Battle of the Bocks

[evilpsych]

I've been sampling a majority of beers labeled as Bocks lately, and have come to several conclusions.. most bocks are well complemented by pumpernickel bread.(gee. go figure). like Celebrator and Salvator (Doppels), however others, like Huber Bock, and AmberBock (Michelob should be SHOT), are best left to those without taste (or fear of hangovers). Of course.. being from Texas, Shiner Bock will always have a place in my heart. Lighter than most 'bock' beers, it's one that I would consider drinking on the patio on a hot hot summers day, whereas the others are far too heavy for my liking or wanting to drink in any large quantity. The search continues, as Shiner is not available in my area, and the local enlightened shop has at least 12 more bock-styles to peruse. I always drink at least a 6er of each one to get the flavor right. Can never judge a beer by 1 tasting.

[fidcastro]

Can anyone say something about Rockefeller Bock(sp?) from the Great Lakes Brewing company? It's been a few years since I've had it, but I remember liking it quite a bit.

As a matter of fact, as far as I can remember there wasn't a single GLB brew that I didn't like. I can't say the same for many other breweries. Particularly Stone. I know there are a lot of Stone supporters on this board, but I'm just not a fan. Sure, I like the Arrogant Bastard, and the porter is good, but I think the Pale and the IPA are terrible.

How did I get into Stone from bocks?

[le qwak]

Shiner "bock" is Ok but not what I would consider a bock
more like a low end psuedo-micro...A great American bock
is Victory St.Boisterous helles-bock I wish they had it in
bottles again...another good American bock is Stoudt's
Honey mai-bock...I've never had GLB bock but I'll bet it was good as they don't make a bad beer...what are some other
nominations for good American bocks

[Beerconnoisseur]

Shiner's OK for general purpose drinking, but it's hardly the best bock. Sam Adams double bock is among the better, commonly available American bocks to choose from.

Although not a true bock per se, I do occasionally like a good Warsteiner Dunkel. My favorite bock thus far is Tucher's Doppelbock, though.

[newportstorm]

I've found Bock beer varies greatly from brewery and region. Some that I've enjoyed over the past couple of years:

-Celebrator: classic
-Tucher Bajuvator: often overlooked, quality doppelbock
-Moretti La Rossa: a little sweet, but just glides down the throat
-Sam Adams Double Bock: very "friendly" bock, easy for the novice
-Smuttynose Maibock: local product, worth picking up if you see it
-Berkshire Brewing: ditto
-Z Street Procreator: very different, very malty but with smoky notes (almost like a Rauchbier)

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

It has been a good while since I tasted any GLB beers but I remember they were all very tasty. I also agree about Stone. I have liked all of their beers but I am not often in the mood for an all out, smashed in the face, huge hop assault. I am a hop head but boy oh boy they crank up the IBUs. All of their beers are BIG beers. I much prefer Tupper's Hop Pocket. By the way, I ran into Bob Tupper at GBBF. He and Ellie were there taking tasting notes. They have been several times before. He is an old friend. So that makes five of us from the Washington DC area who attended.

[TEDBROCK]

Gosh evilpsycho them er fightin' words in southern Wisconsin. That's what I love about this forum is everyone has a right to their opinion and God bless you for voicing yours. And here is mine. The Amberbock I'll give you but Huber Bock is a fine beer with a classic malt taste and made by one of the nations oldest breweries, Joseph Huber. Now, Huber certainly is not in the class of a Tucher, et. al. however for the value, character, taste and history, Huber Bock is a beer revered by many. And not just cheeseheads.

[steveh]

Originally posted by TEDBROCK
but Huber Bock is a fine beer with a classic malt taste and made by one of the nations oldest breweries, Joseph Huber. Now, Huber certainly is not in the class of a Tucher, et. al. however for the value, character, taste and history, Huber Bock is a beer revered by many. And not just cheeseheads.

Oh c'mon Ted - with breweries like Capital, Sprecher, and Lake Front in Wisconsin (not to mention the countless brew-pubs) making great beers, including bocks, you're gonna stand up for a pretender like Huber?

Try a Capital Dark Doppelbock alongside your next Huber Bock and see what you've been missing! Even the Capital Dark has more character than Huber's beers.

I'm not knocking Huber as much as I may sound, they've made some decent beers in the past, but they just aren't putting out anything to compare with what's available these days.

S.

Flatland-Cheesehead Hybrid

[TEDBROCK]

Indeed Sprecher, Capitol and Lakefront (particularly Sprecher) some of the best offerings in southern Wisconsin, but I cannot let Huber go undefended. I would most likely grab any of the for-mentioned beers over a Huber but, and this is a big but to me, I wouldn't be paying $14/case for Sprecher, Capitol or Lakefront.

[steveh]

No, Big Butt is Leinie's Doppelbock, isn't it? Hah - hah - hah - Sorry, I couldn't resist!!

Wow - $14 a case these days? I remember when the Huber offerings were $4.99 a case plus deposit! And cheap it may be, but it shows, and I was weaned on Rhinelander Bock (basically the same beer in a different package).

I apologize to Hans Kessler, if he's still around, but I haven't been impressed with Huber's beers since I stopped worrying about the cash spent on a good beer. And no, I don't believe that all good beer has to be expensive.

S.

[hops99]

All this talk of Southern Wisconsin bocks, and you guys don't mention the best one in not only the area, but in the country? How about a round of applause for the New Glarus Uff-Da Bock. Absolutely outstanding.

[steveh]

I sort of side-stepped New Glarus' Uf-Da when I rattled off some good Wisconsin micro bocks. While I completely agree that it's a good, tasty, quality beer - I've always thought it was sort of thin as a bock - more of a Munich Dark to my palette.

Now I know they say it's 7.3 ABV, but I've never tasted that mellow alcohol dryness in the Uf-Da that tends to compliment a good bock.

I also have to admit that I've never been fond of their Staghorn Octoberfest - at least not as far as following a style. Again, good quality, tasty brew - but not my definition of an Oktoberfest.

S.

[hops99]

I totally agree with you regarding the Staghorn. I actually just tried it for the first time about a week ago, and it was absolutely nothing like I thought it would be, but I still kind of liked it in and of itself. Whereas Oktoberfests like Capital and Spaten are malty sweet (IMO), I thought the Stag had a burnt, roasted flavor.

As for the Bock, I also agree with you - in that the Uff Da doesn't taste as big as a Capital Doppel, or even a Sam Adams Double, but I love the simple drinkability of the beer. I still think it has a satisfying richness to it, absent (in my mind) from so many other bocks out there in the Great Lakes.

As for the best ultra-cheap bock in the area, I can actually stomach Point Bock on occasion, if I'm up in the North Woods. Of course, I'm thankful the "occasion" is only once or twice a year.
:)

[steveh]

Originally posted by hops99
Whereas Oktoberfests like Capital and Spaten are malty sweet (IMO), I thought the Stag had a burnt, roasted flavor.

On a similar tasting note, the Goose Island 2003 edition Oktoberfest is on the shelves and I grabbed a six last Friday. It suffers from the same recipe trouble Staghead does - too much roasted malt (as you pointed out). And GI uses too much hop in their Oktoberfest recipe too.

As I drank another bottle last night, I started to wonder if not brewing beers directly to their styles will cause a shift in the definition of style(s)? It would be a shame to lose the Oktoberfest style of sweet, smooth maltiness and subtle hop tones. Then again, the Munich fest grounds itself has lost the style, a sad testament to the overblown party it's become.

S.