Spring Is Bock!
Now that I’ve finally shedded my jacket, it really is springtime here in Boston. Unfortunately, with the nice weather come allergies, so I’m carefully using my Nasalcrom and hoping that my sinuses don’t explode in May when it gets really bad. However, the real way to celebrate is with drinking. (What? Did you think you were reading some other blog?)
One way to celebrate is with bock beer, which traditionally arrives right around now each year. Of course, this is really more of a German thing, but I’d say they have the right idea.
Bock is a strong lager with more malt and few hops, resulting in a sweeter, richer taste without much bitterness. They also tend to look dark and have a rich head. The article even compares bocks to a concentrated soft Merlot.
Most commercially available bocks are imported, and only Michelob and Samuel Adams create bocks domestically. According to the article, most craft brewers don’t bother either, but I’ve definitely tasted tons of local bocks at beer fests.
April 19th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
I first tried the Shiner Bock beer when I was going to college in Texas. This bock is brewed in Shiner, Texas (shocking, I know), and is available all over the state and even out here in California. I would imagine it’s available just about anywhere in the country, but that might not be correct.
Anyway, if you’re looking to try an American-brewed bock that isn’t Michelob or Sam Adams, I definitely recommend giving Shiner a try.
April 19th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Okay, I just checked on Shiner Bock’s map, and it looks like Shiner isn’t available in the northeastern United States. Maryland is as close as it gets.
Bummer.