Who says you can’t drink great beer on a budget? Certainly not Aldi, the German supermarket chain that features low priced groceries and specialty items savvy consumers both in their home country and here in the United States. I’ve long been a fan of Wernesgruner Pils, Aldi’s German import that you can buy for around $6.99 a six-pack these days. That’s not much more than the price of Bud, so who says you have to drink swill just because money’s tight?

Now comes Broegel Bock, a new beer sold at Aldi brewed by Belgium’s Martens brewery. This seems to be an Aldi-only brew, at least Martens doesn’t have it on their website. I love Bock beers, and these days classic “single” bocks seem to be less common than pale bocks and doppelbocks, so the words “original dark lager” caught my attention immediately and I snatched up a six-pack.

From the six-pack carrier:

Dating back to the 14^th Century, bock beer and the Capricorn goat are a symbol of good times to come. Broegel bock captures the spirit of the original german brew masters with Munich and Amber malts, German Hallertau hops and a dose of Czech Saaz hops.

Broegel Bock has an alcohol content of 5% by volume, a little low actually for a bock beer. The price is right, though, at $6.99 for a six-pack. Mine has a best by date of 1/14/17, so it’s quite fresh.

Broegel Bock beer pours to a dark caramel color with a thick creamy head of foam and a nutty malty and herbal hoppy nose. Taking a sip, the beer has light caramel notes, toasted nuts and distinct Munich malt melanoidin flavors. The malt is about right for a single bock but Broegel is definitely hoppier than most bocks with its dry, appetizing herbal and quite bitter Hallertau and Saaz finish. Not as strong as I would like either, but very tasty with malt and hop.

Broegel Bock is a great bargain and a highly drinkable beer, and it’s no secret comparing the labels they’re going after the Shiner Bock crowd here. Still, Broegel is $2 less a six-pack than shiner and is more complex than that beer, although they do share some malt character and I suspect the low ABV for a bock is to emulate Shiner.

Overall, I’d give this beer a solid 4 stars, but I’ll add another ½ star for the bargain price.

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



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