St. Nikolaus Bock Bier - Pennsylvania Brewing Company

tgbljb

Pennsylvania

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

Poured a cloudy reddish-brown color with an initial tannish head. Head rather quickly fell to a thin coating with only sparse lacing to be found. Smell is richly malt with a nice touch of cinnamon present. I usually do not like cinnamon, but in this beer it compliments the malt nicely.Taste is fruity, spicy, malty and supremely enjoyable.Leaves a nice full and fruity mouthfeel. This is one of the finest beers I have had in a long time. Even though i am drinking it a hot spring evening, it really hits the spor. I am sorry I only bought one of these.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2006 01:22:22 | More by tgbljb

battlekow

Wisconsin

2.73/5  rDev -31.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I'm not a big bock fan, and this one really didn't do a lot to change my mind. The nose is dominated by diacetyl, huge butteriness. A little fruitiness in the flavor, but there doesn't seem to be a lot there. Hints of alcohol. I think the beer is overcarbonated and the mouthfeel suffers as a result.

Thanks for the effort anyway, BeerBeing.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2006 04:42:10 | More by battlekow

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

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

Gauzy dark tawny with festive cranberry highlights and waxed orange trim. Christmas in a glass! Atop the liquid sits a splendid looking crown of lightly toasted gold. I mean that literally; the foam looks like a crown with ragged, raised edges of lace surrounding a humped 'head' in the middle of the glass. That particular look fades pretty quickly, but it was fun while it lasted.

One would think that after all these beers and all these years an original nose wouldn't be possible; but here it is in all its bockiness. St. Nikolaus smells like spiced pumpernickel bread pudding slathered in sweet, buttery, vanilla hard sauce. Is the Christmas theme going to my head? I don't think so. I think that Penn has simply crafted a lovely holiday lager.

This is good beer with a cherry on top and is, far and away, the best bock that I've had yet. It's wonderfully dark malty with a modicum of roasted malt that brings porter comparisons into play. It also tastes like sour, dark fruit, so lets add chunks of barely ripe plum to that bowl of bread pudding. I don't know if any spices have been added. I'm perfectly willing to attribute those flavors to the hops or the yeast.

Sweet, sour and bitter are all present and accounted for, especially the first two. Rather than conflict with one another, however, they add a dynamic tension that contributes a great deal of flavor interest. Warming brings a deepening and a more complete melding of the already deep flavor profile. The finish allows the bitterness of the hops to make a minor splash; yet another facet of this gem-like beer.

The body/mouthfeel is medium in heft, with an appealing lagery smoothness. I often wish for more of a full chewiness, especially in beer that tastes like this one, but I wouldn't change a thing in this case. The well-mannered carbonation combines with the lightly sinewy mouthfeel to render the beer impressively drinkable.

I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever drink a bock that was more than minimally pleasant and ultimately forgettable. St. Nikolaus Bock replaces that wonder with a new one... the wonder of Christmas morning when the present that brings the greatest amount of joy comes from the least likely of places. A true holiday treasure.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2006 15:56:37 | More by BuckeyeNation

numenor1

North Carolina

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

Pours a clear orange hued light brown with a fluffy white head that leaves lots of lacing behind. Smell is malty sweet and deep, with some fruitiness and a deep aroma of brown sugar with a dusting of cinnamon. A slight noble hop character as well. Upfront it's initially sweet then widening with a caramel, slightly plummy flavor, becomes very spicy into the finish with brown sugar and slight diacetyl(which i find very nice) emerging. Again a stab of cinnamon. All of this happens within a framework of vague nuttiness, which becomes more assertive through the finish. There's a slight tartness to the whole flavor parade which lets everything linger on the palate nicely. Very very nice. Mouthfeel is exactly what i want in a bock, perhaps could be a touch beefier. Excellent carbonation and scarily drinkable. One of my new favorites, though I have no access to it. After the second bottle I can say this is absolutely the best beer I've had yet in 2006, and that's saying a hell of a lot.

Thanks to beerbeing for this bottle.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2006 16:49:01 | More by numenor1

garymuchow

Minnesota

2.13/5  rDev -46.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.5

Bottle courtesy of SS '05. Thanks guys.

Aroma is softer than I expected and holds some interesting complexity. Seems like almost a vanilla quality.
Really nice red color when help up to the light, otherwise more brown. Head is kinda' small but it has a nice creaminess to it and some determination. Laces nicely too.
Flavor is not quite right. If it's a spiced beer than the spices dominate. I'm picking up too little of any bold maltiness. Is this bottle old? Flawed? Skunked? I don't know, but it's not right.
Feel is fine. As it should be for style.
Not really drinkable as presented in this bottle.
Dissappointing. I hope I have the opportunity to try another sample, as a solid bock can be real pleasure.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2006 04:05:32 | More by garymuchow

ski271

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark brownish copper with a small, light tan, creamy, slowly diminishing head. Some nice spotty lacing. The smell dominated by malts, big and complex. The taste is also quite nicely big without being overbearing on the palate. Damn this stuff is good. A wonderful malt bomb and something I look forward every winter.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2006 19:26:39 | More by ski271

weeare138

Pennsylvania

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

On tap at Ortino's Northside...
Appears a deep, dark brown that borders a light black. A 2 finger off white head that leaves streaks of lacing around the glass.
Smell is of caramel, raisins, roasty nuts, and a touch of cocoa.
Taste is of the same aromas that have been mildly toned down a notch.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied with roasted malts with a small amount of carbonation running along the tongue.

Serving type: on-tap

01-15-2006 01:33:22 | More by weeare138

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in an American pint glass)

A- This beer has a deep transparent walnut brown body with a medium head of off-white. The carbonation is one of gentle tiny bubbles.

S- This beer has a nice caramelized malt aroma with a hint of sweetness.

T- This beer has a smooth caramel malt flavor with some deeper roasted malts in the background. There is a soft sweetness with a hint of alcohol and smoky flavor at the finish. After the finish there is a faint bitterness from hops with some sulfur hints that balances the sweetness.

M- This beer has a medium-full mouthfeel with some nice light fizz quality to enhance the mouthfeel.

D- This is a smooth nice lager that has good balance and nice roasted malt notes.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2006 03:42:23 | More by rhoadsrage

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

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

Dark red-to-brown body, topped by an inviting tower of off-white foam. Very good lacing.

Aroma is a bakery, sweet and bready.

Taste begins with a rich, deep malty start, sweet but not cloying, a rich caramel. Dark fruits. A nice bit of roasty/toastiness, too. Enough hops for a bit of balance in the end, so the finish is not overly sweet.

Slick, three-quarter full mouthfeel. Very good drinkability for a bock.

An enjoyable and not overpowering Christmas beer. I'll look forward to it at Christmas' Yet To Come.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2006 23:04:34 | More by RonfromJersey

Frozensoul327

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A wonderfully crafted bock. Pours out to a dark, slightly hazy cherrywood color with a big cream colored foam head. Medium level of carbonation, and mounds of lace. Aromas of smooth malts and some fruit. Nice. Taste is great; lots of mild malt, some caramel and candied elements, dry hops and a nice bread character round this beer out very well. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth. A touch of creaminess on the tongue. A good level of drinkability. One of the best micro-made bocks i've had. Recommended. Thanks to MaltyGoodness for the sample.

THE BLOODHOUND FACTOR: This is perhaps Benji's favorite bock. He begs for more. Good boy.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2006 21:05:03 | More by Frozensoul327

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This was served to me at Bridgewaters Pub with a big, thick, foamy, deep-tan head. The Nose was verymalty with an almost chocolate-like sweetness. The color was a deep garnet or ruby red, so dark as to appear black until held up to the light. The mouthfeel initially struck me as too thin for a bock, and so I recommend letting it warm up some. Even then, it still came across as thin, but the flavors really came alive. The big tatse is caramel, but I also noted a fruity taste, like cherry, on the finish. Overall, it was okay, but I'd prefer something bigger and chewier for the holiday season.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2005 19:17:49 | More by woodychandler

MaltyGoodness

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle.

Pours a rich mahogany color with an offwhite head that fades. Nice lacing on the glass.

Aroma of sweet malt and and fruit, and a hint of spice. It just feels good to draw this into my nostrils.

Nice full malty flavor upfront followed by a fantastic yeasty fruitiness. A hint of spices follow as it finishes quite cleanly. A really good tasting and well rounded brew.

Body seems a little thin for the full flavor and listed ABV. Would like to see this baby with a little more back.

Ridiculously easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2005 02:37:45 | More by MaltyGoodness

Illinick

Pennsylvania

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

A: Dark brew that is not quite black-more to the effect of very dark mahogany and brown with hints of red when held to light. Nice, fluffy head that dissipates to a thin layer. Decent spider web lacing.
S: Roasted scents-like a mix of roasted nut, malts, and some oats. Scents of pit fruits/dark pit fruits in there too-cherry, etc. Some bread and a hint of light chocolate. Very nice aroma.
T: Parallels the smell and hides the alcohol content nicely. Smooth flavors of the roasted variety with the pitted fruit flavors in there too coming out nicely in the ending. Some spice at the beginning. A nice hidgepodge of roasted and dark fruit flavors.
MF: Nice bodied brew that fills the palate nicely.
DR: Smooth! A very nice brew to enjoy around the Holidays.
Overall: Another great beer from a great Brewery! Always a seasonal staple. With its great drinkability you can bring this to a nice holiday party and it will be enjoyed by all!

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2005 18:19:03 | More by Illinick

eze153

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: A very dark beer I would say a midnight black appearence, when poured the head is about an ince thick which dissapates rather fast but leaves a thin layer of lace on the top.

Smell: There is a lot of fruit in the scent, it reminds me of christmas in a way also I find that the smell of roasted oats is ever pervalent in the mix.

Taste: The taste is amazing, you can't even taste the alcohol, being that it is around 7.5% The major componet is the roasted oats but there is a subtle flavor of the fruits, mostly in the aftertaste which is plesently refreshing.

Mouthfeel: Smooth yet, tingly after the first quaff, if you let it sit the tingle sensation becomes very intense.

Drinkability: It is very refreshing though, having too many can tend to leave a bad after taste, unless it is with food. Pesonally, I only like to drink one by itself and the rest are with something to eat.

Overall this is another great seasonal beer by Penn. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a little warmth around the holidays! Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2005 18:40:44 | More by eze153

AltBock

Ohio

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

12oz. bottle that I got in the Penn Brewery variety pack. The bottle had a picture of old jolly St. Nick and no date notched on the side of the bottle. It's typical of Penn Brewery not to notch the date on the side along with all their beer labels being off center.

Appearance: Poured a nice dark murky amber color with a head of white foam 2in. in height. Lack of carbonation bubbles through out the pilsener glass.

Smell: A wonderful aroma of sweet dark fruits like plums and raisins, with the plums being more prevalent than the other fruits, and with some spices in the background. A nice Christmas aroma.

Taste: This is where you get to taste all those aromas that you smelled. The sweet dark fruits like plums and cherries and with the different spices in the background. Quite good!

Mouthfeel: The bottle said it was full bodied but it was more like medium bodied, sweet finish, and with no hint of that 7.5% alcohol content.

Drinkability: This made a nice well rounded winter beer that I could drink one after the another. I would do that, but I only have 5 bottles left. A must try for you Bock lovers! Keep up the good work Penn Brewing Company!

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2005 22:23:32 | More by AltBock

walleye

Michigan

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

from the bottle. poured a dark brown, with a tan head. aroma, caramel, malt, some chocolate, hints of molasses. flavor dark fruits, cherries, raisins, brown sugar.this was a very enjoyable beer to drink, nice full mouthfeel, and after taste stayed around just long enough.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2005 09:36:54 | More by walleye

jakester

Pennsylvania

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

This was from a sampler case I got at Shangy's. I drank it in a pilsner glass. The month numbers (no year numbers!) were on the back of the bottle, but nothing was notched. No date on the case, either.

Pours a brilliant dark mahogany with a slight brown tint. Not much carbonation evident. A one finger head of tan foam forms on top, drops off after a while to islands and a ring. Intermittent splotches of lacing are on the glass.

Aroma is of rich dark bready malts, very clean. Notes of dark cherries, brown sugar, and burnt candy apples. Just a wee hint of spicy hops. Some DMS arises as it warms.

The flavor is rich, dark, and caramel-y malts, very yummy. Notes of dark cherries and plums, with maybe a port wine character. Good level of residual sugar , with some heat at the end. Aftertaste is rich and dark.

Mouthfeel is rich, smooth and creamy, with soft carbonation. Finish is long and sweet and delish.

This is a good representation of the style. Rich and complex with a sound malt base. I would buy a case of this.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2005 19:13:34 | More by jakester

Billolick

New York

3.95/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I sampled a 12 ounce bottle, that came with freshness dating notched onto the label. (month only unfortunatly) Pours dark honey brown, with a rich malty nose. Tan head, leaving some sticky lacing. Medium carbonation and also medium bodied. Sweet malty brew, notes of vanilla, cookies, caramel, toffee and bananas, Almond nut liquer in the back ground. Nice, smooth winter sipper.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2005 11:34:47 | More by Billolick

tomthumbsblues

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A 2 finger head resulted from a pouring of this ruby brown beer. Some carbonation rose to the top and contributed to the head which lasted throughout my sampling of this beer. The smell contained the scent of dark chocolate. At first this beer tasted sweet and then became bitter, and contained flavors of roasted malt and hints of coffee. The mouthfeel was good, but a little light. A good beer which I look forward to having again.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2005 00:37:39 | More by tomthumbsblues

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

unit555

Pennsylvania

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

Enjoyed this beer at the brewery with a plate of wurst. The appearance is impressive with a dark amber color (caught them on a rare dya when they were serving beer in glass instead of plastic)and a nice half inch layer of foam.

Creamy texture that is smooth on the initial taste and the finish. Tasted heavily of malt. I hihgly recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2005 21:36:06 | More by unit555

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

GuinnessSmurf

Missouri

3.58/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It may have been the night, but I wasn't as super impressed by this winter beer as everyone else seems to be. Appearance is a nice dark brown, ruby glowing sort of beer. I couldn't really get much happening in the nose area - may have been environmental. Taste was satisfying. Its a smooth and spicy beer with some tastes of over ripened fruit, and a strong saltiness to it. Once I started my second one, I liked it a bit better. To this beer's credit, it at least was properly spiced, which I can not say for this year's Samuel Adams winter brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2004 23:00:20 | More by GuinnessSmurf

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