Aufsesser Bock Bier

Brewed by Brauerei Rothenbach
Style: Dunkler Bock
Aufsess, Oberfranken/Bayern, Germany

Pours a clear amber color with a thin white head. Very good and pleasant aroma of malt, candied fruits, caramel and smoke. The flavor is also very good, the candied fruits and smoky malt are there but there is also a bitter and dry finish, I noticed also that the malt is earthy. The palate is light and oily and the carbonation is soft. This is a very interesting bock.

Any first impressions?
-A ring of head circles the clear orange-brown.
-Earthy caramel, cranberry and baccate fruitiness, and bean-like bock maltiness make up a sweet, confident aroma.
-Smoked nuts are laid out on wet earth, as fruity sweetness almost uses some oxidation to its advantage.
-The silky mouthfeel is never heavy, yet showcases a round maltiness to satisfy most malt heads I’m sure.

What if you dig deeper?
-A trail of smoke is even perceived in the aroma.
-Grass blades offer flavor and bitterness in the back.
-A classic dunkel bock, well-crafted and flavorful, which must be a fine, fine product when released.

Bottle; best before May ’06.

This chestnut colored lager grows a generous off-white head which lasts and leaves a good amount of lacing aroung the glass. Unfortunately expired since a few months, it starts to show signs of oxidation in a rotting nuts fashion, but nevertheless suggests a rich maltiness, accompanied by soft alcohol tones. Almonds and vague leafy hops constitute the finish while highly toasty and close to earthy malts dominate the entrance. Globally balanced, nutty, sweet and warming, while light-medium bodied and softly carbonated, but a bit tired at this stage and would be interesting to try fresher.