Carolina Spring Bock Lager

Brewed by Carolina Brewing Company
Style: Heller Bock
Holly Springs, North Carolina USA

Name: Spring Bock
Date: 02/17/2008
Mode: Bottle
Source: Trade

Appearance: clear copper, creamy off white head,
Aroma: slightly sweet caramel malt aroma with lots of earthy character,
Flavor: rich caramel malt flavor, touch of candy sweetness, well balanced with a light earthyness,
-------- /> Name: Spring Bock
Date: 03/15/2008
Mode: bottle
Source: tasting

picking up a light smokey character in the aroma,

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 6/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.1/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4

Draft at brewery. I had this one at the brewery without knowing anything about it going in, and I’m pretty surprised to see how highly it’s rated here. Yellow color, minimal white head that instantly disappeared. There’s not much to the flavor, pretty watery, with a touch of malty sweetness and grass. Goes down smooth enough and feels fine in the mouth, but left a bit of skunkiness. Maybe I’m not wild about heller bocks, but this one’s not for me.

Pint glass, chilled...I was definitely pleased with this spring bock, the flavor was quite sweet, estery, very much like a Belgian, in color not as light as a lager but not as dark as an amber. Average head, tasty, but got flat quickly as it warmed. Therefore drink it fast.

Thanks to OldGrowth. Clear golden-amber body with a fading white head. Honey, lemon juice and cooked yellow squash notes in the aroma. Also a hint of asparagus. Flavor is more even with some solid pale malt depth, an aspect of toasted bread crusts and a spicy yeast quality. This beer has potential, but also has apparent DMS issues. This is always a fun style to try.

Bottle courtesy of OldGrowth. Called the Spring Bock Lager. Bottled on 03/21/07 and weighing in at 6.5% ABV according to the label. Pours amber with a small white head. Nose is malty with soft sweet notes, and spicy hops. Some dried fruitiness and maybe some honeyish wafts too. Taste is sweeter with more malt, soft honey, fruit, light bread, and soft spicy hops. Body is medium but chewy with light carbonation. Finishes with more sweetness but a touch more bitterness and bigger fruit. The honey is reduced here. Nice!

I’ve always enjoyed this Carolina seasonal, even though it’s honestly no great shakes. Closer to a quaffable amber than to a genuine bock in my opinion, it’s mildly hopped and just a bit too sticky. But a solid brew anyhow.

On draught at Brixx Pizza in Chapel Hill. Pours a light orange with a thin white head. Nose is doughy, with some honey and fruity notes. Flavor is malty, bready, more honey, and a little bit of hops, i think. Easy drinking and unoffensive. Although it wasn’t mind blowing, it was simply refreshing and well made.

From a bottle dated 3/21 purchased at the brewery; also sampled on draft at the brewry and loved it. Bright but earthy orange in color, the head succombs quickly. Rich malty aroma. For a relatively light-colored beer, this has a robust and full-bodied character without being overbearing in any way ... lightly malty, with just a twinge of sugary-alcoholic aftertaste. Another underrated beauty. (#2837, 5/4/2007)