Heller Bock
March First Brewing

 

Poured from a bottle into a Fat Head's pub glass. Did this really say "Heller Bock"? I was expecting a light-colored lager, not this darkness. I've had storebrand colas with less color and more bloom than this. The bloom isn't even deserving of that name - it's less than a finger of head that quickly dissipates - completely unacceptable for this style. Once you get past the appearance (and the joke of a name), there is quite a lot to enjoy here. There is some faint toasted malt on the nose as well as a hint of treacle toffee, but none of the cocoa that one gets on better (dark) bocks.

Medium body and a feel that screams for a little more carbonation. My criticisms about the name and the feel aside, this beer is a malt-lovers dream. Loads of caramel, fresh bread, and toffee up front, then a slight hoppy bite at mid-palate. Sadly, the flavors don't carry through the finish all that well, but the flavors are eminently enjoyable while they are there. I'd love to try a full-fledged dopplebock from this brewer. I think they could do that style great justice.

I like beers like this. Nice fresh taste and feel.

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Reddish brown color with a thin but persistent head and great lacing. Sweet, slightly earthy smell and taste. Hint of lemon and grass. This is something I would have more of.

12 ounce bottle, another big thanks to Brutaltruth for this beer! No date on the bottle or label that I noticed. Served in a dimpled mug, the beer pours a reddish/brown color with about an inch light tan head. Head retention is good and there's a decent amount of lacing. Aroma is sweet and malty, the brew smells like toffee, caramel, dark bread, dried dark fruit and grainy malt. For the most part I think the taste is similar to the aroma, but in addition there's also some earthy herbalness flavor. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's slick and smooth, and easy enough to drink with a moderate amount of carbonation. Definitely worth picking up a bottle if you've never had it before, I liked it!

From the 12 oz bottle in a snifter. This pretty decent bock pours a
medium dark reddish brown with a nice head of khaki foam that
settles to a thick ring, thin clumping pool, and shows some light lacing.
Nose of breaded malts, subtle herbal hops, subtle orchard fruit, toffee,
caramel, and light lager yeast notes. Flavors lightly exceed the nose with
light cherry and breaded malts awash in toffee and caramel malt flavors
with light cola notes balanced herbal hops. Decent mouth feel; medium
body, medium carbonation, and a sweet herbal hop finish.

While a touch outside of the style parameters it is still a SOLID
brew worth having. One of the better brews I have had from
this brewery.

Cheers