Bock Thread (2023)

This is an old story that keeps rearing its head due to old home-brew assumptions. Märzen was brewed in late winter and stored over summer, but it was also served over the summer because there was enough brewed to last through the non-brewing season.

It wasn't until Sedlmayer experimented with his amber lager by (mostly) storing it until Autumn that he (probably with tongue in cheek) started referring to his beer as Ur-Märzen, or "original" or "true" Märzen.

 

Ohhh man . . . wish I could find a bottle of Salvator in my town . . .

 

Does Sam Adams still make their double bock?

 

And Merchant du Vin is (secretly) owned by Samuel Smith Brewing Co., the owner of which, Humphrey Smith, does not have the best reputation.

As MdV founder Charles Finkel explained in this interview:

 

This classic always good
Cheers all

 

Cushwa Brewing - Liquid Bread. A doppelbock with nice rich malt flavor without too much sweetness.

 

HB looks to be similar. I am looking at an HB Oktoberfestbier with a bottle code for 15 April.

 

Yeah, it sorta does make some sense. I would think that a brewery would want to make sure that these beers are successfully shipped on time. And reach shelves when expected*. With some time to spare.

* I do think that Oktos are on the shelves way too early anymore. But ....

 

I've picked a six pack up off the shelf SO many times and put it back down cuz i choose a stout, but I've been wanting to eventually not fold and choose this one over whatever i end up buying.

 

Yeah. Jumping the gun kinda spoils the specialness a little. Especially if it means the beer itself is less than prime in the “proper” season.

Maybe this is the year we take notes on a few favorites the first moment we see them, and then again when they are “supposed” to be enjoyed. Please note the italic quotes. Who knows, maybe we will find the extra time on the shelf is insignificant.

 

That's pretty much how the Oktoberfest threads start every year. Sometime in late July thru September.

FWIW -- I've rarely been disappointed in the import Oktoberfests from Bavaria each year.

 

WBAYDN cross post - one of my favorites....

 

Still waiting for it to land here, even though the local distro has been trying to pass off last year's stock.

What's the code on your bottles?

 

FWIW -- the bottles of HB Maibock I picked up last year were bottled on January 23, 2022 -- so not 5 months on in March or April.

 

I should say, in April or March when I purchased the HB.

 

Well, that depends if the beer is only brewed for export. Ayinger’s Maibock isn’t on their website if that’s any indication of their domestic output (maybe it isn’t). Perhaps the brewing of their Frühlingsbier takes priority for their seasonal capacity.

 

I gotta say, I legit miss Sierra Nevada's Glissade - I thought that was such a perfect spring beer. I tried to brew a clone and failed miserably. Is there anything out there similar I should look into?