Gordon Biersch Blonde Bock

Brewed by Gordon Biersch Brewing Company
Style: Heller Bock
Palo Alto, California USA

Rated 8/25/06: I was hesitant to pick up another G.B. product but this one is worth it. Solid effort put forth on this well rounded bock. Aroma is somewhat malty rather mild nothing great. Pours a light copper color with a great fluffy head and ample lacing. The carbonation is absolutely insane, full throttle from start to finish. Thick and creamy on the palate you can sense a nice amount of malt with this one. Flavor is decently balanced and nice, good malt backbone with an alcohol kicker. Bocks are slowly growing on me and this one is seems to be a rather nice example.

On tap at the San Jose location. The Blonde Bock is a clear, sparkling light golden lager with a creamy white head with excellent retention. It has a fruity, estery aroma... is this supposed to happen with a Bock? It’s reasonably smooth but that flavor-- again, with the fruity esters-- is that correct? This almost seems like a wheat beer. Did they give me the right beer? I’m confused. I’m going to pretend this is an ale of some sort and now I kind of like it. Confusing. Of note: Our server was very uncertain as to what beer this was. She changed her mind a couple times, but decided it was the blonde bock.

Clean aroma of hop and fruit. Also a bit like mineral spirits. Light orange gold color, and a white head that dissipated. Actually does seem to be a bit of apple as the liquid approaches the mouth. Medium mouthfeel. A bit creamy, low carbonation. Thins a bit as apple? and malt develop. Followed by some heavy alcohol effect, if not taste, and more sweetness. The finish is fairly dry, and the bitter is faintly reminiscent of pilsener hop. But the sweet malt lingers in the corners. Maybe this is balanced. Certainly the start is "rich,malty".

NEWTIMESBEERFEST. Light apple and smoke in the nose. Pale off yellow with no head. Not attractive looking, less attractive tasting. Sourish chocolate malts.

You know, I could have sworn I tasted a couple of these GB’s before, but looking at the ratings I see this is my first! Perhaps the administrators deleted something I forgot about. 12 oz brown bottle for $1.25. At first, after you pop the lid you get a slight cooked cabbage smell that is overwhelmed with a yeasty rising bread dough aroma. After you dispense it into the mug, that smell fades to a sweeter fruity strong ale smell, it gives the impression that this will be a stronger alky brew. The color and appearance of this brew is the same as your typical pale yellow american lager. The taste is definitely bockish, medium strong initial hit with some alky attributes. Has a little malty bitterness on the back of the throat but it is not an uncontrolled bitterness. Also, the bitterness does not build with each sip. It remains at a reasonable well behaved level. Mild to low carbonation, wishing there was a bit more. Overall, a little less than I expected but on par with Hofbräu München Maibock, Rogue Dead Guy Ale, Flying Dog Heller Hound Bock and Erie Brewing Golden Fleece Maibock. However, not quite as good as Nova Paka Valdstejn or Victory St. Boisterous Hellerbock. I must also mention that heller is not one of my fave styles.

One of the better beers from the restaurant - in my opinion. Very light, but surprisingly good flavor for a lighter beer.

Sampled a few times. Pour is nice and gives a good head. It goes down very smoothly but has a lot to be desired in flavor. Very weak and makes you wanting more. Very few spices.

From Safeway in Eureka. Poured a clear rich yellow with a small white head and moderate lacing. Nose of sweet malts and hops, with a touch of fruit. Palate is rich and the flavor is malts, hops, and spices. Good crisp finish. Good brew.