Tag Archives: bock

GRAND TETON HOWLING WOLF WEIZENBOCK

Decent 2009 cellar-reserved bottle-conditioned ‘strong wheat beer’ with pleasant citric acidity and surprising mocha tenacity bides time as loud 8% alcohol luster gets heard. Creamy caramel-cocoa-chocolate malts ride above peppery clove-spiced fig-sugared vanilla sweetness and orange-bruised banana tartness. Molasses-like Sugar Daddy keepsake forges doppelbock-like character over musty yeast-creased candi-sugared Belgian ale peculiarity.

ABITA BOCK

Drab sunset-hued Mardi Gras fave fails to impress from its washed-out pale amber hue to its ridiculously inappropriate mildness. Astringent honey-soured caramel malting, musty orange-banana-cherry trickle, phenol spicing, and caraway seeding make for ineffectual Maibock or Helles bock traits.

 

BAMBERGER MAHR’S WEISSE BOCK

Fine frothy-headed bock leaves lavish Brussels lace and heavy carbolic fizz atop buttery wheat-dried citric-hopped effervescence. Soothing prune-raisin-cherry tartness underscores medium-bodied fare. Just a tad less busy, bold, and filling than most German bocks while in need of more pronounced adjuncts at port-like finish to put it over the top.

NOR’WESTER SMITH ROCK BOCK LAGER

Nice pale-toned light-bodied (despite 7.3% alcohol) bock could be creamier and maintain sharper hop bite, but increasing roasted barley uplift, toffee-chestnut influence, and chocolate malt surge provide mellow flow for date-fig-backed orange-pear fruiting. Despite many adjuncts, brisk finish closer to medium-bodied lager than plush bock. Brewery defunct: 2007.

SHINER BOCK

Musty cedar-hued, small-headed, vegetal-wafted bock too light and unassuming for respected Bavarian class (despite being brewers flagship offering). Inefficient mocha malting hurts straight-ahead barley sweetness, toasted nut thrust, and minimal lemony hop bitterness.

EGGENBERG URBOCK

Rising cascading bubbles lead to faded eggshell head of single malt Scotch-like 9.6% alcohol-stricken Austrian bock. Despite inconspicuous clear yellow-orange body, fermented cherry midst and cognac finish pack quite a wallop above sweet buttery bottom. After swallowing, bitter hops kick in. A slow sipper for experienced thirsts.