I just picked this up yesterday and from last night to this evening, I've now tried five of the six beers in it. Some are new and some have been around before. My favorite is the Maple Pecan Porter. I'm a big porter fan and I really liked this one... plenty of maple and pecan flavor and smells. Least favorite...Double Agent IPL... the IPL stands for India Pale Lager.. so they hopped up a lager or combined the two.. I'm not sure. I'm not a big IPA fan, so I didn't really like this one... smelling it you could tell you were going to get a lot of hops... not as much grapefruit flavor in something IPAish as I would prefer. White Lantern and Alpine Spring were both good... both have an orange taste mixed in.. White Lantern has more wheat flavor going on.... I liked the White Lantern more. Irish Red was really good.. I'm a fan of this style of beer and this one delivered what I expected in spades... really good stuff. I haven't opened one of the Boston Lagers yet, but I know what to expect there.. and I imagine so do most members of this forum. Overall this is a good collection and I'm happy with the purchase. I might pick up another one before they are gone.
Actually this doesn't sound half bad. If I see one around I'll likely pick it up. Out of curiosity, where did you get it? I'm in Boston and was at the liquor store tonight and didn't see any indication of one. If especially intrigued by the IPL and the Porter...a little nervous about the Alpine Spring and White Lantern (never much enjoyed SA's attempts at a white beer)
I'll end up the same as you, OP. I hate IPAs, so the IPL will be total fail for me I'm sure. The Maple Pecan Porter is the one I'm most intrigued by, but we've got another week to wait on the new Sam Adams pack it seems.
Not an SA hater at all; I always buy a mixed of theirs each season. My predictions: IPL - Favorite. The BL is a classic, and if they have taken any cues from Jack's Abby, this will be good. I'm looking for crisp and fruity. Maple Pecan Porter - Can go either way here. Could be quite good, but could also be too artificial in its flavors. Their Hazel Brown from a bit back was a little too additive flavored to me. Irish Red - Should just be a solid beer. Never had an Irish red that knocks my socks off, but Boulevard's is probably my favorite. If they make a beer that rivals that, I'll be happy. Alpine Spring - I've had it. It's fine. Not offensive. White Lantern - I plan to give this one away. I'll try it, but I sure hope it isn't anything like White Christmas. I'm sorry SA, but that was one of the most foul brews of the year.
Seriously, if the packs are about the fiscal quarter then they should name them differently, like Happy New Beer's
Wow I know they're always the first to release seasonals, but it's not even 2013 yet!! It'll be tough for them to impress anyone in Massachusetts with the IPL, since Hoponius Union has set the bar so high. I have tickets to the open house for this sampler pack so I'm trying to not taste any of it until then (1/17). I hear they're also re-releasing New Albion pale ale at this event.
Glad to see the Maple Porter making into a pack finally. I had the two samples at a beerfest two years ago and the Maple Porter blew the other sample out of the water.
Nothing I look forward to more every year than kicking up my feet in the backyard on a 15 degree January day, looking around at the soft, billowy blanket of snow on the ground and getting my lips frozen to a cool glass of Alpine Spring from the SA Spring Thaw Pack.
I think these seasonal packs are great for sampling different styles but I will probably avoid it as I have yet to find a Porter that I've enjoyed. I had the Alpine Spring last year and it is one I can take or leave. Irish Red will probably be released in six packs and I'll pick it up when it becomes available. I'll wait until it starts getting warm to pick up BL. The Wit and Double Agent sound interesting.
Sounds like a good pack in general. Personally, I still love Boston Lager. While other beers might be bolder and have zanier ingredients, BL is still just plain good.
Yeah I mean I get the whole quarterly release thing, but couldn't this wait another quarter? I'd rather drink Winter Lager in March and Maple Pecan Porter in June than Alpine Spring in January.
Gotta be honest... I read this thread this morning and just shook my head. At 4pm I can't help it and have to comment. I understand the marketing notion of being first to market and all that. But this is beyond ludicrious. In the end, I realize, I am not the target market. My assumption is that most of these were packaged in December and by the time I would even consider a Spring pack they'll be too long in the tooth for me. (given alternatives, not saying they will be bad) I won't buy it. I detest winter and love when Spring is sprung. You didn't need to earn a four year degree to realize that SPRING items aren't on the consumer's mind BEFORE Christmas and New Years. Boston Beer is very successful and doesn't need tips from us... but as a consumer I get a vote.. and I vote... NO not now and then NOT in the Spring because of their chosen distribution strategy.... (stepping off soap box now) BTW, what's with the 5 votes for Boston Lager as the beer people are MOST looking forward too.. That's classic
It is ludicrously early for this. Especially when you consider that it won't be "spring" in Boston for about 3 months
And it's great when it's a fresh keg too. Once this year I got the first pour from a new keg at a bar and I couldn't resist but to have several. Plus, it's a big value beer. I usually get it for around $12/twelve at grocery stores in AZ.
I work for a distributor. We've been out of SA Winter Lager 12pks for a week, and Alpine Spring showed up yesterday. Octoberfest came out at the end of July.
I don't know. Boston Brewing/Sam Adams has gotten pretty boring. I mean I will still go with a Boston Lager if that is my only "craft" choice but I've decided I won't buy any more of their sample packs.
Pretty much how i feel about them as a whole. I wish they'd stop making a new beer weekly and focus on a standard 10-15 and make them all top notch.
I voted for the Maple Pecan Porter. Just like I voted for it at this beer fest when it was running against the Mighty Oak I believe. Can't wait to have the Maple Pecan. Shit, I can't wait to pick up this mix pack. 1. Sam Adam's makes ultra-decent beer. 2. Ticker's gotta tick.
Agreed. Though I think you and me might be in the minority cuz everyone else voted for the other sample (Mighty Oak, I believe) at the fest I attended.
Surprisingly... I picked it up at my local Walmart here in Texas.... it stood out amongst all the crap BMC beers.
I think this might have hit south Texas first as we don't get much of a winter. ... (though it will be in the thirties the next two nights... but up into the fifties during the day.)
Remember Sam Adams Hallertau Imperial Pilsner? http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/35/38591 They may give Jack's Abby a run for their money if they can match the excellence that was their imperial pilsner.
Ha ha I was just thinking about when this will be out in stores and if it will come even earlier this year...guess I have my answer! I will be picking up a case for sure. I like the Boston Lager, Alpine Spring and the Irish Red (just okay, but an easy drinker) and I am really curious about the others...the IPL sounds very interesting! The Wit beer, I will try one of course but more than likely I will end up saving most of them for when a few of my friends come over, as most of them like that style. The Maple Pecan Porter I will probably dig and on paper, there is no way I couldn't like it! I have never been that impressed with the Winter pack either, and this is more up my alley.
I just had the last Irish Red.. and I really like this beer... I'll pick up a sixer once/if they are available.
