Mahr's Brau Christmas Bock

Rating: 6 out of 10

Tragedy has struck the Dr. Beer Love house (west), sob. In the back of the ice box I have kept 2 beautiful .5L bottles of Ayinger beer - one Jarhundert and one Brau Weisse for about 6 months or so. Last week I decided to celebrate something or other, I believe Tuesday was it (I don't have to look to hard for something to celebrate) uncapped the beautiful brown bottle of Jarhundert and made a good pour. As I admired the color and smelled the wonderful aroma something seemed slightly amiss. I tasted it warily and discovered that it had turned into a Milwaukee's Best. While Belgian strong ales and barley wines can improve with age, Dortmunder/Helles styles don't. So keep an eye on your stock less this happens to you. As a side note the next night I drank the Brau Weisse and while it might have lost a little bit of flavor it faired much better.

This one is made by Bamburger - .5L 6% ABV beer temp. 44.9F-6.9C. Pours light amber brown with a nice off white head, somewhat cloudy. Aromas of caramel, wheat and a touch of sweetness. Head faded slowly and laced well. First impression is of sweet caramel and a touch of toffee and butterscotch. The bitterness of the hops is a bold counterpoint to the sweetness. The mouth feel is good but not the rich butter feel of some. It is milder than the double bocks. This could be a nice compliment to rich Christmas foods (Think the feast of the seven fats).

This one is worth a try if only as a single. It's bolder than a Shiner Bock or an Amber Bock. Use it as an occasional treat and keep it in mind around the holiday season.

By Dad on August 24, 2007 @ 5 PM with 0 Comments

Mahr's Brau Christmas Bock

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