Amsterdam Spring Bock

Brewed by Amsterdam Brewing Company
Style: Dunkler Bock
Toronto, Canada

Serve in Dimpled mug, Snifter

Bouteille 500ml (Vintage 2010) titrant à 7% d’alcool. De couleur brune foncée et claire. Nez malté de caramel légèrement rôti, moyen de pain grillé, léger de biscuits et de fruits (petits fruits sucrés, notes de raisins, traces de prunes rouges) avec des petites notes de chocolat, de réglisse noire et de malt fumé. Moyennement ronde en bouche avec un pétillement moyen et une texture aux petites notes sirupeuses. Léger goût fruité (petits fruits confits, notes de raisins) accompagné de faibles traces de réglisse noire lors de l’entrée en bouche auquel se rajoute rapidement un goût de mat rôti, un moyen-léger goût de caramel brûlé avec un léger goût de pain grillé puis en finale l’on retrouve une légère amertume de houblon herbeux (herbes mouillées) avec des notes de chocolat noir et de faibles traces d’alcool. Post-goût moyen et un peu sec, moyennement amer de rôti avec un léger goût de houblon herbeux et de fruits (moût de petits fruits) ainsi que des traces d’alcool.

Bottle: Poured a clear dark mahogany color bock with a nice thick foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of dry caramel malt with light cereal notes is OK. Taste is also a nice mix between some dry caramel malt with light grainy cereal notes and a dry smooth finish. Body is about average with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. Not bad though lacking some sweetness.

Pours a deep copper/ruby hue with a light beige head. A pleasing bouquet of roasted malts and lightly charred wood notes in the nose. Solid flavor profile consisting of subtle caramels and breadiness, finishes on the dry side, muting the sweetness with a mild hop bitterness and lingering toasted character. Smooth on the palate, although a little too thin for my preferences. Nonetheless an enjoyable drinking experience, alcohol is barely noticeable at 7%. Those seeking a more adventurous approach to the Doppelbock may consider Les Trois Mousquetaires version.

Vintage 2010 edition at the LCBO with 7% ABV. Pours a dark brown, cola-looking colour, clear with a red hue. Beautiful foamy beige head that last a very long time and cloud-like lacing. Dark malt aromas of mild coffee, molasses and burnt sugars. Hop becomes apparent as it breaths, with a touch of mint. Smooth silky mouthfeel a light dry finish. Mild, well-balanced, roasted malt with the hop showing up in the aftertaste. Hints of raisins, liquorices and caramel. I really enjoyed this strong Bock as it when down very nicely, for these long winter nights.

March 21, 2011; 500mL large brown bottle, cellared, BBD: none, suggested cellaring. A sweet malt aroma, but not as strong as I expected. A good one inch tan head that stuck around. Nice dark auburn colour - darker than the bottle. Nice chocolate malt coming out in the aftertaste with a touch of booze. Bittering hops are quite present but doesn’t come through in aroma. A soft carbonation which doesn’t come off as snappy. This goes well with the rich creamy feel. First dip into the style. Doesn’t come out as extraordinary.

Bottle from LCBO. Pours a dark cola brown with a cream white head. Aroma is subdued but certainly slightly sweet and lots of caramel malt. Taste is full on caramel malt, some cereal notes, very chewy mouthfeel. Slightly thin but overall very solid. This is the kind of beer Amsterdam should be striving to make more of.

This bock poured a deep, dark amber colour with a nice, roacky, tan coloured head. Scents include ripe fruit, caramel, coffee, roasted malts and a slight touch of cocoa. First sip was smooth but a little waatery with nice carbonation. Flavours of roasted malts and ripe fruit in the front and other flavours of ripened fruit and cocoa coming up. Finish is burnt and syrupy. Modestly sweet with a sticky mouthfeel.

Looks great in glass, tastes pretty solid. Reasonably strong malty caramel presence.