Brevity shall be the order of writing today. Not due to lack of verbiage but lack of positive things to say. I think Mr. Beaumont mentioned a few months ago that not all things need to be barrel aged. Barrel aging will not make things inherently good.

Twisted Oak Rye Bock = 3/10


Perhaps this is a bit nit picky, but where to start - the aroma. It is very faint of cola, spicy rye and cardboard. Wood aging can round out a beer's flavour with complimentary oxidization; mild beers just smell like musty wood. The mouthfeel is right on at light to medium and lowish carbonation. Perhaps mild flavoured beers do not mesh well with barrel aging. I love that spicy, powdery rye flavour like a good Canadian. This beer just doesn't cut it. Each sip is lackluster with temperate tastes of cola, tannic oak, stale coffee and watered down Jack Daniels. The ending is a little boozy and metallic. Great pangs of guilt sting my fingers with each tap of the keyboard, but unbiased thoughts are paramount. To be fair the other two barrel aged beers by Phillips have been great: rum barrel red ale and Scotch ale.

Taste +1
Aftertaste 0
Alcohol Content +1 6.8% AB1
Value 0
Appearance +1 (Elegant label with good description of beer)

Glassware: Technically this is a lager, so elongated pint glasses or mugs are called for. Seeing this is a barrel aged version, perhaps something slightly rounded would be good. A red wine glass would do well.

Food Pairings: Normally bocks are rich and pair well with wild game or rich bread dishes. This one, with its rich tannic notes, might do well with cedar smoked salmon.

Cellar: Nope

In case you missed it: Moon Under Water changed hands. Clay Potter is now brewing up some new stuff for local craft beer lovers to devour. Their Pilsner was great, dunkel ditto. The newest brew is a weizenbock. This style is essential a strong wheat beer. While other bocks are lagers, weizenbock are generally ales. The definitive example of a weizenbock is Aventius, by Schneider. I think you can find it in bottles around town, or Clive's Classic Lounge has some. These brews have a high percentage of wheat malt in the recipe and often uses a specialized yeast strain. A combination leading to big flavours of bananas, cloves, wet cereal, caramel and figs. So how did the Victorious fair?

The Victorious Weizenbock = 9/10
Ratebeer  = 4.1/5.  Thanks Capflu

WOW, party time in ester town! With a big nose of Wheaties, bananas and cloves, you know the flavour will be equally as large. The creamy and full mouthfeel adds no new flavours but does provide a bit of warmth. All the way to the end, the bananas prevail. Sweet tapioca, figs and cloves end in a longer linger of banana puree. Well done. For all you savages out there, a perfect food pairing would be heavy game. Think about duck, venison, or pork stew. For the more gentle folk; mushroom paté or tempeh stroganoff would be suitable. Both could agree on flambé bananas for dessert. 



Taste +4
Aftertaste +2
Alcohol Content +1 8.2%
Value +1 worth trying
Appearance +1 not served in proper glassware, but the tulip was close enough

Crap! I have to make an effort to say something witty and smrt sounding because people are reading. So this one of the most well known brands of beer in the US. It's not on par with BUD, but more the Pabst level. It is also a poser beer. It's not a bock for a few reasons. The first is that it is weak. The second is that it is weak. The third is that is doesn't come from un-spellable town in Belgium. The fourth is that you can see through it. Forget the fifth, tick tick tick. I bought this beer based on name alone.


Shiner Bock = 2/10
Ratebeer 2.58 19th  percentile
Beer Advocate 71%

This reminds me of another beer that calls itself a bock, but doesn't taste like one. FYI the local on tastes really good. Even BJCP calls it an American Dark Lager. I call it weak smelling of light lager and grass. YES, lager is a smell, check the dictionary. While you are busy with that: the taste is boring toffee, egg whites and buttery. This brew would taste great over popcorn. Thankfully the ending was quick; just like a last drop. Overall it sux. That is a bit harsh. Call it a gateway beer, until you drink some real craft beer. Grab a New Belgium Ranger and mess yourself up.

Taste +2
Aftertaste 0
Alcohol Content -1 4.4%
Value 0
Appearance +1 (legendary name alone wins)

So this beer puzzled me. I sat on the couch drinking this beer really quite enjoying it. 'Hoarders' was playing on the TV in case you were curious. A nagging thought was in the back of my mind: this is not a bock. It's tasty and enjoyable - but not a bock. So I got out my trusty BJCP style guidelines and started to read. A traditional bock has a strong malt aroma and rich complex maltiness. Nope this is not the big bock. This sounds more like a dark American lager. Kinda reminds me of the Shiner bock; which was also not really a bock. Regardless, it was tasty and I liked it.

Big Cock Bock (Hoyne) = 7/10

Sticking with the dark lager theme; the nose was faint with a bit of toast and vegetal (DMS). I get to use my favourite phrase, "it was permissible for the style." There was just enough caramel, roast, weak coffee and lettuce to keep things enjoyable. It ended about the same way with a slight linger. Very nice to drink, but not a traditional bock.

Taste +3
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content +1 6.5%
Value +1
Appearance +1 fun label

Other dark lager reviews
Jacobsen dark lager
Midnight Sessions lager
Sessions Black Lager (a really good simple beer)

It's a Trappist and a bock; I can think of nothing better.

Koningshoeven (La Trappe) Bock = 8/10

Ratebeer 3.5/5 93rd percentile
Beer Advocate A-

"Hello" my name is nose, and I mean business! It's all vinous, alcohol and cherries aromas. Just as expected, the sip is straight off warming. Next comes the sweet, candy sugar, black pepper, chocolate, figs and caramel. Hops, what hops, this is all about the sweetness.

Taste +4
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content +1 7%
Value +1
Appearance +1

Other Bock tastings
Boss Kozlak Bock
Doppel-Hirsch
Paulaner Salvator

As you all know, I'm a sucker for packaging. This one is the king; pine beetle denim wood box, 500ml swing-top bottle and elegant artwork. How could I say no? It would be easy, "Why the @$#@ is the beer prick buying something from Pacific Western?" I got suckered in by the packaging.

So anyways, I drank this beer and thought it was pretty good - for a Pacific. Many a Pacific product have passed by my lips; none have made me smile. A few have even made me grimace. This brew is by far their best tasting release. Then I was forced to rethink my opinion. If this was released by Driftwood, Lighthouse or Moon Under Water the words of disdain would be voluminous. No double standards, so lets get started..

The first thing I noticed was the Pacific Western website mentioned that, "No sooner did our new limited edition Schwarzbock hit the shelves than it’s receiving accolades from respected beer blogs." Their link to beergeeks.ca shows a copy of their press release. No accolades nor review. Non surprising considering beergeeks is in Ontario and Pacific Western is not carried by the LCBO. Lucky for them. Not to put down the 'respected beer blog' title but they have less than 100 beer reviews on their site. They also gave favourable reviews for two Okanagan Spring beers.

If you go by the styles, as I love to do, this beer would fall in the 'bock' BJCP category. This thing is not a bock, there is no malt depth. I'm no expert, but it tastes like a 8% TNT with some added chocolate malts. The nose is absent with barely a whiff of molasses, roasted peanuts and vegetal. Each sip is flat and slick with roast, molasses, cherries (juice), chocolate and a slight herbal and spicy hop snap. Luckily the aftertaste is short lived. Granted it is an easy drinking beer for 8% ABV, but it just seems a little lifeless. The best part about this beer was the wood box and the swing-top bottle for homebrewing.

Taste +1
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content +1 8%
Value 0
Appearance +1

I love a good dopplebock. Please be good, please be good, please be good

Capitvator Doppelbock (Tree Brewing) = 8/10

Ratebeer 3.39 77th percentile
Beer Advocate A-

This brew is through the uprights; it's good. The nose scores big with ubermalts, candied sugar, vineous toffee and alcohol. Ditto for the full mouthfeel with ample alcohol warmth/burn. It has all the right stuff: dark sugar, hits of chocolate, breads, toffee, cherries and more. It just keeps lasting with more dark sugar and slight bitter chocolate.

Taste +4
Aftertaste +2
Alcohol Content +1 8%
Value +1 (worth recommending)
Appearance 0 (boring label)



Paulaner Salvator and beer and wine are equally as good and bad for you
Doppel-Hirsch
Spaten Optimator

It is rare that I get a head to head comparison of similar beer styles in Victoria. The exception is the IPA. This week both Phillips and Lighthouse released their yearly limited release doppelbocks. For Lighthouse it is only their second limited run brew. So how did these malty beers compare? Let's find out.







Instigator 2010 (Phillips)

This year's Instigator had an aroma that was oddly faint: sherry, toast, caramel and dark fruits. I would describe the mouthfeel as medium-full with low carbonation. There was just a hint of alcohol warmth from this strong brew (8.5% ABV). It was a very malty brew; lots of toasted sherry/port flavours. There was also a dash of caramel and white grapes in the mix. The aftertaste faded too quickly but left a pleasant sherry like warmth. This was a good doppelbock; my wife preferred this one.

Taste +3
Aftertaste +1
Alcohol Content +1 8.5%
Value +1
Ingame Enhancement +1

Total 7/10



Lighthouse Navigator


Lighthouse's version was just like Phillip's - only it was supercharged. The nose was boozier, richer with more malt, more sherry, more dark fruit and more of everything. With a darker coloured pour you knew it would yield more flavours. The alcohol warmth was more pronounced and the dark fruits were bigger. Ditto for caramel/toffee and port-like tastes. I have had many doppelbocks; this was among the best. Bonus points for a beautiful bottle.

Taste +4
Aftertaste +2
Alcohol Content +1 8.5%
Value +1
Ingame Enhacnement +1

Total 9/10

Drinking these brews brought me great happiness. No it was not because of the big alcohol content; it was because of the great flavours. Both were excellent doppelbocks, but Lighthouse's was better. The Navigator was richer, maltier, with a bigger nose and a longer linger. It fills my beer belly with joy to know that another brewery in Victoria can produce delicious limited edition beers. And that's just what Lighthouse's Navigator was: delicious. I plan to throw a few Navigators in my beer cellar to experiment with aging.

Paulaner Salvator plus beer and wine are equally and healthful and harmful
Winterbier Dopplebock and hops can save my prostate
Doppel-Hirsch

I like Trader Joe's. Mrs Left4Beer really likes Trader Joe's. Life is good and all is harmonious after she visits this epicly odd grocery store. She almost has as much fun here as I have at Bottleworks. The beer selection is getting better and very reasonably priced. I rarely buy a six pack of beer because then the same beer has to be sampled six times. This policy might have to change soon because a lot of their house beers sound really good.


Hofbrau Bock - Trader Joe's
Brewed by Gordon Biersch

Ratebeer 2.82 35th percentile
Beer Advocate B-

Taste +3

There was zero carbonation from this bottle and therefore zero head retention. The nose also did not provide any surprises; it was very lager like with light honey and sweet limes. Things improved with a light/medium mouthfeel and a slightly creamy sensation. Lightly toasted grains with toffee hints overpowered the earthy hops. This brew was a little on the sweet side but nice. There were 22IBU for those keeping score.

Aftertaste +1

The earthy hops, honey and toasted grains slowly faded away cleanly.

Alcohol Content +1 7%

I never saw that one coming.

Value 0

It was nice, but a little too light and sweet for a bock.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Still in Seattle wondering how many DNA stains are in my hotel room.

Overall 6/10

A nice, light, sweet and high octane bock can now be found at Trader Joe's. Don't forget to pick up some 2 buck Chuck and chocolate covered edamame beans.

Samuel Adams Imperial Dopplebock
Boss Kozlak Bock
Yankee Jim Ice Bock

Canoe Club Bavarian Copper Bock

Ratebeer 3.11 42nd percentile
Beer Advocate A- (2 reviews)

Taste +3

The nose carried a good dose of caramel, toasted malts and slightly floral hops. Each sip was the same as the nose suggested; a malt forward beer with toast and hints of citrus and floral hops. There was a bit of vegetal in there to add some medium body.

Aftertaste 0

It finished clean and dry, with maybe a little green apple left over.


Alcohol Content +1 6.3%

You could not tell; there was little alcohol presence or warmth.

Value 0

It was nice, but I would not buy a bottle to bring home.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Meterman and I were out to rip up the town. We partied hard but were at home and in bed by our wife imposed 10pm curfew.

Overall 5/10

The Bavarian bock was caramel/toasted malt forward with just enough floral and citrus hops to keep the sweetness from running away. This is good restaurant beer; flavourful, not overly challenging but will appeal to the masses.

Hermannator Ice Bock and Zombie Wedgies
Winterbier Doppelback and Hops can save my prostate
Phillips Springbock

Samuel Adams Imperial Double Bock
Ratebeer 3.33 85th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +3

This one is going to be good; the nose is sweet with cherries, caramel and faint alcohol. It's mouthfeel is medium-full, with light carbonation and a creamy texture. The alcohol warms the soul and burns like syphilis in July. On the plus side, it carries the toffee, cherries and mild oak flavours very well.

Aftertaste +1

The sweet alcohol and cherries burns, but it only lasts a few seconds.

Alcohol Content +1 9.5%
That explains the creamy and the burn.

Value +1
If you like'em strong, grab a four pack of this one.Please read the small print, it mentions that this beer will age well. Into the back of the cellar you go.

Ingame Enhancement +1

This was a Seattle beer sampler. My notes got a little messy after this one.

Overall 7/10

Yum, this is what every beer lover must have at least once. A good dopplebock that is rich, creamy, lightly fruity with a good alcohol burn.

Phillips Instigator Dopplebock
Doppel-Hirsch
Phillips Springbock

Phillips Springbock

In order to have a successful blog, I feel it might be necessary to have a witty preamble. All the other cool blogs have them. Beer in BC has lots of great stuff. Small beer is good for a smile, even if his font is a bit small. Perhaps that is just me and I should sit closer. Beer Beats and Bites tops them all, but it it not updated very often. Maybe I should get back into writing lame comedy intros.

Taste +3

When you see a beer this golden, the nose is very predictable. Yup, it is very light of grass, sweet honey and slight citrus. Is golden an actual flavour, because this tastes golden. The medium mouthfeel and low carbonation really add to the refreshing nature of this brew. Alcohol tickles you up front and lasts all the way to the end. In between you get flowery/ mild spicy hops with honey and lemon grass malts. The velvety texture also carries tastes of pale honey and sunflower seeds.

Aftertaste 0

After a quick blast of citrus and spicy hops, it is gone. There might be a little bit of warmth and straw left over.

Alcohol Content +1 6.5%

Value +1

I like it and would recommend this beer to anyone. It is the perfect lawnmower beer with an extra kick of alcohol.

Ingame Enhancement 0

No gaming tonight. On the plus side my beer fridge from Costco arrived today. If you want to cellar beer don't go half way.

Overall 5/10

This was a nice pale bock with a little extra hop kick. Perfect for patios everywhere.

Elysian Ambrosia Maibock
Hermannator Ice Bock and Zombie Wedges
Kozlak Amber

This is a first for beer drinkers. Wine drinkers have always claimed that their drink is healthier. It is true that wine contains more anti-oxidants by volume than beer. This study that appeared in the journal Nonlinearity in Biology, Toxicology, Medicine found that wine and beer were equally effective at increasing the amount of antioxidants in the body. The surprise finding was that they were equally as harmful if you drank too much.

All subjects in this study were to drink either red wine (Piat D’Or), 5% lager (Labatts), Guinness (5% Labatts), spirits or alcohol-free stout. After the first drink, all subjects had equivalent increased levels of antioxidants in their blood, except for the spirit drinkers. Then came the bad part. After 3 drinks, subjects actually had fewer antioxidants in their blood than at the start of the experiment. The researchers felt this was caused from byproducts of ethanol metabolism.

Why is this a big deal? A high intake of antioxidants is associated with a lower risk of developing many diseases. These include cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and various eye diseases. And fewer antioxidants in the blood may adversely affect your health. So the same advice still holds; everything in moderation plus eat your fruits and veggies.

Paulaner Salvator
Doppel Bock

Ratebeer 3.59 92nd percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +4

Ah.. yet another great doppel bock. Let us go through the checklist. Is there a sweet caramel , fruit sherry nose - Check. Pronounced alcohol tingle with every sip - Check. Sweet sipping beer with slippery caramel, sherry and cherries - Check.

Aftertaste +1

The slowly fading taste leaves memories of alcohol and sweet vermouth.

Alcohol Content +1 7.9%

Ouch.

Value +1

I am so glad that I can find this one in BC.

Ingame Enhancement +1

There was no L4D2 action tonight, but I did finish up typing all my backlogged beer tasting notes.

Overall 8/10

This was not an overly sweet Doppel, but it was flavourful.

Widmer Bros Cherry Oak Doppel
Spaten Optimator

Phillips Instigator Doppelbock 2009

Ratebeer 3.06 45th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +3

When you pop the top nothing happens. The pour also reveals little; the nose is faint of sherry and cherry juice. The taste improves the situation. It is full and creamy, but oddly watery for a big doppel. All the standard things are there: sherry, caramel, vanilla and alcohol. It is just not grabbing me. I was not sure if it was the alcohol or hops that bit me at the end.
Aftertaste +1

The caramel malt sweetness and ethanol fade fast leaving a slight cola glycerin coating on the tongue.

Alcohol Content +1 8.5%

It does warm the soul.

Value 0

I was a little let down by this one. Perhaps it is because the last few beers I have tried were really good doppelbocks.

Ingame Enhancement +1

It was Monday night which means only on thing... L4D2 night in Canada. I bet you were thinking football.

Overall 6/10

This is a good, solid doppelbock. Just ignore my comments; I think that I am becoming more finicky these days. It was good, strong and malty.

Doppel-Hirsch
Widmer Bros Cherry Dopplebock
Winterbier Dopple and how beer saved my prostate

Preliminary evidence suggests that compounds in hops can help prevent prostate cancer. Sadly this only works if your nads are in a test tube. German researchers found that xanthohumol, a bitter flavonoid in hops, can prevent testosterone from binding to receptors in prostate cells. This binding was shown to prevent the secretion of prostate specific antigen (PSA), an early indicator of prostate cancer in men.

Not everyone is convinced. Dr. Durado Brooks, director of prostate and colorectal cancer at the American Cancer Society, said that if beer could prevent prostate cancer, we would already see lower rates of it.

I can be easily convinced; serve me up another ultra hoppy IPA please!


Winterbier Doppelbock (Altenmunster)

Ratebeer 3.22 65th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +4

It must be winter, the sweet earthy smell of doppelbocks are everywhere. This one added a little caramel and sherry into the aroma mix. The alcohol warmth only enhanced the sweet raisins, caramel, earth and woody flavours.

Aftertaste +1

The residue was slightly vineous with herbal and caramel additions.

Alcohol Content +1 7.2%

It is everywhere with every sip.

Value +1

I love a good doppelbock and this certainly qualifies. It also gets bonus points for beautiful artwork on the label and a cool bottle.

Ingame Enhancement +1

I shared this brew with one of the Dad's that came to my little one's Tickerbell movie party. It is reassuring to know that I am not the only one that thinks Tink is hot.

Overall 8/10

A good doppelback should be strong, syrupy sweet with a good alcohol tingle. This one fits that description well.

Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock
Kozlak Amber and Re-Branding the Beer Belly
Amber Bock (Michelob)

Widmer Bros Cherry Oak Doppelbock

Lately it is all about special edition wood aged beers. I like these trends, it produces unique flavours.

Ratebeer 3.55 87th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +4

The name gave away the nose. Yes, it was woody with cherry syrup that was similar to a mild port. This is a thick, slippery and boozy brew. It is very Trappist like with a good mix of cherry, dry wood and caramel malty syrup.

Aftertaste +2

The slightly glycerin-like coating left a sweet cherry/sherry residue.

Alcohol Content +1 9%

Yup, you can notice it. You also don't really care because it is so delicious.

Value +1

If I could get it again I would.

Ingame Enhancement +1

This is the best brew for sitting on the floor watching your little girl decorate a Christmas tree.

Overall 9/10

This was a stellar brew. It was the syrupy sweetness of a doppelbock with enhanced flavours from wood aging and the added cherries.

Doppel-Hirsch
Spaten Optimator
Yankee Jim Ice Bock

Spaten Optimator
Dopplebock

Ratebeer 3.65 94th percentile
Beer Advocate B+

Taste +3

It emits a vague earthy/roasted malt and caramel nose. There was a quick splash of roasted caramel which was quickly followed by an astringent/herbal coating of hops. As the beer warms up you get a slight bitter cherry sourness and tartness.

Aftertaste 0

Clean, fast and slightly tart.
Alcohol Content +1 7.2%

Value +1

A lovely malty dopplebock.

Ingame Enhancement +1

Pre-load for L4D2 completed. Is is so wrong that I had a long conversation with Meterman about the excellent quality spatters in the new version?
Overall 6/10

Sweet, malty with earthly caramel and lots of alcohol. It was almost perfect.

Boss Kozlak Bock
Amber Bock (Michelob)
Elysian Ambrosia Maibock

Elysian Ambrosia Maibock
Heller (pale) bock

Ratebeer 3.22 62nd percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +3

I love a good bock, they are usually a little on the sweet side. This one gave a nose of pale malt, grains and only the slightest of floral hops. After a good dose of carbonation, you were touched by an assertive floral hop bitterness up front. This then relaxed into a caramel and earthy sweetness. As the brew warmed up a slight, tart and astringent apricot flavour appeared.

Aftertaste +1

It was a nice ending mix of floral hops and caramel sweetness with grass. There was almost a lemony lingering.

Alcohol Content 0 5.9%

It is a brew meant to be enjoyed, not knock over.

Value +1

This was a great beer; I believe it cost me $5 for a 650ml bomber.

Ingame Enhancement +1

I must never say that I will only play one round. You can never quit after one round.

Overall 6/10

This was a lovely lighter bock, sweet and floral. A very easy drinking beer with lots of flavour.

Doppel-Hirsch
Doppelbock

Ratebeer 3.33 76th percentile
Beer Advocate B

Taste +4

Now this is a beer! The syrupy nose carried balanced amounts of toffee, vanilla, bourbon and wood. Every sip was the same as the nose, creamy and malty. Think of every dark flavour you can and it was there; cherries, vanilla syrup, roasted chocolate. There is barely enough hops to hold the sweetness in check.
Aftertaste +1

It doesn't last long enough. The alcohol burns and leaves a lingering bourbon and wood.

Alcohol Content +1 7.2%

This is a sharing beer for sure.
Value +1

I love a strong, sweet doppelbock and so should you.

Ingame Enhancement +1

This was tasted at a beer sampling party. Many, many beers were raided from the ARC beer fridge.

Overall 8/10

This is good, strong beer. That is all I have to say.

Hermannator Ice Bock
Amber Bock
Kozlak Amber and re-branding

Boss Kozlak Bock
Bock

Ratebeer 3.23 64th percentile
Beer Advocate B

This is a bottom fermenting lager that generally undergoes longer cold conditioning to round out the flavours. They are usually stronger, maltier beers with subdued hops.
Taste +3

This dark ruby brew pours with no head and leaves no lacing worth mentioning. Although the nose is primarily vinegar, you can pick out slight smoke, caramel and nail polish remover. There is no carbonation, but there certainly is a very assertive cherry/caramel malt and smoke flavours. The hop bitterness is absent and a hickory vapour coats your palate at the end. Despite the complex tastes, it is a very quaffable beer.

Aftertaste 0

Sadly very clean and moist ending.

Alcohol Content 0 6%

Almost tipped the scales for a +1.
Value +1

It was a very interesting beer for a good price ($2.50US).

Ingame Enhancement +1

I don't care that I bought a $400 PS3 to play Ms Pacman; it is still fun.

Overall 5/10

I liked it; it was a sweet and slightly complicated bock.

Hermannator Ice Bock and Zombie Wedgies
Amber Bock
Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock