In Reply To #10 Being stuck with a bad sixer is never fun, that's why I like to research the beer before I buy it, and beerpal reviews are a great place to start! Even better than samplers for trying new beers are establishments that allow you to mix your own six pack. My local lets me do this, picked up some awesome beers, including the year's first sighting of Celebration '04 and Black Chocolate Stout.

In Reply To #9 Buzzard's Bay actually makes a sampler six pack. Talk about a very affordable way to try 3 new beers. They have 2 of the Golden Ale, Lager and Pale Ale. None I thought were truly outstanding but all pretty good. Glad to hear they have more coming in the future, the one's I've tried have been pretty good. Another sampler I just purchased was a Saranac sampler. How great is this? They put 12 different beers in there. One of each, that's it. I've never seen anything like this. Various styles and some stuff I've never come close to trying before. I think 7 of the 12 will be new beers for me. Again, a very affordable way. I got this in Upstate NY and think they're based out of there so if you see it I would recommend.

In Reply To #12 just finished off my second 12er of Saranac sampler or 12 beers of Christmas. this is a great way to get your beers out to the public and I like to have a little of this and a little of that Cheers to Saranac for this great 12er

In Reply To #13 Glad someone else is enjoying it as well! I agree... there is so much of a variety in there and some samples of beers I have never tried. Mocha Stout, Caramel Porter, Chocolate Lager... just fun stuff to try.

Just bought a Samuel Smith Sampler pack. In it you got 3 large bottles of Samuel Smith (Nut Brown Ale, Pale Ale, and Oatmeal Stout) It included a pint glass and two coasters all for $11.00. Thats a good deal considering that the beers alone go for $4.00 each and change.

In Reply To #15 Shit. That's a damn good deal. Where did you get that? I could use a Sammy Smith's pint glass and you're right, I think I paid 4 bucks a pop for those beers.

In Reply To #16 Found it in a place called Kraigs Kegs in Oneida, NY I think its pretty widely distributed.

I suppose my afforementioned opinion on this topic still stands, however, my supervisor (the guru of the laboratory influenza program - not to mention PCR based STD testing in Allegheny County) recently bought me a sampler pack of Saranac (hence, so many reviews by moi of Saranac products recently). It was one hell of a present. It was the first sampler pack that I've had where, in fact, every single brew was different - that was awesome. Some were top notch, some were disappointing, but all were a joy to try. Way to go Sup, way to go Saranac. This message was edited by sudsmanPA at 1/7/2005 9:51:52 PM.