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Pale Bock
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Maibock
Ranked #36 - ABV:
- 6.8%
- Score:
- 87
Ranked #15,943 - Avg:
- 3.89 | pDev: 13.11%
- Reviews:
- 38
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Aug 13, 2023
- Added:
- Apr 18, 2003
- Wants:
- 2
- Gots:
- 1
At long last, the flowers bloom, sunsets linger, and bock pours sweet like springtime itself. This golden lager, an elusive fan favorite, is back to mark the season with rich, complex malt and easy drinkability.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by bros:
None found.
Reviewed by Offa from California
4.5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at the Sierra Nevada taproom in Chico. Gold. Lighter than dark gold of the 2023 Oktoberfest, which we were also drinking. Creamy dense long lasting white head. Aroma raisin, bread and hint of herb. Taste malty with spicy herbal hop. Creamy feel. Excellent maibock.
Aug 13, 2023More User Ratings:
Reviewed by sweetbrew82 from California
4/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Honey sweet biscuity malt, floral hops, caramel, pear, light dark fruit underneath. Haven't had enough examples of this style to judge it properly but its really good beer on its own merits.
May 12, 2023Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas
4.02/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours an effervescent gold with 2+ fingers of pearl colored head. Great head retention & lacing
S: Huge breadyness, some pear notes,
T: Follows the nose, some dryness, mineral & soapy hops as well up front. Breadyness, pears, a touch of honey malt & soapy, herbal & grassy hops as this beer warms up, a touch of dryness. Finishes fairly sweet, grassy & with a little pear.
MF: Medium body, fairly moderate carbonation, skews slightly hoppier than expected
Solid Bock, honestly; I had higher hopes, but I like it more than most reviewers. A sipper for sure
Nov 24, 2022S: Huge breadyness, some pear notes,
T: Follows the nose, some dryness, mineral & soapy hops as well up front. Breadyness, pears, a touch of honey malt & soapy, herbal & grassy hops as this beer warms up, a touch of dryness. Finishes fairly sweet, grassy & with a little pear.
MF: Medium body, fairly moderate carbonation, skews slightly hoppier than expected
Solid Bock, honestly; I had higher hopes, but I like it more than most reviewers. A sipper for sure
Reviewed by DrOfGolf from Delaware
4.12/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a clear gold with a white head. The smell is of hops, malt, and some alcohol. The taste is of hops and malt and the alcohol. I found that it's really a good beer and one I wish that I could find more often.
Oct 07, 2022Reviewed by ovaltine from Indiana
3.99/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a perfectly clear golden color with an oatmeal colored head that provides significant lacing. Beautiful beer. The nose includes sweet grain and bread aromas, which are also present on the taste and provide a nice sweetness, and there’s a bit of a floral note as well.
The mouthfeel is medium and on the crisp side, with moderate carbonation. This is a beer I’ve wanted to try for a while, and I’m glad I finally had the opportunity - it’s a very worthy maibock, IMHO.
Jul 30, 2022The mouthfeel is medium and on the crisp side, with moderate carbonation. This is a beer I’ve wanted to try for a while, and I’m glad I finally had the opportunity - it’s a very worthy maibock, IMHO.
Reviewed by Mortal_Wombat from Texas
3.81/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a can dated 05-04-22 into a Salzburg glass.
Look: Vibrant, transluscent gold. Almost looks like a pilsner in the glass but with the slightest copper tint. Very fluffy white head that sticks around with rockiness all along the edges.
Smell: A ton of grain immediately up front. Doughy bread intermingles with the sweeter toffee notes with a hint of corn and some yeast. Also caught some alcohol mingled with flora/earthy hops at the tail end.
Taste: Follows the smell beat for beat. Grain and breadiness dominate but quickly mingle with sweet malt and corn. Finishes with a strong bit of yeast and a burst of floral hop spice. The bitterness/aftertaste immediately on the tongue is not the most pleasant for the style I've had but it still is decent,
Feel: Medium body bordering on the lower end of medium, moderate carbonation and a booziness that does manage to make its way into the mix.
Overall: Good but could be great with more restraint on the hops to let the malt balance things out a bit more. I however do like that SN continues to allow its propensity for hops to shine through in a fun style.
Jul 17, 2022Look: Vibrant, transluscent gold. Almost looks like a pilsner in the glass but with the slightest copper tint. Very fluffy white head that sticks around with rockiness all along the edges.
Smell: A ton of grain immediately up front. Doughy bread intermingles with the sweeter toffee notes with a hint of corn and some yeast. Also caught some alcohol mingled with flora/earthy hops at the tail end.
Taste: Follows the smell beat for beat. Grain and breadiness dominate but quickly mingle with sweet malt and corn. Finishes with a strong bit of yeast and a burst of floral hop spice. The bitterness/aftertaste immediately on the tongue is not the most pleasant for the style I've had but it still is decent,
Feel: Medium body bordering on the lower end of medium, moderate carbonation and a booziness that does manage to make its way into the mix.
Overall: Good but could be great with more restraint on the hops to let the malt balance things out a bit more. I however do like that SN continues to allow its propensity for hops to shine through in a fun style.
Reviewed by Darkmagus82 from Texas
3.91/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.91/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a can into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours a light golden amber color with a puffy white head. The head has a great level of retention, fading over time to leave a light level of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma is strongest of a bready and doughy smell mixed with aromas of caramel and toffee. At the same time there are smells of corn and a light yeast.
Taste – The taste begins with a rather malty doughy flavor that is matched by a decent showing of graininess and caramel. At the same time there is a little bit of a corn sweetness and a touch of herbal hop. As the taste advances forward the sweet grows slightly weaker, all while the grain and herb get slightly stronger, and are joined by some harvest fruit, with all the transitions eventually leaving one with a rather malty but clean taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is slightly more-thick, with a carbonation level that is lower. For the malty nature the feel is good and makes for a nice sipper.
Overall – A rather nice brew with a robust malt backbone and very approachable drinkability.
Jun 16, 2022Appearance – The beer pours a light golden amber color with a puffy white head. The head has a great level of retention, fading over time to leave a light level of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma is strongest of a bready and doughy smell mixed with aromas of caramel and toffee. At the same time there are smells of corn and a light yeast.
Taste – The taste begins with a rather malty doughy flavor that is matched by a decent showing of graininess and caramel. At the same time there is a little bit of a corn sweetness and a touch of herbal hop. As the taste advances forward the sweet grows slightly weaker, all while the grain and herb get slightly stronger, and are joined by some harvest fruit, with all the transitions eventually leaving one with a rather malty but clean taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is slightly more-thick, with a carbonation level that is lower. For the malty nature the feel is good and makes for a nice sipper.
Overall – A rather nice brew with a robust malt backbone and very approachable drinkability.
Reviewed by mushroomcloud from Texas
4.46/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12oz canned 5-4-22. Opened 6-11-22. 1+ finger white head with great retention and thick lace. Copper gold body with great clarity. Floral hops and lightly bready malt. Medium body, fine carbonation, some heat early, and a clean finish with just a hint of sweetness. Outstanding.
Jun 11, 2022Rated by Jugs_McGhee from Colorado
3.3/5 rDev -15.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.3/5 rDev -15.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
12 fl oz pull-tab can from H-E-B grocer, Austin, TX.
A bit bready, and its ABV is quite noticeable, but it's not unbalanced.
Low B- / WORTHY
Jun 10, 2022A bit bready, and its ABV is quite noticeable, but it's not unbalanced.
Low B- / WORTHY
Reviewed by JohnnyHopps from Indiana
4.5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - The beer poured a golden yellow color with a white head bubbling to the top of the glass.
Smell - The cereal grains jumped to the front, but they are a lot bolder than usual. This is not your grandfather’s lager.
Taste - The grassiness of Sierra Nevada comes in lager form! There was some bitterness at the front, but the malts balanced it out. There was almost a spiciness that I associate with cedar aging. That spice carried to the finish.
Mouthfeel - Smooth Carbonation allowed the bitterness to linger.
Overall - Sierra Nevada does some great beers. This one exceeded expectations for the style.
Aug 14, 2021Smell - The cereal grains jumped to the front, but they are a lot bolder than usual. This is not your grandfather’s lager.
Taste - The grassiness of Sierra Nevada comes in lager form! There was some bitterness at the front, but the malts balanced it out. There was almost a spiciness that I associate with cedar aging. That spice carried to the finish.
Mouthfeel - Smooth Carbonation allowed the bitterness to linger.
Overall - Sierra Nevada does some great beers. This one exceeded expectations for the style.
Rated by entheos from California
4.67/5 rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
4.67/5 rDev +20.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
This is excellent! I love it!
Jun 26, 2021Reviewed by steveh from Illinois
4.04/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.04/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Perfect option for my 700th review.
New release, special purchase Pale Bock. 16 ounce can, packaged on 05-06-21. Poured into my tall Becher.
L -- Clear, deep gold with a firm, dense, barely off-white head that holds up very well.
S -- Herbal hops up front, light DMS, hot alcohol with warming and lightly sweet malts.
T -- Herbal to earthy hops up front, sweet, honey-ish malts in tow -- somewhat juicy white grape character, white bread crusts, grainy finish with some peppery alcohol and spicy hops in the aftertaste.
M -- Soft to lightly syrupy mouthfeel with a light-medium to medium body.
O -- The herbal hops are almost dominant in the flavor of this "Heller Bock," but the malts do a good job keeping them in check. And while those malts are very tasty, I wish the hop character was just a touch less to let those malts shine more. But this is a well-made, pretty tasty -- if a little boozy, Heller Bock -- with that patented SN love of hop character.
Jun 19, 2021New release, special purchase Pale Bock. 16 ounce can, packaged on 05-06-21. Poured into my tall Becher.
L -- Clear, deep gold with a firm, dense, barely off-white head that holds up very well.
S -- Herbal hops up front, light DMS, hot alcohol with warming and lightly sweet malts.
T -- Herbal to earthy hops up front, sweet, honey-ish malts in tow -- somewhat juicy white grape character, white bread crusts, grainy finish with some peppery alcohol and spicy hops in the aftertaste.
M -- Soft to lightly syrupy mouthfeel with a light-medium to medium body.
O -- The herbal hops are almost dominant in the flavor of this "Heller Bock," but the malts do a good job keeping them in check. And while those malts are very tasty, I wish the hop character was just a touch less to let those malts shine more. But this is a well-made, pretty tasty -- if a little boozy, Heller Bock -- with that patented SN love of hop character.
Pale Bock from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
87 out of
100 with
56 ratings
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