Firecracker Bock
Ellicott Mills Brewing Company

 

I really like this beer. I have tried it on tap, and it's very very good, and I just brought a growler of it home today. I'm on my second glass, and I have to say it really has retained a lot of its carbonation, which makes me happy.

The color is a darkish yellow, and it is fairly bubbly.

The smell is slightly hoppy, but pleasant, and not very strong (of course, I'm smelling it very cold).

The taste is fairly alcoholic since this is a bock, but it has just the right amount of bitterness and sweetness to cover it up nicely.

The beer is very smooth on the mouth, and stays with the drinker for a few seconds after swallowing, leaving a nice hoppy aftertaste.

I could drink this beer all night if I had the alcohol tolerance for it. After about 2 glasses I am pretty buzzed - don't plan on drinking much of this stuff and driving - it hits fast and hard.

All in all, if you are in the Maryland area, stop by and check out the beer at Ellicott Mills. They have something for about everyone.

On-tap at the Brewpub.
Served as amedium amber colored beer with moderate white puffy head.
Smell is dominated by a fruity maltiness with a nice hop presence also detected.
Taste is full of sweet malt with the hops mostly hidden.
More malt at the finish with a bit of spice also present.
A nice drinking beer with the alcohol virtually hidden.

Had at Ellicott Mills BC in Ellicott City, MD.

A- Pours a deep orange-gold with a decent white head.

S- Smells quite malty and a little yeasty/spicy.

T- Reasonably malty, with a hint of alcohol and spice. A decent maibock.

M- Well carbonated, not too bubbly, thin to medium on the tongue.

D- A decent beer all in all, one of the better beers at this brewpub.

The beer poured a hazy cordovan with a tan head. The aroma was light malt. The taste was of malt with a bit of alcohol burn that added a faint medicinal tang to it, this was followed by hints of dark fruits. This was a soft bodied and oily beer. A pleasant heavy beer to sit and sip.

A slightly hazy, golden/amber body displays wide-spread, steadily rising bubbles beneath a good-sized head of white froth. The head holds well and maintains a thin cap throughout the first half of the glass; but leaves no lace (possibly due in part to its somewhat elevated alcohol content). The nose is enticing with a rich, distinctly grainy and sweet malt that suggests a good percentage of Munich malts in the grain bill; backed by a thin veil of spicy and lightly floral hops. It's appropriately full in the mouth with a firm body, and nicely crisp on the tongue due to its median carbonation. The flavor engulfs the palate in rich, alcohol-washed Munich malt and spicy hop flavor; well-balanced by a solid hop bitterness. It's not overly complex, but it is compelling! And even though the alcohol is noticeable, it remains that way - simply noticeable. Even after three pints it never builds on the palate! It finishes dry with a fading note of sweet malt as it's solid bitterness and spicy hop flavors rise. It exhibits exceptional drinkability if you can handle the alcohol; but it's not a beer that you sit and drink without realizing it's strength. Very well done! Well worth trying.