Shining Rock Lager
Review Date 9/13/2008
Try?
Re-buy?
Lately, I've
been spending some time in the Carolinas, at least in a beery kind of way.
The other day I reviewed
RJ Rockers' Bell Ringer Ale, from South Carolina. But today, I'm bottle
traveling a bit higher on the map to North Carolina, Asheville to be
precise, and sipping a Highland Shining Rock Lager, the new spring
seasonal from Highland brewing company.
I had a heck of a time finding this stuff. Supposedly, it's sold in Georgia, but I wasn't able to find any at my usual beer-buying locations. I did manage to stumble across some, though, in Myrtle Beach South Carolina back in July, and laid in a fresh supply a few weeks ago on a return visit. I've been drinking it quite frequently this summer, so how come I'm only telling you about it now? Heck if I know.
Still, I can tell you that Shining Rock holds up well after several months as long as it's well treated and not left to the vagaries of the summer heat. So, if there's still some left hidden away in the back of the cold case in a dark corner, snatch it right up. Otherwise, since this is a seasonal beer, you'll have to wait until next spring, and even then you'll have to live in one of the few southeastern states where it distributed.
Shining Rock is a bock beer. Bocks are lagers. This is something new for Highland, a brewery in the past that has produced nothing but ales. They seem to have got it right the first time, however, because this stuff rocks (you'll pardon the pun, please). It's even lagered (cold aged), having spent a few months aging before being bottled and kegged for release in late April of 2008.
Shining Rock Lager pours to a beautiful copper color with a thin creamy head formation and a decidedly nutty malt nose that absolutely screams "Bock Beer!" at you. And that sentiment is reinforced as soon as you take a sip. Slightly sweet, very nutty Munich malt, bursting with melanoidin flavor and underlined by a hint of chocolate is just all over your tongue before you know it. Yes, this is one impressive bock beer, my friends.
But there's a catch. In the finish, those sneaky guys over at Highland have tossed in a bonus: a dash of grassy, gently bitter noble hops. Most bocks will have enough hop bitterness to balance and keep the beer from being overly sweet; Highland gives you an extra dose, just for the fun of it.
I have to say, I really enjoy their take on bock beer, and I think you will too.
I had a heck of a time finding this stuff. Supposedly, it's sold in Georgia, but I wasn't able to find any at my usual beer-buying locations. I did manage to stumble across some, though, in Myrtle Beach South Carolina back in July, and laid in a fresh supply a few weeks ago on a return visit. I've been drinking it quite frequently this summer, so how come I'm only telling you about it now? Heck if I know.
Still, I can tell you that Shining Rock holds up well after several months as long as it's well treated and not left to the vagaries of the summer heat. So, if there's still some left hidden away in the back of the cold case in a dark corner, snatch it right up. Otherwise, since this is a seasonal beer, you'll have to wait until next spring, and even then you'll have to live in one of the few southeastern states where it distributed.
Shining Rock is a bock beer. Bocks are lagers. This is something new for Highland, a brewery in the past that has produced nothing but ales. They seem to have got it right the first time, however, because this stuff rocks (you'll pardon the pun, please). It's even lagered (cold aged), having spent a few months aging before being bottled and kegged for release in late April of 2008.
Shining Rock Lager pours to a beautiful copper color with a thin creamy head formation and a decidedly nutty malt nose that absolutely screams "Bock Beer!" at you. And that sentiment is reinforced as soon as you take a sip. Slightly sweet, very nutty Munich malt, bursting with melanoidin flavor and underlined by a hint of chocolate is just all over your tongue before you know it. Yes, this is one impressive bock beer, my friends.
But there's a catch. In the finish, those sneaky guys over at Highland have tossed in a bonus: a dash of grassy, gently bitter noble hops. Most bocks will have enough hop bitterness to balance and keep the beer from being overly sweet; Highland gives you an extra dose, just for the fun of it.
I have to say, I really enjoy their take on bock beer, and I think you will too.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
(G)=Growler
