Bring Back Your Favorite Retired Sam Adams Beer

Photos courtesy of Sam Adams.

Remember that surprisingly good saison you found in a random Sam Adams mixed-pack back in 2011, or the thirst-quenching East-West Kolsch that seemed to vanish after only a few short months in the market? What happens to all of these one-off projects? Well, Jim Koch’s prolific brewery has a tendency to crank through hundreds of short-lived labels as they relentlessly adapt to the whims of the finicky craft beer consumer.

Last year alone, Sam Adams created over 60 different styles, many of which disappeared into the ether after only a brief retail stint. That’s why this month, Sam Adams is giving fans the opportunity to bring back four (out of 16 possible options) of their favorite examples in a new online poll. Through May 25, you can vote for beers like their cranberry lambic, smoky Scotch ale, and German hefeweizen, some of which haven’t been seen since 1990.

The four winning brews will be poured at Sam Adams’ Boston brewery and beer festivals around the country. Afterward, a second round of voting will determine the final two beers that will make it into a Samuel Adams variety pack, set to be released in January 2016.