Holsten Festbock

Brewed by Holsten-Brauerei (Carlsberg)
Style: Dunkler Bock
Hamburg, Germany

Very dark brown with a nice bubbly off white head that falls back to a thin lace. Out of the can it smelled quite tinny and unpleasant. After I left it for a few minutes though this seemed to dissipate leaving a nice sweet caramel and vanilla smell. Aroma has faint amounts of toasted malt as well. Flavour is better than I expected. Sweet roastiness with the tiniest hint of fruit. Barely perceptible hops. Quite thin-bodied, which was a surprise.

Okay, pours a a dark cola brown-black with a cm head of frothed cream. This head fizzed away to nothing but lace quickly. Aroma is cut grass, a strong alcohol, and a slight bready malt. The mouthfeel was slick and slightly water with very little carbonation. Roasted flavour dominates the beer, a bit malt sweet with a tiny bitter finish. A wee bit watered-down tasting despite the 7%ABV, which is unusual. The aftertaste keeps the roasted flavour, but knocks up the sweetness just a tinge after a moment. An enjoyable beer, but so middle-of-the-road average it hurts. I won't recommend it to anyone, but I won't turn down an offer either. A sidenote: in the Ruhrgebiet area of Germany altbier was usually suggested as served with cola. First thing I thought of when I poured this.

This is a very smooth (and flavorful beer) for having such a high alcohol content. It certainly isn't an amazing beer, but it is much better than what I expected and I would certainly try it again. I do have to say that it is a little too sweet, but I am always happy to find any "dark" beers in this part of the country.

Dull, indefferent dark colour, but the head is fairly nice. Aroma is slightly fresh and darkly fruity, yet also a bit "hollow". Flavour is an unhappy mix of roasted malts and caramel sweetness, even some smokiness. The palate is fairly full, but very one dimensional and boring. Not worthy of the Duvel tulip it was rated in and considering that this is expensive around here, I can't understand why people buy this.

There seems to be piles and piles of anything Holsten in Canada. And before I get started; I just want you to know, this is bum-beer. I guess because it is cheap and the 7%abv. But, I watched a man wearing tattered rags and two mis-matched shoes purchase 8 of these. Yum. Dark amber, big pillowy off white head. Sweet roasty aroma with alcohol. Good mouthfeel. Some malts. Alcohol heat comes through. Mild burnt sugar, dull cherry sweetness. Hoppy finish. Funny flavour. Holsten: I'm a fool for you.

Dark bronze colour, no head. Spritzy and flavourful. Sweet too. Can't even taste that extra bit of alcohol. It's pretty good.

dark deep red brown and a small diminishing biege head with little lace. smells sweet and malty. surpringly thin bodyfor the look of it. quick malty finish.

Poured dark brown with a thin head. Had a malty aroma with some spiciness. Malty upfront and then a blast of alcohol follows. Not a bad beer but I can do without the can.