I'll give you my opinion on the packs as a Buy Score, as always out of 5, based my own opinion of the style marks and value, with a breakdown of costs per unit and ml., best in pack and my Polk Thoughts. There are some great local Ontario options and more than a few demand your attention, with a nice mix of imports that shouldn't be missed. Logic dictates that you probably won't get to them all so look for the ones that really grab your attention and make sure you enjoy them now. Gifts of beer are meant to be shared so bring something unique to your next party and let the celebrating begin!
**Listed in order of price as of December 4th, 2018**
Hockley Taster Pack - $7.99 3x473 Cans ($2.66 ea/$0.56 ml)
Inside - Dark, Amber and Lager
Best Bet - Dark AlePolk Thoughts - Nothing exciting, just 3 core brands at the same price if you buy them individually. Good and to style but boring for most of the craft beer drinkers you know. The Dark is the only one I would buy now for myself.
Buy Score - 3/5
Welly Re-Booted Mix Pack Volume 5 - $10.95 4x355ml Bottles ($2.73 ea/$0.77 ml)
Inside - Pale Ale, Imperial Stout, Chai latte Stout, Coffee IPA
Best Bet - Imperial Russian Stout
Polk Thoughts - A great way to explore Welly releases you may have missed in the past. Classic Imperial stout is key but the Coffee IPA may be the biggest surprise.
Polk Score - 3.75/5
Cameron's Brewmaster Selection Pack V10 - $10.95 4x473ml Cans ($2.73 ea/$0.58 ml)
Inside - Session Lager, India Pale Lager, Red Ale, Cream Ale
Best Bet - The 12 Mile India Session Lager
Polk Thoughts - A fine introductory core 4 if someone is trying to open their palate. Nothing exciting but decent value and the IPL drinks almost like a bigger IPA so it has that going for it.
Buy- 3.25/5
Amsterdam Winter Flight Pack - $11.95 4x473ml Cans ($2.73 ea/$0.58 ml)
Inside - 2 different IPAs, Pilsner, Imperial Stout
Best Bet - Tempest Imperial Stout
Polk Thoughts - While 3 are core, the re-introduction of Tempest sells this pack almost on it's own. That's the major selling point is that stout and if it was sold as a sing,le would be dominating winter. The per can price is amazing for the high quality of the beer.
Buy Score - 4/5 (4.5 is you've never had that stout)
Historic Ales from Scotland Holiday Pack - $12.95 4x330ml Bottles ($2.73 ea./$0.77 ml)
Inside - Floral, Smoky, Elderberry Ales and a Gooseberry Wheat
Best Bet - Ebulum Elderberry Black Ale
Polk Thoughts - I feel like this one is past it's prime with the explosion of craft beer in Ontario. The offerings are pretty uninspired to be honest. A whole box of meh.
Buy- 2/5
Wychwood Beers of Character Collection - $13.50 4x500ml Bottles ($3.38 ea./$0.68 ml)
Best Bet - Classic Hobgoblin Ruby Ale
Polk Thoughts - Another pack that isn't aging well in seasonal rotation. A lot of English ales that taste less than what we can buy locally. Nice bottle art, a decent Untappd opportunity but boring beers overall.
Buy Score - 2.5/5
Railway City Brewing Holiday 3 Pack - $14.75 3x473ml Cans + Glass ($4.91 ea./$1.04 ml)
Inside - A Cherry Porter, Cranberry Lager and India Session Lager
Best Bet - Express ISL
Polk Thoughts - The inclusion of the glass is the draw but the selection could be better. The change from Black Coal stout to the Cherry Porter is a miss for me, that stout is beautiful and really would have made this a better pack. If each beer is $3 alone, that's almost $6 for the glass...
Buy Score - 2.5/5
Innis and Gunn Holiday Pack - $14.95 3x330ml Bottles + Glass ($4.98 ea./$1.61 ml)
Inside - Mystery Beer, Classic IG oak aged and the Rum Barrel aged red ale
Best bet - Blood Red Sky Rum Barrel aged red beer
Polk Thoughts - Another glass to draw attention and the mystery beer is fun. IG tends to be either a fave or not for most folks. I enjoy the OG oak aged version and it was nice to get a tulip glass. A little pricey for what you get though, so that has to factor into your decision.
Buy Score - 3.25/5
Belhaven Brewery Merry Craftmas - $15.95 6x330ml Bottles ($2.65 ea./$0.81 ml)
Inside - Pilsner, Oaked Blonde ale, Wee heavy, Scotch Ale, Oat Ale and an IPA
Best bet - Wee Heavy
Polk Thoughts - While a decent mix of styles, they fall a little flat and for the cost, I would expect more. If you haven't had it, that's 6 more for Untappd but that is about it. The Wee Heavy is by far the best of the pack
Buy rating - 2/5
The Spencer Brewery Gift Pack - $16.75 3x330ml Bottles + Glass ($5.58 ea./$1.69 ml)
Inside - Imperial Stout, Holiday Ale, Trappist Ale
Polk Thoughts - Lovely chalice style glass, 3 big (above 8%) Belgian style beers from the only Trappist brewery in the US. A high cost but good value as a gift for yourself or someone you know who likes this style. The beer is solid if unspectacular and warming. Pricey but fun.
Buy Score - 4/5
Chimay Gift pack - $16.95 3x330ml Bottles + Glass ($5.65 ea./$1.71 ml)
Inside - Tripel, Golden Strong Ale, Quad
Best Bet - Chimay Blue
Polk Thoughts - The highest per ml. cost but with that glass included, one of my personal faves. 3 beautiful beers that showcase amazing Belgian Trappist ales. Worth every penny.
Buy- 4.5/5
Muskoka Winter Survival Pack - $17.95 6x473ml Cans ($2.99 ea./$0.60 ml)
Inside - Cream Ale, Session IPA, Lager, IPA, Stout, Grissette
Best Bet - Mad Tom IPA
Polk Thoughts - The inclusion of the Moonlight Kettle Grissette is fun and it is always a great party pack with literally something for everyone. Nothing crazy but solid from start to finish.
Buy Score - 4/5
Northern Alliance Mix Pack - $19.00 6x473ml Cans ($3.17 ea/$0.67 ml)
Inside - Golden Ale, Kolsch, Blonde Ale, 2 x Red Ales, Sour IPA
Best Bet - Stack brewing Expansion Sour IPA
Polk Thoughts - An intro of sorts to 6 Northern Ontario breweries in one shot. Wishing to see a Winter one hit the shelves with dark beers for something new. The Red Ales are outstanding as is the Sour IPA, a price point under $18 would have made this an easier sell. A big price per can for a lot of low ABV.
Buy Score - 3.25/5
6 Exclusive Belgian Ales - $19.95 6x330ml Bottles ($3.32 ea/$1.01 ml)
Inside - Quad, Barley Wine, Golden Strong Ale, Dark Strong Ale, Tripel, dubbel
Best Bet - Gulden Draak 9000
Polk Thoughts - I'm a little biased with my love of Belgian beers but this once a year pack is worth every penny. All high ABV beers with big, boozy slow sipping being the goal. A gift for yourself would be to buy 2 and cellar 1 until the summer so the wait for next year isn't so long.
Buy Score - 4.5/5
Erdinger Holiday Variety Pack - $19.95 5x500ml Bottles + Glass ($3.99 ea./$0.80)
Inside - Dunkels, hefeweizens and Kristalweizen
Polk Thoughts - Classic German wheat beer with a stylish and style appropriate glass makes for a great package. Buy it for the education and enjoyment of what wheat beer should be. The price point including the glass is a fantastic deal.
Buy Score - 4.25/5
Lake of Bays Toasty Toes Taster Pack - $19.95 5x473ml Cans + Socks ($3.99 ea./$0.84 ml)
Inside - Pilsner, Stout, IPA, APA, Red Ale
Best Bet - Spark House Red Ale
Polk Thoughts - I love the Holiday socks and both variety and quality of the beer is on point. A good sharing pack with something for almost every taste. Price is just right for Secret Santa at the office with a beer loving friend too.
Buy Score - 4/5
Rochester Mills Beer Co. Milkshake Stout Seasonal Sampler - $20.95 6x473ml Cans ($3.49 ea./$0.74 ml)
Inside - 6 different variants on the Milkshake Stout
Best Bet - Imperial Milkshake Stout
Polk Thoughts - A fun import from the States, the flavourings are pretty on point with Blueberry pancake and Crème de Menthe being the most interesting. Would like more body as I found them a little thin for the style. Fun, but better as a sharing pack between 3 or 4 people.
Buy Score- 3.25/5
St. Bernardus Mixed Selection - $21.95 6x330ml Bottles ($3.65 ea./$1.11 ml)
Inside - 2 x Tripel, Quad, 2 x Dubbel, Wit
Best Bet - Abt 12 Quad
Polk Thoughts - Again we find ourselves in Belgium with some fantastic beer. 6 delightful bottles and despite that high price point, worth every penny. Stars in each category and a great cellar opportunity. Gift for yourself or someone you really, really love.
Polk Score - 4.5/5
Beau's Winter Mix Pack - $21.95 4x600ml Bottles ($5.48 ea./$0.91 ml)
Inside - Lagered Ale, Auburn Lager, Spiced Dark Ale, Juniper Ale
Best Bet - Zwickel German Style Auburn Lager
Polk Thoughts - As a fan of Beau's and their approach to showcasing all sorts of weird and wonderful style I love the 3 unique brews that are in this pack...but I really wish we could see 4. I like Lug Tread but feel that it is out of place here. Enjoyable all the way through with some fun to be had, but another one off would make this one even better.
Buy Score - 3.75/5
Steam Whistle Gift Pack - $24.95 4x473ml Cans + 2 Glasses ($6.24 ea/$1.32 ml)
Inside - 4 Pilsners and 2 glasses
Best Bet - It's all one beer and all good.
Polk Thoughts - Steam Whistle is the leader when it comes to gift pack glasses and I am always happy to see another. These Reidel glasses are made specifically for the Pilsner and with the easy going accesibilty of this beer, a gift for any type of beer drinker. The price is high but the glasses come in at $11 of that price point and I am fine with that, they are beautiful.
Buy Score - 4/5
Happy Holidays and may your glass always be full!
Cheers!
Polk
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