St. Nikolaus Bock Bier - Pennsylvania Brewing Company

brewQ

Missouri

3.73/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

It was Mardi Gras and a Bock sounded right.
I asked the Pittsburgh area bar what they had.
I was quite surprised to see Santa on the label!
Seemed like a blurring of seasons.

The dark jewel like color made me think of a Porter.
A firm and steady off-tan head reinforced that image.

The nose was chocolatey and malty. Though it was not overwhelming in the taste. Actually quite clean and balanced.
Residual sweetness in the finish.

A great brew. I'm still a bit baffled on the style and presentation: Bock, Doppelbock or ? Santa?

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2005 13:56:13 | More by brewQ

santoslhalper

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearence: It looks like Christmas! A dark copper with nice red notes and a nice off-white head.

Smell: Initially spicy followed by a mellow, soothing malt flavor. Hints of pepper, cloves, and almost cherries.

Taste and Mouthfeel: This is a well-balanced beer that is all about the spices. Filled with holiday cheer, this beer is pack with flavor as well, keeping it a complex and spicy brew. But it has just the right combination of spices and malts to balance it our perfectly. The mouthfeel is smooth and light-bodied.

Drinkability and Overall: I'd have to say this is my favorite of the Penn brews that I've had. Balanced yet complex, unique yet tasty. I think I'm going to pick up a case of this. This is one of the better Christmas beers I've had this year. Highly recommended - try it.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2004 15:28:13 | More by santoslhalper

SheepNutz

Kentucky

4.15/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz. bottle poured into a tulip-style glass. It pours a deep ruby red color with two fingers of off-white head. There is minimal lacing left on the glass. The smell is sweet and malty, with candied plums, caramel apples, and ginger spice (no not the exiled spice girl). A hint of alcohol detected in the nose. The taste is also malty, not as sweet or as robust as the smell. Cherries and grapes linger a bit. Still some hops and alcohol present on the finish. The mouthfeel is thick, coating the tongue well, yet smooth. The drinkability is fairly good as well. A nice representation of the style.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2004 02:13:34 | More by SheepNutz

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deep and slightly murky crimson. Small tan head recedes to a collaring in less than a minute. Really nice bready malt nose. Smells like I'm in for a meal. Some slight dark fruits are noticeable as well. This bock agrees with my palate tremendously. . Carmelized sugars, raisin and prune, molasses, some wood and a firm maltiness are accented by a ghostly herbal and dry hop character. Very pleasing. The body is damn near full and the mouthfeel is quite luscious. Nice Bock. I'd drink a lot of this in March if it were available here.

Thank you beergeek279.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2004 05:25:31 | More by Bighuge

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.05/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: a bright plummy color, with a short, slight head above.
Aroma: Super-fat malt at the forefront, thick, rich, sweet, wow!, loaded with character, slightly spicy, quite a treat.
Taste: considerable heft on the palate, again, rich, malty, spicy, chock full of dark fruits, cherries, berries,raisins, etc., plus a yeasty bready quality. Quite a kicky ginger cookie we've got here, just the thing to make the jolly old man pleased as holiday punch. Medium to full body, with a long, lingering finish, sits happily on the palate, gets comfortable, provides a spicy, fruity blend of pleasure with every sip.
Very nice bock, and thanks to fellow felonious, Phil!

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2004 07:57:24 | More by feloniousmonk

NearerMyBeerToMe

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours with a decent finger-deep, off-white head of uniform, dense foam. Nice amount of carbonation; bubbles in streamers are rather separated but there are a lot of streamers. When held away from light, this is a very, very dark brown beer with rosewood highlights; when held to light it positively glows a shimmering translucent garnet... Aroma is of buttery Hallertau hops, a very buttery sensation throughout the nose itself; along with biscuits and bread there is a hint of raisiny sweetness. Flavor is very good, starting with a mellow caramel maltiness; this builds up to a plateau of warm spiciness, with suggestions of clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg that never goes over the top but remains extremely savory (never exceeding the bounds of drinkability); finally subsiding into a very delicate suggestion of hops at the back of the palate; this is balanced very well indeed. Mouthfeel includes a plucky carbonation but is a bit watery in the middle of the body, where I would prefer more assertion. This one is another winner from Penn when it comes to sheer drinkability, an outright chugger. If you find this beer... drink it!

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2004 16:31:30 | More by NearerMyBeerToMe

Beerparrot

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I think this 2003 batch has been one of their better brews.Last years, (2002), was way too sweet. On tap far out weighs the bottle, but you will hear no complaints from this beer drinker. Simply put, this is an excellent holiday beer.

Smooth drinking. Nice dark brown color. Plenty of sweet maltiness without being overpowered by sweetness. You can drink this all night, and I have!

Available on tap at Elwoods in Rural Ridge, Pa. 724-265-1181

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2004 03:15:23 | More by Beerparrot

oberon

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep brown with some nice reddish highlights showing thru with no head to speak of,arom is on the lighter side of almost buttery notes and some sweetness.A real chewy tasting brew with some caramel sweetness and some earthy unsweetened chocolate flavor that hits and lingers thru the finish,very appetizing.A nice full flavored beer to drink before bed.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2003 20:21:58 | More by oberon

goindownsouth

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A solid Bock to be sure, this one tapped from the bottle a deep rich brown color and left me remnants of the head, a mini-head, as I continued to consume this brew. The aroma was heavy on the maltiness and even had notes of sweetness and some residual spice going on in there, so I think anyway. The balance of this brew was evident. Very telling, indeed. A solid Bock. If you are able to get you hands on this, you will not be disappointed.

Prosit!

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2003 22:49:44 | More by goindownsouth

ADR

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2003 bottling...dark reddish hued brown color, very attractive. Head is lightly yellow and rises to 1/2 an inch. Lacing is fine and intricate. Aroma is spicy and hoppy, granular pine-like hops combined with an overal cinnamon tone. Nice body for a Bock, fully medium with fruitcake maltiness, all the way down to walnut, holiday spices, and a sassy prickliness. Finishes strongly with moderate and pleasant aftertaste. This is a more recent brew than my days in Pittsburgh, but its very nice. I wish Schell would do this kind of Lager for the holidays, rather than straying into English-style Ale territory so much. Thanks to an old Pittsburgh bud, P. D. for the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2003 17:22:15 | More by ADR

beergeek279

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served in the 12 oz. bottle. The color is a very dark amber with a wispy white head. The smell is a plumy malt sweetness. The taste is plum sweet...very nice maltiness, with a slight hint of the Hallertau, and the aftertaste features the cerealish taste that makes this a bock. Mouthfeel is smooth. Drinkability-wise, could definitely have a few of these.

Probably the finest offering from Penn Brewery, and sadly only a holiday offering. A delicious beer, with a nice sweetness, and something I'll be having plenty of (considering I just got half a case).

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2003 03:59:36 | More by beergeek279

rajendra82

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dense dark brown body with red highlights when held up against the light. Pale colored and medium sized head with decent carbonation. Little to no lace left on the glass. Sweet aroma and dominant malt taste with a hint of sourness. No hop bitterness whatsoever. A nice enhancement to the flavor is achieved with a small helping of spices appropriate for the season. Smooth velvety mouthfeel. Very yummy indeed. Thanks Weissenheimer for putting this one in the package. This is my first taste of a bock, and I’ll be back for more. I’ll also try to sample more of the offerings of this brewery when I get around to Pittsburgh.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2003 04:41:09 | More by rajendra82

crookedhalo

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice chocolate brown color with a thinner, soapy tan head. Good lacing. Has that nice funky bock yeast smell as well as some bready dark malt notes and a fair distinction of German hops. Rather rich and smooth, the malt profile of this beer is very nice; earthy and caramelly. I love bocks and this brewery's beers seem a little underappreciated, but they are pretty much right on target with their German replications.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2003 06:55:15 | More by crookedhalo

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: This local favorite christmas brew pours a perfect toasted crimson brown hue with a nice silky smooth tan nice sized head, leaving behind specks of lacing. Aroma: Spieces, toasted nuts, with a great Hallertau hop aroma going down, malty and rich smelling definitely a warming bock bier. Taste: Carmel malt sweetness with toasted nuts and a nice bitterness from the hops tames the barrage of sweet malt and festive spices. Mouthfeel: Medium to light in body mild carbonation just a bit spritzy. Drinkability: Classic by all means when referring to a local christmas bock beer, in the Burgh.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2003 22:46:47 | More by WVbeergeek

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2002 edition, but over 8%ABV so that's not a problem with this one. This bock beer pours a lovely dark-brown, almost coca-cola like colour, with an off-white/tan head. The aromas are all sweet malts and bread. Lovely. The taste is sweet and malty, this is a very well balanced single-bock beer. The mouthfeel is excellent as well, as is the drinkability.

Overall: This is a class bock beer!

Prost!

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2003 18:23:25 | More by francisweizen

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A rough pour delivers a slightly hazy mahogany body with a reddish-orange cast and a tall, foamy, light-tan head. It drops quite a bit at first, but maintains a pretty solid quarter inch of creamy foam that looks almost like a milkshake and leaves some nice spotty lace. The nose is lightly spicy from alcohol, and possibly hops, but it doesn't seem that any actual spice has been added. A dark, sugary caramel malt rounds out the aroma. Its medium body teams with a very fine and moderate carbonation to leave it creamy, smooth, and very drinkable. The flavor starts with a gently sweet, toasty and caramelized maltiness up-front; followed by a touch of light spiciness before finishing with some subdued bitterness and drying alcohol. It's quite a refined winter seasonal, and certainly not a hit-you-over-the-head beer. It's uncommon deeply-caramelized and almost-burnt-sugar maltiness combined with its subtle spiciness keeps it interesting - but never really satiates. In fact, it's far from overwhelming the palate and leaves you wanting more! A welcome winter specialty that can be enjoyed with a meal or on its own.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2003 18:34:35 | More by NeroFiddled

sponberg

New York

4.55/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Anybody seen my stocking?

Pours a dark russet with a thinnish, but pretty persistent, head. An aroma like I opened my Christmas stocking and Santa dumped a truckload of malt in it - as it should be!!

Very malty and round - pushes all of my "malt" flavor buttons in a big way. Big and chewy decoction-like flavors and some background butterscotch give way to more chocolate like notes in the finish, along with some hop spiciness and well controlled alcohol that balance this baby out nicely. No spices and it doesn't need any.

First time I've tried this, and it's well up into my top 10 holiday brews.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2003 12:14:31 | More by sponberg

RBorsato

Virginia

5/5  rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Clear dark brown (auburn to light source) with a low light brown head. Malty aroma - Chocolate and biscuity notes. Chewy, rich, smooth malty flavor with chocolate and dark caramel tones. Medium bodied (leans full) but deceptively strong.

One of my favorite, if not my favorite, non-hoppy winter brews !!

Label states: "Bavarian Hallertau hops"

ABV: 8.4% per the book "Best American Beers".

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2003 08:14:50 | More by RBorsato

aaronh

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This dark brown beer pours with a thin, tan head that is very creamy and leaves a nice lice on the glass. The aroma is primarily malt, with a touch of spiciness. The taste is strong on roasted flavors, with a touch of sweetness and nuttiness. Nice hop bittering on the finish cleans the palate. This beer is creamy on the tongue, with just a touch of alcohol. This beer finishes rather clean, and is very appetizing. It would be easy to knock back a few of these in short order. Another great brew from an oft overlooked brewery.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2002 15:30:41 | More by aaronh