Millstream Schokolade Bock

Clear cherrywood, thick, lumpy, and lush finger high beige head, resides down to a moderate skim always present; lacing in thin webby thick sheets. Aroma is quite nice, very clean and a good malty character with a refined little toasted grain over the top of a whisp of cocoa. A solid smellin’ bock. Taste is somewhat sweet toned in the malts, a bit relaxed, frothy and fluffy feel with a welcoming smoothness that has touches of toastyness and a pleasant dusting of cocoa in the finish and little bits of bread crust drizzled in toffee. Left over tangy malts last way into the finish after the cocoa fades off. Quite a nice taster. As with most, I have never really been impressed with many Bocks. Until now. This is a nice step in a direction I could see going in. By far the top of my list for bocks right behind Lakefront’s version. Maybe I’ll have to dabble in trying other bocks now? Maybe not...but I’d keep this stuff stocked.

Very nice pour. Dark brown. Not dark ruby, dark brown--where light pierces the brew it’s just a lesser shade of black, covered with a large tan head all foamy like a bathtub. Cold, the smell of milk chocolate pierces the nose, incredibly sharp but narrow, like a blade. As it warms, the scent takes on a great complexity, blending sweet bock malts and a couple different types of chocolate malt balancing bitter and sweet. Really wonderful. Tastes great, too. One of the most complicated malt characters I’ve ever come across. Starts with a sweeter, Nestle bar chocolate, which moves into a more bitter baking, roasting chocolate, which swings back around, somehow, into a sweet, slightly grainy bock malt. And it all comes with a remarkable smoothness. This has been lagered really well. Easily the best bock I’ve ever had. Try it while it’s fresh.

Attractive sweet malt aroma. Caramel and chocolate sweet maltiness, with a nice kiss of late hops to balance out the sweetish malt finish. I'm damn impressed.

Dark reddish-brown color. Chocolate/mocha malt nose. Nuts too- mix of cashew & pistachio. Taste roasted nuts, peanuts, coffee, some earthy aroma, orange. Enjoyable.

Originally reviewed back on 11/21/03. Received 3.9 score. Added to my RB list to check "Iowa" as a beer state consumed. Amber brown with a scant head of beige. Aromas are somewhat fruity with a toffee aspect. A nice little bock.