Name: 1888 BockBrewer: Leinenkugel's - Chippewa Falls, WI
Style: Bock
Alcohol Content: 5.1%
Review: Beer drinkers come in two forms: those who prefer lagers, and those who prefer ales. I am of the latter. I'm learning though that good beers don't have to be fermented at the top of the barrel. The 1888 is my proof. Thanks goes to my friend Paul who provided my first beer recommendation of the year. This beer has a maroon glow that pours cleanly like a typical lager. It has a very appealing caramel aroma with a semblance of berries and citrus. I enjoy smelling this beer almost as much as I enjoy drinking it. It goes down lagerishly smooth (yes, lagerishly). Because of this, the flavor and texture are not surprising: sweet, smooth, and well developed. The hops add a crispness that prevent the beer from being too cloying (ales rarely cloy, which is why I typically choose them over lagers). It still finishes like a lager, leaving a thick sweet feeling on the tongue. Regardless, I think the flavor is deep and well-balanced enough to make this an excellent winter brew. I don't consider my palate sophisticated enough to confidently proclaim any lager as the best of it's kind, but for now, the 1888 is the top Bock on my list. I recommend pairing this Wisconsin beer the American way - with a Cheeseburger and fries.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend? YES
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2 comments:
Hi Ben. Long time reader, first time commenter here. I thought this beer would be like New Belgium's 1588, mostly because they are both named with a number that contains multiple 8s. I realize this is not a solid criteria, but here's my take. This beer is too carbonated and fairly light, which is not what I expected of a bock. I'm not usually a fan o Leinies, because they often have a lighter highly carbonated thing going and so did this. After my second though, I realized it went down fairly easy and is perhaps a good beer when you want something thats 'lighter' but still has a bit of flavor. Really try the 1588 thought, its a great beer.
my bad that would be 1554 not 1588. I know this because I bought some yesterday, and its still good.
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