I received the Sam Adams Winter sample pack as a gift from my sister-in-law. In the pack was the Chocolate Bock. I had reviewed this beer a long time ago when our blog was in its infancy and I was an inexperienced reviewer. With time, I have discovered that there are few “experts”; mostly just reviewers with more experience and wider palates. Additionally, I have found that my rather myopic tastes at the start of this endeavor have been broadened quite a bit (rather I wanted them to be broadened or not. I’m talking to you G-LO with your Indra Kunindra and your Hala Kahiki and your Rauchbiers). Anyway, I had the beer almost four years ago and I thought I would give it another shot.
What they say…
Smooth, rich, and dark with the robust flavor and creamy texture of chocolate. This subtly sweet brew is slowly aged on a bed of cocoa nibs from Ecuador, imparting flavors of chocolate, honey, and vanilla.
I found the Chocolate Bock to have the following characteristics…
- Appearance: Brown with ruby edges and very little quickly dissipating foam.
- Aroma: Doughy with a blast of wet malt.
- Taste: Thin and watery with a little sweetness and then a little bitterness. This was not particularly well-balanced with a flavor that was like layer of sweet, syrupy chocolate and then a layer of beer.
- ABV: 5.8%
I must say that after four years, I have either learned nothing or I made a pretty good stab at it four years ago. I didn’t like it then and I don’t like it now. This was a little too much like floating Hershey’s Syrup over a beer than a good representation of the style. If you are looking for a good chocolate beer, I would go with Samuel Smith’s Chocolate Stout.
