Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock by Boston Beer Co. $14.95 per 25.6-ounce bottle
With the holiday season upon us, many craft brewers release special beers designed for simple celebrations or pairing with seasonal foods. Pioneering American craft brewer Sam Adams has just released this collaboration with Swiss chocolatier Felchlin, whose Cru Sauvage dark chocolate imbues this brew with handfuls of its specialty. Choc Bock is dark brown, almost opaque, but as a bock style it pours thinner than a stout; lacing is nonexistent. Its aroma, naturally, is filled with the scent of the Bolivian cacao beans from which Felchlin derives its product. It’s a treat on the tongue, with the rich cocoa flavor complemented by vanilla and malt. Not a lot of complexity otherwise, but drinkability, mouthfeel and alcohol by volume of 5.5 percent make this a highly accessible craft beer for newbies and a fine holiday pour for aficionados.
Boston Beer Co., Boston;
Marcus Chamberland; blogs
