Bock Season

I chased bocks pretty hard this year. Did lots a driving.
I concentrated on the darker dunkel type the most this year. Last year I hit the Mai Bock type harder.

MN Brewed winners are Schells and Giesenbräu Doppel the Hutt. Two I wanted to try but didn't are Waconia and this years/recent Illbebock by Brau Brothers

I reviewed many but not all of them. Many of them are from WI.

 

Did either of you try Potosi’s Dopplebock? Not many reviews, but I’m tempted to pick some up.

 

It's very good if you like Ayinger Celebrator type of bock.
It is this years winner with me for that style.

my reviews:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/user/beers/?ba=cheeseheadinMinneapolis

 

Sorry, it looks like they don’t distribute to MN. ☹️

 

Liftbridge did a GABF ProAm doppelbock a couple years ago that was really great, would definitely be one to seek out if they ever brought that back. #SeansBock

 

It may be available in Hudson. I know some of their other beers are at Chicone's. It is definitely in the Eau Claire area if you'll be traveling that far in the near future.

 

Probably not many of the same opinion but Big Wood has done a very good tap room only strong Mai Bock over the last few years.

Not the same name now but of course the year it showed up the beer was called Mai Big Bock.....

 

If you're looking for something different, and like root beer, the sassafras doppelbock at Birch's is actually pretty tasty.

 

Managed to snag a 4-pk that was, fortunately, being lagered in the cold section of the local grocery. I concur mostly with your review. Very clean ferment achieving an attenuated but complex malt combo, which defines the style for me. I think they are leaning a bit too much on the specialty roast resulting in some spicy notes, but it's nitpicking. Prost!

 

Like to see a review/rating please

 

They have this at Sporty's. It's delicious. I've been liking German Beer styles especially lately as the hoppy IPA thing has been getting tiring. Like you, Bock season was always special. I remember back when the only beer you could get with any flavor was Leinie's Bock and it only came out in the Spring.

 

Thanks for doing a review. I wanted more people to review this one. That way I could compare to my review to see if I'm on track right.

 

Had Waldmann's Bock last week - great stuff and available in crowlers. For 5.3%, great body.

 

FYI, Venn has a Bock going on tap soon, plus Vienna Lager now.

Lynlake has a bock and a Vienna lager on tap now

 

Bad Weather has a very nice Maibock in the taproom.

 

I updated my review of Great Dane Wausau, Uber Bock:

4.29/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Stopped at the Wausau tap room on 4/7/18. Was happy to find this beer still on tap. Had a full pour, liked it so much Ii bought 2 crowlers for home. Noticed immediately the difference in the head and head retention. Nice fine malty head that lasted a while leaving plenty of lacing. Dark deep amber color on the body that is slightly hazy releasing fine bubbles for a long time after pouring. Taste has much more stone/dark fruit. I do notice a little more toasted malt also. Still plenty of sticky sweet caramel. The more it warms up the more you can taste the alcohol which tastes good with the deep dark fruit flavor. Barrel aged almost without the barrels. Impressive beer.

Below is first review on 2/13/18
numbers 4/3.75/4.25/4/4 overall 4.04
10 % ABV, Feb. 2018 Batch. Tested from a 32 oz crowler.
Pours a transparent Deep dark brownish amber, Nice Tan head that dissipates rapidly with fizzing and popping leaving no lacing.

Smell? not much smell. Mostly alcohol and sweet caramel

taste? Some roasted malt, Maybe a hint of dark fruit and bread. But mostly Sticky sweet caramel. You can taste the alcohol more than you can feel it. kinda of a straight shot simple beer. A big beer that is very smooth considering the ABV, The finish has a little bit of a Rum Brandy flavor.

Hard beer to rate since beers like this are a rare breed. If you want a high ABV sweet caramel beer this is the beer for you.