It’s still Winter, so I guess I’m going to keep drinking winter beers. It feels like winter should be just about over, but it really is just starting so buckle up. It’s time for some Sammy Adams, and no I’m not talking about Boston’s Boy who created some of the best music the 2000’s has seen. I’m talking about the original Samuel Adams, also from Boston, but less of a lyrical genius.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Samuel Adams comes out with their seasonal 12-pack for all the seasons and it’s a great buy if you’re in a pinch for some craft beer. Sometimes, you are in a store that just doesn’t support local breweries, or there may not even be any local breweries near you. I came upon this 12-pack because a girl brought them to my apartment on Saturday for the fight. She drank one. And now I’m going to drink 4 just for this blog, because screw it, it’s Thursday night and it’s a full moon.
This particular Sam Adams Winter variety pack comes with only 4 types of beers. It includes the Sam ’76, Boston Lager, Cold Snap, and Mountain Berry. I’m going to taste each one right out of the bottle, no glasses or anything, if you care about that shit. Here are my rankings:
Fourth: Sam ‘76: This is about as mild as beer gets. It’s not a bad beer. It’s not a good beer. It’s just a beer. This is the beer Norm gets when he asks Sam for a beer. Sam ’76 has no distinguishing tastes. No complexities. Nothing. It’s just a beer. Again, it’s really not bad. My favorite thing about this beer is that right on the label, they write – crushable – and that’s absolutely all I can say that is good about this beer. If they served this in a can, I’d take a 12- pack on the golf course with me and crush all 12.
Third: Mountain Berry: Berry Ales, as you found out last week, are my sweet spot, but to be objective, Mountain Berry is one below the Boston Lager. I know I like this beer more, but objectively speaking, the Boston Lager is a very balanced beer and as the kids put it these days, slaps different. Mountain Berry ale is a mild ale with hints of fruit. To be honest, they could absolutely sell this beer in the summer and call it Valley Beer. It’s the slightest bit sour with very minimal sweetness. If you like a lighter ale, then this one is for you.
Second: Boston Lager: I’ve never been a huge Sam Adams Boston Lager guy. I very rarely order a Sam Adams at the bar unless it’s their summer ale. But I must tell you, when I sit down and taste this one, it’s not as bad as I’ve always demonized it to be. (At this point of the blog, I’d like to point out that I’ve already spilled one beer all over the floor and had to open a new one). The flavor that penetrates your taste buds from a crisp Boston Lager is unmistakable. There is a reason this beer has been around since Paul Revere entered the craft beer game in 1776.
First: Cold Snap: I’m a sucker for a White Ale. The complexity of spiced ales makes me want to take an unlimited number of sips. I, the beer blogger, have a simple palate. So, I have to taste the beer a lot, like more than one beer, to know what it actually tastes like. But after every typhoon, a man must pick up his pears, and I must drink those beers. Cold Snap has a hint of vanilla, orange, and the spices, which shall remain un-named because I wouldn’t have the slightest idea where to start. Maybe cinnamon, but let’s just stick with spices. This one is undeniably the best.
These are my rankings of Sam Adams winter beers. Let us know if you have any that you like. Are there any Winter Classics that you enjoy that weren’t on my list? I know that they have a couple other variety packs in the Winter and around Christmas. See you all next week or catch me at www.mycousinvinny.blog
Beer Analyst
Vince Del is a therapist living in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is originally from New York where he grew up and went to college. Vince has been writing for four years now creating his blog about the unfortunate events that happen to us on a daily basis – mycousinvinny.blog. In his spare time, he drinks beer, and now writes about that as well.