Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

masi3vol

3.91/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

I was rather pleased with this beer. A distinct but not overpowering taste of chocolate combined with a tangy wheat flavor. I would have preferred a more full bodied mouth feel with a more delicate carbonation but still a good beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 00:12:53 | More by masi3vol

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving type: 12-ounce bottle. The “enjoy before month notched” is “MAY.”

Appearance: Poured into a tulip. The color is very dark brown or maybe black; when held to a lamp, ruby-tinted light passed through. Two fingers of light tan head left a thin skim and ring around the edge.

Smell: Lots of chocolate. It definitely lives up to the name. Dark chocolate, roasted malts, toffee, caramel, and perhaps some peanut butter. Very candy-like; another reviewer mentioned Cocoa Puffs and I agree. It reminds me of Millstream’s Imperial Pumpkin Stout.

Taste: Nice mouthfeel and a tame roasted bitterness wakes the taste buds. It mostly mirrors the smell: dark chocolate, roasted malts, toffee, caramel, and maybe a touch of peanut butter (it is definitely not as prominent as it is in the smell). It begins to thin as it warms but remains a decent brew.

Drinkability: It is pretty good stuff. Though unspectacular, it does provide nice flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 05:17:25 | More by TheQuietMan22

mwilbur

Minnesota

2.98/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from 12 oz bottle into shaker pint glass.
A: Pours a dark brown (hint of red tint with backlighting). Faint tan head quickly recedes.
S: Roasted chocolate malt, toasted grains, dry caramel malt.
T: Strong sugary caramel pushes the chocolate note to the background...and drowns out anything else that might be there.
M: Thin, watery, and overly sweet.
D: Like drinking an uber-sweet caramel. Not so good.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 04:13:32 | More by mwilbur

Sark

Montana

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance- dark ruby brown pours with a clean head without stones

Smell- sweet toffee maltiness, not a note of hop

Taste- no bite on the front as the rich caramel sweetness takes over, minor notes of chocolate to be given a name

Mouthfeel- smooth on the tounge with big feel, lingers behind

Overall- a mild take even for a bock yet a good one on price and drinkability

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 05:20:38 | More by Sark

laria007

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I'm not a real fan of the chocolate's, but I have to say this one was nice. It was apart of a sampler I picked up and I drank from the bottle. From what I could see the very dark in color and test with hints of Chocolate. The aroma was sweet and the taste not as bitter as I thought it would be I really enjoyed this beer. It was paired with a chocolate chip cookie and it was a nice replacement to a glass of milk.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 19:00:24 | More by laria007

themind

New Jersey

3.03/5  rDev -17%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Well I must say I tried a bottle of this Bock and liked it! This beer is pretty good, small head with a nice aroma. The cocoa is dominant but not overpowering. This beer was a surprise and a good offering from SA. I would buy this and serve it at a winter party where most people have no idea what a bourbon barrel stout is.

Bottom Line: if you want a fair priced beer to share with friends this is a good choice.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 11:54:01 | More by themind

jimmah120

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle best by may

look is a very dark brown with a fizzy tan head. smell is slightly roasted malt and grain, with chocolate coffee grounds in the background. taste again starts off grainy, then comes sweet chocolatey malts. finish is the mix between the two, maybe some floral hops, an overwhelming plastic, almost cardboard, taste and rubbery mouthfeel.

very sweet and malty, with a foul, mineral-like aftertaste and some odd cardboard notes. the malt and grain is at first very pleasant, but ends up almost being a drainpour.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 10:18:36 | More by jimmah120

hoplover82

Texas

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours a clear dark brown to pretty much black with a small light tan creamy head that has ok retention and lacing.
S-The aroma is mainly roasty and dark chocolate. It kind of reminds my of a cappuccino from the corner store, but in a good "beery" way I guess.
T-The flavor takes on a milk chocolate note as apposed to the dark chocolate in the aroma, along with some very noticable roastiness from the roasted barley.
M-It's creamy up front with a slightly dry finish. Medium body with a solid medium carbonation.
O-To me this is a good beer, but not impressive. I can taste the chocolate and that's good, but it's just a solid beer in my opinion. Very glad I tried it though to be sure.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 03:41:37 | More by hoplover82

NuclearSoAndSo

Ohio

3/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a beer mug.

Appearance- Poured a two finger cappuccino head; nearly black with amber tones coming through when held to the light. Head dissipated pretty quickly.

Smell- Earthy, and in all honesty reminded me of a wet dog... maybe it was me or maybe I got a bad bottle, I don't know.

Taste- Hits you with a malty chocolate flavor upfront and subsides to a metallic taste (which is distracting when it takes over). It finishes out with a nice chocolate aftertaste; kind of sweet.

Mouthfeel- Relatively smooth, but lighter than I anticipated; medium carbonation.

Overall- I couldn't decide if I liked this beer. It was like with one sip I liked it, I was enjoying the aftertaste, but after the next sip it seemed abrasive.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 15:19:52 | More by NuclearSoAndSo

SometimesIfart

Michigan

3/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Black with a one finger white head. No lacing.

S - Slight chocolate, mostly vanilla though.

T - Chocolate hops, that's about it though. Definitely chocolatey.

M - Lightly carbonated with a medium to heavy body.

O - Overall, not too bad but not great. I'd have again.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 01:03:17 | More by SometimesIfart

Hunter

Arizona

2.9/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Appearance: Brew is the color of dark chocolate. Vigorous pour yielded a decent head that faded quickly.

Smell: Chocolate is certainly there.

Taste: Initial taste reminded me Cocoa Puffs. Continues through with some small notes of hop and malt, but this is all about the chocolate.

Mouthfeel: Weighty, not thin.

Overall: Overall, it's not bad. But much too much like candy/milk left in the bowl after Cocoa Puffs are eaten. A little too much for my taste - would have like to taste some alcohol!

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 22:53:14 | More by Hunter

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock has a thick, creamy, beige head, some lacing, lots of little bubble streams, and a dark brown appearance, with red highlights to it. The aroma is of chocolate powder, milk, and roasted malt. Taste is of the same, with sweetness and just a touch of hop bitterness. The mouthfeel is medium to full and slick, and Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock finishes wet, sweet, and easily drinkable. Overall, this is a very good beer.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 14:31:11 | More by RonaldTheriot

ColdWaffles

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Written from notes from earlier in the day. Poured from a standard 12 oz bottle into a standard pint from a Sam holiday pack I bought for the family.

Appearance: Deep, dark brown. Had a short lasting brown head.

Smell: Malts with a bit of chocolate. Not particularly strong.

Taste: Malts and milk chocolate flavors. Decent bock with chocolate added. A pretty sweet beer, but not overly sweet.

Mouthfeel: Thin to medium body and kind of creamy. The carbonation is somewhat light by Sam Adams standards, as it probably should be. This is probably the best aspect of this beer.

I don't tend to favor bocks, and I dig this. Perhaps that means its accessible, and I wouldn't be surprised with Sam Adams. Anyway, I dig this, but it isn't something I'd get outside the package.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 03:57:55 | More by ColdWaffles

kshizzle101

Washington

3.4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

poured from a 12ox bottle into a pint glass

A - pitch black with a 2inch tan colored head which dissipates quickly

S - smells malty with a hint of chocolate

T - Tastes of roasted malts and nuts with a hint of chocolate in the after taste. Some hops do come through. but not a ton of flavor overall

M - Light to medium bodied and perhaps a little over carbonated

Overall - a less than impressive offering from Sam Adams. leaves a lot to be desired.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 06:07:00 | More by kshizzle101

d1ckvanswype

Florida

3.8/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Fresh bottle, poured into a 16oz stein.

Appearance: Dark, dark brown, like two shades darker than cola or root beer, with very little golden-ruby highlights when held to the light.

Smell: A little disappointing, an enticing blend of sweet/bitter chocolate, vanilla and malt, similar to a Whopper chocolate covered maltball, but a tad on the weak side.

Taste: Up front there is a burst not unlike a dark chocolate covered cherry cordial which goes quickly to a sweet milk chocolate and finishers with a brief hint of dark malt/hoppy bitterness. Leaves a dutch process cocoa powder taste, very pleasant.

Mouthfeel: Rich, but not cloying with sweetness, the fine, somewhat heavy carbonation brings a mouthfeel that's really close to the astringency of a very smooth Latin espresso.

Overall: Impressive, actually an improvement over the 2011 batch, with even more luscious chocolate over and undertones, a delicious dark, sweet bock that's not TOO sweet, a great nightcap beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 04:51:36 | More by d1ckvanswype

jjamadorphd

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer was not what I was expecting - it ended up being so much more...

Out of the bottle it pours a dark, practically black brew that just amazes. The aroma is all chocolate mixed with the hops and barley with a hint of honey - truly amazing. The mouthfeel is by far now the best I have ever had - it rolls silkily and velvety across your tongue with a minimal amount of carbonation to get in the way - yes, very good. The taste was all chocolate with barley, hops, and malt all mixed to perfection - it was not what I was expecting and it exceeded my expectations beyond belief. This by far is the best brew I have tasted during the holidays or, so far, any time of year. Go out and getcha some, and enjoy!

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 03:04:01 | More by jjamadorphd

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.65/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This poured a ruby red but presented itself quite black in the snifter. As I held it to light I could see the rubiness in the corners. The head was small and dissappated quickly but I found considerable lacing.

I found hints of powdered chocolate in the scent but the single biggest flaw was simply how weak the aroma was. I had to try very hard to find the chocolate tones.

The taste was nice, chocolate notes, with a light malt backbone. Less overt in the chocolate but still quite noticeable, there were some burnt malt qualities. The mouth is thin, nothing special. I liked this Chocolate Bock but it did not set itself apart from others.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 22:38:19 | More by KYGunner

fischerking

4.23/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock from Jamaica Plain, NY.

This beer had an unbelievably great chocolate taste, but unlike a stout or porter. Smell was unremarkable, maybe a little bit of hops?

I drank it out of a bottle from Food City in Knoxville, TN on 12/21/2012 from a create your own 6-pack.

Yes.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 00:40:48 | More by fischerking

TownDunkel

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +21.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sam Adams Chocolate Bock ... can you say Yes Please!

Appearance - Chocloate brown with a nutty brown head

Smell - Weak smell that is hoppy but doesnt give away all the awesome flavors

Taste - Awesome... First it is smooth and dark that turns to a cocoa and milk choclate finish. Only beer on par with this is Left Hand brewing Chocolate Stout

Mouthfeel - Great, smooth, satisfying, great carbonation that makes it stick around like it should

Overall - This is a hard beer to beat!

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 02:23:05 | More by TownDunkel

wspscott

Kentucky

3.83/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle in Sam Adams glass
no date, but in the fridge since the spring so ~9 months

A: Crystal clear with dark ruby highlights when held up to a light, but otherwise looks completely black. A very thing tan head and a little bit of lace on top.
S: A definite sweetness that I would not say is chocolate except for the label.
T: Chocolate milkshake, with some extra chocolate syrup on top. I am somewhat amazed at the amount of chocolate character they got in this beer. There is a slight bitterness that seems to be hop driven vs. roasted malts, I think I would like a little bit of roasted malt or some black patent, basically I think I would like this more as a porter/stout. Very rich, but not cloying.
M: Crisp and creamy at the same time, tingly carbonation.
O: A very good beer, kind of regretting I did not drink/review this one earlier, but not really a summer beer. The very distinct chocolate is great, makes me want to try to brew a porter with cacao nibs. A great addition to the winter variety pack, I need to check the store soon. Very worth trying. An excellent dessert beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 00:55:32 | More by wspscott

scottyb88

Maryland

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-pours a dark brown, almost black, with a nice head and minimal lacing

S-dark malts and cocoa as expected with a bit of nuttiness

T-chocolate, toffee, brown sugar, nuts

M-nice feel with medium body; aftertaste is surprisingly not as sweet as expected

O-a decent beer but not a session beer by any means despite being low alcohol; its sweet, almost cloying; it reminds me of the barrel aged storm king from victory, but like a little brother version-not as intense nor good

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 05:13:27 | More by scottyb88

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Nonic pint glass at cellar-fridge temperature.

L – Deep brown color with only a 0.5-finger tan bubbly head that rapidly dissipates. No lacing. From what I can see given its color, it has good clarity and a good number of carbonation bubbles that are emerging at the surface.

S – Definitely chocolate with some caramel malt and molasses aromas. The strong chocolate aroma is masking any subtle toasted malt aromas that may be present.

T – Sweet nearly all the way through with caramel malts and rich cocoa. Earthy and nutty toasted malts show up at mid-taste to the finish.

F – Light-to-medium-bodied with good carbonation, a somewhat syrupy but crisp mouthfeel, and a sweet finish. A little bit of cocoa sweetness lingers for a very short bit of time.

O – This is a good beer, but it needs a little bit more body to match the malty, chocolatey taste. It’s still tasty for sure, but adding more body and having some better head characteristics would definitely put this in the 4 range.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 03:44:00 | More by BlackBelt5112203

Cavanaghty

Maine

3.08/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured from a bottle into a Sam Adams Glass.

Appearance: Dark brown with one finger of beige head.

Smell: Roasted malts and caramel, and some faint notes of chocolate.

Motuhfeel/Taste: Thicker but smooth, full bodied. Taste of semi-sweet coca bean, some raosted malts, no flavor really jumps out at you.

Overall: Not horrible, but not that good. Average bock style beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 20:38:16 | More by Cavanaghty

davecavemaster

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is another selection I got with my Sam Adams "Winter Classics Variety Pack."

This is one that you'll love or you'll hate...depends on whether you like the chocolate taste, and enjoy dark beers.

The chocolate Bock pours a very dark brown, with amber/reddish highlights. Surprisingly "clear" for such a dark beer. The foam is a bubbly tan head that starts out fairly thick. The head dissipates fairly quickly, and leaves minimal sptty lacing on the glass.

The aroma of this brew is very nice. There is a bready dark malt smell, as well as a hint of chocolate and a definite sugary caramel whiff. I even got some vanilla now and then while drinking.

First and foremost in the taste is the chocolate. The flavor reminds me of the kind of chocolate taste that I used to get when I would mix my Nestle Quik with milk as a kid. There are some malt flavors, and a hint of that vanilla I smelled, but mostly ist's the chocolate. The nice thing is that the chocolate flavor is not overwhelming. Certainly not a beer that you would sit down and drink six of...but a very pleasant winter beer.

This selection has a very creamy feel on the tongue. The beer is not very carbonated, and the liquid just slides around in your mouth.

I have always been a big bock fan. And this delivers as a classic lightly hopped holiday brew. If you don't like the sweet chocolate taste, this brew is not for you...but for a cold winter's day, this is a nice seasonal.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 01:19:48 | More by davecavemaster

Scotchboy

Idaho

3.88/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into a pint shaker...

A: Definitely darker than a traditional bock, darker brown body with light red tints...the off-white cap retains pretty well.

S: Aroma is strongly bock-like with big-time bready malt, but the chocolate does emerge as it warms, as well as a splash of vanilla. Hint of caramel as well.

T: Wow, impressed by the chocolate again, even more present here than the nose, with more caramel notes and vanilla. The chocolate is cocoa powder-ish, bordering on milk chocolate, but its pleasant and not overly artificial tasting. The caramel fades into the bready, malty bock backbone.

MF: Creamy body with shades of a milk stout with the sweetness and creaminess. Good carbonation.

O: Impressed, I think this is a better beer than it rates on BA, though the chocolate is a touch artificial and the sweetness gets to be a *bit* cloying by the end. As others have said, this is a good after-dinner/dessert sipper, and definitely a one-and-done for me.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 16:35:04 | More by Scotchboy