Back Forty Bock - New Glarus Brewing Company

Arbitrator

California

1.53/5  rDev -59.1%
look: 4 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

Chilled bottle into a glass. A generous extra from boatshoes. Thanks, Fletcher! I love New Glarus....

A: Pours a murky maroon body with ruby-orange edges when held up to the light. Its light beige foam retains well and leaves generous sudsing down hte sides of the tulip, maintaining a light film on the beer when all is said and done. Great appearance.

S: This is surprisingly lacking in aroma. I let it warm up, but at best I get vague hints of Staghorn-like toast, apple cider, and plums. Very poor presence.

T: The taste is much the same way. What's going on here? I pick up some bread, plums, and leafy hops, but they're all incredibly weak. Just a very watery experience.

M: Kind of a watery, foamy body. Weak flavor.

D: I'm hoping this is a bad bottle somehow. The beer had basically no taste. Wut??

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2010 03:13:26 | More by Arbitrator

BasementBer

Manitoba (Canada)

2.1/5  rDev -43.9%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A: Hazy nut brown to amber in color. Minimal lacing from the light brown head. Best feature imo.

S: Sweet brown sugar if anything.

T: Not much here to describe. Water comes to mind, possibly the waters of New Glarus, WI? Bock in the nose but it just stops right there. Not only do i not believe its over 5% because of the thinness of it, but that its the back 40 ive heard about.

M: Slight fizzyness from solid head retention and a dryness in he mouth.

D: Not impressed. Wheres the body? Has little to no bulk at all. Could pass as a standard brown ale really.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2011 00:23:46 | More by BasementBer

Ryan011235

Ohio

2.58/5  rDev -31%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a New Glarus glass on 8/7/12

Medium dark brown with rust and crimson highlights. A two finger beige-colored head dissipates slowly leaving a pock marked layer of foam and scattered strands of lace.

Bread has a strong showing in the nose with a toasty grain bent backing it up. From there, milder floral and ripe apple notes round it out. Dusty yeast on the peripheries.

The taste is a bit of a let down compared to the aroma. Bread notes are minimized and there is a generic hop twinge that comes across as metallic. Light fruit tones blended in around the edges. Hints of earth and nuts.

The feel is a disappointment. The body is light with a juicy penchant and falls prey to an overactive carbonation.

My overall impression of Back 40 improves over time; swirling out some of the carbonation makes the beer easier to drink and as the beer warms, some of the roughish aspects are lessened.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 05:45:17 | More by Ryan011235

facundoCNB

New Jersey

2.8/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - thick creamy head constant throughout, nice lacing, deep copper

S - floral hops, malts

T - semisweet malts, not much there as far as taste goes, taste of barley

M - very refreshing and crisp on the mouth, downed half of a glass instantly.. which could be a bad thing!

O - a nice thirst quencher, but not much in other departments unfortunately.. this looked a lot better than it was which surprises me from new glarus.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 21:59:51 | More by facundoCNB

samie85

Illinois

2.8/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

A- Pours a clear dark brownish red color with a finger of off-white head.

S-Light hints of dark fruit and a spicy, herbal hop nose.

T-This one has hints of light malty dark fruit with a mild bitterness on the finish.

M-Very thin-bodied and a little watery with mild carbonation.

D-This one is a little disappointing for me; I'm left wanting more body and a bigger malt profile.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 02:20:54 | More by samie85

krazyboi

Illinois

2.88/5  rDev -23%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A: Brown in color, with a two finger light tan head which dissipates rather quickly.
S: Slightly malty and sweet.
T: Malty with barely any other noticible flavors. Not very complex.
M: Medium bodied with light carbonation.
D: This is very drinkable, but not anything I would go searching for. There's just nothing special about this beer. It's a bit tasteless. I love New Glarus beers, but this one just doesn't cut it. I do know a lot of other people like it though, so go try it out for yourself!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 01:49:23 | More by krazyboi

Bighuge

Minnesota

2.95/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Slightly hazed mahogany body. Thin off white head leaves sporadic patches of lace. Weak maltiness on the nose with allusions to adjuncts. Body is about medium. Moderate amounts of carbonation. Very easy going beer without a lot of malt depth or richness. It's just kind of there. Maybe a good crossover bock for the macro crowd, but this pales in comparison to the Uff Da Bock, which is exceptional IMHO.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2011 03:37:22 | More by Bighuge

ZAP

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Kind of a light weight bock/dark lager offering. Dark copper colored...disappointed in the clarity...a bit hazy...somewhat nutty in flavor with some bready notes...but overall not a lot of strong malt flavors expected. Drinks fine but something I'd more expect to experience wearing a Leinie label....actually I think I prefer their 1888 Bock to this..run of the mill and another NG beer that seems dumbed down for the masses (like their Honey Bock).

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2011 18:17:18 | More by ZAP

leakyfaucet12

Wisconsin

3.1/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle poured into a snifter while watching the Bears obliterate the seahawks.

a- dark brown with an abnormally white head that leaves quite a bit of lacing on the glass.

s- The smell on this is quite a bit odd, I asked my wife to smell it to let me know what she thought and I got a couple of things from her. This is what we thought: bandaids, stale beer on the floor, fruits and some breads.

t- there was an initial sourness that I thought of there old english UP. But then it smoothed out with a fruit flavor. I feel that this is a bit light in flavor though

m- light in the aftertaste and barely any carbonation.

d- This beer I could see on a draft list and not feel that it is anything special. The beer is competely and utterly average in my opinion. Not bad, but not good. And this is coming from a guy that considers New Glarus one of my favorite breweriess.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 20:28:35 | More by leakyfaucet12

roadhouse

Florida

3.1/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle into pint glass

Pours up brownish red with a nice tan head on top with good retention.

Aroma is mild with very light caramel and a touch of earthy hops.

Flavor is also mild, almost watery to me, with a touch of caramel and sort of a weird taste I can't really describe.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied more light, but sort of harsh due to the odd flavor.

Pretty weak overall, I'd expect better from NG.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2011 01:08:38 | More by roadhouse

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Big thanks to BeerFMAndy for getting a nice box of New Glarus out to me. Served in a New Glarus tasting glass.

Pours a medium caramel color with a short white head and some nice lacing on the way down. The nose brings some very faint hops and a bit of bready plus a touch of caramel. Flavor is pretty similar. Body is medium with good carbonation and a semi-dry finish; just a touch of sweetness comes through. Not bad for an American Bock.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2012 00:47:25 | More by Thorpe429

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

3.13/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: nice mahogany, brown color, thin lacing on top
S: reminded me a bit of the old Huber Bock, slightly sweet, some corn
T: decent enough, reminded me of a polished german bock that doesn't have a ton of roasted malt backbone, a bit watery
M: somewhat watery but tasty and not over the top in malt, just well-balanced beer
D: easy drinking

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2010 02:32:42 | More by wisrarebeer

weatherdog

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a Stange glass. Bottle dated 2770 so it's very fresh.

It pours a transparent brown, just a shade lighter than cola. A off white, bordering on khaki 1 finger head tops the beer with medium retention and minimal lacing.

The aroma is all malt. It isn't too sweet and over powering like too much crystal malt is in there. Some bready toasty aromas as well as just a dap of roasted coffee. The nose seems pretty subdued but i enjoyed that to the overly sweet aroma of many bocks.

My first impression is that the flavor is pretty light and watery. A bit of toasted bread, lightly sweet with toffee, but ultimately ends pretty dry and crisp. The flavor profile is there it seems so dumbed and watered down that it's barely recognizable as a bock.

The body is to thin for my liking. I hate to say this but it reminds me of the beers some BMC companies used to put out in the winter which are basically their light lagers with some crystal malt or Sinamar added. The drinkabilty is very good mostly due to the light body and light flavor.

I had high hopes that they would have replaced Uff-da with a similar tasting bock although I almost lost hope after tasting Cabin Fever. I understand why New Glarus is making these least common denominator beers but it pains me to know this was at the expense of Uff-da. A real 'Wisconsin Bock' needs some body and bold flavor.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2010 02:52:01 | More by weatherdog

Buebie

Minnesota

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

My buddy picked me up a mixer 6 of NG beer the other day, what a good friend.

Poured from the bottle semi rigorously, producing about an inch of white frothy head. Settling to a thick whipped collar and a nice cap.
Color is a pale burnt brown, hazy but semi transparent.
Lace leaves thin slick coverage, long legs.
Aroma is malty with breads and burnt sugars. semi sweet with a leafy laid back hop presence as well as a small touch of dark fruit.
Taste is also fairly malty, mild cereal grains and some of that dark fruit with very mild leafy hops. It seems a little watered down though in flavor and feel is overly assertive in carbonation.
Thin feeling really and extra crisp with prickly carbonation.
A good sessioner, but not something I'd seek out.

I didn't care for it, but my roommates gf said its good for girls and she really likes it.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2010 22:39:06 | More by Buebie

EgadBananas

Louisiana

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Muddy brownish color with red tinges, light light tan head of not even a finger. No lace, rather bubbly.

Average aroma: slight malt sweetness and a hint of nuttiness.

Fairly similar taste with the maltiness, nuttiness, and maybe a hint of sweet citrus faintly in the back.

Feel is light in body, creamy, slick and clean.

Drink ability is decent: Overall an above average Bock, but doesn't wow on any fronts.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2011 00:19:45 | More by EgadBananas

MaximalC

Illinois

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Pours a muddy bronze color with a modest, coarse, off-white head. Aroma is fairly one-dimensional, smelling of caramel. Taste is comparable to the aroma, with a malty sweetness matched by just enough hops to lend balance. The amalgam precipitates a slight, cherry-like tartness near the back end that's the closest thing to complexity this brew has to offer. The mouthfeel is light, perky, and drinkable--probably the best thing this beer has going for it. This ultimately comes off as a safe and nondescript bock, which is less than desirable for a style I already find to be pretty underwhelming.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 02:08:27 | More by MaximalC

BeerSoup

Wisconsin

3.25/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz poured into pint glass.

A - Clear brown body with a 2 finger tan head and little lacing.

S - Grainy, nutty, hint of cinnamon.

T - Same as the smell, grainy, nutty, small cinnamon notes.

M - Smooth medium body, light carbonation.

D - Very easy to drink, gulper for sure.

Final impression - Lacks aroma and flavor. This is the stuff that makes alcoholics.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2011 02:38:37 | More by BeerSoup

errantnight

California

3.28/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A beautiful looking beer, thick creamy, fluffy, craggy head with nice lacing and retention sitting atop a deep mahogany / burnt sienna. Aroma is a bit flat, some nuttiness and a little roast. The body, while substantial, seems pumped up with caramel and roasted malts. It's deceptively cloying, despite an initial nice balance. It doesn't really showcase the mid-palate malt. Leaving this almost like a bock by way of a brown ale. It is round, smooth, and full without being heavy.

It's gorgeous, easy to drink, but it's not what I'm looking for from a bock, at all.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2010 02:13:32 | More by errantnight

rka758

Illinois

3.28/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into SA perfect pint.
8.50/six-pack

A: Pours a deep brown. One-finger white head with nice lacing.
S: Almost "bready." A little sweet malt.
T: Malt. A little vanilla.
M: Nice. Lite.
D: It's an easy drinker. While this is a fine beer, I don't know if I will be searching for it.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2010 04:07:46 | More by rka758

merc7186

New York

3.29/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

12oz bottle into pint glass.

A: Brownish/Reddish Hue, Passes Mild Light, Off White Head, Some Lacing

S: German Malts, Mildly Bready, Mild Caramel

T: German Malts, Biscuits Mild Caramel

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Watery

Overall, kind of disappointing, for a Bock it was very underwelming and too mild on flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 04:20:53 | More by merc7186

yeahnatenelson

Illinois

3.3/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3

Appearance -- Pours a rosy amber hue with high clarity and a slim, sudsy beige head that soon dissipates to wispy fog and a drab ring. Nice color.

Smell -- Plum and cherry, raisin, bready grain, and perhaps a hint of earthy hops.

Taste -- Plum, dark cherry, raisin, bread doughiness, earthy hops. Quite dry, finishes especially clean.

Mouthfeel -- Medium-light body, moderate carbonation. Feels great, damn near perfect. New Glarus is just one of those breweries that get the feel just right.

Drinkability -- For the uninitiated, Wisconsin is the standard bearer of bock biers in the US, and New Glarus is the standard bearer of craft beer in Wisconsin. Somehow it just doesn't come together. A crisp, refreshing beer for certain, but there's not much flavor. Not my favorite New Glarus offering.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 03:52:37 | More by yeahnatenelson

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.33/5  rDev -11%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

This pours a shiny, kind of medium brown-reddish body. Head isn't really there. Soapy and loose. Not much lacing

Sweet caramel and stale toffee in the aroma. A bit of leather comes and goes. Semi sharp.

Flavors seem raw and young. the caramel doesn't seem chewy, but hard. A quick burst of flavor then dwindles. Toffee is in the back ground, surrounding some dark, red soft fruit. Still seems a bit young.

a bit flat in the feel. Low abv makes it drinkable but I think takes away some of the feel.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 09:30:37 | More by Mebuzzard

morimech

Minnesota

3.35/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark brown color with a reddish tint, one finger of head that slowly settled to a thin cap. Moderate amount of spotty lacing is left on the glass. Mild aroma with hints of caramel, figs, and raisins. Maybe a little charcoal as well. The first sip I thought I tasted some smoke but that did not come back as I worked through the glass. The flavor is mostly caramel with some faint hints of dark fruit. The flavor is just not very interesting or complex. The body feels bigger that it is and is nicely carbonated. New Glarus gets the mouthfeel right in just about every beer. Do not understand the need to introduce this bock when they already have one of the best, Uff-da, in the portfolio. Just bring that one back. This is just average, well made, but average.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 22:32:00 | More by morimech

BeerNinja007

New Hampshire

3.35/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A friend of a friend who's a Wisonsin native turned me on to New Glarus a couple years ago, so I try to get my hands on this stuff whenever/ however I can. This 6-pack of Back 40 was hand delivered by my little brother who is currently working out that way. 12oz bottle, cold, poured into a standard pint glass. Code 2562 15:22, whatever that means.

New Glarus has snubbed convention by not having any goat iconagraphy on the label. It's some kind of sunset/ sunrise over a rolling wooded hill. No goats for whatever that's worth.

A: Mostly clear brown brew, like a really dark reddish amber color. A moderate pour yields a thin 1/4" of light tan head that fades pretty quickly to a single layer of small bubbles on the surface of the brew. Slight/ minimal lacing on the glass.

S: Mild grainy sweetness from complex sugars, complete with the vegetal kind of undertones I often get from a bock. Smells clean, no hop aroma. Definitely bock-ish, true to style, but on the lighter side. Not much bready fullness or complexity.

T: Very clean and subtle. Small notes of brown sugar and molasses, semi-grainy/ starchy, a hint of smoky roasted malt. Finishes with some lingering sweetness, baking soda, and a little green/ grass/ herb/ vegetal aftertaste.

M: Moderately thin and kinda watery with a bit too much carbonation.

O: It becomes a bit less bock-like the further it goes. Appearance is right, smell is nearly right, taste is a little thin, then the mouthfeel is really too thin. Lacks the kind of malty bready fullness I'd expect to get from a good bock. That being said, it's not necessary bad. Just lacking a bit. Pleasant enough to drink, just falls a little flat when compared to others of the style. Seems that they skimped on the malt. This is like Bock Lite.

I had one at room temperature the other night and it was much better that way. Try it unchilled.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 04:19:13 | More by BeerNinja007

Birchgrove77

Illinois

3.38/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a nice burnt sienna with a pillowy mocha-like head of foam. Doesn't appear to be highly carbonated. Head disapates quickly to leave a touch of lace. Smell is of lightly toasted bread, malt sweetness, and a touch of yeasty goodness. Flavor seems to vary with hints of prune and bran cereal. Touch of sweetness rounds out the flavor profile. For a 5% beer this is packed with flavor that gets a bit tiring on my pallete, but is still a great beer as winter turns to spring.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 00:25:43 | More by Birchgrove77