Weihnachtsbock Nikolator
Braumanufaktur Forsthaus Templin

One cold January Sunday afternoon I visited the brewpub and tried all four beers available: this being the final and best one.

It came semi-cloudy, a chestnut red/brown colour in a tall glass containing 0.3 litres, the head an off-white cap of bubbles that stayed the whole tasting. This isn’t from the same mould as the first three beers I had; this had more strength and character than the regular brews.

The aroma was of sweet malty molasses, roasted, toasted and slightly nutty, some yeast esters as the beer warmed.

The taste was a mixed bag of caramel, toffee, chocolate and liquorice with a yeasty undercurrent and a hop overcoat to stop the beer being too sweet. The alcohol content is almost contained, but it is clearly there from the first sip and stays right until the last sip is drying in your mouth. Its name suggests it should be a double Bock (it ends in ‘ator’) which is why I’ve slotted into that style.

Really enjoyed my trip out to the brewery and although the first three beers were very similar I thought all four were fine, with this last one being by far the best.