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

Half Acre Creak to Rise
Spring Bock 6.8% ABV

Brewed with floor malted barley, interestingly enough. It has a big toasted bread crust presence, more hops that traditionally expected, and an impossibly smooth feel. Enjoying it so far!

 

Hmm? Maybe Celebrator has been 'changed' in the past 1-2 years?

I will have to see what other long term Celebrator drinkers have to say in this thread.

Cheers!

 

I didn't know they had changed the recipe. I haven't seen that beer since the pandemic started and I stopped hitting up my normal Getränkemärkte. Also one of my favorite doppelbocks, and fairly accessible around here. I can't wait to try out the new version, though I quite liked the old one...

 

I really like Manet. Not gonna pretend like I’m all that knowledgeable in art but impressionism really speaks to be for whatever reason.

 

I’m coming into this tasting as an extreme “bock” (and photography) novice. Starting my drinking day with a 16 ounce can of Ettaler Curator Dunkler Doppelbock (US Import Version courtesy of B. United).

Pours a dark brown / reddish color. Smells and tastes a bit like some Belgian Quads that I’ve tried: caramel, raisin, cherry, dark fruit… sweeter than I expected. I’m not sure if low carbonation is a trademark of this style but this particular can seems very lightly carbonated. Started at fridge temp and it was definitely too cold… I think it got better as it warmed up. I’m not sure why I decided to start with a 9% Doppelbock but I don’t regret it… the 9% was very well hidden. Personal lessons learned… don’t let you bocks get too cold, check your photos for reflections before consuming your beer, and don’t start with your highest ABV beer!

 

I really like Manet. Not gonna pretend like I’m all that knowledgeable in art but impressionism really speaks to be for whatever reason.

 

@psweendogg - I've had an under-carbonation issue with a B United canned import once before... and I assumed that the issue was due to the canning on B United's end. BTW - nice to have you in the thread.

 

One more....

This is not at all a traditional bock. If I had it blind, I'd say it's an IPL of some sort. That said, for what it is, it's very tasty.

Big floral and citrus nose. Taste is the same, clean lager with new world hops. I've brewed a beer with a hop profile just like this but can't pinpoint it. IPBock, but I like it. All local ingredients from NY State.

 

For a given definition of “incredible”


(this version is incredible in it's own way)

 

Good afternoon Bock Bretheren, thanks to @TongoRad for the event these few days.
Starting with Optimator, bottle dated 06.2021 so in the code.
Cheers all
A - 4 S- 3.75 T - 3.75 M - 4.0 O - 3.9
Poured from a bottle "dated" 06.2021, so nearing the end of its suggested date.
A - Lovely ruby, mahagony color, excellent clarity, steady carbonation supports a lasting off white cap. Lacing is spectacular
S - Pumpernickle soaked in molasses, carmalized in brown sugar, lots of dark bread notes, rich in this aspect.
T - Less sweet than the nose presents, that molasses, and accompanied by a kiss of toffee, milk chocolate, and earthy hops
M - Medium on the palate, sweet start, then a very nice slide to center, lovely dry finish
O - A solid offering that really needs a hearty meal with dark gravy to dance with. Smoked meats and some alpine cheese.

 

Mine is coming up... crazy mirror notes will follow.

 

It's a nice painting for sure. I like the level of detail, right down to the foam running down the side of the mug.

As a final note on this topic I thought I would point to a US army manual from 1917 which includes a brief chapter on English-French vocabulary, useful for being stationed in France at the time no doubt, where "A glass of beer" is translated as "Un bock".

 

With the maibock and BA review bumps, I think @TommyG22 is in the lead -- but I haven't looked too closely, and the weekend not officially starting for another 20 minutes, it's still anyone's game.

 

Ready for a bock filled weekend, starting with Troegenator. Been years since I reviewed this so going to share my updated thoughts here!
Smells great, lovely balance caramel malts, dark fruits and just even earthiness. Taste follows the the nose with an added layer of cloves and bananas, again great balance of flavors. Rated it 4.09 all those years ago and still stand by that rating. Ready to dig into German bock after this!

 

This one is the lightest of the 3 (Lakefront, Capital and Fermentorium). The smell is about the same as Lakefront. Smooth easy drinker. I little bitter at the end compared to Lakefront. I will try them in a different order tomorrow but it is Lakefront, Fermentorium, then Capital for me. This one does not have a sweetness to it. The liquor store worker said Fermentorium beers were good. At first I was like, I bet you say that about all the beers. No, this one is good and I will give their others a try. Very small city North of Milwaukee (Cedarburg). Home of the strawberry festival (well canceled the last 2 years).

The VITUS has a shot of being the first beer in the 40 year old Virgin drinking vessel in the background.

On to the German Weizenbocks next.

Cheers to all!

 

Surprisingly, this is my first time ever having this beer. I faded the doppelbock style for many years (with the exception of Aventinus and Aventinus Eisbock which I continued to drink and love) after a bizarre almost allergic like reactor to Celebrator many years ago (was very strange, I’ve had probably a few thousand different beers in my life and have only had that happen with the Celebrator and with a Becks Oktoberfest). But after a very long hiatus from the style, I am now back full bore after exploring some new to me beers on the Beers of Fame list and becoming instantly obsessed with Samichlaus. Anyways, long introduction, but I’m Bock on board now! (feel like lame bock puns are gonna be prominent all weekend). Hitting two birds with one stone here as I post on the Bock Online Tasting thread and also check off another one of the Beers of Fame.

This one has a bottling date of 8400, so approx 6-7 months old if my interpretation is correct.

A: Initially looks dark brown and opaque, but when held to light you see beautiful ruby hues and a crystal clarity that even allows you to see the carbonation bubbles. Large light tan head dissipates down fairly slowly but no lacing is seen.

S: Aromas are biscuit, sweet dough, herbal and earthy. Nobel hop spice, and a very distinct floral note that I simply cannot place. Mild caramel notes round it out.

T: Taste is roasty, initially very much porter-like which certainly catches me way off guard. That soon yields to the other flavors and some sweetness comes out next with pretty big caramel and even a touch of molasses. Earthy bitterness from the hops. Dark fruits come out in the taste which I didn’t get on the nose, same with a light roast coffee character. Bitterness is moderate and lingers in the finish.

M/D: Mouthfeel is very smooth, carbonation on the lower end but appropriate, drinkability is very good.

O: Overall, this is a very well done beer, not like this is ground breaking news to anyone. In general I do feel like I prefer weizenbocks as they tend to have some added layers of complexity and more characters that hit the preferences of my personal palate. That being said absolutely no complaints here.

4.25/4/4.25/4.25/4.25



Cheers Bock Heads!

 

Decided to start with one of the few Doppelbocks that I can get at our local supermarket. It's not great, but it does the job!

Schmucker Doppel Bock Dunkel
Pours a beautiful dark brown with ample light tan head. Mouthfeel is pleasantly full while still feeling fairly crisp and refreshing. Flavor is a touch roasted coffee and sticky sweet caramel with a little dark chocolate, before turning quite quickly to a dry ashiness at the end. A little vanilla also sometimes peeks out from behind the maltiness. It's certainly not my favorite doppelbock, but it is wonderfully drinkable for a heavy beer and easily available year-round.

 

Spaten Optimator: 7.6 ABV. Best by 01.2022 (sorry @SABERG -- just a little variation).

I chose a Doppelbock for my first review because Starkbierzeit falls earlier in the calendar than Frühlingfest. I make no apologies for being a very longtime Spaten fanboy. Even through a couple buyouts from big boys, it's still my old world connection and their beers never disappoint.

Poured into my .5 liter Willie Becher (yeah, that's the spelling).

L: Deep pumpernickel crust brown with copper highlights and bright clarity when held to the light. Dense, off-white to light tan head that settles slowly. 4.5

S: Rich, bready to light caramel nose with hints of dark fruit underlying. Some DMS and a touch of cocoa or milk chocolate. Vague hints of herbal hops. 4.0

T: Rich melanoidin malts with mildly sweet dark bread crusts. Mellow hints of dark fruit and herbal hops in the middle, peppery alcohol in the finish balanced with bready malts into the aftertaste. Luscious complexity. 4.25

M: Mouthfeel is soft to lightly syrupy -- chewy. Medium-robust body. 4.0

O -- Big brewery, but still delivering a terrific beer to a traditional style. 4.5