Red Brick Helles Bock 2008

On draught at Taco Mac Perimeter. Pours an orangish copper with moderate off-white crown that has moderate retention. Aroma is full of caramel malt, biscuit, with grassy hop undertones and a bit of nut. Flavour is almost completely malt from the beginning of the taste, full of caramel, toffee, and a sweetness that surpasses the malt, almost candy-like. The moderate carbonation allows the hops to balance out the malt in the middle of the taste, and the beer has a very smooth finish with a nice caramel aroma lingering in the back of the mouth after the taste. Medium bodied and very easy to drink. Why doesn’t ABC bottle this!? Best beer ABC has aside from their Winter Brew.

Pours a deep copper color with a white head. Aroma is malty, nutty, toasty, and some peppery hops. Flavor is malty, caramel, toasty, nutty, and bitter peppery finish.

On tap @ Taco Mac, KSU. Pours clear, reddish copper color, off-white head. Malty aroma, hints of bread. Flavor is a bold rich malt. Very balanced and overall close to style. A very close Dead Guy!

Found on tap at the Taco Mac on Windward Parkway, the Helles Bock was a bit hazy, and looked deep golden in color. I didn’t pour it of course, but head a bit small too. The smell was surprising with a zing of noble hops more akin to Pils than a Maibock. The taste was quite bitter, as the hopping rate was beyond that of Billy Goats and approaching the Easter Bunny. The malt was there though, and came out nicely with some warming body temperature. A nice and bright welcome that put a spring in my step.

On-tap @ Taco Mac in Woodstock (Woodstocko Mac). Appearance: Clear, orangey body topped by a small, though dense white head. Smell: Aroma of bread and toasted grains with a drizzle of spiced caramel. Taste: Toasted grains and bread hit with a candyish caramel sweetness. Medium spicy hop bitterness. Slight yeastiness. Finishes dry, with some further bitterness and some of the alcohol showing up. Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Drinkability: A pleasant helles bock that makes for refreshing late Winter/early Spring drinking. Great? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but it’s always nice to see Atlanta Brewing Company trying new things.

Name: Helles Bock
Date: February 19, 2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Taco Mac
Vintage: 2008
Appearance: clear dark copper, fine off white head, speckled lace
Aroma: sweet dark caramel malt aroma with lots of earthy hops
Flavor: rich caramel malt flavor, lots of earthy hops keeps it mostly dry, caramel sweetness begins to emerge as it warms, touch of toasted bread character, nice long bitter finish
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.4/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **+/4

On tap at 6 feet under. Poured a great clear amber color. Looks great with a frothy off white head. Wish it tasted as good as it looked. Wheat and bread aromas. Flavor is slight caramel and toasted malt, bread, yeast. Crisp and refreshing bock. Could have a little more body and character but a decent drink that would be a great session or party beer in the warmer months.

On tap at Taco Mac. Poured a bright, clear, amber - lovely hues of orange, red, and brown. Head was light tan and virtually nil (that’s the way they pour the pints at Taco Mac...). The aroma was bready with some sweet malts and hints of raisin. The flavor was malty and sweet - caramel or honey covered yeast buns. There is a buttery note that doesn’t taste bad but really seems off in a German lager - diacetyl, I think. The beer finishes full with a touch of spicy, Noble hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium to full in body with a decent level of carbonation that is effervescent, but not too acidic. Overall, a rather ho-hum bock that probably needed longer diacetyl rest after fermentation or longer lagering period.