Otter Creek Spring Bock | Otter Creek Brewing / Wolaver's
Brewed by:
Otter Creek Brewing / Wolaver's
Vermont, United States
ottercreekbrewing.com
Style: Bock
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.20%
Availability: Limited (brewed once)
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by fmccormi on 03-07-2012
This beer is retired; no longer brewed.
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Reviews: 22 | Ratings: 63
3.93/5 rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Spring Bock pours a nice, clear medium amber color with a 2-finger thick white head. It has medium carbonation, and lacing and retention are both average.
The aroma is really well balanced. Pine notes come up first, with some citrus and orange coming next. It's very well-rounded with a mild malt backbone.
The taste has some sweet malt notes up front with some orange and citrus flavors. This is followed with some pine and grapefruit hop notes and some toasted grains. It finishes dry and enjoyable.
Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a crisp, clean feel and a dry finish. Carbonation is spot on.
★ 598 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Spring Bock pours a nice, clear medium amber color with a 2-finger thick white head. It has medium carbonation, and lacing and retention are both average.
The aroma is really well balanced. Pine notes come up first, with some citrus and orange coming next. It's very well-rounded with a mild malt backbone.
The taste has some sweet malt notes up front with some orange and citrus flavors. This is followed with some pine and grapefruit hop notes and some toasted grains. It finishes dry and enjoyable.
Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with a crisp, clean feel and a dry finish. Carbonation is spot on.
★ 598 characters
3.47/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Dense cadmium orange has a thin flim light khaki colored head that left a small speckled lacing. Slight head retention.
S: Buttered caramel sweetness upfront backed against a fresh spring field hopping.
T: Flavor upfront was again a buttered caramel sweetness with a spring green hopping. Fresh wet grains move in with a warming of nobel dry flower bitterness on the close. Some mild alcohol warmth.
M: Butterey, creamy mouthful, dry flowery warmth and dry toasted grain feel with a quiet carbonation stance.
O: Overall a spring bock with a flowery warmth of bitterness and alcohol.
★ 593 characters
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Dense cadmium orange has a thin flim light khaki colored head that left a small speckled lacing. Slight head retention.
S: Buttered caramel sweetness upfront backed against a fresh spring field hopping.
T: Flavor upfront was again a buttered caramel sweetness with a spring green hopping. Fresh wet grains move in with a warming of nobel dry flower bitterness on the close. Some mild alcohol warmth.
M: Butterey, creamy mouthful, dry flowery warmth and dry toasted grain feel with a quiet carbonation stance.
O: Overall a spring bock with a flowery warmth of bitterness and alcohol.
★ 593 characters
3.62/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a fluffy fizzy head of 1 finger that fades semi slowly with decent lacing, semi hazy wheat orange beer.
Nose candy malts, toffee, wheat, caramelized biscuit malt, light fruity banana like wheat.
Taste starts with light sweet malts, toffee, reddish sweet malts, caramel, light banana candy, wheat, hint chewy malt biscuit like, light earthy bitterness. Finish adds more earthy bitterness, wheat, banana, bock like chewy wheat flavors, little toffee and slight salty briney bitter earthy hop flavor.
Mouth is med to lighter bodied, decent carb.
Overall ok, not great but not bad, nice malts, light hops aren't bad, wheat adds well with banana toffee and caramel, bit too bitter and salty.
★ 696 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Pours a fluffy fizzy head of 1 finger that fades semi slowly with decent lacing, semi hazy wheat orange beer.
Nose candy malts, toffee, wheat, caramelized biscuit malt, light fruity banana like wheat.
Taste starts with light sweet malts, toffee, reddish sweet malts, caramel, light banana candy, wheat, hint chewy malt biscuit like, light earthy bitterness. Finish adds more earthy bitterness, wheat, banana, bock like chewy wheat flavors, little toffee and slight salty briney bitter earthy hop flavor.
Mouth is med to lighter bodied, decent carb.
Overall ok, not great but not bad, nice malts, light hops aren't bad, wheat adds well with banana toffee and caramel, bit too bitter and salty.
★ 696 characters
4.25/5 rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Well, this is my first ever beer from Otter Creek. It was my last choice in my nightly mix a six. Wasnt going to get this beer, but since they decided to follow me on twitter, I felt obligated to review one of there beers, so here it goes.
A: Pours a nice, golden amber color with a 1-inch off white head, has got some good sized bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass and leaves some lacing as the head slowly fades down.
S: Aroma is of some grassy and citrus hops, also get a hint of apple which is something I dont notice too often. Citrus aroma is a mesh between grapefruit and orange.
T: Moderate citrus character up front, with the sweetness of the malts. Can also taste that bit of apple and some pine follows at the end. Has is slightly dry aftertaste, which is something I enjoy in these types of beers.
M: Medium bodied, clean and crisp. Also has some good carbonation which brings out that citrus flavor.
O: A very enjoyable beer for me. I usually judge beers by the cover and reviews, so not knowing about this brewer, I had slightly low expectations. Tastes like an IPA, and a good IPA at that. Would buy a six pack of this and highly recommend trying this underrated beer. I guess you always find hidden gems in New England, cheers!
★ 1,259 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Well, this is my first ever beer from Otter Creek. It was my last choice in my nightly mix a six. Wasnt going to get this beer, but since they decided to follow me on twitter, I felt obligated to review one of there beers, so here it goes.
A: Pours a nice, golden amber color with a 1-inch off white head, has got some good sized bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass and leaves some lacing as the head slowly fades down.
S: Aroma is of some grassy and citrus hops, also get a hint of apple which is something I dont notice too often. Citrus aroma is a mesh between grapefruit and orange.
T: Moderate citrus character up front, with the sweetness of the malts. Can also taste that bit of apple and some pine follows at the end. Has is slightly dry aftertaste, which is something I enjoy in these types of beers.
M: Medium bodied, clean and crisp. Also has some good carbonation which brings out that citrus flavor.
O: A very enjoyable beer for me. I usually judge beers by the cover and reviews, so not knowing about this brewer, I had slightly low expectations. Tastes like an IPA, and a good IPA at that. Would buy a six pack of this and highly recommend trying this underrated beer. I guess you always find hidden gems in New England, cheers!
★ 1,259 characters
3.91/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark gold body with a great cream colored head, strong retention and lacing. Quite an attractive beer. Nose is full of bready malt and caramel with a light floral hoppiness underneath.
Flavor follows the nose; simple and straightforward bready malt with some sweetness and a hint of floral hops. Big time chewy malt character. Somewhat lingering bitter aftertaste and a dry finish.
Medium body with medium carbonation, fairly crisp in feel. Good job by Otter Creek on this one, very satisfying for a malty craving.
★ 517 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Dark gold body with a great cream colored head, strong retention and lacing. Quite an attractive beer. Nose is full of bready malt and caramel with a light floral hoppiness underneath.
Flavor follows the nose; simple and straightforward bready malt with some sweetness and a hint of floral hops. Big time chewy malt character. Somewhat lingering bitter aftertaste and a dry finish.
Medium body with medium carbonation, fairly crisp in feel. Good job by Otter Creek on this one, very satisfying for a malty craving.
★ 517 characters
3.18/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a Ommegang tulip. Nice sized head, tight bubbles. Good amber/light copper color. Smells malty sweet, a little grassiness...promising. Smooth mouthfeel then a quick malt note then a very pleasing bitterness. Leaves a nice lace on the glass. Finshes quick with a hop note. I'm liking this for the drinkability & price I'd recommend this one.
★ 351 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured into a Ommegang tulip. Nice sized head, tight bubbles. Good amber/light copper color. Smells malty sweet, a little grassiness...promising. Smooth mouthfeel then a quick malt note then a very pleasing bitterness. Leaves a nice lace on the glass. Finshes quick with a hop note. I'm liking this for the drinkability & price I'd recommend this one.
★ 351 characters
3.88/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Looks of a clear caramel brown with an impressive 1/2 inch of opaque colored head. Looks sticky.
S - A very hop forward bock with floral and citrus hops. Balancing caramel malts smell nice.
T - Kind of bitter for a bock but I am kind of digging it. Mostly sweet citrus and pineapple hops next to a caramel like malt sweetness. Clean tasting.
M - Medium and chewy like a good bock should be.
Overall Otter creek always does a pretty good job crafting a good beer and this is a very good Spring bock full of malts and a good touch of hops. Worth trying!
★ 559 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Looks of a clear caramel brown with an impressive 1/2 inch of opaque colored head. Looks sticky.
S - A very hop forward bock with floral and citrus hops. Balancing caramel malts smell nice.
T - Kind of bitter for a bock but I am kind of digging it. Mostly sweet citrus and pineapple hops next to a caramel like malt sweetness. Clean tasting.
M - Medium and chewy like a good bock should be.
Overall Otter creek always does a pretty good job crafting a good beer and this is a very good Spring bock full of malts and a good touch of hops. Worth trying!
★ 559 characters
3.18/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Spring Seasonal.
A: Pours an amber/honey color with a nice frothy head. Good lacing and retention.
S: Nice mixture of sweet malts, spices and hops. Some bready malts come through with a hint of orange.
T/M: Mostly sweet malts and some floral hops. Feels chewy and kind of flat with a slight hopy bitter aftertaste. Nothing really stands out in the taste that would make this beer anything more than average.
O: A pretty well balanced brew, but again theirs nothing really that special going on here. The higher ABV does create a slight alcohol bit here and there.
Cheers!
★ 579 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Spring Seasonal.
A: Pours an amber/honey color with a nice frothy head. Good lacing and retention.
S: Nice mixture of sweet malts, spices and hops. Some bready malts come through with a hint of orange.
T/M: Mostly sweet malts and some floral hops. Feels chewy and kind of flat with a slight hopy bitter aftertaste. Nothing really stands out in the taste that would make this beer anything more than average.
O: A pretty well balanced brew, but again theirs nothing really that special going on here. The higher ABV does create a slight alcohol bit here and there.
Cheers!
★ 579 characters
2.25/5 rDev -37%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
In a pilsener:
A: hazy orange/brown colored body with a small white head that appeared for less than a minute and then died altogether. There was barely any lacing and what there was of it slightly spider-webbed. The body was too hazy for carbonation to be seen rising.
S: bland stale caramel
T: stale caramel blended with some pale malts. There was a slight hoppy finish with some skunkiness as well.
M: medium and a bit watery - sessionable.
O: well, I haven't had too many bocks, so I hope not to sound too harsh, but I wasn't into this beer. I'm glad I only bought one. I probably won't buy this again.
★ 611 characters
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
In a pilsener:
A: hazy orange/brown colored body with a small white head that appeared for less than a minute and then died altogether. There was barely any lacing and what there was of it slightly spider-webbed. The body was too hazy for carbonation to be seen rising.
S: bland stale caramel
T: stale caramel blended with some pale malts. There was a slight hoppy finish with some skunkiness as well.
M: medium and a bit watery - sessionable.
O: well, I haven't had too many bocks, so I hope not to sound too harsh, but I wasn't into this beer. I'm glad I only bought one. I probably won't buy this again.
★ 611 characters
3.56/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From a 12 fl. oz. bottle marked 3208020312. Sampled on May 1, 2012. It pours a lighter to medium amber with a tremendously long lasting off-white head. The aroma is of definite German malts and the weakest of fruit scents. The body is medium to medium bold with a pleasant creamy character. The taste is grainy and malty with a noted bitterness on the end. It is easy to drink. Not too bad of a way to enjoy spring.
★ 415 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From a 12 fl. oz. bottle marked 3208020312. Sampled on May 1, 2012. It pours a lighter to medium amber with a tremendously long lasting off-white head. The aroma is of definite German malts and the weakest of fruit scents. The body is medium to medium bold with a pleasant creamy character. The taste is grainy and malty with a noted bitterness on the end. It is easy to drink. Not too bad of a way to enjoy spring.
★ 415 characters
3.53/5 rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a dark golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is somewhat malty, a bit sweet. Taste is malty up front, some caramel. Hops kicking in with a touch of bitterness at the finish. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is an easy drinking and pretty good beer.
★ 302 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a dark golden color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is somewhat malty, a bit sweet. Taste is malty up front, some caramel. Hops kicking in with a touch of bitterness at the finish. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is an easy drinking and pretty good beer.
★ 302 characters
2.92/5 rDev -18.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A: Appears a bright and mostly clear orange. Poured with one finger of white head that quickly disappeared. Thin webs of lacing remain on the glass after each sip
S: Bit of caramel on the nose. Didn't notice anything else.
T: A rusted hulk of caramel up on cinder blocks amid a landscape of short-cropped pale malts and a slightly hoppy finish. Touch skunky by the bottom.
M: A little creamy, but very light and watery for a bock. Too light, in fact. I think bock and I think of something a little more hearty with a bit of a bite.
O: This is a bock that just keeps hitting the snooze alarm over and over again until it's 10:30, then gets up and works on that Camaro on the lawn that'll be "totally awesome" once it gets it running again, but really, we both know that'll never happen, because this bock does not put in the effort. You'll send it to bock college for a year and only be $10,000 poorer for it.
Alright, this has been a bit hyperbolic. In all fairness, spring and summer styles tend towards the light, while bocks are traditionally a little heavier. Might be that it's not so much a bad beer as an idea that just didn't work out.
★ 1,148 characters
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A: Appears a bright and mostly clear orange. Poured with one finger of white head that quickly disappeared. Thin webs of lacing remain on the glass after each sip
S: Bit of caramel on the nose. Didn't notice anything else.
T: A rusted hulk of caramel up on cinder blocks amid a landscape of short-cropped pale malts and a slightly hoppy finish. Touch skunky by the bottom.
M: A little creamy, but very light and watery for a bock. Too light, in fact. I think bock and I think of something a little more hearty with a bit of a bite.
O: This is a bock that just keeps hitting the snooze alarm over and over again until it's 10:30, then gets up and works on that Camaro on the lawn that'll be "totally awesome" once it gets it running again, but really, we both know that'll never happen, because this bock does not put in the effort. You'll send it to bock college for a year and only be $10,000 poorer for it.
Alright, this has been a bit hyperbolic. In all fairness, spring and summer styles tend towards the light, while bocks are traditionally a little heavier. Might be that it's not so much a bad beer as an idea that just didn't work out.
★ 1,148 characters
3.68/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice amber color. Big head which dissipates into a foam pile on top. Leaves lots of nice lacing.
Smell is malty, grassy, citrusy, and floral.
Taste has some nice citrus in it and malts. There is also an orange flavor that reminds me of frozen watered down orange juice concentrate in the background. A nice hoppy bitterness also lingers on the finish.
Mouthfeel is pretty good and so is drinkability. Overall this is pretty good.
★ 441 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice amber color. Big head which dissipates into a foam pile on top. Leaves lots of nice lacing.
Smell is malty, grassy, citrusy, and floral.
Taste has some nice citrus in it and malts. There is also an orange flavor that reminds me of frozen watered down orange juice concentrate in the background. A nice hoppy bitterness also lingers on the finish.
Mouthfeel is pretty good and so is drinkability. Overall this is pretty good.
★ 441 characters
3.14/5 rDev -12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Poured into a pint glass.
A: Clear orange-amber color with two-finger, white, frothy head that lasted a while. Nice lacing.
S: Tangy citrus fruit smell. Grassy.
T: Light sweetness and light to moderate bitterness. Citrus flavors. A sort of metallic flavor. Mild overall.
M: Light to medium bodied with soft carbonation. Kind of thin.
O: This beer looks phenomenal, but the nose and taste are kind of mild and uninteresting.
★ 428 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Poured into a pint glass.
A: Clear orange-amber color with two-finger, white, frothy head that lasted a while. Nice lacing.
S: Tangy citrus fruit smell. Grassy.
T: Light sweetness and light to moderate bitterness. Citrus flavors. A sort of metallic flavor. Mild overall.
M: Light to medium bodied with soft carbonation. Kind of thin.
O: This beer looks phenomenal, but the nose and taste are kind of mild and uninteresting.
★ 428 characters
3.91/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pilsener glass- pours a slightly reddish copper color with almost a finger head , good retention, and very nice white lacing.
Smell is nice but uninteresting. Nice, sweet, bready malts.
Round, bready malt taste, mild floral hops towards the end, and a little bit of yeast (not sure if it's bottom or top fermenting). Great spring beverage flavors.
Mouthfeel is also very nice- medium bodied with light carbonation. Pretty clean feel. Very refreshing- my favorite of Otter Creek.
★ 516 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a pilsener glass- pours a slightly reddish copper color with almost a finger head , good retention, and very nice white lacing.
Smell is nice but uninteresting. Nice, sweet, bready malts.
Round, bready malt taste, mild floral hops towards the end, and a little bit of yeast (not sure if it's bottom or top fermenting). Great spring beverage flavors.
Mouthfeel is also very nice- medium bodied with light carbonation. Pretty clean feel. Very refreshing- my favorite of Otter Creek.
★ 516 characters
3.88/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice copper hue with a one-finger head into my glass. Very nice color for the style.
Sweet, grainy malt. Definitely resembles the style. I'm not sure what else to expect.
Drinks like a lush. Lots of chewy, bready malt. Very well-defined. Carbonation is just about right.
Lingering chewy, bready malt. Mmmmm. Very decent for the style.
I like this seasonal. It's not their mud bock but it's good!
★ 408 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a nice copper hue with a one-finger head into my glass. Very nice color for the style.
Sweet, grainy malt. Definitely resembles the style. I'm not sure what else to expect.
Drinks like a lush. Lots of chewy, bready malt. Very well-defined. Carbonation is just about right.
Lingering chewy, bready malt. Mmmmm. Very decent for the style.
I like this seasonal. It's not their mud bock but it's good!
★ 408 characters
4.23/5 rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This brew pours an amber/copper color with a medium head which sticks around for a few minuets and medium/medium-heavy carbonation; mild lacing which is present until the end.
The smell is of oranges, lemon, malts and hops. Quite pleasing and well balanced.
The mouthfeel is filling and chewing and carbonation is present.
The taste starts with orange, moves to lemon, toasted grains and possibly nuts. There is an earthy grassy taste which is then followed by the hop oils. The hop oils linger on the toungue.
Overall this brew is well balanced between malts, grains, fruits, possibly nuts and hops. I agree with another reviewer who stated this is a Maibock rather than an actual bock. As the label states, this is a great beer for the transition to Spring.
★ 763 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This brew pours an amber/copper color with a medium head which sticks around for a few minuets and medium/medium-heavy carbonation; mild lacing which is present until the end.
The smell is of oranges, lemon, malts and hops. Quite pleasing and well balanced.
The mouthfeel is filling and chewing and carbonation is present.
The taste starts with orange, moves to lemon, toasted grains and possibly nuts. There is an earthy grassy taste which is then followed by the hop oils. The hop oils linger on the toungue.
Overall this brew is well balanced between malts, grains, fruits, possibly nuts and hops. I agree with another reviewer who stated this is a Maibock rather than an actual bock. As the label states, this is a great beer for the transition to Spring.
★ 763 characters
3.13/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle purchased at Market Basket in Somersworth. Pours a clear but slightly hazy golden amber body with a half inch or so of off-white head. Smells sweet and malty. Tastes somewhat sweet with grainy and caramel notes along with a hint of grassy hops. Medium to light in body with moderate to low carbonation. Fairly quaffable. Not a bad little beer - middle of the road to be sure but simple and refreshing to match the unusually warm spring we've had.
★ 458 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
12oz bottle purchased at Market Basket in Somersworth. Pours a clear but slightly hazy golden amber body with a half inch or so of off-white head. Smells sweet and malty. Tastes somewhat sweet with grainy and caramel notes along with a hint of grassy hops. Medium to light in body with moderate to low carbonation. Fairly quaffable. Not a bad little beer - middle of the road to be sure but simple and refreshing to match the unusually warm spring we've had.
★ 458 characters
3.96/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle dated 1/29/12. BA classifies this as a bock, but I beg to differ. This is indeed a Maibock.
My in-going expectations are not high, but rather I'm expecting a decent brew which came at a great price ($12.99 a 12er).
A gentle pour yields a a fairly dense, chunky two finger head which produces a steady flow of upward carbonation which remains throughout the relatively quick consumption. A beautiful golden beer, for certain.
Aroma is sweet caramel malts, grassy German hops. Nothing overpowering, but enough that is registers and makes itself known. Pleasing.
Ah, precisely what the doctor and style call for. Bold, yet contained malt sweetness, perfectly balanced with tight hops of the German sort. A light warming reminds you that this is a Maibock, but not enough to impact drinkabilty.
Drinkability is high. I could have 4 or 5 of these if I was in the mood.
A damn fine Maibock, and happily arriving as I begin to long for my Glissade, which was sadly replaced by the underwhelming Ruthless Rye.
Otter Creek, they're a funny sort. Quiet, contained, and happy to make just a few well crafted brews in a few great, but largely under-represented styles.
★ 1,184 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle dated 1/29/12. BA classifies this as a bock, but I beg to differ. This is indeed a Maibock.
My in-going expectations are not high, but rather I'm expecting a decent brew which came at a great price ($12.99 a 12er).
A gentle pour yields a a fairly dense, chunky two finger head which produces a steady flow of upward carbonation which remains throughout the relatively quick consumption. A beautiful golden beer, for certain.
Aroma is sweet caramel malts, grassy German hops. Nothing overpowering, but enough that is registers and makes itself known. Pleasing.
Ah, precisely what the doctor and style call for. Bold, yet contained malt sweetness, perfectly balanced with tight hops of the German sort. A light warming reminds you that this is a Maibock, but not enough to impact drinkabilty.
Drinkability is high. I could have 4 or 5 of these if I was in the mood.
A damn fine Maibock, and happily arriving as I begin to long for my Glissade, which was sadly replaced by the underwhelming Ruthless Rye.
Otter Creek, they're a funny sort. Quiet, contained, and happy to make just a few well crafted brews in a few great, but largely under-represented styles.
★ 1,184 characters
4.16/5 rDev +16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a pint glass. The color is golden, almost clear. There is a small head that almost disappears.
The aroma immediately reminds me of a typical pilsner because of the distinct german style hops (that I assume Otter Creek used but I'm not sure). Subsequent whiffs reveal more caramel malt aroma to go with graham cracker and bread crust. This has a nice malty aroma.
The taste is a crisp, refreshing balance of doughy malt and a gentle grassy hop finish.
The carbonation is prickly and really nice; the body is light to medium.
I like this one a lot, maybe I'm just in the mood for this because it's not one of my go-to styles. Then again, it's hard to find a decently made fresh one.
★ 696 characters
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a pint glass. The color is golden, almost clear. There is a small head that almost disappears.
The aroma immediately reminds me of a typical pilsner because of the distinct german style hops (that I assume Otter Creek used but I'm not sure). Subsequent whiffs reveal more caramel malt aroma to go with graham cracker and bread crust. This has a nice malty aroma.
The taste is a crisp, refreshing balance of doughy malt and a gentle grassy hop finish.
The carbonation is prickly and really nice; the body is light to medium.
I like this one a lot, maybe I'm just in the mood for this because it's not one of my go-to styles. Then again, it's hard to find a decently made fresh one.
★ 696 characters
3.65/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Straight pour from 12oz pry-off bottle to my Rare Vos tall-sided tumbler (what DO you call this glass style?); bottling date of January 27, 2012 printed in yellow ink on the shoulder of the bottle (“3205012712”)
Appearance (4.0): A beautiful, honey-colored body with about four fingers of light tan head on top; this is a very tight, fine-grained head that fades slowly to a rocky, pillowy surface. Nice lacing on the side. This is actually a really nice-looking beer.
Smell (4.0): Clean, rich but not sticky malted barley aroma with a solid nutty undertone. Any hop presence is light and grassy in the nose. Straightforward, nothing complicated, but a good, clean-smelling bock.
Taste (3.5): The hop note is actually much more pronounced here—spicy and grassy, as per the German hops noted on the label. Malt profile follows the nose, with a moderate richness blending with a nutty undertone, like almonds but not as sweet. The lager yeast note has a noticeable presence, which along with the hops leave a somewhat medicinal aftertaste. This is good, though I wish it were just a little richer and fuller tasting.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Quenching—dry finish, lighter side of medium feel, relatively low carbonation (wish there was a bit more of that, actually) and very easy going down. This is way too drinkable for 6.2%, it feels more like 4%.
Overall (3.5): This is a nice bock. Nothing crazy, nothing to swoon for exactly, but it’s very drinkable (VERY drinkable) and tasty all the same. Nice early spring beer to pick up by the sixer for $8-9.
★ 1,572 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Straight pour from 12oz pry-off bottle to my Rare Vos tall-sided tumbler (what DO you call this glass style?); bottling date of January 27, 2012 printed in yellow ink on the shoulder of the bottle (“3205012712”)
Appearance (4.0): A beautiful, honey-colored body with about four fingers of light tan head on top; this is a very tight, fine-grained head that fades slowly to a rocky, pillowy surface. Nice lacing on the side. This is actually a really nice-looking beer.
Smell (4.0): Clean, rich but not sticky malted barley aroma with a solid nutty undertone. Any hop presence is light and grassy in the nose. Straightforward, nothing complicated, but a good, clean-smelling bock.
Taste (3.5): The hop note is actually much more pronounced here—spicy and grassy, as per the German hops noted on the label. Malt profile follows the nose, with a moderate richness blending with a nutty undertone, like almonds but not as sweet. The lager yeast note has a noticeable presence, which along with the hops leave a somewhat medicinal aftertaste. This is good, though I wish it were just a little richer and fuller tasting.
Mouthfeel (3.5): Quenching—dry finish, lighter side of medium feel, relatively low carbonation (wish there was a bit more of that, actually) and very easy going down. This is way too drinkable for 6.2%, it feels more like 4%.
Overall (3.5): This is a nice bock. Nothing crazy, nothing to swoon for exactly, but it’s very drinkable (VERY drinkable) and tasty all the same. Nice early spring beer to pick up by the sixer for $8-9.
★ 1,572 characters
Otter Creek Spring Bock from Otter Creek Brewing / Wolaver's
3.57
out of 5
based on 63 ratings.
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Orange in colour with faint haze and a thin skim of beige bubbles. A bit of lacing hung on the glass. Aromas of malt, toast, bread, sulfury and floral hops. Medium to low bitterness with grassy and floral hop notes, malty caramel and biscuit sweetness, light alcohol, and a minty finish. Medium bodied with lowish, creamy carbonation. Good overall with an enjoyable hop profile.
★ 378 characters