The purpose of drinking different kinds of beer, from many different breweries, is to find unexpected gems.  There are many who may disagree with this statement, but I stand by it, at least as it pertains to my beer interests.  If variety and creativity were not relevant, I believe that I would be drinking from a rotating list of 20 or so different brews.  Perhaps I might be suffering, as I once did, through the seemingly interminable repetitions of keystone light and shots of vodka.

The point being, as a craft beer enthusiast, my palate yearns for creativity and flavor diversity. I like to evaluate, and sample, and taste variety, so that when that remarkable flavor hits my tongue I may rejoice.

Sometimes I receive taste revelations from wholly unexpected sources.

Block House Brewing Double Chocolate Bock – I snagged this cheap bottle from a local bottle shop and deli, the Brass Rail.  The bottle presentation was unremarkable, but it sounded creative, and the price was right, so I gave the old “What the hell” shrug, and added it to my mix-a-six selection.  I’m not generally a fan of the bock style, I usually find them too cloyingly sweet and didn’t expect much different from this one, especially given the anticipation of chocolate.  This one works really well though.  The smell is sugary, chocolatey, powdered sugar laden, and with slight hints of cocoa powder.  The body is light and lacks that semi-nasty, carmel-like,uber sweetness that most bocks possess.  It has a very balanced taste with just enough sweetness and maltiness to make it well-rounded.  The taste reminds me of a chocolate frosting doughnut.  I truly wish I had purchased more of this beer.  This was an excellent treat. 9/10

Humbly yours,

J