Jolly Bock - New Old Lompoc Brewery

dfitch81

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great brew! Hadn't been into New Old Lompoc for a while, so stopped in on New Years Day to try their six(!!) winter seasonals.Unfortunately the Blitzen and the C-Son's Greetings had already run dry, but I thoroughly enjoyed the remaining four brews. All four were excellent, but the one I kept coming back to was the Jolly Bock.

Appearance was slightly hard to judge in the dim light inside Lompoc. Not too much head, but respectable lacing; color hard to judge in the low light, but appeared to be a beautiful crystal-clear amber. Smell was spicey-sweet and fruity but not strong, so I was surprised at how intensely flavorful Jolly Bock turned out to be. Wonderful fruit flavors of plum, apple, and banana; hops are used appropriately for the style, so the malt is clearly dominant. This brew stands out for its juicy, distinct flavor and elegant smoothness. Undoubtedly the cellaring this beer undergoes helps impart its great smoothness and unique flavor.

Jolly Bock is a showcase of brewing excellence that is (sadly) only available for a limited time each year. Go get some while the gettings good.

While you're at it, I can't overemphasize that the other three remaining seasonals (Tavern Rat, a barley wine; Brewdolph, a highly credible Belgian-style creation; and Holiday Cheer, a rich vanilla-infused porter) were just as excellent as Jolly Bock, which just happened to be my pick of the night. Given an unlimited tolerance for alcohol and a bottomless bank account I would have happily drank Lompoc dry of all four brews. They REALLY are that good. Props to New Old Lompoc - their holiday seasonals are enough to make me wish that the Holidays were yearlong.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2009 21:06:52 | More by dfitch81

RedDiamond

Oregon

4.4/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A very sexy beer. Lush vermillion color, a deft carpet of velvety head, rich lace, and a tantalizing malt aroma. New Old Lompoc claims to age this lager for more than a year. That might account for both the hearty malt flavor and the seasoned refinement. But while the temperament of this beer may be relaxed, nothing is compromised, spoiled, or diminished during the cellaring of this 7.1% ABV bock.

This winter seasonal stands tall in the winner’s column. Seductive and memorable.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2004 04:52:19 | More by RedDiamond