Why is bock beer called bock

There are several styles of bock being brewed today. It was historically produced in the springtime and associated with the religious festivals of Lent and Easter. Bock was also brewed by Bavarian monks to sustain them during their fasting. A poster for an Austrian maibock, or helles bock, from Schloss Brauerei in Salzburg. Photo by Dave Burkhart. Maibock, also known as helles bock, is associated with springtime and the month of May.

Mostly a little less malty than it darker cousin, maibock has a drier and hoppier character. Doppelbock has much of the same overall character as traditional bock except that the color can vary from gold to black and it contains more alcohol.

Many American craft brewers are having fun with this as well. Finally, we get to eisbock. Eisbock is made by freezing out some of the water from doppelbock thus increasing its ABV. From a flavor perspective, eisbock has a definite alcohol character, not much in the way of hops, and a pronounced fruity aroma.

Removing some of the water is meant to create a beer with higher alcohol by volume level. As mentioned, bock beers are brewed as lagers but there is one exception: the Weizenbock. This is the youngest member of the bock family with the first Weizenbock having been brewed in A Weizenbock is basically a Doppelbock that is brewed with some wheat but the same ale yeast used to ferment Hefeweizen is used to give Weizenbocks distinct clove and banana flavors.

Some brewers produce Weizenbocks with underlying flavors of darker fruits such as grape, raisin, and plum. There is one last member of the bock family we should mention: Dunkles Bock. This is a direct successor of the traditional bock from Einbeck. The modern Dunkles Bock has only slightly changed from the style that was brewed many centuries ago. Dunkles are also not found very easily in markets outside of Germany but a few American brewers have tried their hand at this style including the New Glarus and Moeller Brew Barn breweries.

Germany is known for many great things, their flavorful beer being one of them. Now that you know what a bock beer is, the next time you want to have a taste of German bier, ask for a bock style. The sweet notes, strong bready malts, and tempered hoppiness will, without a doubt, keep you coming back to this welcoming style. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What is Bock Beer? Flavor : The dominant flavor is a well-rounded malt, thanks to the many months of cold-storage lagering.

The beer is low on hoppiness with bitterness kept to moderate, making it an easy drink but watch out for the high alcohol by volume content ABV , which is typically at least 6. You will also notice undertones of roasty caramel and even fruity flavors. Color : Most styles of bock beer are amber to gold in color but some are also black or red depending on the region the beer was manufactured.

Regardless of the color, you will know a bock by its intense wheat notes, full-body, and moderate sweetness. Being a bottom-fermented lager, this beer tends to be clear despite the darker colors with no residue clouding. Aroma : The smell of toasty malts is very noticeable in a traditional bock beer. You might also catch a whiff of alcohol and if you are keen enough, some fruity esters and melanoidins.

Given that the beer is quite moderate on the hoppiness, you will not inhale the smells of hops here. Search for:. Store Subscribe. Travel Gear People Beer Culture. Related Reads. How to Brew Beer: Part 1 A crash course in the basics of brewing in your kitchen. Caroline Southern.