Mountain Holidays In Vermont Rich Creamy Bock Lager - Rock Art Brewery

brewskier

Massachusetts

2.58/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Sparkly tan foam drops rapidly and leaves no trace of lacing. The beer is a medium, slightly golden, chestnut brown.

Slightly sweet nose contains hints of pecan, vanilla, and French toast. Mild but pleasing.

Flavor is quite roasty, with a full nuttiness and slightly bitter, almost burnt, aspect. It also has a doughy, yeasty flavor that I really don't love. Big malt aspect mostly hides any hops. A bit astringent.

I would in no way call this rich or creamy. It is thin and overcarbonated in that fizzy-mouth iffy-homebrew sort of way, completely lacking body.

I thought I once had an earlier vintage of this (as opposed to this 2010 bottle) which was pretty good...this was a rare total letdown from Rock Art. While it didn't ruin Christmas in July, I wouldn't want another bottle like this one...will certainly this coming year's vintage, though. Imbibed 7/13/11 in my Pike pint glass.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 22:37:47 | More by brewskier

BeerNinja007

New Hampshire

2.88/5  rDev -21.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Got this bomber for $4.59 at Queeche Gorge Village in Queeche VT. A dollar more than the others, perhaps because of the extra special foil covering the cap. No date nor code noted. Limited 2010 release. Served cold in a chilled tulip.

A: Clear dark ruby-brown appearance. 1" of frothy light tan head leaves nice lace as it settles.

S: Strong earthy vegetal nose, like boiled beets. That dissipates a bit as the brew breathes, and a more appealing molasses/ soft brown sugar sweetness takes over.

T: Moderate floral and soft lemon hop. Some earthy veggie yeasty stuff mingles with the mild molasses sweetness. Some smoke and leather appears on the back end and lingers with the hop in the finish.

M: Body is moderately thick and dry, carbo a tad too much.

D: Eh. The hop is a bit too strong and stand-offish for my taste, it doesn't mesh with the body at all.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2011 01:16:02 | More by BeerNinja007

RyanLigeia

Massachusetts

2.95/5  rDev -19.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Dark brown in color, pretty clear when held to a bright light. What little head there was after the initial pour fizzled away to nothing quite quickly and leaves no lacing at all..

The smell is pretty weak but what IS there IS good. Im getting sweet caramel malts, some faint winter spices, almost in the vain of a pecan pie or something along those lines.

Sort of a letdown in the taste category. Same sweet caramel malts, maybe a little hop bitterness at the end. Seems like a pretty good beer that was watered down almost? Weird.

Definitely seems watery here too. Mild to low carbonation level makes it a little easy going down but I'd HARDLY call it rich or creamy! Huge letdown.

Overall I think Rock Art should chill on the claims they make about their beers. They hype them up SO much on the bottles and then dont really deliver with the actual product (ie: this beer was ot rich or creamy). Ive had 3 or 4 of their beers now, all totally different styles and I feel this way about each of them. Not an awful beer in general but definitely not what I was lead to believe itd be.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2012 00:52:09 | More by RyanLigeia

lordofthewiens

Maine

3.03/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A bomber poured into a pilsner glass.
Cherry amber color, thick tan head, plenty of lace. Pretty beer.
Rather underwhelming aroma of malt and spice.
More underwhelming taste, mostly cinnamon. a little bit of biscuit.
Peppery spice mouthfeel. Kind of like mouthwash.
Not that drinkable. Nice label, though.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2010 01:17:53 | More by lordofthewiens

MbpBugeye

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is another from Shogokawada. I have to kinda laugh at the name listed here. Talk about a mouthful, hopefully this beer will be a mouthful too.

Limited 2010 release
A- A short but creamy off white head caps this semi clear caramel colored beer. Its actually very close to the color of the brown glass bottle it poured from. Im left with once or two rings of lace.

S- The aroma starts weak, but opens with warmth. There is a touch of spice that sits above a malty bock base. A little bit of cinnamon potpourri.

T- This is a pretty smooth beer thats spiked intermittently by a light blend of Christmas spices. A light doughy or crackery malt base holds up a little dash of cinnamon and perhaps nutmeg. There is a nice flash of honey-like sweetness just at the end.

D- This is drinkable alright but I think they need to accentuate either the maltiness or the spiciness of this beer. As it stands neither are strong enough, it needs some dominance.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 04:56:13 | More by MbpBugeye

AndoBrew

Georgia

3.1/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

*did not like would not buy*

app: hazy garnet, neat kinda ruby hue. not much head.

smell: dry cocoa, yummy, good brown black smell. very nice.

taste: nice water cool refreshing, bit bitter in the back, some hops, its ok, was better on the first sip. good normal brown beer.

mf: fine

drinkable?: sure, bit lacking and bitter.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2008 00:25:38 | More by AndoBrew

bob3701

New Jersey

3.13/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a shaker pint. Pours a hazy mahogany with a big fluffy head with pretty good lacing. Big biscut malty aroma. Super mild malty flavor with a slight bitter after taste. Very disappointed by the lack of flavor in this brew. Maybe the name of it just raised my expectations on this one. Left a tingle in my tongue.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2010 17:48:02 | More by bob3701

Fish113d

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2

Poured from a 22 oz bottle, it pours the color of almond skin with a tan w/ a pinkish hue head about 1 finger thick.

Aroma is of a brown malt with maybe just a bit of roast & a slight beechwood aroma. Interesting to say the least. A slight sweetness also hits my nose but hard to distiguish what it is; maybe cherries.

Sipping leaves a little to be desired. I expected a bit of chewiness from this one for a bock, but it IS very smooth. Flavor is a bit watery brown malt with a hint of earthy hops & a bit of caramel on the finish. Little carbonation hits my palate.

Fairly drinkable, but it misses the mark I think a bit for a Christmas/holiday brew. Not as warming as I think it seems to advertise.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2008 02:18:13 | More by Fish113d

jwc215

New Jersey

3.2/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours slightly hazed reddish brown with a rich creamy/foamy white head. Uneven strands of lacing stick.

The smell is of some black cherries, light noble hop spicing with slight mint. Some caramel is there. Mild.

The taste is of caramel with a touch of mint that grows as it progresses. It has light roast, some overroasted nuts and an overly minty/bitterish finish (though some disconnected caramel also shows through).

It is pretty creamy, with medium-to-high carbonation.

This is an odd brew. Doesn't quite "sit right" yet has a certain "drinkability" to it. Mixed feelings here.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2009 22:21:47 | More by jwc215

Buggies

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a bottle of 2010. Pours a dark ruby brown. Real thin head. Aroma of caramel and chocolate. Slightly fruity nose with a slight roasted grain in the background.

Taste is slightly sweet with a little citrus. The roasted grains really come through and dominate I think. Their bitterness lingers for a long time.

This reminds me more of a porter than a bock. Perhaps if it were just a hint sweeter and less roasted grains it might be better.

For me, the bitterness from the dark roasted grains is just too much. It was worth a try, but I think I will just pass on it next time.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 17:15:21 | More by Buggies

duffextracold

Massachusetts

3.25/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I haven't seen this around before, so i decided to give it a try. Hazy reddish brown color, cream colored one finger head. lots of foamy lacing. looks good! Smells like sweet bisquity malts with a hint of bitter hops. rich, bready, malty taste. spicy hops, mild bitterness. very fruity aftertaste. very smooth, creamy mouthfeel, low carbonation. not bad overall, that smooth silky mouthfeel is great. something about that sweet, fruity, bitter aftertaste doesn't do anything for me. I'll try it again next year.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2009 23:32:35 | More by duffextracold

NEhophead

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22 fl oz brown bottle; served in a Pilsener glass.

Pours a deep, maple with auburn highlights. Creamy, quarter-inch off-white head that remains intact for a few moments despite lacking initial height. Traces of patchy lacing without much strength.

Rounded,semi-sweet brown sugar and nutmeg over a creamy molasses and dark caramel base. Notes of rich, milk chocolate with light cream that interact with a noticeable, but not overpowering port-like alcohol. Aged, vinous fruity esters: plum, grape, red apple.

Semi-sweet caramel and milk chocolate that survive throughout the sip, turning somewhat thin, bland, and chalky. Date and almond provide the dry flavors that eliminate the rich and sweet malt character that the aroma promises. Slightly phenolic at mid-sip with no trace of fruity esters. A grain-filled, dry finish is followed by a return to the almond, cashew, and date aftertaste.

Medium bodied; smooth, but more dry as the flavors develop. Somewhat chalky for a bock, but nothing quite offensive.

A very bland Bock, which is quite disappointing given such rich, spicy, and complex aromatics. A good style to attempt from Rock Art. I would suggest changing the recipe to boost the abv and making this one of their big beer additions. Hopefully the boost in alcohol would draw out some of the rich and aged, fruity esters.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2008 21:12:47 | More by NEhophead

dbalsock

Vermont

3.3/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

App: Pours dark brown with a maroon border and a thin white head that diminishes quickly without lacing.

Smell: Malty with some pie like characteristics and caramel. Smelling this really makes me want a pie. Very bready on the nose making it quite appetizing.

Taste: Caramel, fruit and some chocolate stuff going on that isn't as welcome. Maybe too much dark malt for a bock.

Mouthfeel: It's too bitter forme, and not in a hoppy way. It's still crisp and the alcohol makes a nice presence but it doesn't feel like a lager.

Drinkability: It's hard to get through the bomber, but a glass is nice. Should be warmed some before drinking and consumed on a cold night after a near-death experience while snowshoeing.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2008 01:30:36 | More by dbalsock

mountdew1

New Hampshire

3.3/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an imperial pint glass. Color was a dark orangey brown, with a thin mocha brown head. Head didn't last long, and left a ring around the top. Aroma was very slightly sweet, roasted malt with a hint of lactose. Alcohol was teased, reminded me of a mellowed barley wine. Flavor was very mellow. Small tads of creamy caramel finished up a mostly unremarkable flavor. Felt great in the mouth. Coated well, just a touch of carbonation. Easy to drink, went down remarkably smooth.

2010 Vintage

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 00:12:31 | More by mountdew1

sommersb

Tennessee

3.3/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Tasted On: 01-17-2012
Freshness: 2011 Vintage
Packaging: 22 oz. brown bottle
Glassware: Seidel
Purchased: Received in a trade

A: Color is brown and mostly clear, like a cola. The head is a couple of fingers on pouring, but fades very quickly. Retention is low and lacing is pretty much non-existent.

S: Clean aromas of caramel malts and earthy hops.

T: Bitter, with some bready malts in the background.

M: Smooth body with medium carbonation. The aftertaste features hop bitterness.

O: An OK beer but overall not very impressive. Could use a stronger malt backbone in my opinion.

Thanks to DrewShal9 for this one!

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 03:08:35 | More by sommersb

claspada

New Jersey

3.33/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Aromas are malty, slight cocoa and roastiness, with a bunch of toffees/caramels and some lighter dark fruits (cherry and fig mainly). The taste follows suit with a lovely molasses and toffee from the malts, some brown sugar notes. Some earthy bitterness in the finish as well from the hops. Interesting and pleasant throughout. Some lighter vanilla and dark fruits emerge as it warms but not in any substantial manner. Fairly light tasting to be honest; mouthfeel should be a bit thicker for this style in my opinion, but considering I think this is only around 6 ABV it makes sense. A decent offering but not one I will be revisting anytime soon just because it is quite average overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2010 23:51:06 | More by claspada

EPseja

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from a 22oz bomber in my trusty Duvel tulip at just below cellar temperature.

A - Medium brown with a crimson hue and light tan head. Vigorous pour builds a creamy, inch-thick head with varying sized bubbles. Head subsudes after a minute, and lacing is sporadic, but very tight where it does form.

S - Bright, toasted malts - bordering on metallic with only a hint of hoppiness. A whisper of cocoa... Kind of one-dimensional.

T - Cocoa laden maltiness with a hint of yeast and hops. An underlying fruitiness is detectable from the alcohol, which I believe is must be slightly kicked up. The finish brings on only a medium dryness as well as a slight tartness in the back of the throat.

M - Medium tingle on the tongue, rising to a mouth-filling froth that's just a bit overzealous. Slightly filling going down.

D - An excellent choice for a chilly winter night, that's for sure! The combination of toasty malts and belly-warming alcohol make this one a tasty Holiday (or after) treat.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2007 01:23:53 | More by EPseja

9InchNails

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Limited 2011 Release

A brown head that faded faster than any I have ever seen, reminds me of a cola. Hazy, light cherry red body turning into gold on the edges. Zero lace on the glass.

Not much of a aroma. Faint cocoa and that's a guess.

The taste is a different story. Cocoa, coffee, toffee, dark fruits like cherry, caramelized sugar with some brown sugar as well. There is a crisp clean taste like a lager. Not bad.

Light to medium body, Carbonation is medium to approaching high. A slight dry feeling. No detection of alcohol warmth.

Overall, not a terrible brew. About or slightly above average for a Bock. I would take it or leave it with this beer. I won't be seeking this again but if this was all they had, I wouldn't mind drinking it.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 05:56:56 | More by 9InchNails

SteveO1231

Connecticut

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

2008 release, 22 oz. brown bottle, white label w/ a christmas wreath and gold foil.

Pours a dark rusty brown, nice ruby red highlights, thin off-white head with not much lacing.

Aroma of caramel malts, pete smoke, dark fruit, chocolate and roasted barley hints of vanilla and a little yeasty.

Full-bodied with a thick creamy texture, moderate fizz.

Moderately sweet brown sugar/toffee, chocolate and a pete smoked roasted flavor. Light grassy herbal hop bitterness with a touch of cinnamon and grain husk aftertaste. Very well balanced.

Nice beer, well balanced, very drinkable.

Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2008 01:42:04 | More by SteveO1231

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.43/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours cream, three-finger head that fades slowly leaving a good lace. Hazy brown/amber color. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Nose - hints of spice and malt, flavor is same - spicy malts. 2010 release, $5.50 for a 22oz bottle from Tully's Beer & Wine Wells, Me.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2011 23:41:48 | More by jdhilt

HopDerek

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

2007 edition.

Pours a cloudy rust color with floaties and 1 inch of frothy cream colored head, good retention and lacing. Smells of caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, citrus, and biscuits. Tastes of sweet caramel and brown sugar with notes of holiday spices and a finish of citrus and dark fruits like cherries. Medium in body and very smooth and creamy. Sweet with a tart finish. An ok holiday brew with great creaminess, but not really my thing, I don't think I'll seek this out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2008 17:40:35 | More by HopDerek

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.48/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a dark, reddish-brown body with a scant, off-white head.

Smell: Chocolate aroma of freshly-squeezed Tootsie rolls with a tart underlying fruitiness.

Taste: A little caramel and chocolate maltiness. More of those tart, fruity plum skins. Dash of nutmeg. Mild bitterness. Not much of a finish, it just sorta ends.

Mouthfeel: Just barely medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.

Drinkability: Simple, straightforward, and, well, that's that.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2008 23:22:00 | More by ChainGangGuy

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a deep reddish brown (reminiscent of red wine), slight head diminishes into a bubble rim around the glass

S - rich, fruity, sweet, malty, caramel, honey, spices

T - sweet and smoky, caramel, chocolate tones, sweet spices

M - i was expecting it to be rich and creamy (so says the label) but it was more watery/easy flowing than i had hoped, lots of fizzy carbonation causing a bit of excessive burping

O - not a bad beer, but nothing more than average on most aspects. this is definitely a once a year drink only.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 13:53:55 | More by facundoCNB

Billolick

New York

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bomber bottle that has been in the back of my fridge for a few months, seemed like a good night to give it a try. Pours very dark ruby amber, with a quickly departing tan head, leaves no film and no lacing. Nose of coca-cola. Thick bodied and low carbonation, the dominant flavors are dark caramel, some vanilla and more sweet cola notes. Finishes without hop notes. Just more sweetness. Low complexity and interest. There are better holiday brews out there. I'll pass this one by next time.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2005 05:01:12 | More by Billolick

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.5/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2009 release, poured from a 22oz bottle into a mug glass.

A: The beer is a medium brown color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a spotty lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of light roasted malts, caramel and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts with a hearty malt character and a strong breadiness, along with mildly sweet flavors of caramel and vanilla. There's also a touch of smokiness but I didn't really get much creaminess as professed on the label. The hops presence is mild but complementary. The after-taste is slightly bready and slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and a little crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: A little tasty, goes down ok, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, it's a decent beer overall, but there are other beers in the style and other Christmas seasonal beers that I would pick first.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2009 04:57:58 | More by TheManiacalOne