Gordon Biersch Winter Bock - Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

BlindPig

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- About a 2-3" dark tan head on a dark brown ruby body.
S- Big sweet caramel malt, dark fruits, nice strong wheat aroma, grassy hops, some toffee, and touch of alcohol.
T- Sweet caramel and toffee malt body. Chocolate flavor comes through nicely. A lot of dark esters and wheat flavor. Banana comes through a bit also. Grass hops leave a light bitterness on tip of tongue. Pretty much all of the flavors stick around for the aftertaste with just a hint of warming (barley none) from the alcohol.
M- Medium to full body with low to medium carbonation.
D- It is a decent Weizenbock but nothing to go crazy about. There are a lot better out there but it still is a decent beer.

Serving type: growler

12-17-2007 05:00:18 | More by BlindPig

chinchill

South Carolina

3.8/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle bottled on 26 Sept. 2012 and served in a snifter.
GB Winter Bock pours a dark mahogany color with a small but attractive tan head. The head has poor retention but there's decent lacing.
Smells like a mix of caramel, medium and dark malts with some sherry/alcohol overtones. Very good malt complexity.
Taste: follows nose, but tilts towards the darker malts and shows a moderate level of bittering hops after an initial moment of overly sweet ale. Exceptional and lasting aftertaste features caramel and dark malts with good sweet/bitter balance.

Medium-full body; creamy up front but a bit harsh in the alcohol-laden finish. Proper carbonation.

O: A relatively big dopplebock, in terms of flavor. Worthy of the Bavarian references.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 02:15:13 | More by chinchill

Treyliff

West Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- pours a clear dark copper color with some red hue, small white head that reduces to a thin layer on top, a bit of lace clings to the sides

S- sweet, bready and malty. Some winter spices, nutmeg, maybe some cinnamon

T- bready with a touch of sweet honey, some winter spice notes, possibly picking up some nutmeg on the taste as well. Mid palate provides some dark fruits, the finish is dry and slightly sweet

M- medium body and somewhat high carbonation, smooth and creamy mouthfeel, velvety finish

O- this one hides the alcohol quite well, but I was looking for more of a malt profile that is typical of a doppelbock. Overall pretty good though.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2013 04:39:00 | More by Treyliff

mactrail

California

3.03/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Lovely appearance in the glass with an attractive head and chestnut brown color. Well carbonated. Caramel smell.

Winey flavor with roasted grains and some malty sweetness. Date flavors. Kind of a burnt molasses taste in the back of the mouth. Not bad for a couple of sips but the dirty, scorched raising taste takes over and is pretty tough to swallow.

From the 12 oz bottle bought at Total Wine in Tucson.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 21:02:34 | More by mactrail

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

i have a confession to make. i am friends with the brewer at one location, and i got to try this before is was released to the public. it was about two weeks away from general tapping, but the beer was more than ready in the horizontal lagering tank in the cold room. he poured me a mug, and i had to drink it. the beer was sensational straight up. he was worried about the abv, and about the hops in the finish, thought a few more weeks would make it more acceptable to the masses, but i am not the masses. it was creamy and rich brown sugar in color, with a two inch khaki colored head that did not recede at all. the smell was cara-munich and cara-red malts, which affect the color as well as the nose, giving it a sweet doughnutty aroma. flavor is true to that at first, but a surprising hop kick comes in with a little wintery spice mix in the finish to crisp it up. this is what any winter lager should taste like. i hate to give this much props to a chain, but this is a brilliant holiday offering, better than most craft stuff on the market. the freshness of the hops might have made this for me, sort of english barleywiney in ways, but german malty. its special, and i hope its just as good in other mediums, but somehow i am doubting that it could be. for now though, suffice it to say that tis beer is a wonderful thing. heavy and light at the same time in feel, with a full body, sticky like honey, but like a memory foam pillow in the finish, in the sense that it fits your shape and rlaxes you slowly. this beer was top notch, and i wish that everyone could try it as i did tonight.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2012 05:14:36 | More by StonedTrippin

Phelps

Arizona

3.2/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Dark cranberry-purple, almost perfectly clear and topped with one finger of creamy tan foam. The bubbles recede pretty quickly, becoming a thin and silky top layer.

Smooth, sweet, bready aroma. A little cooking wort, some caramel, baking bread, the lightest touch of grape.

A nice hit of caramel in the flavor, met with sweet honey buns and another very subtle hint of dark fruits. Fairly bitter, roasty finish.

High carbonation breaks the brew into just a bit of fizz. Body is just a shade under medium, and alcohol is pretty much unnoticeable.

The flavor’s decent — nice bits of caramel and bread. Finishes clean and keeps the brew drinkable. As doppelbocks go, it’s not as intense as I’m used to or prefer, but I might pick this up occasionally were I at the brewpub in wintertime.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 04:49:22 | More by Phelps

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Found this in Maui in a mixed winter 12 pack was very impressed with the rich malty flavours that came out in this beer. The balance is good with the sweetness being balanced with a dryish finish. I also thought the mouthfeel was just right and looked forward to a second bottle

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 00:07:50 | More by canucklehead

stover4

4.5/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I live in California and Gordon Biersch is truly a quality restaurant and brewery.

Few chain brewery can brew this type of beer. Now I've not had any beer from the ones out side of California, but the ones I have had beer from are excellent.

Gordon Biersch is one of the only places in the states, in my opinion, that make a true German style Bock and Doppelbock beer. Only served in the Winter time as a seasonal beer, their Winter Bock is a beer of hearty goodness, easily bringing home very high marks in my book.

The bottle is good, but the tap version at the brewery is even better.

If you're in San Diego, the one in mission valley has and excellent brewer by the name of Doug Hasker. Give him your regards as you sample his fine craft.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2012 08:06:41 | More by stover4

socon67

New York

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours light brown with a slight tan foam.

S - Scent so fsweet malt, brown sugar, and some heavy malts.

T - Tastes robust, caramel and chocolate malt is present, and sweet. Very tasty.

M - Syrupy thick, coates the tongue, and lingers on the palate.

O - Glad I found this on tap at the GB restaurant at Raleigh Durham airport. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2012 23:53:06 | More by socon67

mralphabet

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into Sam Adams perfect Pint Glass

A: Poured reddish brown with a good 2 fingers worth of tan head that settled to small ring with decent lacing.

S: I'm getting brown sugar, coffee and bread.

T: Coffee & toffee right up front with a hint of brown sugar mid palette.... Finish is smooth and a little bready.

M: Carbonation is sharp at first but settles quickly.. I'd call this on mid bodied.

D: Looks good, smells pretty good, tastes pretty good and mouth feel is good.. Not a bad little beer... At 7.5 ABV this is one or two beer session for me. Not a bad little brew from Gordon.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 04:31:46 | More by mralphabet

tdm168

North Carolina

3.43/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Gordon Biersch in the RDU airport.

Pours a dark light brownish amber with a thin lacing of head that quickly fades. The nose is simple with light notes of caramel. The flavor is only slightly more complex with spices up front, mainly clove and a little coriander, followed by sweet, caramel notes and baked apples. There are some faint yeast notes throughout. The body is smooth and medium bodied with light carbonation.

This was a decent beer. Nothing really stands out. It was good once, but I wouldn’t seek it out again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2012 09:13:53 | More by tdm168

DasPuma

Virginia

3.43/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass

Appearance - Very dark red/brown with little carbonation and one inch caramel colored head that dissipates slowly with decent lacing

Smell - subtle coffee smell

Taste - The roasted malts definetely come through as well as a little alcohol, but not overpowering at all.

Mouthfeel - Slightly heavy with medium carbonation

Overall a pretty good beer that I will definetely keep in my collection. I haven't had many bocks before, but if this is standard for the type, consider me a fan.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 20:47:54 | More by DasPuma

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.2/5  rDev -13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Single for $1.99 from the Village Pump. Bottled on the 11th of October 2011.

A wonderful deep mahogany with a dense, tan head with pretty solid retention and no real lacing, this looks pretty good! The clarity and color are particularly appealing. The nose has plenty of caramel and bready malt character, with mild Munich malt character as well. However, there isn't enough of the rich breadiness, at least for my palate. Mild earthy, leafy hop character is present. Plenty of dark fruit character, with raisins and plums are present.

The palate opens with a blend of moderate bitterness and caramel and raisin bread. There's plenty of hop flavor, lending an earthy, flavorful backbone to this beer. The palate has too much of the caramel and dark caramel malt character without the bready flavors that you'd get from the better German brewed versions. Toffee, dark fruit, caramel and a touch of brown sugar are all present, along with a mild spicy note, especially on the finish. Medium in body with moderate carbonation (a little too much?), this beer is pretty solid and quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 03:04:02 | More by DefenCorps

Bookseeb

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance is a dark copper in color supporting a thick head leaving nice layered lace. Smell of big upfront malt and sweet dark fruits. Taste comes through as in the aroma with a malt sweetness and moderate alchohol. Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation. Nothing complex thats mildly rough around the edges, but definately warming.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2011 02:19:31 | More by Bookseeb

stephenjmoore

Maryland

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Dark color colored body with a light tan head that disappears. Some bubbles stay on top with very light lacing.

S- Caramel malts with some spices. Maybe some roasted and/or chocolate malts too.

T- Very similar to the smell. Spices, caramel, raisins and possibly a hint of chocolate. Well balanced.

M- Smooth and easy drinking. Some light carbonation and medium bodied.

O- Very impressed with this beer, a full flavored winter beer that is easy drinking. Received a Gordon Biersch sampler for Christmas and really enjoyed 3/4 beers including this one.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 00:24:16 | More by stephenjmoore

ProducerBRBeer

Arizona

3.15/5  rDev -14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Reddish brown in color with a short lived head. The lace is much stickier and thicker than most of the Gordon beers. The head is a light brown color, a little sandy.

S - Malty and sweet in smell almost like molasses.

T - An earthy to slightly sweet malty taste. Almost like a brown sugar or molasses flavor.

M - Even carbonation with a smoothness to it and a slightly dry drop off. Slightly crisp.

O - Pretty good Winter bock style, I guess my first style like this, but German style beer is not really my thing.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 04:44:52 | More by ProducerBRBeer

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.33/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Acquired via trade from optimator13, so a big “Thank You” goes out to him. Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a reddish brown color with a thin off-white head that fades very quickly and leaves a very thin lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains honey, brown sugar, fruit, caramelized malts and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel, honey, brown sugar and fruit. Then theirs is some breadiness that comes in from the lager yeast and a hearty but not too heavy malt character. The hops presence is mild but complementary and brings some balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is sticky.

D: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, it’s a decent beer but there are several others in the style that I would pick first.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 03:23:47 | More by TheManiacalOne

gmagness

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This draught was poured at GB restaurant in Broomfield, CO. Tapped in early November.

A: Dark but not opaque, good froth and lacing

S: Malt and toffee aromas, slightly sweet and spicy

T: Very flavorful as are most dopplebocks. Malty sweetness with toffee and some hints of holiday spices. Some finish hops balance it out nicely.

M: Nice body, some stickiness; carbonation was right on this tap, releasing flavor but maintaining the body.

O: A worthy example of a holiday winter warmer or dopplebock. In some aspects better than Spaten Optimator on tap, which I use as my reference for this variety.

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2011 20:58:32 | More by gmagness

rand

California

3.8/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Got this at their restaurant in Mission Valley San Diego, poured into mug

A: Dark brown in color, frothy head with lots of sticky lacing

S: caramelly malts predominant, bready, touch of nutmeg

T: The sweet malts up front, sugary. Slightly earthy yeast breaks things up, keeping balance. Hops play a small roll, but give the brew enough astringency to keep things from getting overly sweet.
A few holiday spices round the profile, as the beer finishes slightly dryer than the front of the palate.

M: Bready, chewy. A little overly carbonated for the style - wonder if this is to please their stateside demo.

A pretty solid offering from the Bierch crew. The touches of holiday spice are appropriate for the seasonal release, and the balance of flavors will please a wide spectrum of taste.

,

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2011 07:51:01 | More by rand

BucannonXC5

California

3.63/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bottle into a 0.5L glass. Color was dark brown, almost mahogany (I read the description). About an inch of head when I got it. Fairly thin lacing on the top. Sporadic film on the sides.

Smelled of dark toffee malts. It reminded me a bit of a dark Heath bar. Also some caramel and coffee in there, too. Sweet flavors.

Tasted a little bit lighter than the nose. Toffeeish. Pretty smooth, but hardly any aftertaste. I bit too much alcohol kicker.

Medium body. Thin texture. Average carbonation. Smooth feel.

A decent beer, but a little late in the overall taste. Would like it slightly darker.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2011 07:24:32 | More by BucannonXC5

taigor

New York

3.78/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into Gordon Biersch pint glass.

A - Very dark with slight ruby hints and a big head that slowly dissipated leaving significant lacing around the glass.

S - Sweet roasted malts with caramel, honey, dark chocolate and some spiciness to it.

T - Sweet caramel with roasted malts upfront followed by slight dark chocolate bitterness and a nutty dry finish.

M - Medium bodied with above average carbonation.

O - Very nice and enjoyable bock. ABV is hidden well and almost not noticed. I would recommend to try it if you get an opportunity.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2011 15:40:46 | More by taigor

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.7/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at T Bonz during their X-mas in July event.

The beer pours a fairly dark brown color with minimal lacing and not much head retention. The nose is very malty, leading me to expect a fairly sweet beer. In fact, while there is some modest sweetness to this beer, it's not as much as I was expecting. Otherwise, I get a considerable malt presence, light milk chocolate, light vanilla and some tar in the finish. There's also some noticeable alcohol as well, though it's not too bad. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, and the beer finishes fairly well.

Shrug. A pleasant enough beer, but nothing so exciting that I'd probably want to ever order it again.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2011 13:06:36 | More by johnmichaelsen

Haybeerman

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Dark, clear caramel color with a ruby hue. Poured a 1 finger creamy tan head that dissipated slowly to a thick skim. Laced the glass in thin sheets.

S: Burnt caramel and some peppery spices. A little smokey and earthy.

T: Big toasted malty up front; burnt caramel, nuts and smoke. Sharp bitter bite lingers along with some of the malt character.

M: Medium body. Moderate carbonation. Very flavorful malt character with enough bitter to balance.

D: Easily drinkable. flavorful, smooth and balanced.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch, 1 West Flatiron Circle, Broomfield

02-07-2011 19:22:37 | More by Haybeerman

stckhndlr

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Poured into a glass resulting in a nice 1 inch plus head. Has a nice deep cherry would color when held up to a light. Very pretty. Average lacing but a nice looking beer all the same

S- Nice dark fruit smell (figs, plums, and black cherry), malted fragrance topped with caramel and faint chocolate.

T- Malt and caramel flavor with a dry finish. Bit of a bitter aftertaste when you expect more of a sweeter end. Not as pleasing as I would like but over all a fine dark beer.

M- has a thicker feel to it as I think a bock should. almost gives you the sensation of having a syrup consistency.

D- All in all it's a good beer, could be a little more balanced with a more rounded flavor but still a decent choice. Still gives you a warm feeling on the colder winter nights.

Serving type: bottle
@ Gordon Biersch, 1 West Flatiron Circle, Broomfield

02-07-2011 02:21:32 | More by stckhndlr

CuriousMonk

Virginia

3.35/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap from GB in Washington, DC. Poured into pint glass. Pours a dark brown, decent head that left a nice layer of foam, but little lacing. Pleasantly sweet aroma of malts with some caramel. Flavors were stronger, and also had some dark cherries and a touch of chocolate. Smooth, just a bit creamy, fairly full-bodied.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant, 900 F St NW, Washington

01-27-2011 23:09:00 | More by CuriousMonk