Samuel Adams announced the return of its Brewer Patriot Collection, a limited-edition four-pack of beers based on colonial-era recipes from the Founding Fathers, to mark the U.S.' 250th anniversary.
Four beers make up the collection, which first appeared in 2006 before being retired: a George Washington Porter drawing on a recipe preserved in the New York Public Library; a James Madison Dark Wheat Ale tracing its origins to the brewing guidance Jefferson offered Madison; a 1790 Hard Root Beer named for the year such brews became fixtures in colonial taverns and crafted as a tribute to the brand's namesake; and a No. 3 Ginger Honey Ale rooted in records kept by Jefferson and his wife, Martha, who maintained a rigorous homebrewing schedule of 15 gallons every two weeks at Monticello, according to the company. Each beer carries an ABV of 5.5%.
The collection is available now on GiveThemBeer.com for $17.76, while supplies last.
"The independent spirit that shaped America also fuels Samuel Adams," Jon London, senior director and head of beer at Boston Beer Company, said in a statement. "This historic summer, we invite drinkers to honor the past and raise a glass to the future."
The Brewer Patriot Collection is part of a broader summer campaign Samuel Adams is calling "Raise a Sam," which aims to generate 250,000 cheers moments. On the events side, the brewery has scheduled appearances at Sail Boston and Sail250, Fourth at The Wharf in the nation's capital, and multiple stops on the Big Bite Tour across cities including Philadelphia and Chicago. A partnership with Ebbets Field, known for its vintage American sportswear, will yield exclusive commemorative merchandise as part of the America250 festivities.
Shoppers at major retailers who cannot access the GiveThemBeer.com offering will find the Star Spangled Variety Pack on shelves, a separate release that bundles Summer Ale, Porch Rocker, American Light, and a Blueberry Lager exclusive to the pack, all dressed in throwback patriotic packaging. The 12-pack carries a suggested retail price of $17.99, and the 24-pack is priced at $29.99.
Boston Beer Company (NYSE: SAM), the parent of Samuel Adams, traces its origins to 1984, when founder Jim Koch pulled a generations-old recipe from his family archives and began producing beer at home.