Creemore Springs UrBock | Creemore Springs Brewery Limited
Brewed by:
Creemore Springs Brewery Limited
Ontario, Canada
creemoresprings.com
Style: Bock
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.00%
Availability: Fall
Notes / Commercial Description:
Bock beers gained notoriety in Munich back in 1612. All the Bavarian nobles were drinking fashionable northern ales known as Einbeck Bier. So Duke Maximillian I of Munich hired his own northern brewmaster, who created a lager similar in character but superior in taste. It won back the local aristocrats. Inspired by his entrepreneurial spirit we started brewing our own urBock – rich, ruby-hued beer with subtle, dark roasted flavours. It’s an aristocratic beer but rest assured, you needn’t be a Duke to enjoy it.
28 IBU
Added by brewdlyhooked13 on 12-10-2001
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Ratings: 155 | Reviews: 89
Reviews by DaveBar:
More User Reviews:
3.38/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I just assumed that this would be a darker, more bold & flavouful beer than it's sister Creemore Springs lager. Well, it was darker but.......that's as far as it goes.
The look, smell and taste of this beer left me looking for something more. It lacked a distinct flavour. A signature of its own. Maybe my opinion is skewed in part because of my love for Creemore Springs Lager. One sip of the lager, whether you're in Canada or half way across the world, and YOU KNOW it's Creemore Lager. That is the distinct impression left by that beer. But the urBock......i don't know. i was underwhelmed. This is NOT a bad beer. It is however quite ordinary.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I just assumed that this would be a darker, more bold & flavouful beer than it's sister Creemore Springs lager. Well, it was darker but.......that's as far as it goes.
The look, smell and taste of this beer left me looking for something more. It lacked a distinct flavour. A signature of its own. Maybe my opinion is skewed in part because of my love for Creemore Springs Lager. One sip of the lager, whether you're in Canada or half way across the world, and YOU KNOW it's Creemore Lager. That is the distinct impression left by that beer. But the urBock......i don't know. i was underwhelmed. This is NOT a bad beer. It is however quite ordinary.
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3.56/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.71/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A huge fan of Creemore's lager and pilsner, and with a winter storm a brewin' I figured the urBock was in order. Nice to see the traditional goat emblem on the bottle.
Pours an amber-chocolate hue, leaves about an inch of offwhite head, which has nicely receded to a ring encircling the glass. Lots of foamy lacing. Looks like a root beer, oddly enough.
The nose is malt and caramel, with possibly a bit of raisins in the back. Not bad.
The taste is quite nice, if a little muted. Nice and malty, with notes of toffee, caramel and sweet white wine. A lingering pepper finish, and this is where I detect a slight warming alcohol sensation. The flavours work well, but could have been more pronounced.
Mouthfeel is on the lower carbonation, slightly thinner than I'd like.
Glad I picked this one up; I've been passing it by at the LCBO for too long. It's not my favorite Creemore brew, as it could have been a bit more hearty, but it's quite tasty and is going down well.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A huge fan of Creemore's lager and pilsner, and with a winter storm a brewin' I figured the urBock was in order. Nice to see the traditional goat emblem on the bottle.
Pours an amber-chocolate hue, leaves about an inch of offwhite head, which has nicely receded to a ring encircling the glass. Lots of foamy lacing. Looks like a root beer, oddly enough.
The nose is malt and caramel, with possibly a bit of raisins in the back. Not bad.
The taste is quite nice, if a little muted. Nice and malty, with notes of toffee, caramel and sweet white wine. A lingering pepper finish, and this is where I detect a slight warming alcohol sensation. The flavours work well, but could have been more pronounced.
Mouthfeel is on the lower carbonation, slightly thinner than I'd like.
Glad I picked this one up; I've been passing it by at the LCBO for too long. It's not my favorite Creemore brew, as it could have been a bit more hearty, but it's quite tasty and is going down well.
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3.3/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Presentation: Squat amber 11.5 oz bottle. Freshness date of 07/03. Received as part of a beer trade with AKSmokedPoter (who has done a great job of getting new beer styles to me as part of his membership in something like 183 different "beer of the month" clubs).
Appearance: Deep clear copper with a tan-colored head that settles nicely to a thin layer. Nice lacing of the glass.
Smell: Malty sweet on the nose. A pleasant mixture of sweet caramel and fruity aromas.
Taste: A little too sweet for me. I was hoping for a little more balanced beer, but it's certainly not bad. Easy to drink with a fruity aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Thinly smooth and creamy. Not much body, perhaps dur to low carbonation?
Drinkability: Above average. Nothing in this beer to remember it by, but not a burden on the palate. Having read the description of the style, I guess I expected more of a hop influence (being the hop-head that I am).
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Presentation: Squat amber 11.5 oz bottle. Freshness date of 07/03. Received as part of a beer trade with AKSmokedPoter (who has done a great job of getting new beer styles to me as part of his membership in something like 183 different "beer of the month" clubs).
Appearance: Deep clear copper with a tan-colored head that settles nicely to a thin layer. Nice lacing of the glass.
Smell: Malty sweet on the nose. A pleasant mixture of sweet caramel and fruity aromas.
Taste: A little too sweet for me. I was hoping for a little more balanced beer, but it's certainly not bad. Easy to drink with a fruity aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Thinly smooth and creamy. Not much body, perhaps dur to low carbonation?
Drinkability: Above average. Nothing in this beer to remember it by, but not a burden on the palate. Having read the description of the style, I guess I expected more of a hop influence (being the hop-head that I am).
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3.88/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
341ml single bottle, from the remainder bin at Toronto's Queens Quay LCBO location, a week or so ago now.
This beer pours a clear, dark red-brick amber colour, with two flabby fingers of puffy, finely foamy, and mildly creamy pale beige head, which leaves a small ring of coral atoll lace around the glass as it rather lazily abates.
It smells of lightly toasted caramel malt, a further biscuity breadiness, well-bruised red apples, and some sassy earthy, leafy, and grassy hops. The taste is zingy biscuity caramel malt, warm toffee, a certain hard water flintiness, indistinct dark orchard fruity notes, thin brown sugar, and more tame weedy, leafy, and grassy hoppiness.
The carbonation is moderate, and well supportive in its roundabout frothiness, the body a solid medium weight, and a little testy (but in a good way) in its generally successful attempt at smoothness. It finishes well off-dry, with a still edgy, sweet 'n crackery caramelized maltiness.
Overall, this is a pretty decent, well-made, and flavourful ode to those bocks of veritable Germanic heritage - big and malty, and with an uptick in ABV that provides but a wee soupcon of palatal warming. All from a consistently impressive brewery, whose buy/sell-out (depends on yer viewpoint, don't it?) a number of years ago doesn't seem to have had all that much of an effect on the quality herein, amirite?
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
341ml single bottle, from the remainder bin at Toronto's Queens Quay LCBO location, a week or so ago now.
This beer pours a clear, dark red-brick amber colour, with two flabby fingers of puffy, finely foamy, and mildly creamy pale beige head, which leaves a small ring of coral atoll lace around the glass as it rather lazily abates.
It smells of lightly toasted caramel malt, a further biscuity breadiness, well-bruised red apples, and some sassy earthy, leafy, and grassy hops. The taste is zingy biscuity caramel malt, warm toffee, a certain hard water flintiness, indistinct dark orchard fruity notes, thin brown sugar, and more tame weedy, leafy, and grassy hoppiness.
The carbonation is moderate, and well supportive in its roundabout frothiness, the body a solid medium weight, and a little testy (but in a good way) in its generally successful attempt at smoothness. It finishes well off-dry, with a still edgy, sweet 'n crackery caramelized maltiness.
Overall, this is a pretty decent, well-made, and flavourful ode to those bocks of veritable Germanic heritage - big and malty, and with an uptick in ABV that provides but a wee soupcon of palatal warming. All from a consistently impressive brewery, whose buy/sell-out (depends on yer viewpoint, don't it?) a number of years ago doesn't seem to have had all that much of an effect on the quality herein, amirite?
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3.64/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Reddish brown in colour with crystal clarity. Pours with a poorly retained cap of thick beige head that doesn't lace. Mild aroma has notes of baking bread, caramel, brown sugar, and raisins. Tastes sweet and malty up front with notes of toasted bread, honey, and raisins. A mild nutty character shows up midway through, along with some tangy plum. Finishes with sweet caramel and a light bitterness that shows some linger. Medium-bodied with low carbonation and a smooth mouthfeel. It's kind of deceptive, the way this has a much fuller flavour than the aroma suggests. That's not a complaint though. It's more of a pleasant surprise. Lacks a little in richness.
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look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Reddish brown in colour with crystal clarity. Pours with a poorly retained cap of thick beige head that doesn't lace. Mild aroma has notes of baking bread, caramel, brown sugar, and raisins. Tastes sweet and malty up front with notes of toasted bread, honey, and raisins. A mild nutty character shows up midway through, along with some tangy plum. Finishes with sweet caramel and a light bitterness that shows some linger. Medium-bodied with low carbonation and a smooth mouthfeel. It's kind of deceptive, the way this has a much fuller flavour than the aroma suggests. That's not a complaint though. It's more of a pleasant surprise. Lacks a little in richness.
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3.57/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Review from notes 2/6/11. Thanks to korguy123 for this awesome pint can!
A: Pours a clear chestnut brown color with ruby highlights. White colored head. Retention and lacing are lacking.
S: Roasted malt, caramel, and some bready yeast.
T: Very nutty with caramel flavor mixed in. There is a little bit of spice and a toasted malt flavor as well.
M/D: Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, its good, easy drinking, but seemed to be a little on the flat side.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Review from notes 2/6/11. Thanks to korguy123 for this awesome pint can!
A: Pours a clear chestnut brown color with ruby highlights. White colored head. Retention and lacing are lacking.
S: Roasted malt, caramel, and some bready yeast.
T: Very nutty with caramel flavor mixed in. There is a little bit of spice and a toasted malt flavor as well.
M/D: Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation and a dry finish. Overall, its good, easy drinking, but seemed to be a little on the flat side.
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3.28/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
(2003 version) Brown colour. Like their premium lager but instead of cream, the unique bock taste and some sweetness and slight fruit. Unpasteurized is a problem. I can see why Creemore doesn't expand their lineup. Ok session brew and with Chinese food as light complexion.
(2004 version) More German-like quality with less carbonation noticeable. Sweet, nicer brown colour. Same overall rating.
(2005 version on tap) smooth, creamy, dry. A variation of the creemore cream.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
(2003 version) Brown colour. Like their premium lager but instead of cream, the unique bock taste and some sweetness and slight fruit. Unpasteurized is a problem. I can see why Creemore doesn't expand their lineup. Ok session brew and with Chinese food as light complexion.
(2004 version) More German-like quality with less carbonation noticeable. Sweet, nicer brown colour. Same overall rating.
(2005 version on tap) smooth, creamy, dry. A variation of the creemore cream.
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3.88/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - clear dark amber brown, creamy tan head retained very well
S - minerally, toasty, and sweet malty aromas dominate
T - sweet and roasty malts, a mineral blood-like note, very light citrus hops on the finish
M - medium to slightly heavy, generally smooth and slightly sticky and just a touch of bitterness
O - a tasty full bodied bock, well rounded and smooth enough to be sessionable, well done
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - clear dark amber brown, creamy tan head retained very well
S - minerally, toasty, and sweet malty aromas dominate
T - sweet and roasty malts, a mineral blood-like note, very light citrus hops on the finish
M - medium to slightly heavy, generally smooth and slightly sticky and just a touch of bitterness
O - a tasty full bodied bock, well rounded and smooth enough to be sessionable, well done
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3.6/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle from ritzkiss, thanks! Pours a blanket of cream-white head. Retention and lacing could be better. The body is a dark copper/amber, clear against light. Nice colour.
The nose is lots of bready yeast, wheat, some roasty malt, caramel, touch of dark spice, a bit astringent, a little iron. Not too bad.
The flavour is lots of whole wheat, with toasted malt, the same dark spices found in the smell and some earthy, bitter noble hops linger on the finish (probably my favorite part of this brew). Fairly balanced. Not too exciting but not too bad a bock either.
The feel is nothing special, keeping in line with everything else. Slightly-watery medium body and moderate carbonation. Dry finish.
This beer is alright but seems to have a certain macro quality to it. Maybe I'm just imagining things but I feel it tastes like it would have been better made in smaller batches or with less filtration or something. I'm no brewer, I can't say what the culprit is. It's kind of riding just above average on all counts. In any case, it's a fairly drinkable bock, although not one I'll be buying again. Thanks for the sample, Eric!
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle from ritzkiss, thanks! Pours a blanket of cream-white head. Retention and lacing could be better. The body is a dark copper/amber, clear against light. Nice colour.
The nose is lots of bready yeast, wheat, some roasty malt, caramel, touch of dark spice, a bit astringent, a little iron. Not too bad.
The flavour is lots of whole wheat, with toasted malt, the same dark spices found in the smell and some earthy, bitter noble hops linger on the finish (probably my favorite part of this brew). Fairly balanced. Not too exciting but not too bad a bock either.
The feel is nothing special, keeping in line with everything else. Slightly-watery medium body and moderate carbonation. Dry finish.
This beer is alright but seems to have a certain macro quality to it. Maybe I'm just imagining things but I feel it tastes like it would have been better made in smaller batches or with less filtration or something. I'm no brewer, I can't say what the culprit is. It's kind of riding just above average on all counts. In any case, it's a fairly drinkable bock, although not one I'll be buying again. Thanks for the sample, Eric!
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3.3/5 rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: Dark copper, but a bit more on the grainy brown side. The head is patchy and mocha.
Smell: I'm pretty sure I detected some Saaz in there, or a piney, spicy equivalent. Some caramel as well.
Taste: Relatively light carbonation and taste, roasty caramel and maybe a bit buttery, mouthfeel is superior to most lagers at first, but dies off quickly.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Appearance: Dark copper, but a bit more on the grainy brown side. The head is patchy and mocha.
Smell: I'm pretty sure I detected some Saaz in there, or a piney, spicy equivalent. Some caramel as well.
Taste: Relatively light carbonation and taste, roasty caramel and maybe a bit buttery, mouthfeel is superior to most lagers at first, but dies off quickly.
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3.88/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This marks review number 51 for me, more than half way to 100 reviews and more than half way out of acolyte on the BA nomenclature.
Creemore's seasonal offering; I never understood why they released this around winter and not spring since it's a bock, oh well.
A very attractive clear ruby amber liquid sits here in my Smitchwicks glass, the closest thing to a bock glass I have. On top of this is a smooth tan head with decent retention. Minimal amounts of lacing cling to the glass.
Bursts of caramel and apricot are the first thing noticed. Brown sugar, cocoa and golden raisins add dimension to the malt aromas. Green apple esters lurk in the background manifesting amongst the bubbly effervescence.
A smooth sweetness slides across the palate, raisins, caramel covered apples, brown sugar syrup and hints of chocolate provide for a complex and rich malt profile. Biscuit flavours control up the rich malt sugars, keeping things from becoming cloying. Balancing hops provide just the right amount of bitterness to keep round things out. The lager yeast has done its job keeping flavours clean and in perspective.
The body is creamy and rich while still having that light lager feel one expects.
This is a great brew and I'm glad Creemore have kept it up though I reiterate my lamentation on its lack of availability come spring.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This marks review number 51 for me, more than half way to 100 reviews and more than half way out of acolyte on the BA nomenclature.
Creemore's seasonal offering; I never understood why they released this around winter and not spring since it's a bock, oh well.
A very attractive clear ruby amber liquid sits here in my Smitchwicks glass, the closest thing to a bock glass I have. On top of this is a smooth tan head with decent retention. Minimal amounts of lacing cling to the glass.
Bursts of caramel and apricot are the first thing noticed. Brown sugar, cocoa and golden raisins add dimension to the malt aromas. Green apple esters lurk in the background manifesting amongst the bubbly effervescence.
A smooth sweetness slides across the palate, raisins, caramel covered apples, brown sugar syrup and hints of chocolate provide for a complex and rich malt profile. Biscuit flavours control up the rich malt sugars, keeping things from becoming cloying. Balancing hops provide just the right amount of bitterness to keep round things out. The lager yeast has done its job keeping flavours clean and in perspective.
The body is creamy and rich while still having that light lager feel one expects.
This is a great brew and I'm glad Creemore have kept it up though I reiterate my lamentation on its lack of availability come spring.
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3.54/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.6/5 rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured two fingers into a pint glass with decent retention - a nut brown colour - some lacing and semi-clear
Smell is malt, nut, sweet biscuit, floral hops
Taste follows the nose with a hint of dark fruit and some pepper
Mouthfeel is light medium body with some carbonation, semi-dry and somewhat bitter, has a minerla twang
Overall another decent brew from creemore, like the kellerbier this is not my stle yet I found it very drinkable
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Poured two fingers into a pint glass with decent retention - a nut brown colour - some lacing and semi-clear
Smell is malt, nut, sweet biscuit, floral hops
Taste follows the nose with a hint of dark fruit and some pepper
Mouthfeel is light medium body with some carbonation, semi-dry and somewhat bitter, has a minerla twang
Overall another decent brew from creemore, like the kellerbier this is not my stle yet I found it very drinkable
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3.97/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to DaftCaskBC for this one.
Appearance. Clear, deep brown-red with a small head.
Smell. Sweet malty caramel, fresh plums and brown sugar.
Taste. Big caramel malt. Lots of it. Pretty nice tasting too!
Mouthfeel. Medium+ body with below medium carbonation.
Overall. Nothing complex here, just a nice malty beer that goes back easy. If I had another, it'd be gone too.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to DaftCaskBC for this one.
Appearance. Clear, deep brown-red with a small head.
Smell. Sweet malty caramel, fresh plums and brown sugar.
Taste. Big caramel malt. Lots of it. Pretty nice tasting too!
Mouthfeel. Medium+ body with below medium carbonation.
Overall. Nothing complex here, just a nice malty beer that goes back easy. If I had another, it'd be gone too.
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3.2/5 rDev -11.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Tap - Copper brew with a small head. Malty aroma with a medium body. Taste is very creamy which I approved with small traced of burnt malt. Not the best of bock but still a great beer that should be made available all year long. The Creemore brewery is starting to impress me with two great german inspired brew (lager and bock).
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Tap - Copper brew with a small head. Malty aroma with a medium body. Taste is very creamy which I approved with small traced of burnt malt. Not the best of bock but still a great beer that should be made available all year long. The Creemore brewery is starting to impress me with two great german inspired brew (lager and bock).
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4/5 rDev +10.5%
Spanking delish.
Nice crisp urbock baby!
No utterance of can tinge, (pored from a can)...
I do dare say, It's been some time since I've had one and need to get more in stock for winter !!!!!
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Spanking delish.
Nice crisp urbock baby!
No utterance of can tinge, (pored from a can)...
I do dare say, It's been some time since I've had one and need to get more in stock for winter !!!!!
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3.5/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Beer received from liamt07. Cheers!
Dark amber color beer crowned with a creamy beige head. The head sticks well to the glass. Nice looking beer. Caramel malts in the nose. Front is caramel malts, strong... however in the back I get some hops notes. Woody. Taste, wow I would have guess more intensity here. Malty as a good bock. However, it is too simple in the taste to really appreciate this one. Would greatly gain in being more complex in the taste. Not bad however. Easy to drink. Refreshing. Warms.
Another good offering from Creemore.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Beer received from liamt07. Cheers!
Dark amber color beer crowned with a creamy beige head. The head sticks well to the glass. Nice looking beer. Caramel malts in the nose. Front is caramel malts, strong... however in the back I get some hops notes. Woody. Taste, wow I would have guess more intensity here. Malty as a good bock. However, it is too simple in the taste to really appreciate this one. Would greatly gain in being more complex in the taste. Not bad however. Easy to drink. Refreshing. Warms.
Another good offering from Creemore.
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Creemore Springs UrBock from Creemore Springs Brewery Limited
3.62
out of 5
based on 155 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Purchased at the LCBO for $2.85 473ml can. Served at 5deg C in a draught glass
A- Pretty good. Pours with a nice 1" head that tapers to a film within a minute. Very dark
S- A bit lacking. Definitely caramel scents
T- Ok. A bit bitter from the roasted malt. Ok hops.
M- Light yet heavy LOL. Weird but good. Not creamy but not dry.
O- Pretty good. Not special but pretty good. Will buy if I see it on tap
Food Pairing
This interesting little beer pairs well with... Pumpkin pie! The cinnamon really comes out with this beer.
Enjoy
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