Barack Bock
District ChopHouse & Brewery

Brewed by the Chophouse Brewmaster Barret Lauer, in honor of the inauguration of... guess who. I simply had to try it (and get a novelty pint glass) because of the name. Every other one-off I can think of that was brewed for the inauguration made a play off of Obama. Touts itself as a hoppy bock.

Poured a clear amber. Frothy, light tan head. Thick ring and thing but nearly complete cap that sticks around for the long haul. Nearly-solid wall lacing.

Chocolate and caramel malts to the nose. Light, clean citrus aroma. The hops also evidence themselves with some grass.

Leafy hop bittering, more than I expected, or was indicated by the nose. A spicy hop profile, with some bready, chocolate malts washing through. Slight alcohol flavor lurks in the background throughout.

Medium bodied, with a bread feel. Carbonation is a tad subdued, and while I think it could use the slightest bit more, the amount present was pretty appropriate.

A well balanced and warming beer, simultaneously spicy and sweet. I like it quite a bit. I hope that maybe a similar formula might find its way into the Brewer's Marker lines at the Chophouse sometime in the future.