Altstadt - Bock Review
If you live in Texas, a bock beer is never far away. I would even go so far as to say it’s the state’s favorite beer, with a number of icons to back it up. But bocks also show up seasonally, in the blue bonnet spring, and the cheer of it is second only to Oktoberfest around the Brew household.
And this year (2026) Altstadt has graced us with a seasonal Bock. If you don’t know much about Altstadt, just know that they’re one of the more authentic German-style brewers in America, and they’re located in a very German-style brewery outside of Fredericksburg, Texas, in the heart of the Hill Country.
But back to the bocks. To us, they are the ideal transition from heavy beer winter to light IPA/lager summer, offering sweet malt, wonderful balance and mouthfeel, and an all around good feeling. Altstadt’s Bock comes in at 6.7% ABV (perfect for a bock) and 22 IBU, and our mouths are watering just thinking about it so let's get on it.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Copper, quite clear, and topped with a persistent off-white head.
On the Nose--Malty, bready, and rich with a touch of dried fruit (almost raisiny). Off to a good start.
On the Palate--The aroma is honest, Bock is malty, bready, and rich with mild notes of caramel that lead to a dried fruit and slightly floral finish, which is dry and leaves only a mild bitterness lingering. The body is full and the beer is hearty with a deep malt richness and decent balance.
Food Pairings: Bocks are a lot like their cousin Marzen, so pair them with pretzels, German sausage, sauerkraut, or roasted chicken.
Final Thoughts:
Bock means goat in German, and these beers truly reign dominant in Texas. They are everywhere because they are so darn good, and especially so when the seasons change from winter to summer. We like them for their malt backbone, higher ABV, and the counterpoint they represent with malty and strong Oktoberfest beers. They are a welcome gift every spring, and are called a Maibock for a reason, as in they come out in May. But these beers need finesse with a heavy hand. Nobody wants shorted on malt or ABV in this style.
Altstadt brought the heavy hand. They are not shy about their German heritage and they show that in this Bock. It’s malty, dense, and fun to drink. I like the fleeting caramel at the front that quickly gives way to the deeper bread, dried fruit, and floral notes, not unlike a doppelbock. This beer leans heavily into those denser, bitter flavors where some bocks lean more into the caramel side.
Anyway, this is a good beer, and after drinking Altstadt for many years, I can taste the consistency in their quality and ingredients, which makes me like them all the more. And if you can, go visit them outside of Fredericksburg—the brewery itself is worth the trip.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
Interested in more Texas Bock beers? Check out these from our friendly neighbors: Real Ale Hill Country Bock and Karbach Crawford Bock.