Saxer Dark Bock

Aroma: 4 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

I have no clue what a "dark bock" is supposed to be, other than a darker color of a bock. I've had plenty of Saxer's regular bock and even their dopplebock (they're often on sale) so I thought I'd try this one (also on sale < grin >). Bottle looks a lot like their regular bock label only...darker. 7.2% alcohol by volume "microbrewed malt liquor." No date code. From back label: "Dark Bock - A classic Bavarian Dunkel Bock brewed with imported German malts and hops. Dark Bock has deliciously rich, roasted malt flavors with a spicy hop profile.... Saxer brews world-class Bocks using forty percent more malts than other beers and then cold conditions them for a full six to eight weeks." Um, sure. Pours dark brown with not much head, but what's there seems to stick around rather well. Not much lace but there's a ring floating in the beer that's about a half an inch thick that doesn't want to go anywhere. Smells really malty with a hint of spicy hops. Tastes malty. I can't detect any hops at all, but something is offsetting the malt. The high alcohol content is well hidden. There's a hint of caramel with some fruity undertones, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Mouthfeel is actually rather watery. Plenty of foam, but there's very little aftertaste. It's lacking the crispness I expect from a good bock. Drinkability...eh. I could have a few of these and I'll buy it again if it's on sale, but it's nothing special.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 10 | Overall: 9

Deep red brown color, small head. A &#8216;dunkel&#8217; bock. Pronounced roasted malts, slightly hoppy spiciness/sweetness. Even though it&#8217;s a 7.2% beer, there is not a lot of alcohol bite, lots of flavor. Finish is smooth. Aftertaste is malty and hoppy, very little bitterness.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Wow this is one handsome looking beer, not pretty this has a manly look to it! A dark ruby/garnet red with a lovelly off white head..that goies but leaves some nice lacing..beautiful. Smell is rather a step down from the looks but it seems to be reasonably malty and fresh. Taste is malty but there is a "grapfruit" hop flavour too..I cannot taste the high alcohol though..well hidden. Was rather dissapointed by the mouthfeel it ended half way over my tongue then nothing,,feel cheated! A drinkable enough beer..but could have been way better.