Schwelmer Dunkler Bock

Formerly brewed at Brauerei Schwelm
Style: Dunkler Bock
Schwelm, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Toasted malt nose, copper amber color, creamy beige head. Caramelly malt, with an interesting spice: corriander. Light dry end. Medium body. Nice with some character.

Dear Robert. When you gave me this bottle in Antwerp I did not expect it would be the last time we exchanged beers, or mailed each other, or met. I regret I only had this one chance to meet you in person - I enjoyed your company when we sat on the porch of the Kulminator in sunshine, talking and rating beers - I wish we had talked more. The bottle has been staring at me from the shelf for a while now and for some time I wasn’t too sure whether I should drink it or if I would be able to. You gave it to me as a surprise, telling me I hadn’t tried that one yet - I am ashamed now that I had not thought of bringing a beer for you on my own, You were clearly the more generous of us two - I had a quite hard time keeping up with you on our beer-trades and I will probably never loose that nagging feeling that I owe you a beer. I owe you for this one at least - in the end I came to the conclusion that you gave it to me because you thought I should drink it, enjoy it and rate it, so that is what I am going to do.

Bready and roasted malt aroma goes together with a subtle aromatic flowery hop note. The beer pours amber with a orange sheen, the tanned foamy head quickly collapses into a blanket. A chewy full-bodied malt base is balanced by a light elegant hop profile, light nut flavor, well-balanced all the way ending on a fruity note. Not over the top, but well-crafted, subtle and drinkable. Here is to you Robert.

Bottle: Amber coloured with a beige, slowly diminishing head; sweetish malty nose, traces of honey and caramel, and a very little bit vinous, too, not to forget the hops in the background; sweetish (roast-)malty start, sweetish and slightly bitter flavour; ending dry with an aromatic malty-bitter finish; well balanced, avoids becoming sweet; very well drinkable Bock !

(swing top bottle) Clear amber colour with a big and slightly yellow foamy head with nice lace. Moderately sweet malty aroma with caramel and a floral hoppy note. Medium sweet flavour, medium body, soft carbonated mouthfeel. Initial sweet malty and caramelly taste lingering into the end with a balanced hoppy and bitter blend and a tinge of strawberries. This Bock enqueues in a row of some good Dutch Bocks I had recently.

Small layer of a head, copper color, no carbonation. Caramel and band aid malt nose. Sweet maltiness with a short hoppy aftertaste - I don’t like it!

Brown red/brown colour.. Malty, caramelly aroma. Strong toffee taste, caramelly, sweet. Balanced bock. Good.