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Back Forty Bock
New Glarus Brewing Company
- From:
- New Glarus Brewing Company
- Wisconsin, United States
- Style:
- Bock
Ranked #38 - ABV:
- 5.5%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #20,726 - Avg:
- 3.78 | pDev: 12.43%
- Reviews:
- 153
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 16, 2024
- Added:
- Oct 16, 2010
- Wants:
- 32
- Gots:
- 46
The “Back Forty” is property commonly found on the outskirts of the Wisconsin family farm. Here uncultivated acres wait prime for adventure- forts, tree houses, rope swings and first kisses! A place to run away, to camp, to climb, to build, to play. Not actually home but not too far away. That’s the Back Forty. The beer you hold is similar both dark and adventurous still smooth and familiar. Here’s a beer you can enjoy without pretense or explanation. Every mind requires some acres of possibility, space for dreams, the great escape, everyone needs a Back Forty.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by aasher:
Reviewed by aasher from Indiana
3.53/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
This bottle was courtesy of a coworker.
This beer pours a light bodied deep mahogany with a one finger off white head. The nose is typical of a bock, slightly sweet malt with a slight nuttiness. The flavors are initially slightly sweet but finish dry and malty. It's on par for the style. It drinks light and somewhat dry. It's ok.
May 05, 2012This beer pours a light bodied deep mahogany with a one finger off white head. The nose is typical of a bock, slightly sweet malt with a slight nuttiness. The flavors are initially slightly sweet but finish dry and malty. It's on par for the style. It drinks light and somewhat dry. It's ok.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by thebeers from Pennsylvania
3.69/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.69/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a very dark copper with two fat fingers of creamy-looking tan head. Decent retention and nice served lacing. Sweet, dark malty aroma of brown bread, molasses and a hint of creamed coffee. Similar taste. Full bodied and creamy with a light zip to the carbonation. Not bad.
Mar 16, 2024Reviewed by cyclonece09 from Wisconsin
3.99/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. Pours deep red with a small off white head. Smells of sweet fruit and caramelized grain. Tastes of caramelized grain with very nice fresh fruit notes. Beer is light bodied and easy drinking, good carbonation. Overall, a very good beer.
Mar 05, 2024Reviewed by DarkLordScott from Wisconsin
3.85/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.85/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Pours a light bronze or pale caramel colored brew with a nice one finger head. Aroma is strongly grain and bread profiles. Taste is clean, grain flavored with a strong vanilla twist at the end. This is a nice beer that could be enjoyed at any time of year and any time of day.
Mar 01, 2024Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin
3.64/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.64/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I’m very tempted to say Bock 40 instead of Back 40 for reasons of beer puns. Let’s pour this out of a 12 ounce bottle, and go on to the beer:
Dark amber colored witch goes into brown at spots, but more amber than brown. Head drops to a beige lacing. Modest aroma of sweetened bread crust, vague fruit esters, dry and pleasing.
Compared to its stablemate Uff-Da, Back 40 is a lighter bock. Easy to drink and bringing enough malt in the body. Tastes has a more fruity aspect than the common toasted malt per style. Its drying body and light-medium feel with swishy carbonation round out the beer.
Feb 25, 2024Dark amber colored witch goes into brown at spots, but more amber than brown. Head drops to a beige lacing. Modest aroma of sweetened bread crust, vague fruit esters, dry and pleasing.
Compared to its stablemate Uff-Da, Back 40 is a lighter bock. Easy to drink and bringing enough malt in the body. Tastes has a more fruity aspect than the common toasted malt per style. Its drying body and light-medium feel with swishy carbonation round out the beer.
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
3.87/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.87/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12oz bottle. Etched on bottle is '023227073773A'.
Ruby brown colored body. Two fingers of khaki colored head, slowly recedes to a bubbly cap and high ring. Leaves behind web rings of lacing.
Aroma of toasted chocolate malts, caramel, and prune/raisin.
Taste is toasted chocolate/cocoa malts, caramel, and a little vanilla. Minor earthy hops and a touch of prune/raisin.
A little less than medium mouthfeel. A little chalky. Very good carbonation.
Malts are the main expression from this beer, with the first flavor being chocolate/cocoa, and a secondary sweet flavor of caramel.
Feb 01, 2024Ruby brown colored body. Two fingers of khaki colored head, slowly recedes to a bubbly cap and high ring. Leaves behind web rings of lacing.
Aroma of toasted chocolate malts, caramel, and prune/raisin.
Taste is toasted chocolate/cocoa malts, caramel, and a little vanilla. Minor earthy hops and a touch of prune/raisin.
A little less than medium mouthfeel. A little chalky. Very good carbonation.
Malts are the main expression from this beer, with the first flavor being chocolate/cocoa, and a secondary sweet flavor of caramel.
Rated by blkgeorge
4.32/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.32/5 rDev +14.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
If there's such a thing as a 'sessionable' bock, this is it. Shiner and Point bocks taste like syrupy amber ales in comparison.
Jan 20, 2024Reviewed by defunksta from Wisconsin
3.71/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.71/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a completely clear, deep and dark bronze to brown color with darker tones. A massive light tan head that pillows and lingers. SRM of 21. (4.25)
Aroma: Moderate aromas of dark malt, brown bread, some earthy and roasted Munich malt aromas. (3.75)
Flavor: Moderate flavors of barley malt, brown bread, with hints of roasted grains and cocoa underneath. An earthy and Munich malt flavor linger. (3.75)
Feel: Medium-bodied, low carbonation. Finishes flat, dry, and clean. (3.50)
Compared to MKE Pinsetter 2/2024: Pours lighter, stronger head. Milder aromas. More earth, brown bread. Less cocoa, lactose, bittersweet and roast. Milder overall.
Overall: First try from this New Glarus Bock. It pours beautifully. Milder on the aromas and flavors though. Then the mouthfeel is undercarbonated and somewhat flat. Drinks clean which is nice. It's okay. (Rating: 3.71)
Jan 10, 2024Aroma: Moderate aromas of dark malt, brown bread, some earthy and roasted Munich malt aromas. (3.75)
Flavor: Moderate flavors of barley malt, brown bread, with hints of roasted grains and cocoa underneath. An earthy and Munich malt flavor linger. (3.75)
Feel: Medium-bodied, low carbonation. Finishes flat, dry, and clean. (3.50)
Compared to MKE Pinsetter 2/2024: Pours lighter, stronger head. Milder aromas. More earth, brown bread. Less cocoa, lactose, bittersweet and roast. Milder overall.
Overall: First try from this New Glarus Bock. It pours beautifully. Milder on the aromas and flavors though. Then the mouthfeel is undercarbonated and somewhat flat. Drinks clean which is nice. It's okay. (Rating: 3.71)
Reviewed by cheeseheadinMinneapolis from Wisconsin
3.77/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
2023 release, 12oz bottle.
Look: Transparent dark amber body. Nice tall head that leaves some nice lacing.
Smells stronger than it tastes.
Taste: slightly sweet malt, a hint of caramel, a little bread. A little toasted grain. maybe corn and a little cocoa in the background
Has a prickly bite to it in the mouth from the carbonation at first, then goes flat.
Old School lite duty American style bock
Dec 24, 2023Look: Transparent dark amber body. Nice tall head that leaves some nice lacing.
Smells stronger than it tastes.
Taste: slightly sweet malt, a hint of caramel, a little bread. A little toasted grain. maybe corn and a little cocoa in the background
Has a prickly bite to it in the mouth from the carbonation at first, then goes flat.
Old School lite duty American style bock
Reviewed by Beginner2 from Illinois
3.95/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
3.95/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
As a NGBC devotee, I amazingly have not written a review for Back Forty. While I remember having it at least twice before my BA career, my review starts now.
The best way to review Back Forty is to compare to its bock brethren, Uff-Da. While stronger and maltier and a richer mouth, Uff-Da serves to fortify the body for winter. Back Forty is similar but more spiritual, evocative of thoughtfulness and independence.... and as for beer, weaker, hoppier and medium-mouthed and bubbly. Yet malts are the main expression of Back Forty and the blend of chocolate and caramel are well-done. One of North America's world-class lager brewers satisfies again. Too bad distribution requires a trip to Wisconsin, otherwise my review would have come faster. Prost to the owners at NGBC.
Apr 24, 2016The best way to review Back Forty is to compare to its bock brethren, Uff-Da. While stronger and maltier and a richer mouth, Uff-Da serves to fortify the body for winter. Back Forty is similar but more spiritual, evocative of thoughtfulness and independence.... and as for beer, weaker, hoppier and medium-mouthed and bubbly. Yet malts are the main expression of Back Forty and the blend of chocolate and caramel are well-done. One of North America's world-class lager brewers satisfies again. Too bad distribution requires a trip to Wisconsin, otherwise my review would have come faster. Prost to the owners at NGBC.
Back Forty Bock from New Glarus Brewing Company
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
551 ratings
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