12x12 Review: Wachusett Summer Mix Pack

Beers Included: Summer Ale, Pilsner, Blueberry Ale, Blood Orange Ale

Purchase Date: 21 June 2025

Purchase Price: $15.99

Initial Impressions

Wachusett is always a brewery I've had a soft spot for. In an era before Untappd, one of my early craft beer memories was the inside flap of one of their sample packs was a post card. I cut off the flap, reviewed the beers in the 12-pack, stuck a stamp on the piece of cardboard and mailed it to the brewery in exchange for a prize. The keychain bottle opener I received in the mail was on my keyring for several years. 

12x12 Review: Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Beers Included: Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Purchased: 6 June 2025

Price: $19.99

Initial Impressions 

Craft beer drinkers love to lament discontinued beers. Especially beers that have maybe been declining in sales, or aren’t as widely distributed as it used to be.

With Summerfest we have a rare example of a brewing bringing back a beloved beer. This is one I would pick up every year. Then there were one or two summers where I didn’t see Summerfest. Eventually it was replaced by a forgettable IPA. Since Summerfest came back, I’m happy to report that it’s easy for me to find in Massachusetts again.

Brew Day and Tasting Notes: Crackerjack Cream Ale

After my recent batch of Spring Training Stout, here I'm brewing another one of my house recipes I haven't written about in ten years. 

Look at those beautiful corn flakes.

Like Spring Training Stout, Crackerjack Cream Ale is one of those beers I ask myself why I don't brew more often. Bearing that thought in mind, this still was not a brew I had penciled in for the summer this year. I brewed this for two reasons. Firstly, I committed to making a ten gallon batch and needed to propagate a specific yeast strain. I figured that strain would work really well in this beer. Secondly, my friends from Maine Malt House launched a direct-to-consumer website for homebrewers. Their craft malt is will be perfect in this recipe.

12x12 Review: Samuel Adams Beers of Summer Variety Pack

Beer Included: Summer Ale, Porch Rocker, American Light, Blueberry Lager

Purchased: 31 May 2025

Price: $17.99 minus $5 rebate

Initial Impressions

I didn’t want to review two Samuel Adams 12-packs in a row but I won’t lie, scanning a QR code to receive a $5 rebate swayed me. I was probably going to pick this one up at some point; the rebate nudged me to do it now.