Stoudts Blonde Double MaiBock (Citizen Review)

What: Stoudts Blonde Double MaiBock
Where: Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: July 17, 2010
What-Have-You: "Fantastic finish, great aftertaste."

Representation: 1.0

Accessibility: 1.0

Style Points 1.0

Personal Preference 1.0

Total Score 4.0

Reviewed by: Citizen Marc C.

Brauerei Hofstetten Granitbock (Presidential Brief)

What: Brauerei Hofstetten Granitbock 7.3% abv
Where: The Pour House (Westmont, NJ)
When: May 30, 2010
What-have-you: "Hofstetten 'Granitbock' at The Pour House. 7.3% . Pretty smooth with a malty base. Bit of brown sugar in the nose. Body and finish just a little thin but tasty just the same."

Ettaler 'Curator' Doppelbock (Presidential Brief)

What: Ettaler 'Curator' Doppelbock 9.0% abv
Where: The Blue Monkey Tavern (Merchantville, NJ)
When: April 17, 2010
What-have-you: "Blue monkey. Ettaler 'Curator' doppelbock. 9%. Smooth and malty! European aging is evident, corky flavor is mellow and earthy. "

Erie Brewing Co. "Golden Fleece" Maibock

Erie Brewing Company Golden Fleece Maibock:

It's hard to resist a good maibock. The color alone is sort of magical -- golden like an elixir that warms your soul and allows you to travel through space and time. And the richness of flavor and body are no accident -- maibock was invented to magically transport you across reality more thoroughly with each sip so by the time you get there, your arrival has less and less to do with your own decision-making process. Just give yourself over to the potion and begin your journey. What on earth am I talking about?

Speaking of journeys, the search for the Golden Fleece was no picnic, if I remember my history lessons. Never fear, intrepid Argonauts, Erie brings the Golden Fleece to you. It basically has all the lovely qualities that a maibock should have (see the discussion of rich flavor and body above). Golden Fleece may be the heir apparent to Stoudts Maibock, which is brewed these days but has been retired from 6-pack bottling according to sources. The Erie offering is not as exactly ethereal as the Stoudts version, but it would hold up fairly well in a head-to-head. It may be more accessible than Stoudts, not quite as rich. A pinch less stylish, but that's a fair trade-off when trying to get a novice to try some "fancy" beers.

So far, some Spring seasonals have leaned from Equinox into Solstice and as lighter fare could double as Summer beers. Golden Fleece seemes to be more distinctly a vernal selection. At 8.5% abv, we are reminded that golden sweetness in the sun masks a rich malty, boozy, warming special sump'n for those Spring nights that still get a bit chilly. So grab a hoodie and a chalice and sit by the fire pit. Also, be ready to wake up somewhere else if you have too many. Did I mention that Golden Fleece is 8.5%?

Erie Brewing Company Golden Fleece Maibock:

Representation: .98

Accessibility: .95

Style: .95

Personal Preference: .95

Total Score: 3.83 Flags

Yuengling Bock Beer

Yuengling Bock Beer:

America's Oldest Brewery makes a supremely drinkable Lager and Porter. This Bock Beer is a nice attempt but doesn't quite hit the mark. It looks great -- dark caramel color, nice bubbles -- the flavor is a little malty with a mildly spicy hop profile. On the right track, but something isn't quite right. There's a bit of a funk to this beer where the smoothness ought to be. Perhaps I'm just comparing this brew to some of the time-tested European doppelbocks like Paulaner Salvator, Ayinger Celebrator, or Spaten Optimator (a tough crowd to stand out in). Perhaps I'm holding this bock to the standards of Samuel Adams' Traditional Bock from the Longshot Series or their Double Bock from the Imperial Series.

Expectations play a big part in your enjoyment of a brew. Even though I tried to experience Yuengling Bock Beer with an open mind with regards to its particular qualities, there are certain things I've come to expect from bock beer as a style. I know there's a hoppy influence to counter-balance the malt but honestly I was expecting something smoother.

Yuengling Bock Beer is interesting and therefore worth a try. Overall, though, I was a bit underwhelmed. Compared to other yummy bocks and compared to Yuengling's consistently accessible stable of session beers, the Bock Beer leaves a little something to be desired.

Yuengling Bock Beer:

Representation: .70

Accessibility: .75

Style: .80

Personal Preference: .60

Total Score: 2.85 Flags

Weizenheimer - Sam Adams Longshot Weizenbock

Samuel Adams Longshot Weizenbock:

The other winner of 2007's homebrew contest, Mr. Rodney Kibzey of Illinois, has done something pretty special. This Weizenbock gets into your chest and warms your whole body.

I can picture this complex and fruity and wheaty and alcoholy brew bringing feeling back into the bones of some poor avalanche victim on a ski trip. There he sits, shivering, wondering if he will ever see the beaming faces of his loved ones again as he freezes to death. Away slips his consciousness when from out of the mist bounds a Saint Bernard rescue dog with a cask around his neck. With the skillful dexterity that only Saint Bernards have, the rescue hound pops the cork and pours a shot of Rodney Kibzey's weizenbock.

This lifegiving ale has a deep fruit and wheat flavor, rich and a little spicy with noticeable cloves. The alcohol essence gives it a brandy-like quality. You know what this reminds me of? Mince pie. Goodness, if this beer is still around next Thanksgiving, it's a no-brainer.

That settles it. I'm going to get a few cases of the Longshot combo. Since Lili Hess's Grape Pale Ale will be greatly refreshing this summer and Rodney Kibzey's Weizenbock is a warming winter gem, it would serve to have some waiting for a special occasion. Both of the Longshot brews push the boundaries of beer, incorporating different elements and bringing together the different states of this FermentNation. Both of the home brewers should be commended on their efforts. Maybe your home brew will be the next Longshot to make it.

Samuel Adams Longshot Weizenbock:

Representation: .90
Accessability: .80
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.45 Flags

Rock Out With Your Double Bock Out - Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock

Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock:

There's only one way to begin reviewing Tröegs's beers: You gotta grab the elderly bearded gentleman by the horns. Wow! This double bock appears to me (although it's dark in here and I'm kind of colorblind) to be ruby red. Poured from bottle to glass, the clean and mellow taste of Troegenator won't let me put it down. There's a bit of dryness to Troegenator that other double bocks usually lack. There is less wheatiness in this Pennsylvania beer than its German counterparts, which changes up the scoring a bit. Just a tad dry with medium body, Troegenator is a smidge easier to drink than say, Celebrator. Style points may register a bit lower, however. The American signature is stamped on this, one of the Troegs brothers finest selections, but the old world spirit lives on in this seductive American craft brew.

But don't get too Troegenated: Look at that guy on the label. He's telling you, "Drink up, my friend. 8.2% abv isn't that much. And my satyr friends won't do anything to you when you pass out...honest."

The Cabinet and I went on a "Beercation" this past fall. On a whirlwind tour of the Beermuda Triangle, Tröegs was a magical step along the way. Troegenator was naturally one of the highlights. I suggest drinking it straight out of the horn. That's how I roll.

Tröegs Troegenator Double Bock:

Representation: .85
Accessability: .90
Style: .80
Personal Preference: 1.0

Total Score: 3.55 Flags

Dopple Vision - Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock

Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock:

I've said it before and I'll say it again ... I'm a double bock kind of guy. Celebrator is a classic rendition of the style. The aroma is toffee-like and malty, but not overpowering. Quite inviting, as a matter of fact. The flavor has toffee notes as well as roasted malty goodness. The cool thing about dopple bocks is the wheaty undertones that wait until the finish to really come out to play.

Celebrator sounds like a party beer. Well, citizens, it should be just that. Not necessarily a rave-type party -- more like an anniversary dinner or a graduation. The festive nature of this dark and toasty (yet surprisingly crisp) brew is a good way to invite someone into the family of true beer lovers. So smooth in every way, and a reasonable 6.7% abv, Celebrator makes the perfect gift. And besides the celebratory nature of the beverage itself and the handsome label so lovingly illustrated, each bottle of Celebrator comes with a memento: a charm depicting the label's cover critter. See it for yourself.

P.S. I don't think I've ever seen a Celebrator without the goat charm. This attests to the class of Celebratorians as well as the respect it commands from others. Use this talisman to ward off foul taste. It seems to work for the folks at Ayinger.

Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock:

Representation: .90
Accessability: .85
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .90

Total Score: 3.5 Flags

Double Your Pleasure - Dock Street Illuminator

Dock Street Illuminator Double Bock

I am definitely a double bock kind of guy. There's just so much going on in there it's hard to know where to begin. The first sip from the bottle doesn't allow the malty aroma to do its thing, so pour it into a glass. There, that's better. The first sip from the glass is crisp and malty. Hops are there but hiding in the shadows. The head is thin but hangs a little bit of paper on the sides of the glass. Quite tasty.

Fast forward.

Since I was sipping and cooking at the same, the Illuminator warmed up a bit over the course of about half an hour. This beer is alive! Warming up this brew releases the alcohol and barleywine-type smoothness that waits for the right moment to make itself known. The head has long since retired and no more lacework on the glass, but my insides are as warm as needs be on a January Sunday.

Distinctly American in style, Dock Street Illuminator Double Bock packs a bit of a kick. I honestly don't know the abv % but it's not for kids. Medium body and lots of flavor. Sip this one. It will pay off in the end. If you're a beginner, take the first sip to catch the head and the cold temperature. But either way, join the illuminati.

Dock Street Illuminator Double Bock

Representation: .8
Accessability: .8
Style: .85
Personal Preference: .9

Total Score: 3.35 Flags

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