Samuel Adams LongShot, get it while you can

LongShot is a pretty cool idea. Homebrewers from across the country submit their beers and the Boston Beer Co., maker of Samuel Adams beers, brews the best and sells them in limited-edition six-packs.

There are three beers in the packs, two of each.

• Cranberry Wit, a wheatbeer brewed with (surprise!) cranberries and other spices.
• Traditional Bock, a German lager.
• Double IPA, a stronger and hoppier India Pale Ale.

The Wit and Bock were the 2008 winners. The Double IPA actually won in 2007, but wasn't brewed until this year because of a hop shortage. It has seven types of hops in it, and boatloads of them, after all.

I've been enjoying these beers so much, particularly the bock and double IPA, that I bought a case. It's still available locally. I've found it at the Total Wine & More off University Parkway near Interstate 75.

It may be a Total Wine pricing thing, but LongShot is $6.99 a six-pack, which is cheaper than regular Samuel Adams beers at my local Publix, and a steal for beers of this quality. They're easily good enough to be added to the brewery's regular lineup.

Look for my reviews of all three beers here in the near future.