As for the beers, I view SA as a whole as a "gateway" beer... helping people go from **** to quality... so they do a good balancing act of **** everyone likes and quality we all like to help people see the light.

Oh and Fezi and Choco Bock were the best 2 in the pack this year

 

[rodneypierce]

I have only ever had 2 of these beers before. Boston Lager which is always welcomed, and last night I cracked open a Chocolate Bock. This beer was perfect IMHO. Very chocolaty and finished very creamy. Great beer! Ill try some of the others tonight. I love tasting new beers