Old Chico Brand Pale Bock
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

RB transfer

 

So this is the old version/label going back to the late 90s when I first had this beer on a trip to Chico. There is an Old Chico version now too, but I really can't discern any difference between the two.

Brilliant appearance, great clarity, golden color, 3/4" white head that lasts for days. Aroma of breadiness, lightly toasted pale malt, soft yeast.

Taste brings more of that carb like presence, bread, biscuit, cold plain ravioli. Hint of hops. Hint of copper. Hint of grass and hay, but different than when those come up in a saison for instance. Hint of that peppery thing that often gets associated with rye or the Sabro hop, even though neither is here (hell Sabro was still two decades away from when I first had this). At times like a hoppy, bready pilsner. I like the crisp mouth feel on it. Light herbal honey feel. While it was never one of my favorite Sierra Nevada beers, it was the second maibock, and a better one than dead guy ale. The thing that sticks out the most is just how beautiful of a beer it is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Packaged 3/12/15.

Pours a hazy honey gold with a foamy beige head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small patches of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, caramel, and fruit aromas. Taste is much the same with grain, honey, and fruit flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of earth bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is an above average beer with aromas and flavors that are quite subtle and a bit difficult to discern.

Serving type: bottle.

Bottling date of 03/12/15

Appearance - Pours relatively clear and pure golden in color with a paltry quarter finger head that quickly dissipates, leaving a thin, broken layer of suds swirled across the surface.

Smell - Sweet and slightly sour, with touches of floral hop and lemon. Light biscuity undertones.

Taste - Strong floral character; think honeysuckle with a touch of rose. Light lemon with some grassy bitterness rolling through in the finish. Malts are beneath, but hit on caramel and lightly toasted bread. Bittersweet finish with a touch of the booze.

Mouthfeel - Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation. Slick and crisp with a warming finish.

Overall - Odd that I hadn't seen this in stores 'til now (or maybe I've quickly glanced over the Old Chico label a few times, assuming it the Crystal Wheat). Regardless, pretty good bock that does well to warm the belly while keeping a decent balance. At just under 7 months old, I'd certainly like to try a fresher batch, though I doubt I'd notice much a of a difference.

Pours a half finger of head on a clear straw body.
The aroma is rich caramel.
The taste is caramel and molasses sweet.
The texture is medium.
The aroma is good, the taste is okay.

Look: pours a very clear golden yellow. Nice white head. Smell is of floral hops and bready malts. Taste is spicy, a tad bit grassy, with a little saltine cracker like malts. Some apple , pear, and maybe even the slightest hint of rosewater. Leaves a lingering dryness on the palate, with a medium carbonated and delicate mouthfeel. Overall, a great pale bock.