Brother Benedict's Bock - Granite City Food & Brewery

KFBR392

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Purchased a growler at the Rockford, Illinois Granite City location.

Appearance: A brownish red amber color. A very solid thin head was present throughout drinking. More lacing on the glass then I would have expected. A very clear body on this brew, no murky sediment.

Smell: Nothing impressive here. There is a slight hazelnut, light chocolate, caramel, malt aroma. Have to really dig to appreciate what is going on here though.

Taste: A nutty bite greets the drinker. The body of this brew is a very sweet malt/caramel flavor. The flavors die away quicker then I would have hoped, leave a slight hop tart presence on the palette. The body is a little thin.

Mouthfeel: Really solid here. The sweetness covers the palette. Very light feeling to this brew but does not feel lacking.

Overall: Being a little snobby about my beer, I had pretty low expectations for this beer. I was pleasantly surprised with a solid easy drinking Bock. The growler is a nice size to share with some friends and enjoy a very good beer. Nothing elite but is still very enjoyable.

Serving type: growler

01-27-2013 00:57:24 | More by KFBR392

tigg924

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Sioux Falls location. Served into a pint glass.

Appearance: 1/2 inch head, chestnut brown in color, hazy, moderate carbonation

Smell: light toasted malt and caramel

Taste: caramel, sweet chocolate, and light hops

Mouthfeel: medium carbonation, medium bodied, sweet with a slightly bitter backbne

Overall: Bock is not a style I drink a lot, but this was surprisingly one of the tastier versions I have had in some time. Sweet but not too sweet, smooth, and not overly complex. This one was the perfect pizza beer for me. I would get this again--and maybe a couple of glasses at that.

Serving type: on-tap

08-13-2012 18:37:11 | More by tigg924

Illtryit

Missouri

4.4/5  rDev +29.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm in trouble with this one as it is really good.

Black to red appearance. Ruby shows in light.

Smells sweet and caramel or toffee.

Taste of mellowed toffee. Almost buttery. Nutty finish. I'm almost getting a peanut brittle flavor.

Feels a bit thin and a bit watery. Nice carbonation.

This a a very drinkable bock. Damn good. Go try it for yourself.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2012 01:54:44 | More by Illtryit

goldennectar

Ohio

2.65/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from bottle into pint glass.

Appearance: Rich deep dark brown with a brownish creamish head that quietly fades away.

Smell: Caramel & malty with some sweetness to it

Taste: Malt and caramel and sweet. Slightly too sweet for me

Mouthfeel: Light feel on the tongue and light carbonation

Overall: A different take on the style, and an OK beer but sweeter than I like. I would like to try it on tap but would not buy in bottles.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 19:25:36 | More by goldennectar

buschbeer

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle
Served in a pint glass

A - It pours a rusty brown. It was topped with a couple inches of tan head.

S - I get some buttered toffee. I thought I got a few hints of chocolate but the toffee is the main aroma.

T - The taste is pretty much dead nuts with the smell. I get sweet buttered toffee. That's pretty much it.

M - Medium to full

O - This is a lot sweeter than most bocks that I have tried. It goes down smooth enough, but it just seems off.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 00:44:10 | More by buschbeer

raveskdr

District of Columbia

2.7/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Out of a bottle. Got this from my buddy Chris back in Illinois. He went to a beer exchange and isn't into beer, so he dumped a bunch of delicious craft beer on me. Woohoo!

A - Roasted dark brown color with an average white head.

S - A lot of super sweet nuttiness. Maybe some brown sugar in there. But a lot of sweetness.

T - Taste follows. Tons of brown sugary sweetness. There is some very faint smokiness in there along with some nuttiness in the background.

M - The definition of average mouthfeel. A bit too thin, but not undrinkable in terms of the mouth, at least.

O - This just isn't a very good beer. This is what scares me about American made Bock beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 01:49:40 | More by raveskdr

bonkers

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I got as part of a botmc, dark brown pour with a 2" white head, slight lacing. The aroma is very sweet, bready, caramel It is on the sweeter side, some carael malts, lingering sweet finish. The body is light, good carbonation, easy drinking. A decent easy drinking brew.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 00:04:33 | More by bonkers

zeff80

Missouri

3.3/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Poured out a clear, golden amber color with almost no head to speak of. No lacing.

S - It smelled of caramel and toffee. A fairly sweet nose overall.

T - Sweet caramel and toffee with some fruitiness. Very, very slight bitterness from the hops.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied lager that was clean finishing.

O - This is an okay bock. A little too sweet for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 13:42:28 | More by zeff80

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

3.23/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Presentation: 12oz brown twist-off bottle with rather simple label, which wouldnt be a problem except for the monk looks a bit creepy. A code stamped on the bottle, but no clue what it means. This was always surprisingly good back home at GC on draft, so it will be interesting to see what it's like in the bottle (or if my tastes have changed).

Appearance: Rich, deep chestnut hue. This is a very attractive beer, with lazy, steady carbonation. The only real downside is that the light tan cap fades to a thick ring and thin film a bit too quickly for my liking.

Smell: Smells like a bock! This sounds a bit redundant, but the rich, bready, malty, dark fruit notes are all there. Smells rich, but not quite sweet. This is refreshing, as the few 'bock' type beers we can regularly get in the US are so often not much more than a slightly darker colored American lager w/out the rich malt background typical of the style.

Taste: Not bad, but not as tasty as the aromas suggest. The first problem is that this is a bit too highly carbonated and that, coupled with too much sweetness, keeps the leather/tobacco and toasted, bready malt notes pushed out of the focus. Really, I think this is really hampered by the sweetness. This isn't something I remember being a problem on tap, as we used to put down a couple of 25oz mugs of this without any trouble whatsoever. Maybe a recipe change, or maybe a bit different in the bottle?

Mouthfeel: Too fizzy, but other than that, nice

Overall: Nice flavors, wondeful aromas, but way too sweet. I'll definitely give it another try on tap at the brewpub in Peoria, IL when I head back home next, but I won't likely be buying a sixer of bottles, which is sad, because I've been really keen to find a good, traditional, readily-available bock beer.

B- to C+

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 04:13:16 | More by BedetheVenerable

Gavage

New Jersey

3.48/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: pours a clear dark amber color with a 1" head that falls apart quickly.

Smell: caramel and an earthy tones comes through to the nose.

Taste: moderate malt profile with caramel, ripe dark fruits, and a mild earthy tone. Bitterness is mild. Slight chaulky tone arrives late.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Lightly crisp and somewhat thin throughout. Aftertaste is short lived.

Overall: not an terribly strong bock by any means, but it is malt centric. Somewhat refreshing it is a decent beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 22:13:34 | More by Gavage

Chaz

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a very clear (perhaps brilliant) dark brown in color, and appears inky-black in the glass. It's topped by a darker-tan head, closer to brown in color, which falls at an average pace and leaves behind minimal lacing.

The nose is somewhat nutty, with notes of ripe, dark fruit, but there are also lighter medicinal and metallic notes.

Rather sweet and soft across the palate on the first sip, and it's a very familiar type of sweetness. Truth be told (as I check the bottom of the bottle for the bottling code*) this beer is a little old, having been bottled ten months ago.

Knowing that Granite City's bottles are being produced on contract at Minhas Craft Brewery, and it's a new bottle and with Granite City's logo and label attached as well, but this is unmistakably Huber Bock. Oh, sure it's 5.10% ABV and a little bit sweeter than that crusty old "returnable bottle" beer, but it's so similar as to be the same thing.

Ah well. Maybe I'll have to try this one fresh at the brewpub.

*1084 = March 25, 2011.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 23:28:46 | More by Chaz

JackieTH

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served as part of an 8-pour beer sampler at Granite City, St. Louis Park, MN. Pour was reddish brown with a bit of head that faded quickly with not much lace. Smell was sweet malty, slightly nutty, reminiscent of New Castle Brown Ale. Taste was mildly sweet malt, a bit earthy, nutty and some grain. Light body, moderately low carbonation. Okay, not great.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 04:04:07 | More by JackieTH

phenomenologian

Nebraska

4.53/5  rDev +33.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Upon opening little smoke comes out. I poured this into a good beer glass. The head is thin and less than one finger. It laces a bit, but nicely. The color of the head is white and creamy. The body is dark and is brownish black. Its opaque.

I love the smell. It smells very sweet of caramel and malt. It has a nice overall sweet smell. I gave the smell a 5 because this is the most strong malty sweet smell I have ever smelled in a beer. I love this a lot. Its a great smell.

The taste is of caramel and malt. It tastes sweet but nice bitter turnaround also which makes a nice combination.

It goes down smoothly. I would like a bit more carbonation, but either way its a great taste and feel.

Overall, its a great sweet malty caramel beer. I enjoy this and will definitely buy it again. I bought it in a mix and match 6 pack at HyVee. Give this one a try if you like porters or stouts.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 07:38:25 | More by phenomenologian

jsprain1

Minnesota

3.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

A- Deep brown with a one finger off white head that has moderate/poor retention, but leaves quite a bit of lacing.
S- Aroma is caramel malt, a bit nutty, and a bit of dark fruit.
T- It's fairly sweet, with caramel being a big flavor. The nuttiness comes through, as does just a hint of chocolate. The one major criticism is that the finish is abrupt.
M- This is where the beer really lost points for me. Far too thin and light for a bock. Carbonation was assertive, but the body just felt thin and watery.
O- It has the right flavor profile for me, but the body just isn't there. As such, it's barely passable for me.

Serving type: on-tap

12-21-2011 19:44:00 | More by jsprain1

dbossman

Nebraska

3.1/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Very dark brown (actually close to black_ with a foamy light brown head that dissipates rather quickly; not a ton of lacing

S: Sweet brown-sugared malts; a bit of a sour and musty grainy and grassy quality here with some faint nuttiness

T: Quite sweet up front; brown sugar and caramel followed by a touch of dirty, musty, grainy flavor, followed by a slightly roasted malt presence; the back end is just a bit off too--grainy and malty yes, but musty and dirty too

F: A touch too thin but some beer manages to cling to the mouth

O: Not the worst bock I've had but certainly nowhere near the benchmark for the style either; I've had this brew on tap at the pub and much preferred it that way, perhaps it is better when a bit fresher

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 01:24:02 | More by dbossman

WoodBrew

Illinois

2.2/5  rDev -35.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

I did not like the GC Bock...I thought it was way to malty and grainy. The beer poured very dark red with thin white head that did not lace all that great. The smell was big on grain and sweet malt. The taste was to much malt and barley with slight sweetness. The beer had mediyum body not great carbonation. Overall not a great beer. Most is probably drank in the Two Pull variety.

Serving type: on-tap

11-02-2011 01:05:38 | More by WoodBrew

Brenden

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer is a thick medium-dark brown that displays an orange-brown tinge to it in the light. A light brown head doesn't stay very long but never dies off, leaving a decently constructed foam that doesn't manage to leave very much lacing at all, but a bit.
There's a roasted maltiness to the aroma with a distinctly darker barley grains note and a prevalent sweetness. There's also wood with a strong nuttiness. It's difficult for some of the nuances to come out underneath the more prevalent yeast/sweetness mix, or the score would be a little higher.
It took me a moment to realize this is a Maibock, as it certainly wasn't behaving like a traditional bock; with that in mind, it's not off for the style. The mingling sweetness of dark fruits and caramel is strong without overpowering the palate, as hops come through to balance it out and a nutty flavor helps as well. That said, it does go just a little too sugary underneath. A woody flavor that's not so much earthy as one might expect helps further to dry it out but is so scant that it doesn't quite.
The body is medium but slides a little light, but it starts with a crispness that doesn't fade while transitioning to a fairly creamy feel.
Not bad; I'd like to try this on tap.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 16:33:19 | More by Brenden

Snow81

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Pours a dark clear amber body

Head: Thick frosty light brown head

Smell: Rich caramel malts

Taste: Rich toasted caramel malts with a little sweet on the end and well not a lot going on

Weight: Light body with a low carbonation

Finish: Earthy and caramel notes linger

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2011 02:58:25 | More by Snow81

codsmith

Illinois

1.88/5  rDev -44.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A: very dark red with slight very light tab head that stays slightly over the top with nice lacing on the glass 4

S: very sweet and overpowering. Very carmel and fruity tones

T: taste very metallic tasting and sweet. Same aftertaste as Budweiser

M: sits heavy and leaves your mouth dry

O: horrible beer IMO. The only good thing is the appearance.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2011 00:37:27 | More by codsmith

henryd30

Iowa

2.98/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Nice reddish brown color with 1 thumb head.

S: Some sweet malt, with a metallic smell as well, was somewhat offputting.

T: Had some decent components, and wasn't offensive, but didn't necessarily come together as a whole.

M: Nice active carbonation.

D: Drank the entire growler in a couple of sittings, but was more of a chore rather than a motivation. I won't actively seek out again.

Serving type: growler

03-10-2011 03:21:37 | More by henryd30

Bung

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Not a knock on the beer, but served in a chilled glass...
Rusty brown pour, about a fingers worth of cream colored head.

Nose is mild. Toffee, bready yeast. Chilled glass has something to do with this?

Taste is an improvement on the aroma. Large malt, toffee, caramel and some cocoa. Finishes thin and watery though.

Lighter body with good carbonation. Goes down easy, but be in the mood for a maltier brew.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2010 19:29:08 | More by Bung

burnerfinger

Texas

3.9/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Stayed right across the street from Granite City. Just HAD to try their stuff:

A: Zero head. Only the thinnest film on the surface. Clear, maple syrup color.

S: almost no perceptible Color to this brew

T: Not Bad! Malty with a very, very lite touch of hoppiness.

M: Fizzy. Extra carbonation, foamy in the mouth. NO ABV bite.

D: supre drinkable owing to the lack of bite, drink em down! a bit on the pricey side though...
ADDENDUM:
found out later, this comes in at 5.5% ABV and
20 IBU's. just FYI

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2010 21:32:58 | More by burnerfinger

Cubsfan1087

Iowa

4.33/5  rDev +27.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The Brother Benedicts Bock was a great beer. It is very dark, reddish brown. It has thick foamy head that lingers for a short time. The taste is very malty and rich. There is a slight hint of chocolate in the aftertaste, similar to a stout I would say. I really enjoyed this beer. I've been impressed with the beer that Granite City has to offer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Granite City Food & Brewery, 5270 Utica Ridge Rd, Davenport

04-25-2010 02:04:48 | More by Cubsfan1087

Tone

Missouri

3.38/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, dark amber color. 2/3 inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of yeast, pale malt, and slight sweet malt. Fits the style of a Bock. Mouth feel is smooth and crisp with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, yeast, slight hop, and slight grain. Overall, weak in body, aroma, but again a great appearance.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Granite City Food & Brewery, 8461 NW Prairire View, Kansas City

04-12-2010 23:50:27 | More by Tone

tykees88

Indiana

3.03/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap in Fort Wayne. 4.95 for a 20 oz. This one comes poured with about a one finger head. The head quickly fades after a sip or two. The malt is the overwhelmingly strong scent in this brew. A hint of chocolate also touches the nose. The taste is nothing exceptional either. The malts taste burned and the chocolate also is there much like the smell in just a hinted version. I get maybe a dash of hops in the taste. The mouthfeel feels light, it's almost as if it's a thin bock. I couldn't drink any more than one of these and wouldn't drink it again. Especially for the price.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Granite City Food & Brewery, 3809 Coldwater Rd, Fort Wayne

02-16-2010 14:35:53 | More by tykees88