Ayinger Weizen Bock
January 29, 2010
Today, I NEEDED a beer, and that beer was Ayinger Weizen Bock. Why did I NEED a beer? Well, If I went into the gory details you would probably never finish reading this particular beer review! So, enough about me!
Awhile back, I reviewed the Ayinger Oktoberfest and declared it my favorite Oktoberfest beer of 2009. It was good. So, when I was out and about looking for winter beers to try, I saw this bottle of their Weizen-Bock on the shelf.
Now, I don’t know what makes it a winter beer in particular, but the label has this mountain goat (holding a beer) in front of the snow-covered Aying brewery. To me, snow = winter. So, goat + beer + snow in illustration = winter beer. Am I right or what?
I guess the point is I had high hopes for what I perceived to be a winter ale from Germany!
I wasn’t disappointed! At 7.1% ABV, this strong wheat ale looks great in the glass. It has a slightly darker, golden appearance, and its cloudy – a wheat-beer for sure. The head was quite impressive and even though I have a little bit of a cold I could still smell some spicyness, clove, and some alcohol came though as well.
Taste. Wow. I need to learn more about this Weizen-Bock style. Anybody want to fill me in what it’s about? Seems like a stong hefeweizen to me (maybe it is?) The flavors in the Ayinger Weizan-Bock are actually quite predictable considering the aroma. Nice mouthfeel and quite crisp, I think this beer would actually make a great Summer beer! (Much like the Long Trail Winter White)
Its a bit stronger in the alcohol department, but even at 7.1% the alcohol plays a supporting flavor role to the spices and a very nice bready kind of flavor. I don’t usually like when alcohol comes through too strongly in a beer, and it’s not the case here, but it did provide for just enough ‘winter warming’ on the way down!
So, this evening that I needed a good beer, the people from Aying Brewery really came through with this great Wheat Bock Ale! Despite my silly calculus above, it is a Winter seasonal beer so if you see it on the shelf, do yourself a favor and try it! 4 stars from The Brew Club!
Rating: 
I’m doing quite well so far in January 2010! I think I’ve give more 4 star beer reviews this month than I did in all of 2009!
Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Ales, European Beers, Seasonal Beers, Wheat Beers
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January 29th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
No, goat = bock.
As in the South African Rugby team being called the Springboks.
Interestingly, the Velkopovicky Brewery in the Czech Republic brew an excellent lager at about 5% called ‘Kozel’ which in Czech for goat. Neat huh?
Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Burns Night
January 29th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Okay I really need to have something by Ayinger. I’ve waited too long. Next trip to the store and I’m getting something by them.
Mike´s last blog ..Okocim Porter
January 29th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I think you’re gettin’ soft Scott giving out all these stars in 2010. One of four things is happening. 1) you’re gettin’soft like I said, 2) you’re getting lucky, 3) the brews are getting better, or 4) you are gravitating towards a style you like more than others. Perhaps the bock styles are more suited to your palate.
my .02 worth.
Don´s last blog ..Countdown to the Pro Bowl. Whatcha Drinkin’?
January 29th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
I had this over Christmas. I really enjoyed it and think it tastes like a stronger version of the Brau-Weisse, which is exceptional. I’d still drink their Celebrator.
Michael Reinhardt´s last blog ..Keeping Beer in the Family
January 29th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
@Bob – interesting indeed! But I still think that goat+winter scene = winter beer!
@Mike – of the 2 Ayinger beers I’ve tried, both were great. You should try some!
@Don – I think that it’s probably D) all of the above! With The Brew Club though, a good portion of the beers I try I do not pick out myself. This helps to keep me from getting to stuck in my flavor box, but I’ll admit this beer, along with the Long Trail Winter White were picks for myself!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Franziskaner Weissbeer
January 29th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Scott, I’m going to have to agree with Don… You’ve definitely handed out more 4 stars reviews than I’ve ever seen in a month.
I enjoyed the review and can’t wait to try this beer myself. Hopefully I’ll see it around town, I definitely enjoy trying new wheat ales.
But how come you didn’t tell us about your day? =P
Great job on the review!
January 29th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Thanks Liz – you definitely should try it, but I think the aroma alone will make YOU feel woozy!
Actually, I’m relying on you to bring in the one and two star beers to review!!!!
I don’t remember exactly which day I wrote this, but chances are you know what kind of day I’m talking about. You’re there too!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Beer Review – Long Trail Winter White
January 30th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
All the Ayinger beers I’ve tried have been great. But I have tried this one … need to get on that, I guess
January 31st, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Great review guys. I love the beer that comes out of Ayinger and you absolutely nailed how I feel about the Weizen Bock. I’ve tried this along with others when I visited their brewery and I really enjoyed the whole experience. I do believe though that their normal Weiss is up there with the best.
As for you 4 star reviews, I think it’s great that you are starting to collect more beers that deserve your 4 stars, never hurts to have a good run… or to try spend your time and more specifically your drinking experience on good beers rather than mediocre beers.
-N-
January 31st, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Thanks for stopping in Nate. Lucky you being able to tour the brewery, that must have been interesting! Believe me, I’m going to check out anything I see from them on the shelf – hopefully their normal Weiss as you mentioned.
I’ve been on a bit of a great-beer streak, which is really not something I plan, it just works out that way. Probably 99% of the beers I try and review I’ve never tried before, so I have no way of telling if I’ll like it or not until the time I drink it. I’m hoping my luck continues!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Flying Dog K9 Cruizer – Winter Beer Review
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:49 am
Hey Scott,
Goats are bad ass. Great review, and I need to try an Ayinger soon. You know you could quiet these critics by review a beer that you KNOW will bring the average down. You know which ones I’m talking about. One that ends in “English” perhaps?
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Thanks Billy! Stay tuned for Friday’s beer review. It’s going to bring the ratings average WAY down!!!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Troegs Troegenator Double Bock Beer
March 5th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
I just finished one of these with my dinner. I am no beer expert but I have taken a fancy to the Ayinger products and have found them to be an expensive but worthwhile habit. Great beer to my relatively unsophisticated beer palate. I am confused. The bottle says “ale” but the bocks are described on other websites as “lagers” so… is this a top or bottom fermenter? The characteristics seem more “ale like ” to me.
Just trying to appreciate the differences. Thanks
March 5th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
@Paul in NH – Were you able to go to the Kate The Great event today in Portsmouth???
Anyway, AFAIK, based on Bob the Brit’s excellent post on Bocks (goats) “the underlying premise of a bock is that it should be a strong (5-10% ABV), slightly sweet dark lager and should thus be bottom fermented. It’s the lager equivalent to ‘winter warmer’ ales and barley wines.”
http://thebrewclub.com/2010/02/17/did-someone-mention-goats/
So, I think that while this is technically an Ale, its in line with the flavor characteristics and perhaps its seasonal nature allows them some poetic justice in the naming.
I haven’t had anything bad from Ayinger, and I think they might be my favorite German brewer so you can do a lot worse! You should try their Celebrator which is a Doppelbock and looks and tastes nothing like the Weisen Bock!
Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..River Horse Oatmeal Milk Stout