Cinder Bock - Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The Boston Beer Company opens spring with this unusually strong Dopplebock that hosts a few surprises along the way. The element of smoke enhances the already malty-rich taste and aroma but doesn't dominate. So for those who are nervous about intense smoke character should not worry, but dive on in!

Cinder Bock opens with the expected bark-brown coloring, brilliant clarity, and with garnet highlights that give a masculine and stately appearance. A dense foam stance of tannish coloration shows great staying power and laces along the glass with rings that denote each sip. This is the quentessential look for Dopplebocks.

Fully aromatic with varying notes of chocolate, toast, mild molasses, pitted and stone fruits, and the true malt scent that reminds me of Whoppers candies without the chocolate. All these savory malt aromas are decorated with the vail of light smoke that reminds me of sweet mesquite.

Larger than life in flavor, all the malty rich taste culminate with the fused characteristics of molasses, dark breads and chocolate but then with the subtleties of plumbs, dates, figs, toast, rum-like alcohols, and an almost-meaty taste that portrays a succulent and savory drinking session that conjures up images of intoxicated monks happily substituting these elixers for solid food during the fasting periods of lent.

Full bodied throughout, this unusually big Bock is dense, creamy, and richly textured as the malt coats the mouth with clinging sweetness. Penetrated with the power of 9.45% alcohol, a warming and nearly hot sensation offers a welcome reprieve to the sweetness and offers a glimmer of dryness in finish. A long lasting aftertaste of smoky sweetness, fruit, and nutty chocolate lingers well into the next sip.

It's fair game to say that Doppebocks are among the earliest examples of "extreme" beers. If so, then this Sam Adams example makes "extreme" out of "extreme" by boosting the alchols up a few degrees and weaving in the smoky elements of traditional Rauchbiers. Still, I would prefer the beer to demonstrate a drier and toastier body like Ayinger Celebrator or a more succulent sherry-like version of Weihenstephaner Korbinian because the molasses sweetness in Cinder Bock gets a little one-dimensional and "Americanized" for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 17:21:48 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

In order for me to give a perfect score in any category of a beer I have to be wowed and in awe of it and I gotta say I was both in the pour of this beer.Poured a rich deep bronze with a perfectly formed cremay one finger light tan head that has held thru the duration,just perfect color and definition and creaminess in the head.The aromas don't bring so much promise with some hardwood smoke and mild sweetness.That creamy head translates in the feel with a creamy coating feel,very nice.A nice mix of sweet caramel and anise flavors and more subtle upfront smoke,the smoke plays a larger role in the finish.Hey I love this hybrid,the smoke is somewhat assertive as is the doppelbock toasty sweetness and warming notes,I loved it!

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 20:26:18 | More by oberon

TMoney2591

Illinois

2.9/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served in a Gale Sayers shaker pint glass.

This was possibly my most anticipated of the single batch releases thus far, save for Verloren. Let's get our smoke on, shall we? This stuff pours a clear russet-amber topped by a finger of ashy cream foam. The nose comprises mild beech smoke, light caramel, and a twinge of cocoa. The taste is a surprising barrage of sweetness, with caramel, light cocoa, and buttercream melding with some mild-though-substantial booze to form a harsh assault on the tongue. Throughout, a vein of mild smoke pervades, a mixture of hickory and beech, but it never comes close to even matching the sweetness nor does it ever get to stand on its own. The body is a light medium, with a light moderate carbonation, a lightly syrupy feel, and a fairly dry finish. Overall, a decent rauchbier, but one that comes across too sweet and not-smoky-enough for its own good.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 15:02:58 | More by TMoney2591

drabmuh

Maryland

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

At the time of this review, this is #27 on the "Top Beers - Rauchbier" list on beeradvocate.com. Not a great location but I thought it was a decent beer. Beer is ruby red with a thin tan head of small and medium bubbles, no lacing, moderate retention, looks fine.

Aroma is smokey and a little sweet with a nice body behind it.

Beer is medium in body, a little sweet, a little smoky, not over the top, a decent beer by my estimation. THe finish is nice as well, not dry. I'd consider having it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 16:20:41 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a deep red color with a tan head. The aroma is definitely that of a smoked beer. I get a ton of meaty BBQ-like smoke, as well as a little bit of roasted malt. The flavor follows suit. There are a lot of burnt malts, as well as as good dose of smoke and a little bit of sweetness from the toffee or caramel malt. Still, this beer is all about the smoke and it definitely delivers on that front. I don't get any alcohol, which is surprising since the beer is nearly 10 percent. Medium, creamy mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 04:58:36 | More by Mora2000

metter98

New York

3.71/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: The beer is dark reddish amber in color and has a light amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high beige colored head that died down and left a thin film of bubbles covering the surface and a collar of large bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light to moderately aromas of smoked malts in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste has lots of smoky flavors along with some hints of the underlying caramel malts. There are some hints of sweetness.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied and a little thick on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer definitely feels somewhat filling (like a doppelbock) but manages to hide its alcohol extremely well. It's a good selection if you want something that is like a meal in itself but isn't too smoky.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 04:31:23 | More by metter98

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.95/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a bright coppery color, with a large dense off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains smoky malts, lager yeast, caramel and some of hops.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of caramel and toffee up front that are quickly followed by a strong but not over-powering smokiness. The malt character is hearty and the hops presence is mild but complementary creating a good balance. The after-taste is slightly smoky and slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a solid smoked beer to drink for a while if you’re in the mood for the style.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 21:08:15 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

2.83/5  rDev -21.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Tried a little bit of a sample at the EBF. The beer poured out looking really nice. It has a red color with some shaded of brown in it. The smell of the beer is super smokey. The taste of the beer is too smokey I think. I wasn't digging this ones flavor too much. The mouthfeel was surprisingly heavy I thought. Overall this beer was didn't go over too well with me mainly because of the flavor. I prefer the Bonfire Rauch that came in the Autumn variety pack more.

Serving type: on-tap

02-06-2012 04:46:12 | More by Knapp85

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.03/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a two finger cream head that fades to a ring leaving some lace. Nice crystal clear amber color. Medium carbonation and medium bodied. Smoky nose and flavor is sweet peat and some smoke. Would go well with a barbeque. Higher ABV is hidden. $7.00 for a 22oz bottle from Tully's Beer & Wine Wells, Me.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 22:04:54 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

2.7/5  rDev -25%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

(Served in a dimple mug)
Batch #1
A- This beer pours a dense light caramel hued body with a raging carbonation of big bubbles supporting a rocky head of light tan.

S- The mellow cloth band aid aroma has some brown sweet malt notes to follow.

T- The big band aid and salty bacon flavored smoke taste stains the tongue with some slight sweetness in the finish taking on some salty sweet brown malt notes as it opens.

M- The medium mouthfeel has a gentle carbonation and no real alcohol

O- If I have to taste band aids this is the least offensive of the kinds but it grows stronger and stronger with each sip. I think there is a tasty beer in this bottle with nice hints of malt sweetness but it is well hidden in the loud salty bacon, band aid flavors. It was a bit to rough to finish.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 18:32:24 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz brown bottle with no freshness date.

LOOK: Tawny hue, hazed, superb head and lacing

SMELL: Smoke, birch, ash, spice, rose water, caramel, raisins, more smoke

TASTEL: Smooth, very smoky, slightly cloying, caramel, ash, charred wood, pears, spicy alcohol, bready, mild tartness, herbal, floral, semi-juicy, more smoke, ashy smoky finish

Too much smoke IMO so I can easily say it was not balanced at least for me. Thankfully this is a big beer so it can take a few lumps, good to sip but there is no way I could see finishing this bottle off during a long session. Asking you to try it would be a dare if you are not into smoked beers, even if you are it might be a challenge.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 03:28:13 | More by Jason

mdfb79

New York

3.9/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 03/03/12 notes. My girlfriend liked this one up at EBF so we bought a bottle. 22 oz. bottle into a tulip.

a - Pours a dark amber color with two inches of off white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smell's of smokey malts, dark fruits, toasted and roasted malts, burnt malts. Not a ton going on aside from some smokey malts.

t - Tastes of light smoke, sweet dark fruits, light brown sugar, roasted and toasted malts, bready malts. Better then the nose; some nice sweet fruit.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Nice body and easy to drink; definitely doesn't feel like 9.45% ABV.

o - Overall a nice rauchbier. The nose is a little one dimensional but the taste is really nice; it's lightly smokey and fruity. Would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 17:47:04 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle purchased as a single from Wine Nation, Millbury, MA.

Poured into an imperial pint, formed a 1/4" beige head over the clear orangey copper brew. Head recedes at a moderate pace, leggy, with average lacing. Aroma is sweet malt husks, with light smokiness.

Taste begins with rich malt sweetness, tannins and some smoke in the middle, and a dry alcoholic close. Mouthfeel is pretty slickery, and drinkability is okay. Wanted more smoke, but not everyone wants Schlenkerla levels like me. Anyways...

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 00:29:17 | More by ppoitras

Zorro

California

4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A clear red colored beer with a medium sized tan colored head.

Sweet and nutty bock with some smoke and medicine aromas. Reminds me a bit of smoked almonds. Good but not overpowering smoke aroma.

Starts out sweet and smoky. Slight sourness and a decent amount of bitterness. Sweetness is almost too much, but there is enough hop and smoke to keep it in check. Alcohol is well hidden but you can feel it in your chest..

Mouthfeel is very full.

Overall, good beer but it could be a little less sweet.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 02:43:40 | More by Zorro

beerthulhu

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Burgundy red with a strong show of effervesce. A two finger rigid, frothy beige head shows a good level of support and stay. Full thin film lacing adores the glass.

S: Smoked meat and jerky, mid level range of strength.

T: Smoked crystal malt sweetness with smoked meat and jerky once again. Soft smoked woodiness, caramelized malt with a noticeable trail of warm roses and noble hop flowers on the finish and particularly upon warming.

M: medium based, frothy texture with a strong carbonation. Spicy smoked crystal sweetness off the tongue.

O: Overall strong malt presence, mid level amount of smokiness, more malty sweet, generally easy to consume with a alcohol that will creep up on you.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2012 22:30:01 | More by beerthulhu

kojevergas

California

2.08/5  rDev -42.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a conical Guinness pint glass in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are average; I don't know that Sam Adams can pull off a rauchbier properly. Batch number 1. 9.4% ABV.

Served refrigerator cold and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a 1.5 finger head of fair cream, decent thickness, and okay retention considering the high ABV. Colour is a dark nontransparent amber. Not at all opaque. Appears overcarbonated.

Sm: Hops, light smoke, toffee, and caramel. A weak aroma that isn't particularly appealing. No real presence. My suspicions have changed from overcarbonation to undercarbonation.

T: Artifical cherry on the open (somewhat syrupy). Clean malts comprise the boring dull foundation. Where's the smoke? There's hardly any caramelization present, let alone the baconey roasted smokey goodness rauchbiers are supposed to contain. This is sheer garbage considering the style. No yeast or alcohol come through. Hints of toffee are the best aspect of the beer. Simple boring and bland. Not at all complex or subtle. What were they thinking?

Mf: Undercarbonated. Smooth, wet, and thin (the exact opposite of what a rauchbier should be). Doesn't suit the flavours well at all. Very poorly done.

Dr: Hard to drink on account of how garbage it is. Not only does it not satisfy the style, it just sucks outright. I'd never have this again, and I'd caution my friends from getting it. A severe disappointment from Sam Adams.

D

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2012 03:44:06 | More by kojevergas

Brad007

Vermont

4.38/5  rDev +21.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a brick red with a thick head into my glass. Plenty 'o lacing for those who like it.

Smoky wood notes in the nose with just a hint of sweetness. Very much like the style. I like it.

Whoa baby! Smoky, chewy malt upfront. Despite the ABV, it drinks like a standard rauchbier.

Lingering smoked malt makes up the mouthfeel. Very well done. The alcohol isn't as prominent as I first thought.

I enjoy this rauchbier. You might too. It's not an authentic German example but it comes really damn close and ups the ABV in the process!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 22:53:55 | More by Brad007

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.45/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a beige head. Leaves splattered lace. Color is a clear burnt mahogany.

Aroma: a lot of bacon and smokey flavors. Reminds me of red apples. Caramel and burnt sugar. Lots of malts. Sweet.

Taste: same as the nose. Bacon and smoked malts. Toffee and caramel. Very bockish.

Mouthfeel: smokey and sweet. Medium bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends smokey.

Overall, a tasty bock. Easy to drInk. I like the smokiness.!no alcohol present. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 03:54:39 | More by mothman

mactrail

California

3.75/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Deep and rich flavors, not overwhelmed by smoke. Attractive dark coppery brown with perfect off-white head. Pleasant carbonation on the tongue.

Some smoke in the aroma that follows through modestly in the flavor. Very tangy, with some sharp flavors to go with the malty richness. Quite sweet, but certainly appropriate for a night cap or maybe an aperitif for a meaty dinner. Smoke is about as much as I'd ever like to taste in a beer. At least it tastes real, and not harsh. Interesting to mate the smoke with the sugar, like a barbecue sauce. Slightly bitter in the aftertaste, but more like candy.

Yet another well-made strong beer from Boston Beer. A little pricey at $8.99 for the 22 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 06:24:46 | More by mactrail

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.58/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, dark mahogany with a thick, fluffy and rather persistent pale tan head. Malty aroma has a strong yeasty overtone and a hint of - is that beef jerky? Flavor has a malty core with tones of smoke, barbecue and caramel and a hint of yeast. It's almost like drinking a well-smoked sausage. (Ugh - I'm a vegetarian, but this is beer!) Smooth texture has above average body and some decent fizz. Like barbecue? Try this one!

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 20:08:53 | More by Cyberkedi

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Samuel Adams Cinder Bock

Pours a rich brownish color, sticky lacing of slightly off white foam. Aroma is earthy, smokey, sweet and strong. In the flavor, caramel, toasted and smoked malts are all apparent right away. Decent bready notes that give it that Bock-ish style. There is a mild spicy hop and spicy alcohol flavor. Still, remains smokey all the way through with some bbq/smoke cured meat flavor. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, a little slick but well carbonated. Overall, a good strong smoked beer, it will kick your ass though.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 15:45:55 | More by Stinkypuss

avalon07

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a mug. Had a brown color and a clear texture. There was an inch and a half of creamy, long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: Predictably, the aroma was dominated by the smokiness, but there was also a healthy malt presence as well.

T: Tasted of malt, light hops, a hint of caramel, and the aforementioned smokiness. A much more complex flavor than I expected, and tasty, too.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a dry finish. Medium-bodied.

O: One of Samuel Adams' better creations. Well made and eminently drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 12:11:15 | More by avalon07

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.28/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a clean reddish to amber color with a light tan head. In the aroma, small fruitiness and a note of smoke. In the taste, mostly fruity, and a small smoke that gets larger as it warms up. A smooth and medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a dry fruitiness in the aftertaste. More fruit presence than smoke, it is just ok though.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2012 17:35:42 | More by OWSLEY069

Tone

Missouri

4/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, amber color. 5/4 inch head of an off-tan color. Great retention and good lacing. Smells of smoke, sweet malt, hint of pale malt, hint of caramel malt, and a hint of hop. Fits the style of a Rauchbier. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of smoke, sweet malt, slight roasted malt, hint of pale malt, hint of hop, hint of caramel malt, and slight alcohol. Overall, good smoke blend: good aroma, body, and feel.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2012 13:02:17 | More by Tone

beertunes

Washington

3.25/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into straight pint glass. Poured a semi-hazy coppery brown color with about 1/2 inch of light khaki head that had low retention and light lacing.

The aroma was mostly malty-sweet, as you'd expect in a Bock, but only had a trace of the smokiness you'd expect in a Rauch. I didn't pickup a notable hop scent. On the tongue however, the smoke really came through. Not to the levels of Schlenkerla, perhaps, but very smoky indeed. The malty Bock flavors were mostly buried, but did come through on the back of the tongue, as the smoke subsided.

The body was average, perhaps a bit thin for my tastes, for a Bock. Drinkability will depend on your tolerance for the smoke. If you like it, you'll find this beer very drinkable, if not not as much. Overall, a good, solid brew that's worth a shot if you see it. I'm happy to see a large brewery like BBC stepping out and making some of these lesser known styles available to a wider audience. Congrats to 'em!

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2012 04:42:41 | More by beertunes