While summer, fall and winter each have beer styles that are strongly associated with the season and it’s corresponding weather, spring is a little more challenging. Some of that it the drastic changes in weather, especially in New England...
While summer, fall and winter each have beer styles that are strongly associated with the season and it’s corresponding weather, spring is a little more challenging. Some of that it the drastic changes in weather, especially in New England where a typical spring feels like it shifts between freak blizzards and ninety degrees in a matter of days. One of my favorite beer styles for the spring are bock lagers, which is kind of a cheat, since it covers a number of sub-styles that are quite different. A heavy and malt-forward dopplebock could keep you warm during that freak blizzard, a paler and hoppier Maibock will quench your thirst on a summer-like afternoon, while the “standard” bock finds a nice middle ground. Bock beers typically have some roasted malt character without being a typical “dark” beer, and remain clean and easy-drinking from the extended cold fermentation. While I love these styles I guess I am in the minority, from what I’ve heard they don’t sell very well and thus relatively few brewers tackle these styles. I try to do my part and regularly buy Bock sub-styles when I see them, including a recent purchase of Bunker Brewing Bock Beer.
Bunker Bock Beer pours clear reddish-orange with a massive off-white head. The aroma features bready malts along with a touch of herbal hops. The malts lead the flavor, notes of bread dough, cereal and toffee. This is balanced by noticable hop character, earthy and grassy with a hint of bitterness. Bunker Bock is medium bodied and smooth, but packs a little punch at 6.8% ABV. The finish is crisp and clean with just a hint of lingering malt flavor. This is a really nice bock, perfect for a cool spring night as we head towards summer! Hoppy Boston score: 4.25/5.
Previous Bunker Brewing reviews:
Bunker Brewing Nitro Oatmeal Stout, Bunker Brewing Rockerz
