Michelob Amber Blecch! [Archive] - Realbeer.com Beer Community

fretlessman71

01-14-2004, 12:53 AM

Situation: My wife really likes shrimp, and since Red Lobster is having AYCE shrime PLUS I get a crewmember discount, we went to one on the other side of town. Felt like a beer, and they had Mich. Amber Bock on tap, and I decided to "take one for the team" and give a report.

Apperance: Looks good at first, except for the ice crystals forming in the top. Nice roasted brown color.

Nose: yeast and nothing else.

Taste: Very similar to a strong Budweiser. I wonder if they use rice in the AB as well? Just a little bit more on the roasty side, and there was a sourness that I have to say wasn't all that unpleasant. Is it the Rauchbier that's supposed to be sour? Maybe I'll get brave one day if I see on on tap.

Mouthfeel: very thin. Like drinking Coke.

All in all, very disappointing. Guess I'll go for the bottled Sam Adams next time!

Stodbrew

01-14-2004, 12:57 AM

I guess they've got their advertising for half right.

"The eyes love it and the mouth agrees."

Apparently the eyes and the mouth are fighting.:p

Beaver

01-14-2004, 01:02 AM

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Is it the Rauchbier that's supposed to be sour?

Nope - Rauchbier is smoked beer (German pays off twice in one night...who woulda thunk it!)

Flemish sour ales are sour...think New Belgium's La Folie (a very interesting brew!)

fretlessman71

01-14-2004, 01:04 AM

Aha! I'll get to try one when we move back, assuming they still have it in May. Grand!

Beaver

01-14-2004, 01:11 AM

La Folie is pretty regular, but very expensive. It's in the big bottles (750 ml?). I think they just raised their prices to about $17 a bottle.

Caffinehog

01-14-2004, 04:43 AM

Don't complain about amber bock too much... it's the best beer you can buy for $0.50 a bottle. And it's many a college student's first forray in to "better" beer. I've seen many a college student who wouldn't go back to buying yellow beer after trying this.
Not that it's all that wonderful....

steveh

01-14-2004, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Situation: My wife really likes shrimp, and since Red Lobster is having AYCE shrime PLUS I get a crewmember discount, we went to one on the other side of town. Felt like a beer, and they had Mich. Amber Bock on tap, and I decided to "take one for the team" and give a report.

Your Purple Heart is in the mail.

Apperance: Looks good at first, except for the ice crystals forming in the top...

A beer slushy, gotta love 'em. Not.

Nose: yeast and nothing else.

Was it yeast or more of a sulfur smell? I remember Bud having a pretty heavy sulfur to its nose.

Taste: Very similar to a strong Budweiser. I wonder if they use rice in the AB as well? Just a little bit more on the roasty side, and there was a sourness that I have to say wasn't all that unpleasant.

How much did you allow the glass to warm up (noting the slushy effect above)? The coldness may have been a blessing in disguise - sour is one flavor that shouldn't be in a beer like that. AB, rice? With the amounts they purchase, it's a good bet that it's in the Amber Blech. I've heard Busch is their only beer without rice, which they replace with corn.

Is it the Rauchbier that's supposed to be sour? Maybe I'll get brave one day if I see on on tap.

As already noted, Rauch is the smoked beer, Gueuze (I've heard it pronounced both "gweeze" and "gooze") is the sour Lambic style.

Mouthfeel: very thin. Like drinking Coke.

Another possible result of the cold glass...but I doubt it! ;)

All in all, very disappointing. Guess I'll go for the bottled Sam Adams next time!

At least you can say that you tried it, and now you know you didn't like it. Thanks for the confirmation.

S.

Payson

01-14-2004, 08:52 AM

As already noted, Rauch is the smoked beer, Gueuze (I've heard it pronounced both "gweeze" and "gooze") is the sour Lambic style

Papazian says it is pronounced like so:
GER-ze. Who knows?

davesarman

01-14-2004, 02:05 PM

A few weeks back I was at a small bar for a coworkers birthday and I kept getting glasses of the Amber Bock put in front of me. I had probably 4 or 5 pints of the stuff and the next morning I had the worst hangover I've had in years! It's amazing that I can drink twice as much real beer or my homebrew and not feel a thing the next day, but just a few of the amber bocks made me feel lousy. As for the taste of the beer, I thought it was nothing to write home about. Of course, served ice cold in a chilled glass, so I too got the "beer slushy". Had to tell them to stop buying me that stuff.

steveh

01-14-2004, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by Payson
Papazian says it is pronounced like so:
GER-ze. Who knows?

Hmm, and I just checked Korzonas' book and there's 2 spellings; French: Gueuze, and Flemish: Geuze. No pronunciations in his book, though.

Anyone speak either language? BTW Payson, would that be GERz, or Ger - zee (long or short 'z' sound?)?

S.

steveh

01-14-2004, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Yeah. I'm a better man for it today! :p

Yer lucky, I'd have been sick after one sip from the rice - see Dave above! It's the rice and chemicals Dave! Blech, for sure.

S.

Payson

01-14-2004, 03:11 PM

From what I could gather, it is GER za.
GER rhyming with Brrr (as in cold) and zuh rhyming with duh. Emphasis on the GER. It's the only pronunciation to it I've ever seen.

hopjack13

01-14-2004, 03:39 PM

amber bock...michelob ? hurl , ralph , barf and puke!
i've never tried it, once they had it at a concert but i opted for the lemonade instead. never tried it and whith any luck never will! thats like pissing on an electric fence, i've never done it before, but you just know it's gunna hurt!
it's just not a good idea

Bruno_78

01-14-2004, 04:06 PM

In defense of the amber bock, I've only recently been converted over to the joys of micro brewed beer, so there is still a bit of residual fondness left over for the mass brewed beverages commercially deemed "beer". I have enjoyed this beer in the past in mass quantities, and even now if I'm dining out at a non brewery and the amber bock is on tap, it's my first choice. My tastes have definately changed, but I can't turn my back on the beers that helped me get to where I am today.

chazwicke

01-14-2004, 05:38 PM

Try one of the afore mentioned Rauchs or Gueuzes and then see if you go back. both are among my favorite specialty beers. YUM!

Brownbeard

01-14-2004, 06:25 PM

Many bars in Iowa only have macros. If I am in a bar, and I have to choose from the macros or lemonade, I am having the amber bock every time. As far as bleching and puking over something you have never tasted, I don't let my 2 year old get away with that. If you have never tasted, you have no valid opinion.

hopjack13

01-14-2004, 06:42 PM

i've never tasted a piece of dog crap lying on the front lawn either, i don't need experiance to tell me what that tastes like! common sense works for me! hows that for validation? :p
im not that hard up for a beer, at least i know i can enjoy the lemonade.

hops99

01-14-2004, 08:01 PM

I think the Amber Bock is one of the worst beers I've tried over the years. To me, it has an almost indescribable odor - part skunk, part dirt - and tastes nearly the same. Terrible stuff; I think I'd rather choke down a regular Bud than drink this, and I'd only drink a Bud if I absolutely had to.

Now, in fairness, I must admit that I don't mind the Michelob black and tan. I know many out there rail against pre-mix black and tans, and I don't disagree for the most part, but this sucker has a pleasant roasted flavor that is completely inoffensive. In a taste test a few years back with the Yuengling and Saranac black and tans, I thought the Michelob actually held its own (although the Saranac was better based on a more significant hop presence).

Herb Ninja

01-14-2004, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by chazwicke
Try one of the afore mentioned Rauchs or Gueuzes and then see if you go back. both are among my favorite specialty beers. YUM!

*drools* Gueuze..... *drools more* Tastes good just remembering those Gueuzes :)

hopjack13

01-14-2004, 10:21 PM

i have never tried Gueuze... what do you recommend? something i could find without too much trouble?

tjones_jr

01-14-2004, 10:25 PM

Originally posted by Payson
As already noted, Rauch is the smoked beer, Gueuze (I've heard it pronounced both "gweeze" and "gooze") is the sour Lambic style

Papazian says it is pronounced like so:
GER-ze. Who knows?

I know...or at least I know where to go.

http://belgianstyle.com/mmguide/pronounce/speak.html

steveh

01-15-2004, 06:46 AM

Originally posted by tjones_jr
I know...or at least I know where to go.

http://belgianstyle.com/mmguide/pronounce/speak.html

Okay - that wins for the best link of the week - maybe month! Too cool, and everyone I know (including me) has pronounced gueuze completely wrong forever!

At least I've been getting Lambic and Westmalle correct all this time! ;)

S.

fretlessman71

01-15-2004, 09:58 AM

What a stupid american I am... even upon hearing these pronounced properly, I STILL have to rely on the old "americanized" version because my american dogface gringo mouth can't handle any exotic consonants!

At least my taste buds graduated from the norm at one point...

chazwicke

01-15-2004, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by hopjack13
i have never tried Gueuze... what do you recommend? something i could find without too much trouble?

My absolute favorite was Oude Beersel. I still have a few bottles. Sad to say the brewery has ceased brewing. But there are other good ones. The lambics do more for me than the dubbels and triples.

hopjack13

01-15-2004, 03:57 PM

hey...i said one that i could find with out too much trouble :mad:
i have a lot of people i trade with , so hopefully i'll be able to gat my hands on something good!

MeridianFC

01-15-2004, 07:33 PM

Originally posted by hopjack13
i have never tried Gueuze... what do you recommend? something i could find without too much trouble?

Depends where you are.

Hanssen's is my favorite, but it's pretty intense. It taste like someone rode a horse into a mash tun that collapsed into a pit and was left alone for a thousand years. But good.

While I know a lot of folks turn up there nose at it because it's so common (well relatively) the Lindeman's Cuvee Renne Gueze is really good. An excellent introduction to the style. The regular Lindeman's gueze is still available in 12oz bottles. Merchent du Vin imports both of 'em (& some fruit lambics) so these are probably your best bets.

Boon (pronounced bone) and Cantillon (can-te-yon) are two that I see around not infrequently. Some times you can find the Belle Vue which I'm not that partial too.

skahtboi

01-15-2004, 07:49 PM

Originally posted by steveh
Okay - that wins for the best link of the week - maybe month! Too cool, and everyone I know (including me) has pronounced gueuze completely wrong forever!

At least I've been getting Lambic and Westmalle correct all this time! ;)

S.

I have to agree. I have been sitting here playing with the different wavs that are there.

hopjack13

01-15-2004, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by MeridianFC
Depends where you are.

Hanssen's is my favorite, but it's pretty intense. It taste like someone rode a horse into a mash tun that collapsed into a pit and was left alone for a thousand years. But good.

While I know a lot of folks turn up there nose at it because it's so common (well relatively) the Lindeman's Cuvee Renne Gueze is really good. An excellent introduction to the style. The regular Lindeman's gueze is still available in 12oz bottles. Merchent du Vin imports both of 'em (& some fruit lambics) so these are probably your best bets.

Boon (pronounced bone) and Cantillon (can-te-yon) are two that I see around not infrequently. Some times you can find the Belle Vue which I'm not that partial too.

thnx for the info! i've been meaning to get in to lambics but have no idea what im looking for. i'll punch some of those in at ratebeer.com and check the reviews so i know what i am in for!
cheers and thnx again!

chazwicke

01-15-2004, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by MeridianFC
Depends where you are.

Hanssen's is my favorite, but it's pretty intense. It taste like someone rode a horse into a mash tun that collapsed into a pit and was left alone for a thousand years. But good.

While I know a lot of folks turn up there nose at it because it's so common (well relatively) the Lindeman's Cuvee Renne Gueze is really good. An excellent introduction to the style. The regular Lindeman's gueze is still available in 12oz bottles. Merchent du Vin imports both of 'em (& some fruit lambics) so these are probably your best bets.

Boon (pronounced bone) and Cantillon (can-te-yon) are two that I see around not infrequently. Some times you can find the Belle Vue which I'm not that partial too.

Hanssens, Frank Boon and Cantillon are great too. Of the three I also prefer Hanssens.

Incidentally, there should be a good Belgian tasting tent at the Miami fest. At least last year they had one. Although I sampled several, I was really there for those 64 casks.

hopjack13

01-15-2004, 08:51 PM

they are having a belgian fest next month in pasadina im going to, along with a few other member of this board , and about 9 members from beeradvocate, should be a fun and interesting night! that is too cool chaz you get to take beer vacations! wow!:cool:

chazwicke

01-15-2004, 10:20 PM

Well, A man has to have a hobby. :D

chazwicke

01-15-2004, 10:22 PM

Seriously though, I do take many vacations each year and most are centered around beer. I have visited lots of breweries, pubs, beer bars all over the world over the last 27 years. 17 countries and 43 or 44 states!

hopjack13

01-15-2004, 10:23 PM

and a fine hobbie you've chosen my man!
if you ever get down this way give me a shout, we'll go have a pint or....uh...10 ;)

17 countrys and 44 states! wow! your my idol ! i bow to greatness! i keep saying this but hopefully i'll be able to travel around the world one day...hey maybe i should join the navy then go awol in belgium too!

chazwicke

01-15-2004, 10:25 PM

I certainly will. I can say I have met many fine beer folks over the years. Even many of the famous ones like Michael Jackson.

hopjack13

01-15-2004, 10:28 PM

what's the defferance between michel jackson and a grocery bag?
one is white, made out of plastic and dangerous for kids to play with.
the other holds you groceries!:D

oh sorry wrong jackson..

chazwicke

01-15-2004, 10:30 PM

LOL!

hopjack13

01-15-2004, 11:03 PM

i heard the pope say if michael jackson got one more child molestation charge they were going to make him a preist.

chazwicke

01-15-2004, 11:07 PM

Do you know what happened when the Pope went to Mount Olive?

Popeye beat the crap out of him.

hopjack13

01-16-2004, 12:15 AM

lmao..thats some funny $hi@!

fretlessman71

01-16-2004, 12:33 PM

What do Jacko and Wal-Mart have in common?

They both have little boys' underwear half off! :D

hopjack13

01-16-2004, 05:33 PM

how do you know when michael jackson has a hot date?

when there's a tricycle parked in the driveway!

what did the mother say to michael jackson at the beach?

would you get out of my son...uh sun, ohh thats was bad! sorry :D

danno

01-16-2004, 05:40 PM

Q: How can you tell when it's bed time at the Neverland Ranch?
A: When the big hand is on the little hand.

Q: Did you hear that Michael Jackson and Tonya Harding bought a racetrack together?
A: Tonya will be handicapping while Michael will be riding the three- and four-year-olds!

chazwicke

01-16-2004, 06:47 PM

Jacko is certainly the wacko! I heard about his arraignment today. They said he was out dancing on top of some car afterwards and putting on a show.

fretlessman71

01-16-2004, 06:56 PM

Yeah, and he was 21 minutes late for the hearing. Lots of respect for the law in that man, I'm telling you.... :rolleyes:

chazwicke

01-16-2004, 07:34 PM

I truly believe he lives in a different world.

fretlessman71

01-16-2004, 07:47 PM

Yeah... it's called "MaybeOnceInAWhileLand!" :D

skahtboi

01-16-2004, 08:50 PM

OKay....I don't think that I have ever laughed quite so hard at a thread online before. My wife thinks I have totally lost it. I started telling her some of the jokes and she just walked away shaking her head....

chazwicke

01-16-2004, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by skahtboi
OKay....I don't think that I have ever laughed quite so hard at a thread online before. My wife thinks I have totally lost it. I started telling her some of the jokes and she just walked away shaking her head....

Well then she needs to contribute a joke.

davesarman

01-16-2004, 10:17 PM

What I don't get is all the "fans" that are out there supporting this guy (?). Are they cracked? Even if he (?) wasn't such a space alien, his music is hideous, in my opinion. Maybe back in 1982 it was quasi-cool, but now it's just novelty music. (My one exception is the base line from Billy Jean, that's cool, I don't even know if he came up with that. But by no means, do I respect him in any way, shape or form. I think this guy (?) is a space alien that needs to get put away!)

chazwicke

01-16-2004, 10:22 PM

No he is the living dead. Remember the video for Thriller? ( Which I actually thought was good at the time).

fretlessman71

01-16-2004, 10:22 PM

I have to admit that even though I don't really care for his music OR his life choices, this guy really is amazingly talented. Yes, he writes EVERYTHING. Yes, he can dance - ESPECIALLY for a white guy. (Easy joke, I know... had to throw it in.) But even talented people can be irrepairably sick in the head, and I think it's time for Jacko to be put away for a long time.