Sam Adams Winter Pack?

[nickmv]

Has anyone heard about the 2010 Sam Adams Winter Classics Pack? I was doing some research on the Old Fezziwig for a clone, and I noticed that when I took a glance at the Chocolate Bock (here)), it's listed as in this pack. I'm pretty excited, and hoping that I'm not mistaken and that it indeed will be in the pack. If it is, I'm guessing it'll replace the Coastal Wheat, which I have to say was a HORRIBLE placement for a winter pack, and made no sense. Not to mention it wasn't a very good beer.

Judging by last year's release, I'm estimating we'll be seeing this in stores in the next 1.5-2 weeks

Edit: I also just checked the White Ale, and it appears they've brought it back for the Winter Pack as well. I'm curious as to what it would replace. I'm assuming they'll keep the Old Fezziwig and Holiday Porter at the very least. Maybe nix the Cream Stout (as it's a year-round brew now) or maybe the Cranberry Lambic (I hope not!)

 

[nikkormat]

thank god they got rid of the coastal wheat, didn't fit at all. loved fezziwig last year though. they need to ditch sam adams and sam adams light in the packs as well, I'd rather have seasonal exclusives.

 

[MrInternet]

thank god they got rid of the coastal wheat, didn't fit at all. loved fezziwig last year though. they need to ditch sam adams and sam adams light in the packs as well, I'd rather have seasonal exclusives.

Fezziwig sucked in last year's sampler, it has been MUCH more aromatic and spiced in years past... in a good way. I'm hoping they re-sourced their spices, I heard they had to use American sources last year when their international source didn't work out or something along those lines...

 

[nikkormat]

well last year was the first time I tried fezziwig so I don't really have anything to compare it to, but that and the porter were, at the time, the best beers i had tried so far, so im looking forward to comparing this years batch since its been quite a busy beer year for me.

 

[ChemE]

They should replace the other 10 beers with Old Fezziwig! I freaking love that brew and Mrs. ChemE long ago requested a clone. Mark I has been aging for 10 months now and once the pack comes back out, I'll taste it head-to-head vs. OF2010 and tweak my clone.

 

[TheDom]

I hope the Chocolate Bock is in there, from what I remember is is a very good beer. My college roommate and I had a bottle of that back in 2005 or 2006 back when it was sold in larger bottles as a special release or something. It looked kinda like this.

 

[nickmv]

I still have one of those bottles. They were a whopping 16 dollars per bottle!!! I'm sure our local gas station jacked the price up, but it was definitely a tasty brew.

 

[Zamial]

I still have one of those bottles. They were a whopping 16 dollars per bottle!!! I'm sure our local gas station jacked the price up, but it was definitely a tasty brew.

hahaha I paid about $20 for mine. I gave it to my now future father-in-law and he split it with me and then gave me the bottle. I do agree, I SERIOUSLY hope it is in the winter pack this year as I do remember it being a tasty beer! If so, I will prob get me one of the winter packs, if not I probably will not...

 

[TokyoRoad]

Ditch the Cranberry Lambic and I might buy the mix-pack, as it stands now I refuse to pay for and immediately throw away that swill.

 

[MacGruber]

I just checked the website and here are the seasonal beers that are listed in the winter holiday sampler under the beer profile section:

White Ale
Chocolate Bock
Holiday Porter

All of the other usual suspects: Old Fezziwig, Winter Lager, Cranberry Lambic are simply listed as Seasonal November-January. I'm wondering if they're releasing Fezziwig in sixers perhaps due to the popularity? I'm HOPING the Cranberry Lambic only available in sixers this year...that way I won't be wasting any money or beers this year. This is my favorite sampler pack from SA and I'll be even more excited if they keep Fezziwig and substitute the Chocolate Bock for the Lambic. It'll probably be the only commercial beer I buy in those months.

 

[aksea102]

I'm HOPING the Cranberry Lambic only available in sixers this year...that way I won't be wasting any money or beers this year. This is my favorite sampler pack from SA and I'll be even more excited if they keep Fezziwig and substitute the Chocolate Bock for the Lambic.

Ditto, my friend!!
I honestly dont care for Sam Adams fruit anything!!

(I thoroughly enjoyed their Double Bock from the Imperial Series)

 

[boo boo]

I hope the Chocolate Bock is in there, from what I remember is is a very good beer. My college roommate and I had a bottle of that back in 2005 or 2006 back when it was sold in larger bottles as a special release or something. It looked kinda like this.

I had that one last year and shelled out 16 clams for it.
Great beer, but not really worth the price IMO.

 

[MacGruber]

The Imperial Double Bock is outstanding. That's a solid winter brew. I tend to only drink high ABV beers on cold weekend nights. Even then, I don't drink many in one sitting. The 4 they give is plenty for an entire night.

 

[krebs119]

Unlike the majority of the folks on this site, I actually really like the Cranberry Lambic - quite possibly my favorite beer. I do appreciate Fezziwig though, and I've had a few Chocolate Bocks from them and LOVED them so I wouldn't mind seeing more of that.

Back in August I was at a Brewfest here in Buffalo and talked to the Sam Adams rep for a short while. They had 2 new beers they were "trying out" and letting you vote on which you liked better - one was an IPA (not Latitude 48 - it was some other IPA), and the other might have been a barleywine? I can't remember.... Anyway, I asked him about Cranberry Lambic, and why they don't release it in 6 packs. He said they are having that in 6 packs this winter. I didn't ask if they were removing it from the winter pack or not, but needless to say I'm happy about this announcement

 

[BrewDocND]

Unlike the majority of the folks on this site, I actually really like the Cranberry Lambic - quite possibly my favorite beer. I do appreciate Fezziwig though, and I've had a few Chocolate Bocks from them and LOVED them so I wouldn't mind seeing more of that.

Back in August I was at a Brewfest here in Buffalo and talked to the Sam Adams rep for a short while. They had 2 new beers they were "trying out" and letting you vote on which you liked better - one was an IPA (not Latitude 48 - it was some other IPA), and the other might have been a barleywine? I can't remember.... Anyway, I asked him about Cranberry Lambic, and why they don't release it in 6 packs. He said they are having that in 6 packs this winter. I didn't ask if they were removing it from the winter pack or not, but needless to say I'm happy about this announcement

They had a similar set-up in Flagstaff over the summer. You taste the belgian IPA and the RyePA (iirc) and pick your favorite. I was pretty ****ty by that time, but I recall enjoying them both.

 

[krebs119]

They had a similar set-up in Flagstaff over the summer. You taste the belgian IPA and the RyePA (iirc) and pick your favorite. I was pretty ****ty by that time, but I recall enjoying them both.

Yes! That sounds right - thank you! They were actually the first booth I hit up - which might be why I had a hard time remembering :cross:

 

[jmferris]

Picked up a twelve last night. Breakdown is:

2 White Ale
2 Winter Lager
2 Chocolate Bock
2 Holiday Porter
2 Fezziwig
2 Boston Lager

Pleasant selection, although a bit puzzled at the inclusion of the Boston Lager. Chocolate Bock and Holiday Porter are my favorite in the pack, but be forewarned the Fezziwig is a bit dull again.

 

[TokyoRoad]

Picked up a twelve last night. Breakdown is:

2 White Ale
2 Winter Lager
2 Chocolate Bock
2 Holiday Porter
2 Fezziwig
2 Boston Lager

Pleasant selection, although a bit puzzled at the inclusion of the Boston Lager. Chocolate Bock and Holiday Porter are my favorite in the pack, but be forewarned the Fezziwig is a bit dull again.

Praise to whoever ditched the lambic! I'll pick up a few packs of that sample pack. I'd rather 2 boston lagers than 2 cranberry lambics, at least I will drink and enjoy them versus dumping them out or passing them off to some poor soul.

 

[gak27]

Personally, I'm also happy w/ the removal of the Cranberry Lambic, but I never worried about it going to waste -- my father likes it and I would trade mine to him for stuff I like...

It's still not as vile as the Cherry Wheat...*shudder*

 

[nickmv]

Boston Lager is ALWAYS included in their mix 12-packs. I doubt they'll ever take it out of these packs. Sam Adams seems to think that their lager is the best that's ever been, sadly. It's certainly not bad, but it does become annoying always having to put up with it.

Picked up a twelve last night. Breakdown is:

2 White Ale
2 Winter Lager
2 Chocolate Bock
2 Holiday Porter
2 Fezziwig
2 Boston Lager

Pleasant selection, although a bit puzzled at the inclusion of the Boston Lager. Chocolate Bock and Holiday Porter are my favorite in the pack, but be forewarned the Fezziwig is a bit dull again.

 

[MacGruber]

I actually love their lager and like the fact that they include it in the pack. I usually drink one in between the other flavored beers in order to cleanse my palate of spices.