(Boston, MA) – Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock is set to return in a new package.
[10/20 Update: The beer will be included as part of the winter mixed 12-pack which will be available in stores beginning in November. The suggested retail used to be $14.99/25.4 oz. (750 ml) bottle. The SRP will now average out to more like $1.25/12 oz. bottle as seasonal variety packs go for $14-$16 for a case of 12 bottles. That is more than an 80% price reduction. Thanks to the astute Mr. Studley for picking this up from the Sam Adams site.
As with all Boston Beer Co. stuff, there isn’t anything out there for info yet on the new 12 oz. package that also features a new label design. Will it be sold in singles, 4-pks or 6-pks? Will the 750s remain?
There have been other instances of breweries downsizing their formats. For example, Shipyard Brewing is offering its Imperial Series in 12 oz. 4-packs as an alternative to 22 oz. singles. Such a move may reduce the margin on the product though it will result in a greater sale because of the extra volume.
Smaller bottles can be a positive thing as bombers can be challenging to get through in one sitting. Smaller bottles also expand the possibilities for aging beers for various lengths of time and setting up “verticals.”
More information about the beer can be found on the new Samuel Adams website. The site even lists calories per 12 ounces for most of its beers. Chocolate Bock scores a hefty 237 while the retired Millennium weighs in at a hefty 530 calories per 12 ounces.
It’s worth noting… Old Fezziwig is NOT listed as being part of the winter variety pack, merely as a seasonal.
Might one infer from this that, after many years of wanting/waiting, we’ll finally be getting Old Fezzi in a straight sixer?
Hmm, interesting observation! This may be so..
I’m just glad that the Cranberry Lambic is no longer part of the winter variety pack.