The origins of Bock beer are quite uncharted. Back in medieval days German monasteries would brew a strong beer for sustenance during their Lenten fasts. Some believe the name Bock came from the shortening of Einbeck thus "beck" to "bock." Others believe it is more of a pagan or old world influence that the beer was only to be brewed during the sign of the Capricorn goat and that "bock" means goat in German. Illustrations of the goats related with Bock beer would produce some of the most whimsical and lively beer art ever fashioned. In Europe pictures of Knights fighting in wars or goats ready to ram would portray the strength of the beer. Before Prohibition in America many of the breweries turned out colorful poster art showing beer-drinking goats doing everything from bellying up to the bar to floating in a hot air balloon. Basically this beer was a symbol of better times to come and moving away from winter.
As for the beer itself in modern day, it is a bottom fermenting lager that generally takes extra months of lagering (cold storage) to smooth out such a strong brew. There are several different styles of bock beer; Bock, Maibock or Helles Bock, Double Bock and Eisbock. Bock beer in general is stronger than your typical lager, more of a robust malt character and higher alcohol somewhere between 6-7% alcohol by volume with an amber hue. The Maibock style of beer tends to be lighter in color than other Bock beers and often has a significant hop character with a noticeable alcohol around the same as a traditional Bock. Maibocks are customarily served in the spring and are oftentimes interrelated with spring festivals and celebrations more often in the month of May. Double Bocks or Doppelbocks are huge beers with enough malt packed in them to consider them a meal in its self. Generally having a very full-bodied flavour and darker than other bocks with a higher level of alcohol also, 6.5-8.5%. Eisbocks are basically a form of a Bock or a Double Bock that is concentrated to boost flavour and alcohol by freezing off some of the water. Some Eisbocks in Europe have been know to be in excess of 12% alcohol by volume.
As for the beer itself in modern day, it is a bottom fermenting lager that generally takes extra months of lagering (cold storage) to smooth out such a strong brew. There are several different styles of bock beer; Bock, Maibock or Helles Bock, Double Bock and Eisbock. Bock beer in general is stronger than your typical lager, more of a robust malt character and higher alcohol somewhere between 6-7% alcohol by volume with an amber hue. The Maibock style of beer tends to be lighter in color than other Bock beers and often has a significant hop character with a noticeable alcohol around the same as a traditional Bock. Maibocks are customarily served in the spring and are oftentimes interrelated with spring festivals and celebrations more often in the month of May. Double Bocks or Doppelbocks are huge beers with enough malt packed in them to consider them a meal in its self. Generally having a very full-bodied flavour and darker than other bocks with a higher level of alcohol also, 6.5-8.5%. Eisbocks are basically a form of a Bock or a Double Bock that is concentrated to boost flavour and alcohol by freezing off some of the water. Some Eisbocks in Europe have been know to be in excess of 12% alcohol by volume.
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