Dundee Pale Bock Lager - Genesee Brewing Co. / Dundee Brewing Co.

Ricochet

Ohio

4.38/5  rDev +28.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

High Falls seems to brew beers that are "in the neighborhood" for the style. Pale is good, Amber is decent, Winterfest was a treat, now, I was in my fave store, they had a sampler pack with this in it. I looked up, and there was a SIXER! Plus, it was 4.49! So, had to try it, and knowing the few reviews on BA have rated this really well, I couldn't lose.

Poured a pumpkin orange with mild carbonation and a small head that ended in a white foam that didn't go. The orange color is different from other beers. It smelled pleasant, that's being nice, you could tell there was a small difference from other beers, so maybe better than average.

Mouth was full, thick, nice balance in alcohol to heavy malts, the main difference, it went down slow with a pleasant aftertaste. Being I've had little experience with Bock beers, I have to stand up and cheer HF. This is what BMC lagers should taste like and miss so well. Malt character is full, almost chewy, with a nice hop taste that balanced with the malt but wasn't as big as APA's. Alcohol was only apparent in the end, but the main thing that hit me on this is the chewiness! Almost like better Imperials and Porters. Is this beer really from the people that brew Genesee?

Needless to say, I'm sorry I didn't buy a few sixers. It makes me re-think JWD's Pale. THIS is the beer I'll buy while it's available. If this was $6 it would still be a great buy. On the package, they mention a Hefe, IPA , and Scotch Porter are thier seasonals....bring em!

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2006 01:03:15 | More by Ricochet

Wamesit

Massachusetts

4.35/5  rDev +27.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a golden straw with a very thick white head that gives way to good lacing.

S - Sweet. Dextrin as well as both biscuity & bready malts.

T - Refreshing but with real substance. Caramel is added to the malt spectrum in flavor and there is a very broad and subtle hops element that provides constant balance to this malty and sweet bock. The finish is dry, due to the aforementioned hops presence throughout, but the crisp, clean (and sweet) flavor isn't cut short.

M - Medium, perfect carbonation for the desired effect.

D - Highly drinkable; year round.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2011 05:44:50 | More by Wamesit

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +27.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Woody CANnot CANtinue on CANs alone (or so I am told) and so I have the occasional bottle transgression to keep my numbers synched up.

From the bottle: "Monks brewed bock for times of fasting during the darkest depths of winter. Then, the arrival of bocks was seen as a sign of better times to come. Today, when self-denial means stopping at one plate of cheese fries, bocks are less for the body and more for the soul, with the power to banish winter - even if it's only the winter of your discontent. Enjoy a Pale Bock and rest assured that better times are coming. Be optimistic. As the monks would say, 'In bock there is joy.'" Hear, hear!

The two fingers' worth of head looked like a French Vanilla ice cream cone. It was big, rocky and with excellent retention. Color was a deep golden-yellow of a shade that would have made Midas envious and with NE-quality clarity. Nose was very malty sweet, just as advertised. Mouthfeel was big and full with a honey-like taste on the tongue. Finish was silky smooth and even somewhat dry, as though the fermentation had fully converted the available sugars. This was entirely smooth, to the point that half of it was gone and I was barely aware of it. I would not want a steady diet of it, nor would it be very appropriate in the summer, but on a chilly evening in early March with Spring just a few weeks away, it was perfect.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2011 01:21:35 | More by woodychandler

John

New York

4.33/5  rDev +26.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dundee's Pale Bock is a new beer from High Falls, brewed as a potential spring '05 seasonal line extension for the Dundee brand. This has been made available in limited quantities even though it may not make it to full distribution this year. A very small quantity of bottles were produced and some draught product I'm told will be (if not already) available at select area bars.

Keeping in line with the quality of the Amber Lager and Pale Ale, this traditional bock is all malt (pale) with Magnum and Saaz hops. The brew is crystal clear light gold. Head is eggshell colored and has good retention after a moderate pour. Lace is decorative. Aroma sends fresh baked light rye bread notes wafting up. Fresh baked German pretzels come to mind as well. Spicy hop notes are also detected. Taste tows the fresh bread line with a silky clover honey like smoothness. An overall malty sweetness is predominate but is quickly countered with a peppery Saaz finish. This is also a very clean brew. Drinkability is excellent. I've been pouring two at a time in my 500ml. tapered German cylindrical glass, what a lush! (there's quite a bit of headspace in it above the plimsol line)

Cheers to Dave at HF for taking on this underrated and underappreciated style and nailing it.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2005 23:19:57 | More by John

MikeBrandman

Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev +25.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a deep reddish amber. A lot deeper than any lager I've seen before. Offwhite head that rapidly goes from one and a half finger to less than one and stays that way for most of the drink. Heavy carbonation makes it hard to see through this one, but definitely more opaque than something like a Honey Brown.

S - Big smell on this one. Smells of grass and honey, hops and malts all at the same time. Delicious smell. Really impressed with the smell on this.

T - It says "Big and Malty" on the bottle. It does not lie. Big malty taste right off the bat, but it's fairly hoppy as well. Very well balanced. A bit of a honey taste in between the two, as well. Big taste indeed.

MF - Full bodied lager, definitely. Wouldn't go so far to say chewy, but it definitely fills your mouth. Mouthfeel compliments the flavor extremely well. The finish isn't quite as balanced as the taste though, leaves a bit of a hoppy residue.

D - Extremely good beer to sit down and enjoy. If it wasn't for the high alcohol content, I'd go as far to say as sessionable.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2009 04:55:50 | More by MikeBrandman

zsk

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This offering from High Falls is very good. I got it in a sampler with the Amber, Pale Ale and Honey Brown. Beautiful color, a dark gold, with creamy but not excessive off white head. Some lacing. Very smooth and drinkable. The Saaz hops were noticable and to my taste might be a little weak. I really like the Saaz. Anyway, the Hops are there, but this is a malty beer, as it should be, and the balance is probably true to style. This is absolute proof that High Falls knows good beer. Truly enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2006 00:01:42 | More by zsk

thebrood1987

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I get a strong smell of caramel bready malts and some spicy hops in the back. On the taste I get that spicy hopiness with a sweet dry caramel bready malt and then ending with the spicy almost noble like hop taste.

This is a very straightforward beer but a real good one. As it warms the hop bitterness grows. I'm impressed with the malt in this beer as its pretty robust and goes so well with the hopping they use. The fruitiness from the yeast also mixes in well with the hops.

Its an earthy floral type of hop taste as well like one you'd get in a Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Actually this reminds me of a Samuel Adams beer... which to me is a good thing. I can tell this has a thicker and creamy feel to it than their other beers simply because its a lager. This tells me they know how to make a good lager. Get this beer in their mix packs. Dundee again makes some of the cheapest best craft beer I've had.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2011 01:15:56 | More by thebrood1987

rarevos

New York

4.2/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Not familiar with the style at all, so interpret scores accordingly.

12 oz bottle, poured into pub pint glass.

Pours a nice golden color with a thick initial head. Head was fluffy, though not long-lasting at that size. A thin head covered the beer for the duration of the glass. Highly carbonated at first, tapered off quickly. Very nice. A bit perfumy, malty and lightly hoppy. Tasted like a breakfast of buttered toast at a table with a very fragrant floral centerpiece.

Really enjoyable, and considering I hate J.W. Dundee's Honey Brown, I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable this was. As others have noted, $4.99 a six-pack for something this good is a nice supermarket find. Will be certainly enjoying the other five.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2006 02:14:37 | More by rarevos

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.2/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a balloon glass. The beer is the most beautiful of golden colors, a clear pure bright apple juice hue. A fizzy white head recedes to a wisp of random chunks and odd shaped chunks of lacing stick to the glass. The beer smells bright, malty, and a bit sweet tart like apples. Taste is excellent as crisp apples pave the way for mellow malt sweetness. There's a tart finish that goes well with the other flavors. Mouthfeel is crisp, clean, and dry.

Overall, another pleaser from the Dundee mixed 12 pack. Clean, refreshing, and delicious. Can't ask for much more.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 21:54:33 | More by JuicesFlowing

Ville

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +22.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nice taste. smooth on the finish.. A nice taste all the way through. Just came off the beach.. and this fit perfect. Lots of flavor for such a light color brew. I was very impressed with the Bock. I will definitey try again. I'm actually washing down some snyders Hot Buffalo Wing pretzels with it.. and it is perfect!! Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 22:15:44 | More by Ville

chilidog

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First...Thanks John!!
Call it alittle luck or timing, but I was able to get two bottles of this limited test brew of High Falls. As a possible spring release, I say this would make a fine seasonal for High Falls.
It pours a good-looking, clear copper/gold. The glass is active for carbonation seems up abit as a slighly off-white one inch head is formed. It maintains fairly well but lace is spotted and fades.
The aroma is bread-like, with hints of honey, rye and toasted caramel malts. The taste is carried by a sweet malt balanced well with a tangy hop spice. The finish has a hint of pepper, while the alcohol at 6.2% is soothing and calm.
The mouthfeel is soft and drinkability is high as the carbonation, I think, aids the medium bodied brew.
As High Falls carries on through tests of this brew, I say "Yes" to this possible seasonal, and with any more luck, there's always the chance we'll see it next year!!

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2005 03:02:33 | More by chilidog

AlFromBayShore

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This comes from the Dundee variety 12 pack. I thought the porter was the best of the lot. I'd like to alter that sentiment. The pale bock lager, at the very least, shares the top spot with the porter. This beer is a bit lighter than the porter. Has a crisp and malty taste and a medium body. Detecting some notes of honey and maybe a subtle peach note? Nice finish on this beer too.

Once again I made the mistake of having this right out the fridge. You gotta let this warm. When cold, there is a slightly metallic tone in the smell. It disappears as the beer begins to warm.

Good drinkability. I have to think quick and write fast because the beer is disappearing quicker than I can review it.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2010 02:28:53 | More by AlFromBayShore

JDFish

Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A very tastey brew with a nice hops finish. Plenty of foam from the pour from the bottle to the pint glass. Drinkability and flavor rate real high. Goldenrod in color with a slight haziness. Mouthfeel was on the lighter side and the smell of pale roasty malts. Very good brew, I liked it the best out of the gift pack.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2010 04:41:41 | More by JDFish

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I was quite surprised at how much body and flavor the Dundee Pale Bock Lager has. I guess I've just run across too many regional breweries that use the term bock, and then deliver a thin ghost of the style. On the other hand, there is a bit of tradition to that... breweries would often add coloring to their regular lagers in spring and call them bocks. This, however, is nothing like that. It's got a deep amber-orange color at about 12 SRM, and a fairly long-lasting creamy cap off off-white. The nose is caramelish, grainy and bready with a thread of spicy and floral hops in the background. The mouth feel is a dextrinous medium-full, and its moderate, fine-bubbled carbonation leaves it smooth across the palate. The flavor is again, caramelish, grainy, bready, and gently toasty. A stiff bitterness runs through it, appearing at the middle, and balancing it into and through the drying finish. Herbal and spicy hops appear at the swallow, and then help to dry it in the long lingering finish. A very nice example of the helles style. Well-brewed and balanced towards drinkability. Worth trying!

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2008 00:20:17 | More by NeroFiddled

mempath

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

just drank it but forgot to take notes. all around, well above average. bock is a favorite for me (aside from hopbombs) so this was no exception. crisp golden color, nice malty nose, taste stays consistent with everything else. actually tastes better after about 5 minutes of warming up (on this cool october day....i'd keep it cold in warmer times)...good carbonation. definitely a session drinker as most of this variety 12-pack delivers. except for the honey brown...

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2009 17:14:56 | More by mempath

kbnooshay

New York

4.08/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Suprisingly saw this on tap at Donnely's Public house in fairport(get it while you can). The bartender didn't really know what it was but i guess it is a test or something. Anyways i loved it. It is certainly pale as it pours a really light gold. The taste is sorta sweet but I think the hops are more dominant. Perfect amount of alcohol. Interesting brew, hopefully we will see it in the stores soon.

Serving type: on-tap

04-30-2005 19:23:50 | More by kbnooshay

Stimack

New York

4.08/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First experience with this brew and was expecting pretty good results based on past experiences with High Falls. Always nothing extraordinary, a fair to good brew at a great price. This brew was not what I expected; I felt it was a excellent brew and a great price. Brew pours to a clear golden color that has amber highlights in it. Nice sized off-white head that breaks down somewhat slowly leaving a nice sheen of lace along the sides of the glass. The aromas are actually quite complex, rye bread like smell along with slight fruit like esters and a spicy hop scent. The taste is very nice, very similar qualities as expressed in the aromas of the brew. Very rich malt like flavor dominates but then the spiciness cuts through, finishing nicely. A very smooth brew, with the ABV at 6.2 I would imagine that this one could sneak up on you because it is very easy drinking, exceptional offering!

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2006 02:50:42 | More by Stimack

MTNboy

Missouri

4.08/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

It has a great bronze body with about a finger and a half of nice white froth head. The head and lace both have some nice staying power. The aroma malty with some secondary hops aromas emitting. It has a traditional taste. This beer is mildly hopped, malty and roasted. It has a mouthfeel that is on the upper end of light.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2010 07:02:42 | More by MTNboy

beyah

Maine

4.08/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a 16 oz. Pilsner Glass, head was quite good from an easy pour~ 1 finger. Lacing is good and head retention is OK.

Beatiful Golden color, biscuity, malty and hoppy like an IPA, whats not to like. Well balanced.

Smooth mouthfeel, and a way better than the mainstream lagers, I would get this one again without reservation. It's not from Belgium or brewed in a castle but it sure is an excellent choice on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 00:30:30 | More by beyah

Bockrules

New Mexico

4.05/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a pilsner glass

A - Great fluffy, four finger head in my pilsner glass with good retention. Nice Orangey-straw color. Head stays intact all the way down the glass. Leaves splotches of lacing near the top of the glass and beautiful lacing near the bottom.

S - Nice sweet malty smell with hints of hops. Could be stronger though and seems to present only directly after the pour.

T - A little bit of alcohol up front followed by a smooth body. The body has hints of hop flavor on top of a sweet malt body. The finish is has great balance and leaves a bitter aftertaste.

M - Moderately carbonated and creamy. Suits the style very well.

D - Pretty damn good for a cheaper beer and pleasantly surprising after my poor experience with Dundee Pale Ale. I went through this one pretty quickly and could drink a few of these in a night. If the rest of the Craft Pack is this good, I would definitely consider buying it again and pawning off the Pale Ales on my Brothers. A very straightforward, yet good bock

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2008 09:18:28 | More by Bockrules

Natainos

New York

4.05/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

So Another review for the Local Craft Brew & homage to monks.

A: Love the golden look to this beer, when poured it held a semi thick head for longer than what I thought it would (2-3 min) and it laced really nice. Logo Rocks too.

S: Malty, sweet smell, mild burnt aroma.

T: Creamy malt, with a tangy burn back of tongue can taste barley, ( you know your drinking unadulterated flavors .

m: A tangy burn "crisp", quick yet fading combination., some creamy after taste.

D: Nice, clean yet with complex and deep flavors.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2010 02:13:21 | More by Natainos

lovindahops

New York

4.05/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

onto the second of the genny variety exhibition

A- a clear lager look. Slightly more golden than yellow. Small type of head on the brew

S- strong spiced yeast presence that is balances with a malty theme towards the end. A musty fruit presentation is filtered throughout the brew. Furthermore, there is an enlightening scent from the brew

T- a fantastic sweet malt flavor mingles with a spiced hop presence. When you think you are diving into a lager, you are actually tackling a balanced brew with swell maltiness and dry hop flavor. This is good

M- flavor all over and good

D- Dundee is a home run for their "teachable moment" of craft brews. Pale Bock Lager is so tasty. I highly recommend it

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2010 02:08:48 | More by lovindahops

beerprovedwright

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Good two finger head over a slightly cloudy brew that equates to a 7 in color on the SRM beer color chart. Impressive clinging lace with a tight cling. Aroma of apple, caramel, orange, peach, cinnamon, and malt. Flavors of green apple, orange and lime peal, caramel, green tea, and mild hops. Sort of patchy feeling in my mouth. Not bad at all, good for another round and to share with friends.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 20:44:15 | More by beerprovedwright

francisweizen

Australia

4/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review from notes: Sampled with the brewer and a bunch of BA's in Rochester, NY. This new brew from high falls is really something to appluad, a nic pale heller bock brewed for the masses as a high falls seasonal. I hear an ipa may follow, and than after that who knows!? Big kudos to Dave S for sharing and for brewing up some quality "micros" in the "macro" world! This one is very plae golden with an eggshell white head of frippy frothy foam that lasts and leaves some nice lacing as well. Aromas are freshly baked bread, bavarian pretzels, and more malt accented flavors as well as a bit of spicy floral German and US hops? Taste is sweet and bready but the sweetness is not overdone and the spicy hops do come in and balance everything nicely. This coupled with the simple medium bodied mouthfeel of this brew make it's drinkability good as well. So solid, it is like a rock, this isn't even my favorite style, but it is nailed here, and quite tasty. Drink up!

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2005 16:35:04 | More by francisweizen

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

4/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, rich, golden hue with a sparse snow white head. Smells of fruity malt with hints of tart apple cider.

Taste is rich, bright, pale malt. Sweetish and lightly fruity. Hints of green apple. Some muted hops in the finish. Strangely, a bit dry up front, with a sweetish but clean finish. Really tasty. This stuff is money. And it's a great beer for the money. Check out a six-pack (it may take a full six-pack to get this beer), hell, it's cheap!

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2006 01:46:32 | More by ViveLaChouffe