Let's Talk Bock

I don't drink Bock's as much as I'd like, I suppose. I probably don't look for them hard enough either.

 

Any type? I recently had the Schneider Weizen Eisbock, along with Shiner and Rogue.

 

Sweeter, fuller, stronger, maltier German lagers reserves for holidays. Dopplebocks are relatively easy to come by; Maibocks, considering the season, are also probably pretty available.
Really great beers when done right. The German stuff is excellent, but there are a couple of US brewers that do it right.

 

Rogue Dead guy, a Maibock, is excellent. Bonus is the new label design that came out last year - particularly cool on the flat black cans. The black is flat, not the beer or the can.

 

... but when they do miss the target, well, heads up in the next county .

 

I drink Bocks, My fridge has plenty of them in stock right now. some of them are starting to fade a little, there 3 to 5 months old. be sure to try a good Schwarzbier while your at it.

 

Except it's an American Amber Ale with slight maibock tendencies. On its own terms, however, it's a nice beer (and much more preferable than a bad "genuine" attempt).

 

Hah, no, not that bad. But instead of being richly malty they will be syrupy and cloying thereby getting the most important aspect completely and totally wrong.

Honestly, you'd be much better off starting with the classic Bavarian versions before wading into what's made over here. It'll give you a better understanding of the substyles to start with.

 

if you look at my beer reviews you will see what they can taste like. There is plenty of variation in the style. Note i don't care for weizen bocks for the most part. Most of them I reviewed are not sold in your area.

 

Red Oak has their 1516 available right now, the Brewer studied in Germany for a decade, so I'd believe all their styles to be authentic. It's actually all they do and only 4, a lager, Helles, Bock, and a Dopple.

 

A previous poster mentioned not liking weizenbocks. Personally, I love them. Weihenstephaner Vitus might be the most flavorful (as in FULL of flavor) beer I've had.

 

Apparently Sam Adams Winter Lager is considered a bock (with spices). I'd be shocked if it weren't available in Maine.

How about Ayinger Celebrator?

 

If you look at the list of bocks on this site that are ranked by popularity you'll see that many have flavors added, thus are not authentic. And none have very high ratings, probably because those who rate the beers don't like it because of non-familiarity with the style characteristics and are at a loss to give a good bock a good score. Someone above mentioned that trying the German versions for authenticity to discover what a bock should taste like, and I agree. Then rate the American versions in comparison to the German ones. It's a learning experience.
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/32/

 

This will throw the this thread off topic: Are Weizen bocks really bocks? Are they really lagers?

Sorry about that, Now back on topic Like what has been said by others above, try some German brewed Bocks first, hopeful they will be fresh. Ayinger Celebrator is good, maybe my favorite from Germany but it is a stronger flavored version. Besure to try Kostritzer Scwarzbier in cans not bottles too.

 

besure to checkout this thread:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/what-exactly-is-a-bock-beer.564684/

 

Celebrator is a dopplebock and is stronger like you said, but I don't think should be used as an example of what a bock will taste like by imagining a light version of Celebrator.