Extra Billys Java Bock

Brewed by Extra Billys Smokehouse and Brewery
Style: Dunkler Bock
Midlothian, Virginia USA

I had been to this brewpub a couple of years ago, a barbecue place that decided to open up a brewing operation. The beers at the time were unexceptional, and frankly not very well made. I noticed that Extra Billy's wasn't in the database, so I made the journey back over to Southside to see how they had progressed over the years. Although the beers were better overall, they were still ordinary at best. Until I sampled this one. Deep red, little head. A rich aroma of smoky malts and coffee wafted up from the glass. The flavor was on the sweetish side (it was a bock after all), with a hint of bitterness. Roasty notes and coffee blended in beautifully throughout. Surprisingly dry at the finish. The beer by no means screamed "Coffee!", it was instead integrated in a way where it complemented, not dominated. Very well done, and an extremely pleasant surprise in an otherwise pedestrian lineup. These guys might know what they are doing after all.