Full Sail Brewery - LTD Limited Lager Series, LTD 04 Pale Bock

Oh, Full Sail, why can't I quit you? Why would I want to?

From January to March, Full Sail has released its limited edition Pale Bock. From the Full Sail website: "This Pale Bock is a finely balanced single malt, single hop, lager that is pale-golden in color and brewed with just pale malt and pleasantly hopped with just Willamette hops." I don't know what's so special about Willamette hops, but here's my impressions of the quality overall.

On first pour it's a clear but dark golden color, with a thick head that lingers. The malt is ever present in the bouquet, as is notes of citris and honey, but in a very clean and crisp manner if that makes any sense to you. The malted barley comes through loud and clear in both scent and taste. There's hints of oak and caramel, similar to double-hopped IPA to a modest degree. The hops gives it a strong bite in the finish. It's a very filling brew, though there's nothing crisp or clean in the body.

It's an interesting brew, like the bastard love child of a Firestone Double Hopped IPA and a Carlsberg pilsner. I liked it, because of that unique combination of sensation. The 7% ABV didn't hurt either. Check it out before it's off the shelves for the year!

Abita Brewing Company - Mardi Gras Bock

Happy Mardi Gras, everybody!

It seemed appropriate to write up this seasonal brew by Abita, since Abita's a Louisiana-based brewery and one of my favorite brands. This was also all I could do to kick off the season instead of hitting any Mardi Gras events (goddamn rain) like I'd wanted. May as well write something topical, y'know?

Enough bellyaching, let's get this review moving.

On first pour, you can see it has a thick head that slowly dissipates into lacy foam, which clings to the edge of glass. The brew is a clear amber, and the bouquet is easily detectable. You can pick up the malt, and something like brown sugar. The malt flavor comes through clearly as well, with some slight honey tones for sweetness, and a little like the taste of fresh bread.  The Abita website states that the strong malt is similar to German maibocks... something to compare later. The bite of hops is there at the start and finish, and it's a full bodied beverage all throughout.

My final thoughts, I like this. I like this a lot. Give it a shot, and don't be surprised if you like it just as much! Abita Mardi Gras Bock is only available January to March, so if you're gonna try it out, now's the right time.