Spring Bock - Saint Arnold Review
When the Blue Bonnets start popping up along the roadside, the Texas beer drinker starts thinking about bock beers. Spring has sprung! And the bock beer is the perfect transition from heavy beer winter to light beer summer. It’s robust and malty with the right amount of German hops to balance it all out.
Bocks are malty and strong (6-7% ABV) beers originally brewed with the last of the malt before the summer heat hits and brewing is halted. They are made to be strong and full-bodied to hold up to the heat of summer so drinkers have a little joy through the high temps. They are traditional beers and, as we’ve discussed many times, traditional beers are very hard to get right.
But we have faith in our friends at Saint Arnold out of Houston, Texas, and you don’t easily become Texas’s oldest brewer by brewing bad beers, so let’s see how their 6.9% ABV and 24 IBU Spring Bock seasonal holds up.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Copper and clear; topped with an off-white and persistent head. Look is key with beers like this as they show the diversity and depth of the malt.
On the Nose--Rich and crisp with notes of caramel, bread, and a hint of floral hops. Authentic and true so far.
On the Palate--Sweet and malty with wonderful notes of caramel and bread swimming around a full body that finishes smooth and dry from the long maturation (8 weeks, according to Saint Arnold). A touch of pilsner (or something light) malt keeps Spring Bock crisp with the rest of the malt (5 total) adding depth balanced by a slight and final stroke of floral hops, leaving a very mild lingering bitterness.
Food Pairings: Think German: pretzels, sauerkraut, schnitzel, and go for it. Just don’t forget a second Spring Bock.
Final Thoughts:
German beers taste so good and different from American beers (even their imitators) because they are steeped in tradition and technique. Their ingredients—malt, hops, and yeast—are ancient, and their techniques are impeccable, as well as protected by law. This dedication creates lasting beers, and that’s why many American brewers fall short.
Such is not the case with Saint Arnold’s Spring Bock. And guess what, they followed the rules using American 2-row pale and specialty malts from Belgium alongside the traditional Perle and Saaz hops. That with a long and tedious 8 week maturation and you have a great homage to the original style.
Spring Bock is loaded with caramel depth as well as deep bread notes and a slight roastiness balanced by the floral hops. And the body reflects that malt depth with a satisfying fullness known to the original style. The 6.9% ABV is pretty great too.
Bocks are Texas’s favorite beer, and of all the Texas bock beers we love, and there are many, we love this one the most. Spring beers should be fun to drink—this one is. And if you like malty, rich, and traditional beers, get this bock wrapped in Blue Bonnets while you can. It isn’t around for long.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
Check out another great year-round bock: Real Ale’s Hill Country Bock! And if it’s hops you want, check out Saint Arnold’s Art Car IPA!