Velvet Hammer Bock
Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company (Downtown)

Velvet Hammer BockVelvet Hammer Bock
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From:
Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company (Downtown)
 
Wisconsin, United States
Style:
Bock
Ranked #19
ABV:
6.8%
Score:
88
Ranked #14,855
Avg:
3.92 | pDev: 10.97%
Reviews:
17
Ratings:
33
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 02, 2024
Added:
Sep 21, 2002
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  2
Goes down like velvet, hits you like a hammer. Brewed with imported malt and our lager yeast, the Velvet Hammer is a classic bock: Smooth, with a sweet caramel-maltiness that almost hides the relatively high alcohol content. Relatively sessionable; a “gateway” bock.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by dhannes:
Photo of dhannes
Reviewed by dhannes from Wisconsin

4.12/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I had a tap at the Fitchburg location in a nonic pint.

A=Medium to dark red; average head.

S=Maltiness and cherry.

T=A cherry flavor at first, but not sweet or artificial...maybe more towards black cherry. Nice malt presence. Minimal hops.

M=Rather drinkable...I could not detect any alcohol until the very end...but the high ABV does come to bite you quick.

O=A great change of pace and one that I enjoyed; I wished the taste developed a bit more in the second half. I am planning to buy a growler and cellar to see what happens.
Feb 18, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of cyclonece09
Reviewed by cyclonece09 from Wisconsin

3.78/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from the tap into a pint glass. Pours deep red orange with a tiny head. Smells of fresh fruit and caramelized malt. Tastes of fresh fruit, some berries, and some caramelized malt. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, a good beer.
Mar 02, 2024
 
Rated: 3.5 by scaliasux from Wisconsin

Mar 31, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by Zenboy99 from Wisconsin

Sep 02, 2018
Photo of pweis909
Reviewed by pweis909 from Wisconsin

4.67/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
I was surprised to see Great Dane cans in the mix-6 section at a n. WI gas station. I didn't realized they packaged beers. I've never had their brews before, though I've lived in the state for 14.5 yrs. I don't get to travel south much. In one of my few trips to Madison I tried to stop by the pub, but they seemed swamped and my party decided to go elsewhere. Anyhow, what a delightful, malty beer this one is. The sweetness is evident, but not in excess, with a tantalizing fruit note that disappears into warm toasty goodness. This is one of the most memorably good, new-beer experiences I have had in quite some time. Although I am drinking it without food, I can imagine the malt character standing up well to bold flavors, such as tangy mustards with brats and kraut (oh, how original I am!) or hot spicy curries, or simple burgers or roasted holiday turkey.
Jun 06, 2018
Photo of cheeseheadinMinneapolis
Reviewed by cheeseheadinMinneapolis from Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Brewery notes: Goes down like velvet, hits you like a hammer. Brewed with imported malt and our lager yeast, the Velvet Hammer is a classic bock: Smooth, with a sweet caramel-maltiness that almost hides the relatively high alcohol content. Relatively sessionable; a “gateway” bock.

This is not a dark Dunkel bock. It does have some Mai bock characteristics. ABV is in the 6.8 to 7.0 range. I had it on tap at the Great Dane and bought a 32 oz crowler for home. It has semi sweet caramel flavor, maybe a touch of a honey flavor. There is some stone fruit flavor too kinda like plum. There is a slight spicy hop note mixed in. Fairly smooth. Somewhat malty A decent beer.

Update 2/11/18. I bought a 6 pack at Great Dane Wausau on 2/10/17. Not sure why but they had 6 packs this time. But anyway it seems better than last time. smoother, sweeter and finishes better, I am not sure the 6 pack is from the same batch????
Jan 22, 2018
 
Rated: 5 by DissentFatsquirrel from Minnesota

May 09, 2017
Photo of larryi86
Reviewed by larryi86 from Delaware

3.73/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Thank you Ri0 for this
12 oz can poured into a slim pint glass

A- A brownish copper with a small white head.

S- Dark fruits, bready, hints of caramel malts, a little floral with hints of earthy spice.

T- Dark fruits, some toffee, some earthy hops with some spice, some bread.

M- Smooth, medium body.

O- A decent bock, nose seems a little muted but not bad.
Apr 09, 2017
Photo of Harrison8
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri

3.83/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a light brown with a finger and half of off white head. No lacing. Aroma is Belgian malts, and bread. Flavor profile is Belgian malts through and through. Distinct taste, with a slighty bready base. Mouth feel is thin, but smooth and crisp. Overall, a flavorful and earthy beer. It's on the thinner side which keeps it slipping down smooth and steady.

Served in a Teku glass.
Mar 15, 2017
 
Rated: 2.75 by LennyBound from Illinois

Mar 11, 2017
Photo of Ri0
Reviewed by Ri0 from Wisconsin

3.42/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Poured 12 oz can into Weizen glass. Color is mahogany with garnet highlights and a single finger of off white head. Fair retention and minimal lacing. The aroma is sour dough, cherry skin, grain, and toffee. Not as heavily caramelized malts as I would typically expect in a bock. Flavor is bready malts, dark fruit (such as plum and raisin), black cherry, grain, and some toffee. Feel is medium and smooth with some carbonation on the finish. It's a decent bock.
Mar 05, 2017
 
Rated: 4.01 by Mambajahamba from Michigan

Apr 21, 2016
 
Rated: 3.7 by Rilesmiles from Wisconsin

Apr 02, 2016
 
Rated: 3.98 by pulphead from Wisconsin

Mar 13, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by Gotti311 from Wisconsin

Feb 09, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by redleg411 from Wisconsin

Feb 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4.08 by CraigTravor from California

Jan 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by ParkbrauFan from Iowa

May 19, 2014
Photo of Etan
Reviewed by Etan from Wisconsin

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
On tap at the Dane downtown.

A. Pours a brownish red with a small off-white head.

S. Caramel, light grape, cooked grain.

T. Comes out yeasty, with a nice sweetness: fig, maple, caramelized grain, raisin bread, a hint of vanilla.

M. Medium-bodied with light carbonation.

O. Quite a nice bock, similar to and on par with NG's Uff-Da. I'm having trouble believing the 10.5% ABV listed here, but either way this is a very nice beer.
Jan 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by KellyScottMad from Wisconsin

Sep 02, 2013
Velvet Hammer Bock from Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company (Downtown)
Beer rating: 88 out of 100 with 33 ratings