Just the other day, I was opining that the Oktoberfest beers are in early this year and seem to arrive earlier and earlier every year. That's also true of fall seasonals in general, with pumpkin beers and other fall favorites also already hitting store shelves. I mentioned that Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest is one of the first I see every August. Not to be outdone, America's other craft beer powerhouse, Boston Beer, has their autumn 12-pack assortment already out as well.
This year, it's called the Fall Legends Variety Pack, and in it you will get 3 cans of the beer I am here to speak about today, Samuel Adams Harvest Helles, as well as 3 cans each of:
Samuel Adams Octoberfest
Samuel Adams Apple Spice Ale
Samuel Adams Jack-O Pumpkin Ale
Samuel Adams Apple Spice Ale is brand new and only available in the 2026 Fall Legends Sampler. I have never had the Harvest Helles before (somehow), so that one is new to me. Apparently it may have been new to last year's Sam fall 12-pack, which I believe I failed to pick up.
Ingredients from the website:
HOPS Motueka (dry hop)
MALTS Samuel Adams Two Row Pale Malt
YEAST Lager Yeast
I am not so sure what is so "harvest" like about a Munich Helles, but modern German Festbier is a Helles-Marzen hybrid of sorts, so why not? Samuel Adams Harvest Helles has an alcohol content of 5.4% by volume with 15 IBUs. My cans are stamped DEC 2926 on the bottom. Sam says this beer is exclusive to the Fall Legends 12-pack.
About Boston Beer Company
Founded in 1984, Boston beer is a pioneer of the American Craft Beer movement, and one of the most ubiquitous and best selling carft beer brands today.
Samuel Adams Harvest Helles in a Samuel Adams Summer Ale Glass
Tasting Notes
Samuel Adams Harvest Helles pours to a bright golden color with a tick fluffy white head and a nose of fresh bread and earthy hops. Taking a sip the beer is medium in body, about what I expect in a Helles. It's malty bready, like a fresh baked slice with the crusts on, and extra emphasis here on the crust. Finishes dry and earthy herbal from the hops, balanced but not overly bitter. A touch of tropical fruit comes through from the Motueka and seems out of place.
Value & Verdict
I paid $17.10 for the Fall legends 12-pack.
Samuel Adams Harvest Helles is easy to drink and very tasty. I like it well enough and at $17 for 12 cans extra credit for the price.
