KEEP ON BOCKING IN THE USA

With Spring comes bock, and with the arrival of Genesee Bock 12 packs in cans, it seems to harken back to a simpler time. Which seems to be effecting regional brewers across the country, who are rediscovering archival bock recipes to revive. A good example of this is Stegmaier Brewhouse Bock, a turn of the 20th century recipe that reminds me of the estery magic possible in an all malt, traditional German style recipe. In fact, although I thoroughly enjoy Anchor Bock, Leinenkugel’s 188 Bock, and Christian Moerlein Emancipator, I think the Stegmaier takes the prize for astounding flavor not magic.
Samuel Adams Double Bock has undergone a change in marketing strategy that I can not say I approve of. It use to be, for many many years, Double Bock appeared for a short six weeks of the year in six pack or case. Now it has been revamped to be produced year round as a four pack in their Imperial Series, kicking up the alcohol strength past 9% abv, I guess to help justify spending $10 on four bottles of beer. Unfortunately, many stores who carry Sam Adams beer, are a bit gun  shy on carrying an expensive four pack. So it has actually become more difficult to find the new version, of which I still have not tried.
ASomething definately worth checking out is Shiner 100th Anniversary Commemorator, a top fermented dunkel weizen dopplebock, a style usually associated with Schneider & Sohn’s Aventinus or Erdinger’s Pikantus. Here the Spoetzl Brewery takes on the recipe Texas style, performed with flavorful audacity. Not to be missed.
There are many other examples of bock this year available, including Dundee Pale Bock and Summit Mai Bock, both fine examples of the golden coloured late spring style. Many others, due to logistical distribution factors, I will not able to sample, including Yuengling Bock, found one state to the east of me. Anyway, here’s to bock! In its myriad recipe forms. To the restorative powers of malts I say cheers! and as always my only prayer is thank you.

MAKING THE HOLIDAYS HAPPY

Let’s face it, there is so much momentous stuff taking place. Politics, the economy, it is all one big rockin’ ball of confusion. But this year, I am not going to let any of these matters get in the way of enjoying the great holiday beers, and there are so many to choose from. Well choose is not the right word, because I want to sample as many as possible. The annual favorites return, but I am also seeking new samples everyday (Point Brewery’s St. Benedict’s Winter Ale come to mind, I will have to go out of state to obtain it.) It is time to celebrate.
A remarkable sampler this year is Saranac’s Winter Classics. Not only does the collection contain some remarkable recipes, but also included is my beloved Christmas favorite, Saranac Season’s Best. The nut brown lager that uses Belgian malts, this absolutely delicious (at least for myself) beer has a nutty profile unlike any other. Combine that with the other selections, E.S.B., India Dark Ale, Vanilla Stout, Belgian style ale, and the Bohemian style Pilsener, and you have a flavor adventure, all ready to go. The Bohemian style Pilsener would be great watching football, it is a mouth watering slammer. The E.S.B. is so dead on accurate, Fuller’s would approve. The Vanilla Stout, although is modest in strength, is in fact a meal in itself. This is one of Matt Brewing’s very best samplers.
Over in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the people at Troegs have released their MAD ELF ALE. The Mad Elf Ale is an amber-brown coloured holiday offering. An eccentric recipe that uses cherries and honey. It is reminiscent of Belgian microbrewery celebrations, with full strength (11% abv), spicy and mysterious.
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale 2008 is the classic hoppy offering from Chico, California. It is good to see this available in the twelve pack box. I never tire of its distinct personality.
The same can be said of Summit Brewing’s Winter Ale. This deep roasted malty ale, is very porter like, and perfect for when the weather turns cold. There is not a better time of the year to showcase a brewery’s personality.
There are so many more to get to. This is but a humble beginning.
My only prayer is thank you…

THREE DIFFERENT CRAFT PACKS

This is a review of three different variety packs from three different wonderful brewing companies. Because of the recent purchase by InBev of Anheuser-Busch, I thought I would begin with now what is the number one American brewing company, the Boston Beer Company, also known as Samuel Adams.
SAMUEL ADAMS BREWMASTER’S VARIETY PACK
There are different manifestations of this sampler, depending upon the season, or what new brewing style Samuel Adams wishes to introduce. This one features their Irish Ale, their incredibly juicy take on the Irish red style, delicious from start to finish. The Black Lager is a German (rather than Shiner’s Czech) take on schwartzbier, smooth and balanced. The Scotch Ale here reassures seekers of fine beer that Samuel Adams is not afraid to create beers with uncompromising style. In this case, a world class example of ale with incredible malty flavor depth. The Brown Ale is their tribute to the British style which puts emphasis on toasted malts, using six specialty varieties, along with Kent Goldings and Fruggles hops. Their Honey Porter is an original take on the before stout style, with intriging flavor complexity. The brand name Boston Lager rounds out this tour. The quality consistency for their famous amber lager is one of the main reasons Sam Adams beers are held in such high regard. Their achievements in beer culture are considerable, to say the least.
SARANAC ADIRONDACK TRAIL MIX
After the fire at the brewery last May, it is always good to see Saranac beers. This version of their Trail Mix features their Brown Ale, an all American ale that is very delicious indeed. In fact, I would have to rate this as one of the better beers found in the United States. The Black Forrest is Matt Brewing’s take on Bavarian black beer. Their expert knowledge of different brewing styles is quite evident here, very flavorful and wonderfully balanced. The inviting Pale Ale is an authentic take on the British style, producing a fruity palate that is surprizingly sophisticated. The India Pale Ale is a good choice for those seeking a hoppy ale that is not over the top. The Black & Tan, a long time member of the Trail Mix, combines pleasantly, German-style lager with Irish-style stout. The flagship Adirondack Lager, completes the variety, the tasty amber lager first brewed in the beginning of the Saranac brand.
DUNDEE CRAFT PACK
From Utica, New York to Rochester, you’ll find the Highfalls Brewing Company, brewers of the great Genesee bock, who have revamped their J.W.Dundee line of beers to simply Dundee. Hats off to High Falls for helping F.X. Matt after the fire. It should also be noted that Highfalls attempts to raise awareness on the decline of the honey bee, an insect whose product is vitally important to their famous flagship brand Honey Brown Lager, should be applauded.
The Dundee craft pack features a decidedly non-German take on hefeweizen, their Wheat Beer forgoes the banana-clove notes from the yeast, for a straight ahead thirst quenching approach. Their India Pale Ale lacks some malt support. But this can not be said of the Porter, a bona-fide American classic. The kind of beer I would like to have on hand, during the winter holidays. Late spring would certainly seem brighter with their Pale Bock Lager, an authentic recipe take on German Mai Bock, golden and strong, with nectar like qualities. The Dundee Pale Ale is in the middle of the American ale range, combining American hops and malts and a new world, zesty yeast. The original Honey Brown completes this pack. The honey flavored pilsner has been brewed enough times at Highfalls to completely master the recipe.
All three of these variety packs are available in 12 pack boxes. Six times two means more good beer for me and you. Cheers!