Online Tasting: Bocks (April 23-25, 2021)

Troegs Troegenator & Andechs Doppelbock Dunkel

I had these two in a blind side-by-side. No surprises here - it was easy to identify each.

The Andechs Bock smelled like raison pumpernickel bread. It tasted of bread but also muted dark fruits (cherries, prunes, dates). It also had some spicy hop character that added balance. It was refined and extremely drinkable. It easily felt more like a continental lager than Troegenator.

Troegenator smelled much richer... almost brownie-like. It was more robust, much fruitier (with an emphasis on black cherries), and more intense (but not off-putting at all). It easily felt more like a "craft beer." Perhaps one could say it was more ale-like than the Andechs.

On this particular day, I preferred the Andechs... but I like (and appreciate) Troegenator.

 

Kuhnhenn Lingonberry Eisbock Lager

A late start to my Friday night. Jumping in with both feet with this Eisbock courtesy of @FlintB.

This beauty pours a dark, ruddy brown — clearer than expected— with a fat finger of tan head. Extremely impressive retention.

Nice tart berry juice in the aroma, behind some shoe leather, bread and light, stale cocoa.

The berry juice continues up front in the taste, joined by some treacle, custard, leather, cocoa, dark bread, earthy bitterness and alcohol. Lovely and complex mix of flavors that could be confounding to some, but are nice to ponder over while sipping.

Relatively slick feeling with some fairly sharp carbonation.

Much juicier than I expected. It would probably take years longer for the flavors here to meld into perfect harmony, but they’re still really excellent at this age (2019 bottling). This is an absolute treat. I’m glad I popped it while it’s still fairly chilly as it is quite boozy.

Thanks @TongoRad for organizing this tasting. You and others turned my onto maibocks back in the Rock Out days, and they remain one of my favorite seasonals — reminding me quite a bit of festbier. I’ll grab some Hofbrau and Cultivator as soon as I see them.

 

Good night for a Dopplebock flight.



Notable differences:

Celebrator is noticeably darker than the rest with a pronounced roasted quality.

Salvator seems quite sweet relative to the others. Perhaps I’m picking up some diacetyl/butterscotch.

Telluride nailed it with the Tellurator, but there is a distinctly American quality there. It is hard to pin down, but there’s a unique interplay of yeast and hops that tastes familiar and is absent in the others.

Snupinator is remarkably clear. Bierstadt is over the top with their filtration. This beer sits right between Salvator and Celebrator, taste-wise. Impressive!

Aventinus is neither weizen nor dopplebock, but somehow both.




Great tasting idea @TongoRad !!

 

Thanks!

 

I almost compare that one to an Imperial Hefe. I like Aventinus and Korbinian a lot and this one too but completely different.

 

I agree. Exactly what I have noticed. What a sad decline for what was a once great German brewery about 15-20 years ago...

 

Collab between two of the best breweries in NYC when it comes to lagers so I figured if anyone knew their ways around this style, it would be them.

Without being too descriptive, big time biscuity raisin. I’m getting a bit more cola-like chocolate as it’s warming (I poured prob about 45-50 degrees). Nice malty chewiness to it and some syrup which isn’t cloying whatsoever, and keeps my lips smacking. Dry finish closes out this outstanding American take on a style most American breweries are okay at. I’ll be back on Sunday with a few more. Thanks Michael for kickstarting!

 

Oh. My. God. That glass!!

 

C’mon Chris. That’s not a fair fight at all and I like Troeganator too.

 

Getting one in very late out here.
My first run at the Urbock from Schlenkerla. I have no idea how old this bottle is, but I suspect its quite old. There is a shocking deficit of smokiness, I'm not sure I would even pick it out on the nose or the tongue if I weren't hunting for it. The aroma is generally muted.

The taste is rich bready malt, some toffee and some molasses. A bit of a stale character.

Not the greatest start to the tasting, but I won't hold it against the style. I've got a couple of old dopplebocks to try out tomorrow so that should make things better

Its a rough market out here for this style but it's fun exploring a corner of the beer world I'm unfamiliar with. Love seeing all the options that are out there and the joy they bring to you all. Looking forward to seeing what else people have to share.

 

Yeah, wheat bock (or imperial hefe) is a better descriptor.

 

I saw the Bock forum, and could not resist popping the top of one of my own brewed Maibocks. This was brewed in November, bottled on December 23, and layered since then. And at just under £0.38 per bottle, what could be finer. I would invite y'all to join in, but East Kent, England is not near anywhere USA, these days...

Tastes just like a Great German beer. Big malt notes, clean balanced finish, great head retention. One proud Brew Monk.

 

Hello and good morning!

Starting the day with this masterpiece. I don't think any further comment is needed.

Prost!

 

Munchner Fruhstuck with that?

Oh, wait -- it's already afternoon where you are.

 

Vitus!

Full mouthfeel, flavorful, almost prickly, and
Good morning!