Country of Origin: Germany
Recommended by: ska-t
Price comparison: About the price of everyday beer.
Alcohol percentage by volume: 6.7%
Cute bottle/label? Fourpack of standard-shaped 11.2-ounce brown glass with an old world-style woodcut-looking label. Also the first beer I have ever purchased that came with a "toy surprise": a goat-shaped plastic charm hung round the neck of the bottle with red string. Methinks I smell four new ornaments for the Christmas tree.
Appearance: Poured as dark and opaque as the bottle itself, with a thick tan head and sticky lace.
Scent: Extreme sweetness. Molasses, malt, dried berries.
Flavor: Malt was the first flavor I detected, but it was quickly chased by a melange of very sweet flavors: black grapes, cashews, dark brown sugar. A nice finish of hops and light alcohol, not dry.
Impressions: This double bock fits its purpose, that of being a sweet, relaxing, full-bodied beer, extremely well. It's pretty easily drinkable but a bit cloying in terms of wanting more than one in a sitting; however, it's got a high enough alcohol content that you can do just one, say instead of coffee after dinner, and be happy.
Will I buy this beer again? I absolutely recommend this beer as the best example of a double bock that I have ever tasted. I'm not usually a fan of this style, and I don't think I'll be buying it for home, but I'd have no problem ordering it in a tavern, particularly if they had a fireplace and comfy chairs.
(Question: if you order this in a bar, do they let you keep the toy surprise?)
Rating:
3 out of 5 cute beer glasses
Reviewed: November 12, 2003
