Klosterbräu Schwärzlabock
Brewery: Klosterbräu
Town: Bamberg
Style: Christmas bock
Color: black, garnet highlights
Head: tan, dense, creamy
Nose: malt, dried fruit, hint of hops
Body: full-bodied, low carbonation
Palate: rich malty flavor, dried fruit, hint of roast, hoppy
Finish: long, dry, bittersweet
Served: on tap at the brewery
Impression: I waited many years to finally get this beer. I’ve been to Bamberg many times and even Klosterbräu plenty but this is one bock that is available only for a short time and isn’t really advertised. Needless to say, my expectations were sky high and uncharacteristically in such circumstances met. It came out looking like a stout but had so much more to it than that, full of dried fruit intermingled with ample hops. At 7%, it was all too easy to drink and its soft palate made it seem a lot more like a session beer.
Next beer or back to the beer list.