Triple Bock - Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

slaintemhor

Oregon

3.85/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I got to try a bottle of this in September of 2009 thanks to a friend who got it in a beer trade. The colour was a true ruby with no head at all. The aroma was sweet with plenty of toffee and a hint of phenols. On the palate, sweetness, lots of froth, toffee, caramel and even a hint of soy sauce.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

02-10-2010 05:52:18 | More by slaintemhor

t0rin0

California

4.25/5  rDev +5.7%

10-15-2012 01:22:26 | More by t0rin0

ububru

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%

01-16-2012 02:07:07 | More by ububru

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A 375 mL (approximate size) bottle from Iron Hill. The accompanying 3-D blue/red glasses are somewhere around here. With a cork and cage.

A: The triple bock is dark, looking deep and mysterious with coffee/cola colors at the edges. The center of the beer is a morass of darkness, impenetrable. No head whatsoever, the bock sits with a disconcerting stillness; there is such a thing as too quiet.

S: Boozy, bready, fruity, strong. The triple bock packs quite a wallop in the nose. A mild smokiness runs through the bock, livening it up as it attempts to wear me down. The booziness creates a Belgian-like candi sugar aroma, very strong even from an arm's length away, that has prunes and raisins in spades. Blind, I'd call it a quadrupel or a BSDA.

T: Whoa! The sweet fruitiness, the raisins and prunes, strikes first with a syrupy provenance. That sweetness has, in its wake, the smokiness from the nose. The fruits can't hide the booze, the strength immediately evident. Brown sugar follows, adding to the darker sweetness that the bock can't shake. The breadiness holds the whole package together, keeping the fruits in check while providing the fuel for the strength. The stillness here, as opposed to other beers, benefits the bock. It focuses the rich flavors in one place, allowing them to take off. Very rich but very strong with the dark fruits lingering like a serious Belgian ale.

M: One bottle, hell this one is too big. Better in a nip bottle, this one may hurt in the morning. The two years of cellar time has done the beer justice, a complex rich drink.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

01-16-2012 01:35:00 | More by akorsak

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -12.9%

01-11-2012 06:42:32 | More by ygtbsm94

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I grabbed this at the Iron Hill in Wilmington close to two years back, and never got around to drinking it until tonight, 'cos I need to make room in my fridge for Hopslam.

In my snifter, this pours a ruddy brown, very clear and moderately carbonated. There a thin, brown head that's rises briefly before falling off to nothingness. No real legs either.

Unlike the more famous Triple Bock, this is actually quite pleasant. Rich and fruity, this is rummy and has a moderate caramelized Munich malt character. Quite like a fruitcake, there's quite a hefty sweetness, sugary and raw, a blend of brown sugar and unrefined sugar (jaggery). The fruit is a blend of raisins and prunes, and letting it breathe emphasizes the prunes. No bitterness is perceptible, though the alcohol does lighten things up a bit.

One of the first things I'm struck by as I take a sip is how well the alcohol is integrated here. It lends a pleasant heat and helps lighten the palate, cutting through the intense sugar character here. In some ways, it's like a saturated sugar solution caramelized, with a blend of simple, brown and unrefined sugar and then steeped in raisins, vanilla, prunes and dates. The prune character is a bit distracting, especially as I keep drinking this. In some ways, it makes me think of the flavors present in a rum and Pepsi. The finish has a little bit of burnt sugar, prunes and drying alcohol. The burnt sugar is nice, as it provides a little bit of balancing bitterness, thought not much. Thick and chewy, this beer is too thick to hold its carbonation for too long, turning slightly still in a way that works. Solid stuff, a good sipper and good if you need a sugar boost. Reminiscent of the Bruery's anniversary beers, but arguably better (I inflated Coton's score so bad, I need to fix it). I'd recommend this.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

01-14-2011 04:01:59 | More by DefenCorps

05Harley

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Comes corked and caged with a 3D label. Even comes with your own 3D glasses.

No bottled on date on bomber.

Traded with Gran8man to get this one.

Appearance: Mahogany/brown in color with little to no head. Cloudy and unfiltered. Quite viscous which shows on the glass.

Smell: Tons of raisins and molasses up front with roasted malts. Has a similiarity to a wine, very sweet smelling.

Taste: Sweet with heavy fruit flavors raisins, dates and prunes. Alcohol noticeable.

Mouthfeel: Thick and syrupy. Fairly smooth and finishes dry.

Drinkability: A definite sipper. Alcohol makes it's presence known. This beer for me is best served as a dessert or on a cool night next to a fire. One or two bottles and that's plenty.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

06-06-2010 21:09:59 | More by 05Harley

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

3.58/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From the bottle: OG 1.140, Color (DEG L) 16, IBU 31, ALC 13.2

A: extremely deep, near-opaque, dark brown color
S: noticeable alcohol, definite sweetness, almost has a powdered malt nose
T: taste was decent, hard to really place this beer into any specific category because of its lack of comparisons with other beers - is it an eisbock? , sweet, somewhat cloying but not OTT, could have used a bit more hops, but not much more, thick,
M: thick and viscous on the tongue
D: remarkably drinkable for the ABV and sweetness

Worth a try but not something I'd have too often.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

02-18-2010 21:13:19 | More by wisrarebeer

PretzelCity

California

3.83/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Been sitting on this one for a while now. Tonight was it's night. Poured out a deep dark brown with a thin tan head that quickly recedes to lacing around the glass. Smells of alcohol, raisins and dried figs. Taste is a little sweet with some booze and of course raisins and dried figs. Alcohol comes out in the finish. A bit of a sweet malt backbone, sort of reminds me of a tamer version of the Sam Adams Triple Bock, a little more developed. Decent balance, some good complexity reveals itself as it warms up. Pretty smooth, age probably helped this one out as the alcohol is still pretty hot but drinkable but not for more than a glass or two. Medium to full bodied, this is a decent beer but I wouldn't go out of my way to get another one.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

02-11-2010 05:21:40 | More by PretzelCity

younger35

Minnesota

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

Received this brew from masterchiefmd as an extra not so far back. I've enjoyed the couple brews I've had from Iron Hill but I think this may indeed be my first Triple Bock. Haven't been brave enough to pull the trigger on Sam Adams monstrosity. Drank from my Ithaca Excelsior tulip while watching the Twins vs. Yankees.

Appearance- Pours a super duper dark brown with a very modest dark tan head. Not a cap to be found but a super small collar remains that's too lazy to leave any lacing.
Smell- Big and malty and although I've never had a Triple Bock, it smells exactly as I imagined. Lots of caramel and brown sugar and just a touch of sweet milk chocolate. Some dark fruits as well consisting of prunes, plums and caramel covered raisins. Almost even has a dark Belgium candy like scent as well.
Taste- Big intense flavors as a lot of sweetness and fruitiness seems to pop out of my glass. Malty and dark there is a semi bitter roastiness and some sweet milk chocolate. Burnt sugars a plenty and some deep dark molasses. Loads of rum soaked raisins, black cherries, over ripened prunes (lol?) and Fig Newton filling. Sort of candyish too as I get a bit of cotton candy, bubblegum and red licorice. Really just a crazy plethora of flavors. I get a bit of warmth in the finish but the 13% is hidden extremely well.
Mouthfeel- Big, thick and super rich. The carbonation is fairly spritzy considering the heaviness of the body.
Drinkability- Well I wouldn't be able to put down more than 1 of these per month but it's a good sipper. I do not like sweet beers whatsoever but I can appreciate this for what it is. Thanks much MC!

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

10-31-2009 14:07:28 | More by younger35

naproxen

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

My first thought after my initial sip was entirely regarding how nonabrasive a 13% triple bock could be. While indeed a sipper, I found no alcohol burn in either the aroma or mouth. Even more, the entire body of this beverage is much lighter than expected, almost too thin. This is entirely overshadowed by the lovely flavors that come at you from this beast: raisins, chocolate, a touch of creamy caramel, and even maybe the slightest soy hint, but nothing to cry about. A 375 will split lovely between two appreciators to cap off the night I promise.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

05-05-2009 17:44:02 | More by naproxen

hwwty4

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to akorsak for this one.

Poured a 375ml bottle into my New Belgium globe. This beer pours a oily dark mahogany, with a subtle beige head that eventually made its way into a ring around the glass leaving no lacing. The aroma is dark fruits - dates and raisins, a bit of salty soy sauce, molasses and just a slight acetone aroma that seers the nose hairs. The flavor is big and bold. Huge raisin and plums with molasses, soy sauce, cherries, a bit of vanilla and a nice warming alcohol burn at the finish. The mouthfeel is full and oily, coating the mouth with a big raisiny sweetness but still finishing incredibly dry. Iron Hill's makes some really solid beers and this is just one in a long line.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

04-10-2009 01:43:13 | More by hwwty4

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

13 oz bottle won in one of Leftmindedrighty's LIFs. Thanks for the opportunity to try this great beer!

A-Body is a transparent very dark mahogany color.Pours with a 1/2 finger foamy off-white head. When held up to the light one can see the transparent dark red hues shining through.

S-Nose is on the sweet side with a thick molasses coming through first. This is followed by caramel, toffee, a hint of chocolate, and alcohol.

T-Sweet molasses, caramel, and toffee are upfront with a nice smooth malty backbone. The finish intensifies the initial flavors and adds a big alcohol heat to the mix. What lingers is sweet molasses, a hint of caramel, and a big alcohol heat.

M- Low to medium carbonation and somewhat thick body.

D- This is a great beer and reminds me more of a Scottish Ale than a dopplebock because of its heaviness, heat, and sweetness. The 13% definitely contributes to the nose but isn't overpowering. What was surprising to me about this brew is that the alcohol only adds a nice warmth to the overall flavor rather than astringency. A very nice touch. This makes me want more from Iron Hill.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

03-04-2009 05:01:59 | More by PittBeerGirl

joepais

Maine

4.33/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks Dim
I poured this bottle into my Pilsener glass it produced a two finger tan head, on top of a reddish brown body. The head trails off to a thin lace.

Aromas of sweet fruit are the first thing that hit me. Then I get some molasses and grapes Wow this is not what I expected I really like it. The flavors follow the nose but with some alcohol burn to it as well. This thing is going to be a sipper I can tell. It is sweet like a desert wine. With its dark fruit qualities as well. It has a medium feel to it in the mouth with nice carbonation to it as well

Like I said this is a sipper and the small bottle is enough for one sitting. An interesting brews my first from the brewer and I know it won't be my last

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

03-01-2009 23:04:14 | More by joepais

bort11

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Big thanks to leftmindedrighty for this one. 3D label and 3D glasses. How kick ass is that?

13 oz corked and caged bottle, poured into a pilsener glass. mild light tan head quickly recedes. No real lacing, but that is expected with a higher ABV. Color is a dark brownish red, sort of like the color of cherry or red grape skins. Very solid color, only a slight highlight is seen when held to the light.

Smell is a rich sweet aroma. Lots of dark sweet bread, red plums, cherries. Taste has some chocolate character with cherry finish. Sort of like a cherry cordial. Alcohol is masked by the sweetness.

Mouthfeel is very thick and chewy. Quite filling. Carbonation is sparse, though it's not really missed. This is a great dessert beer. A very slow sipper to be enjoyed

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

01-17-2009 04:26:48 | More by bort11

DIM

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

a: This was a very dark mahogany, bordering on opaque brown. It pours with a light tan head that quickly fades to a ring around the glass.

s: Milder than I expected, but there is still plenty going on. Warm, sherry-like dark fruit aromas of raisins and plums are complimeneted by mellow chocolate notes. The alcohol is, of course, noticeable, but it doesn't come close to being overwhelming.

t: I knew this would be sweet, but it isn't at all cloying or obnoxious as I feared it might be. Sweet elements of raisins, caramel, and a faint hint of chocolate. There is something slightly salty and some herbal bitterness at the very end.

m: This was thinner than I'd hoped and a little under carbonated.

d: I bought a bunch of these to hand out as Christmas gifts and I naturally kept one for myself. I wish I had some more, this was a very pleasant surprise. Cool bottle too.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

01-14-2009 11:45:14 | More by DIM

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

13oz bottle with the neat novelty 3-D label and attached glasses.

Poured a deeper reddish-brown color with an averaged sized tan head. Aromas of dark fruitiness, roast, chocolate, caramel, molasses, and a little bready. Tastes of dark fruits (lots of raisins and plums), caramel, toffee, brown sugar, and a little smoky. Some alcohol warmth in the finish, but it is 13+%. Sweet but not cloying. Very nice!

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

01-08-2009 00:54:30 | More by hopdog

SirEgbert

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Big, creamy, toffee-colored head foams up and dissipates slowly. Slight lacing. Body is dark mahogany, nearly opaque, with deep garnet hues. Great looking beer!

S: Spicy alcohol and licorice. Candied fruit. Dark wood and earthy undertones.

T: Molasses sweetness and a brandy-like burn. Chewy malts. Big fruity taste like apple cider and prunes. A sublte astringency of hop bitterness sits on the tongue.

M: Full and coating, with a creamy quality. Alcohol warmth spreads through the swallow. After-effect is somewhat bracing with bark-like feel.

D: This is a big, powerful beer. Meant to be savored and sipped - this is a cold-weather winner. Initial sweetness is nearly overwhelming on initial sip, but this mellows near mid-glass. I'm curious to see what some aging will do to this one.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

01-03-2009 02:50:42 | More by SirEgbert

barleywinebrewer

New Hampshire

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

thanks to Dim for the chance to try this beer. I must say it's a heck of a cool bottle. corked and caged, 375ml green bottle with 3D glasses and a 3D ram. I have no idea of the cost but the bottle alone couldn't have been cheap. So how's it fare?

A - dark mahogany colored brew with a faint dirty brown head that quickly dissipates.
S - dark ripe fruit, molasses, brown sugar, dates and a hint of soy.
T - dark ripe fruits, molasses, soy, dates, brown sugar, soy, caramel, raisins. It's a round about brew that at points makes me go wow, huh and mmmm.
M - full bodied, softly carbonated, smooth, slightly sweet with a barely noted abv note.
D - perfect portion, nice and tantelizing, intruiging an adventure.

The name had me thinking sam adams. it's tasty with some homage to SA but without the syrupy soy aspects. I could see salting a few of these away in the cellar. The other remarkable thing is I read and reread the abv note but this beer does not drink as anything more than maybe 8%.

Serving type: bottle
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

12-21-2008 02:41:35 | More by barleywinebrewer

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appears a dark brown with hazy chestnut edges when held to the light. A fluffy, tan cap slowly fades into a floating head of suds. Tons of scattered lacing is left around the glass.
Smell is of brown sugar, black grapes, prunes, raisins, cocoa, and molasses with some complex notes of ripe melon. Really cool shit.
Taste is really nice, perhaps a mild notch below than the aromas but with some fresh port characteristics touching upon giant grape and nougat notes kicking your teeth in.
Mouthfeel is syrupy, chewy, sugary, lots of ripe, dark fruit sticking to the palate...age this stuff. It's certainly a fine, fine drink right now but I can see how bottles of this will change in complexity over the next several years.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 130-138 Bridge St., Phoenixville

11-30-2008 19:49:19 | More by weeare138