Bunker Bock Beer

While summer, fall and winter each have beer styles that are strongly associated with the season and it’s corresponding weather, spring is a little more challenging. Some of that it the drastic changes in weather, especially in New England where a typical spring feels like it shifts between freak blizzards and ninety degrees in a matter of days. One of my favorite beer styles for the spring are bock lagers, which is kind of a cheat, since it covers a number of sub-styles that are quite different. A heavy and malt-forward dopplebock could keep you warm during that freak blizzard, a paler and hoppier Maibock will quench your thirst on a summer-like afternoon, while the “standard” bock finds a nice middle ground. Bock beers typically have some roasted malt character without being a typical “dark” beer, and remain clean and easy-drinking from the extended cold fermentation. While I love these styles I guess I am in the minority, from what I’ve heard they don’t sell very well and thus relatively few brewers tackle these styles. I try to do my part and regularly buy Bock sub-styles when I see them, including a recent purchase of Bunker Brewing Bock Beer.

Bunker Bock Beer pours clear reddish-orange with a massive off-white head. The aroma features bready malts along with a touch of herbal hops. The malts lead the flavor, notes of bread dough, cereal and toffee. This is balanced by noticable hop character, earthy and grassy with a hint of bitterness. Bunker Bock is medium bodied and smooth, but packs a little punch at 6.8% ABV. The finish is crisp and clean with just a hint of lingering malt flavor. This is a really nice bock, perfect for a cool spring night as we head towards summer! Hoppy Boston score: 4.25/5.

Previous Bunker Brewing reviews:

Bunker Brewing Nitro Oatmeal Stout, Bunker Brewing Rockerz