They arrived at the perfect time

They arrived at the perfect time Last week, the Boston Beer Co. sent along a free however sample mixed 12-pack, the company's Harvest Collection, which includes the new Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin Ale along with a few other varieties and a couple bottles of the flagship Boston Lager. Also included in the package was a loaf of pumpkin bread made with the Harvest Pumpkin Ale.

They arrived at the perfect time. The pumpkin bread (tasty, though perhaps a tad dry from its voyage) sustained those of us chained to our desks during the hectic final stages of putting together the Best of Dallas issue. And, needless to say, the beers were quite a welcome way to unwind Friday after the issue was complete -- and helped us forget all the panicky "Oh, shit, did we forget to include so-and-so?" moments.

We were using paper cups and in most cases not even rinsing them between samples, so the sampling wasn't exactly scientific. Regardless, it was clear that some of the styles were far more popular than others -- and overall, the samples were far better received than the Michelob wheat beers last time we did an office beer-tasting. Following are general office reactions to the Dunkelweizen, Harvest Pumpkin Ale, Oktoberfest, Irish Red and Black Lager.