(Boston, MA) – The latest from Boston Beer Co. gets federal label approval.
[8/2 Update: The Harvest Collection 12-pack, now available in some markets, features two each of Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Dunkelweizen, Harvest Pumpkin Ale, Black Lager and Irish Red.]
Boston Beer Co. rotates in a handful of new brews each year, sometimes launching the new brands as part of mixed 12-packs or sometimes in 6-packs right out of the gate. For example, this past spring, BBC swapped out its spring seasonal, Samuel Adams White Ale, for Samuel Adams Noble Pils. Though Noble Pils has earned acclaim amongst beer raters, the larger population doesn’t appear to be echoing that sentiment (see the few dozen vicious comments here). So perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the largest independent brewery in the U.S. plans to release a pumpkin ale, a style that always generates a lot of buzz as summer fades into fall.
Boston Beer hasn’t announced it officially yet though the name, “Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale,” would suggest that this may be headed to the brewery’s “Harvest Collection” 12-pack. The variety pack came out in late August last year (it’s always possible that this may be introduced in 6-packs though).
Label description: “A perennial favorite at our Brewery Halloween party, this reddish amber ale is perfect for fall. Real pumpkin adds a full body and sweetness, while deep roasted malts lend a toasty finish to this subtly spiced brew.”
Now that we’re in July, you can bet that we’ll be hearing about pumpkin ale releases in just a few weeks.
As long as this doesn’t replace the Oktoberfest. I think their Marzen is one of the best American made ones out there.
There will be bloodshed if they touch Octoberfest..
I love a pumpkin, but everything falls second to Octoberfest when it’s available.
and 80% of the pumpkin ales out there.. don’t cut it.
Shipyard pumpkin or the elusive shipyard smashed pumpkin ale are the bar they have to reach for.. and that won’t be easy.. and missing it would be tragic if it costs us Octoberfest.
Looking forward to trying this as long as it doesn’t replace octoberfest… but I can’t see that happening; I believe they say it’s the best selling octoberfest beer in the world or something like that. Given the way that seasonal beers seem to be released earlier and earlier each year, it won’t be long before this hits shelves.
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Octoberfest 12-packs have already hit the shelves here, so no worries in it replacing that. I just can’t wait for the Harvest Collection to come out to see what is now in that. The most likely thing that happened is that they replaced the Brown Ale they had last year with this, seeing as how the Brown Ale is now out of production.
Apparently I was correct. In addition to this, the Cherry Wheat from last year is also being switched out for the Black Lager. So, the 12-pack includes Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Dunkelweizen, Harvest Pumpkin Ale, Black Lager, and Irish Red.
Now THAT’s a good lineup for a 12-pack. I haven’t had the Pumpkin yet, so I can’t speak for that one, but every other beer in that box is a winner.
This is inaccurate. There is no Dunkelweizen in the new Harvest Pack. It is a Rauchbier. Get your facts straight if you’re going to report something/
You are commenting on an article about last year’s mixed pack. I published it in July, 2010.