Samuel Adams Winter Variety Pack 2015 – A First Sampling

It’s always fun when Samuel Adams Santa Claus arrives at mybeerbuzz headquarters and it has become an annual favorite for Mrs. BeerBuzz and I to sample our way through their new and returning collection of holiday brews.  The styles are as varied as the winter weather in the northeast and we couldn’t resist sampling while we began our Turkey-Day preparations.

Up first we decided to sample our way through the 2015 Samuel Adams Winter Variety 12-Pack.  This variety pack is available in Nov and Dec and it includes Samuel Adams Sparkling Ale, Boston Lager, Winter Lager, Old Fezziwig, Holiday Porter and Chocolate Bock.

Up first was Sparkling Ale.  This is a new beer from Samuel Adams for 2015 and it is their take on a rare historic Scottish style beer.  This effervescent beer uses Hallertau Mittlefrueh, Tettnang Tettnanger and Spalt Spalter Noble hops as well as an acidulated malt.  This beer is slightly sweet, delicate with an effervescent and dry tartness.  Sparkling Ale is really light and drinkable with just a touch of honey in the flavor that we really liked.  (4.8%-AbV, 20 IBU).

Next up we sampled Holiday Porter and it was a significant change from our previous beer.  Holiday Porter uses English ale hops as well as Bavarian Noble hops along with a raft of specialty malts to form the basis for this rich and flavorful porter.  Add in flaked oats and the resulting soft mouthfeel was a nice contrast to the mouthfeel of the Sparkling Ale.   Holiday Porter is rich, silky, robust and slightly roasty and we really enjoyed both the mouthfeel and flavors. (5.8%-AbV, 40 IBU).

We couldn’t resist jumping to Chocolate Bock, and we really enjoyed not only the beer, but much it complimented the Holiday Porter.  Chocolate Bock is loaded with chocolate aromas and flavors, thanks in part to it’s slow aging on a special bed of Ecuadorian, Ghanan and Madagascar cocoa nibs from TCHO (an artisan chocolate maker from San Francisco).  This beer yells “chocolate” and the silky, soft, smooth mouthfeel make it very satisfying.  The chocolate is dark and we tasted a pleasant vanilla flavor as well as a cleansing citrus twist at the end. (5.8%-AbV, 11 IBU)

Old Fezziwig is an old friend (first brewed in 2004) and it’s no surprise why the brewers at Samuel Adams call it the “Christmas Cookie” of beers.  Old Fezziwig is spicy, aromatic and warming, with flavors of caramel and toffee we’d expect in a brown ale.  We picked up some chocolate which we blamed on our previous beer and lots of cinnamon, ginger and citrus.  Old Fezziwig is malty for sure but loaded with flavors of the season and a really satisfying beer. (5.9%-AbV, 25 IBU).

As if this wasn’t fun enough, Samuel Adams included two holiday favorites:  Merry Maker and White Christmas.  We really enjoy White Christmas and how it takes a less than traditional approach to holiday beers.  Loaded with cinnamon, orange peel and nutmeg, this wheat beer uses German pilsner malts and Spalt Spalter Noble hops.  It’s well balanced, dry and spicy and really easy drinking (5.8%-AbV, 8 IBU).

Merry Maker is a gingerbread stout, and one sip or one sniff and that fact is unmistakable.  This stout is loaded with spices (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & ginger) as well as chocolate and a nutty sweetness.  The mouthfeel is soft & silky, thanks in part to the flaked oats and the traditional English malts clean up the finish nicely.  (9%-AbV, 25 IBU).

The holiday season is upon us so be sure to try AND share these great winter classics from Samuel Adams with friends and family…and as always…try them for yourself and let me know what YOU think!