Weltenburger Asam Bock!

[Belgian]

This is a DoppelBock that should be forthcoming in the spring release, a 500 ml import from Bavaria, Germany, and this beer is loaded with balanced, complex malty flavor.

I was shocked to note the price listed on the (to date zero) website inventory... are you sitting down - $2.55 per 500ml bottle! That's insanely cheap. Wasn't this beer 3 bucks last year, I can't remember. I would have paid a fair bit more with no hesitation.

Downside, there's little reason to buy smaller bottled Ontario Bocks when price-wise this Asam Bock blows them all away, liter for liter. Then there's the big taste. And does it keep? Wonderfully, I've found. I'll be first in line for a case of this fine Doppel from the Weltenburg monks.

(FWIW 'Asam' is just a namesake, not a style of bock of course.)

[GregClow]

Downside, there's little reason to buy smaller bottled Ontario Bocks when price-wise this Asam Bock blows them all away, liter for liter.

And those "smaller bottled Ontario Bocks" would be...?

I honestly can't think of any off the top of my head.

[Belgian]

Um... Creemore has the quite decent UrBock... Never tried Trafalgar Bock, or King's new PilsBock... I will if I ever find them.

The comparison is difficult and Doppels are pretty much a German art form, it seems.

[tupalev]

That Brick Bock (retired?) is the only thing that would come close; I do not personally care for the Creemore Urbock. The Trafalgar was decent, but the Asam is in a whole other class. The price is very exciting, thanks for the news!!!

[esprit]

Beforeyou all go orgasmic over the price, it's actually going to be $2.95 per 500ml bottle...the website hasn't been updated with the price yet. However, I would still argue that it's a very reasonable price for a great beer.

[Belgian]

Ah. Well I'm still gettin' at least one case to stash, thank you very much Mr. Pete.

Hmm.. Paulaner Salvator (330ml for 1.90 + .10 deposit?) may be the only real beer available in the same family, and it's priced the same relative to volume. I like 'em both, but I find the Weltenburger has a bit more 'oomph.'

The Paulaner is quite good though, let's all remember to grab it once in a while and support the Original Doppel from good ole Munich, Bavaria.

[GregClow]

Um... Creemore has the quite decent UrBock... Never tried Trafalgar Bock, or King's new PilsBock...

Despite the name, the PilsBock is not really a Bock. Based on the alc % and flavour profile, I classified it as a European Strong Lager when entering it at RateBeer. It has more in common with Okocim Monce and other Euro strongs than any Bock I've tried.

[Bobbyok]

Despite the name, the PilsBock is not really a Bock. Based on the alc % and flavour profile, I classified it as a European Strong Lager when entering it at RateBeer. It has more in common with Okocim Monce and other Euro strongs than any Bock I've tried.

Someone either beat you to it or changed it...
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/king-pilsbock/56672/

Sounds a bit like Holsten Maibock perhaps.

[Torontoblue]

I have to agree with the Ratebeer rating. There is really no nose to the beer at all, but there is real nice flavours. It really reminds of plain ol' Holsten Pils, with the sweetish palate it has. Oh, and it doesn't taste like a 7.4% beer, it goes down very easy. I hope they continue with this beer.

[GregClow]

Someone either beat you to it or changed it...
http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/king-pilsbock/56672/

Well, I really disagree with classifying it as a Bock, at least in terms of how RateBeer defines the style:

Bock: "Deep copper to dark brown in color. Medium to full-bodied flavor. Hop flavor and aroma can be light to non-existent."

European Strong Lager: "These are essentially stronger versions of pilsners, though the increased malt and alcohol will noticeable reduce the hop accent. Because these are usually all-malt, and comfortably hopped, they are easily distinguishable from malt liquors. Without the malt character of bocks, these are worthy of a style all their own."

Given that the PilsBock is essentially a beefed-up pilsner - light gold colour, herbal hop character, not much malt - I think it fits the second category much better than the first.

But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[Derek]

Or is it an Imperial Pilsner?

[GregClow]

Or is it an Imperial Pilsner?

That was my first thought, but that style hasn't been seperately defined on RateBeer yet. All of the self-described Imp. Pils. that have come out in the last year or so are being classified as European Strong Lagers for the time being.

[Belgian]

I assume there were no historical "Imperial Pilseners" yet the phrase is derived from the 'IPA' or 'Imperial Stout's implication that it is a bigger-tasting beer?

[SteelbackGuy]

Re: Brick Bock


At the brewery lately, and was told that it is brewed only at Christmas, but was not brewed this past christmas, because they needed room to brew their new Honey Red, but bock will be back newt year.

[Derek]

I assume there were no historical "Imperial Pilseners" yet the phrase is derived from the 'IPA' or 'Imperial Stout's implication that it is a bigger-tasting beer?

Not that I know of... and I agree that "Imperial" is a historical reference, and probably shouldn't be a catch-all phrase.

Personally, I prefer the term "Double India Pale Ale" rather than Imperial India Pale Ale... and similarly, "Double Pils" might be a better description.

There have been "Weizen bocks" for some time, but I've always thought this was confusing. Here "Bock" is refering to the strength, and has nothing to do with a lager fermentation or anything other ingredients in a traditional "Bock" beer.

Since Weizen's & Pilsners are both popular in Bavaria, perhaps Pilsbock is somewhat logical... but still just as confusing.

As far as I know, the big pils is a North American thing, so I'd be inclined to call it a double pils.

But that's enough from this style Nazi... and now that the Nazi's have been brought in, I think my post has jumped the shark, and thus we can put it to rest. :D