Carolina Brewery To Hell and Bock

Name: To Hell n Bock
Date: 04/12/2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewfest, Hickory Hops

Appearance: clear dark ruby red, wispy beige head,
Aroma: sweet dark caramel aroma with a light earthy character,
Flavor: sweet dark caramel flavor, nice earthy character, touch of candy caramel is kept in control by the earthyness,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 13/20
Rating: 3.4/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4

From notes 1/2/04: Pours a combination of mahogany/ruby/leather color with just a modest light tan head. This modesty is then reduced to fine layer of bubbles with just a smidge of lacing involved. An interesting bready, doughy aroma with a hint of caramel tones. An obviously large malty grain bill utilized as the hop presence is understated here. The flavor carries more of the same with a fine wheat toast flavor with sweet caramel drizzled on top. Not a hefty mouthfeel here. Drinkable as are all of Carolina Brewery’s creations. Jon the head brewer does a fine job here. Slick upon the palate with an easygoing slide down. A hint of post-swallow hoppiness involved to give some semblance of bite. Leans toward the required malt end of the spectrum. Nice.

Again, a mediocre beer from Carolina. This one seems to have a vegetal characteristic that is pronounced to the point of unpleasantness. I must say, however, that when paired with the vinegary NC BBQ sauce, the malty sweetness really comes out.

This beer has obviously been amped up since the NC "Pop the Cap" law. Previous ratings are from a time when beer over 6% ABV couldn’t be served and this recent one was a solid 8%. Very deep red with a thin but firm caramel head. Foam coats the glass with every sip but doesn’t really leave any permanent lacing. Light fruit, prune aroma with some toffee notes. Not quite as fruity as the aroma had me believe it would be. Some toffee with a tangy finish. Perhaps a little coffee lurking in the background. Dry finish. Solid beer that I began to enjoy more and more as I finished my second glass.

Dark brownish red, minimal (draft) tan head. Minimal malty aroma. Not too exciting. Flavor almost exactly mirrors the aroma, malty caramel. Medium somewhat watery body. Ok but just kind of there.

Attempted Doppelbock. Not a bad try. It would have been bettre with more agreeable NC beer laws. Sweet, and strong. Nice malty flavor, but a lot of watery taste. Lacks the balance of palate and flavor that only the appropriate alcohol content can bring.