Anchor Bock Beer
I’m a huge fan of Anchor Brewing. I routinely squirrel away their winter seasonal, “Our Special Ale” and keep their Liberty and Steam beers high on my list of Summer favorites. Would their Spring seasonal, that I was only for the first time seeing on shelves at my local shop, take a seat next to some all time favorites?
Unfortunately, it will not. Anchor’s Bock Beer, first brewed in 2005, is available from January to April every year since. And while it’s a pretty good brew, it’s not my favorite Anchor brew. It does, however, stand up well against some other beers of this style that I’ve had through the years.
Appearance
Anchor’s bock pours a dark brown in color with a full head that was light brown.
Aroma
If I hadn’t known better (and was perhaps doing a blind tasting), there’s a strong chance that I may have mistaken this for their winter holiday brew. It’s not as festive as Our Special Ale, but it does carry similar pine/spruce, spice and herbal notes. There’s a touch more of a roast and chocolate character that gives it away as not being part of that release.
Taste
This is a pretty darn tasty beer, but it’s a bit light on the tongue. It’s not quite as full as other bocks I’ve had, but that helps it give off a more refreshing character with a crisper mouthfeel. Hints of chocolate and spruce combine with a late forming coffee roast that fades quickly in the lingering finish. It’s a smooth drinking beer that at 5.5% ABV is fairly sessionable.
Overall
Again, Anchor Bock Beer is a tasty little brew, but given the choice between the brewery’s other products and this Spring seasonal, I’d probably pick one of the others regardless of the time of the year. It’s a decent brew that is easy to drink and a nice transition from the colder winter months to Spring. I’m glad to have finally had the chance to buy a couple of bottles. Now, if only I can get their Small Beer out this way.
Rating:3.25/5