Name – Mendocino Special Edition Bock Beer
Country – United States
Type – Bock
Appearance – Poured a clear copper copper with a very small bubbly head that disappeared very quickly.
Smell – Smells were malty with hints of caramel and nuts.
Taste – A roasted nut flavor with hints of caramel. Slight alcohol taste at the end.
This one is pretty straight forward with not much complexity to it. Not really a bad thing because they don’t go over board but just seeming isn’t all there.
Overall Grade – C+
4 Comments
Nothing sorrier than a Bock that isn’t bocky enough. I did a review of Leinenkugel’s 1888 “Laughable but not very quaffable” Bock. Sometimes what is missing is enough craft being put into a brew. Skimping on ingredients while trying to create an “authentic” version of a beer style is almost a capital offense. I’m overstating the case, of course. But why try at all if you’re not going to do it right? Here is my review of 1888 and an article that I wrote on Bock as a style. http://thankheavenforbeer.com/2009/03/21/review-of-1888-bock-by-leinenkugels/
April 7, 2009 at 7:47 amhttp://thankheavenforbeer.com/2008/11/17/style-series-bock-to-the-future/
I’m waiting to have a Bock that stands out to me. The Sam Adams Chocolate Bock was good but I don’t really think it is what should be looked at as a traditional Bock. If I was up in PA I would love to try the Yuengling Bock they decided to release this spring.
April 7, 2009 at 8:08 amI have to agree with you here. I had this beer about a month ago…actually I had about 5 from the Mendocino line-up and thought they all pretty much sucked. Every beer was so weak on the qualities that should have made the specific style distinctive.
You should give the Sam Adams imperial double bock a try…whew…it’s good!
April 8, 2009 at 10:13 amI had the Blue Heron Pale Ale from Mendocino as well and didn’t care too much for it.
I have not seen many of the Sam Adams Imperial Series around me but I have been keeping my eye out.
April 8, 2009 at 10:44 am