Many breweries produce seasonal beers. In the spring, a seasonal beer could be a bock or a maibock, perhaps even a doppel at the winter/spring border of late February to March. Bocks are a perfect beer for this time of year, since they're sweet, malty, and satisfying...the perfect restorative for a cold or cool day or evening.

Recently, I had a chance to visit the Dominion Brewing Company. It was late August when I arrived, and I was sort of hoping they might have their Spring Brew on, but unfortunately they didn't. The beer changes from year to year, but is usually some form of bock (I am pretty sure it was this year too). I have sampled this beer the past few years however, and here's how it fared:

1998: Saaz Bock
As soon as I popped the top on this mighty brew I knew I was in for a hop lover's treat, as a wave of spicy, grassy Saaz aromatics drifted up to my nose even before I had a chance to pour the beer into a glass. Not surprising, Saaz hops are used exclusively and liberally here, the beer is hopped four times during the brew and is also dry hopped with a half pound of Czech Saaz for each barrel. Apart from the aromatics and puckering 80 IBU bitterness, there isn't much else going on other than a faint hint of malt. Alcohol is 7.3% by volume but doesn't seem it. This rich golden Maibock variation is worth seeking out for all serious Hopheads.

1999: Double Bock
From the label: "This year's Spring Brew was first brewed as Dominion Dominator in 1994. It is a double bock lager made with six malts using decoction brewing. Hops include European Hersbrucker, Saaz, Spalt and American Liberty......Alcohol by volume 7%." Bottling date March 18, 1999.

Rusty reddish color, light carbonation and no head formation, faint malt nose. Rich malt palate is toasty from the decoction with some malt sweetness, but the beer is a bit thinner than most German examples of the style. A touch of chocolate is discernible as well. Warm alcohol finish rounds out the beer nicely. Perhaps a halfway beer between a bock and double bock.

Home