Brews and Reviews -Wings and Craft Beer at Pizza Luce

So Andy and I headed out to Pizza Luce last week for a little strategy meeting about the blog.  Pizza Luce is so far the best place in Richfield, MN that I have found for craft beer.  They have a cozy little patio, and the staff was in good spirits and quick on their feet.

Andy and I had a pretty good night working on Beerploma's future so we were both in the mood for celebrating.  I wasn't quite up for pizza, but their wings looked pretty good:

I ordered the spicy buffalo and the spicy peking.  Both sets of wings came out whole, with great charring on both sides.  The peanut dipping sauce was a bonus.  Creamy, flavorful and paired well.  Also both wings were ample spicy.  For those of you who want to "crank it up notch" every time you order something hot, and get something Minnesota hot (you know, like Ketchup), then these wings are for you!  After so many mediocre wings, these were a spicy treat to behold and cherish, and no, I did not share them with Andy.

There beer list was extensive and had a little something for everyone.  If I had one recommendation I would have a couple more local porters/stouts on hand, especially to pair with some of their more earthy pizza, but overall really a good selection.

First on my list of beers to try is Enki's Hootenanny Hefe Weiss (Seasonal):

This hazy golden brew serves up a thick banana/clove armoma.  It had a very smooth taste with slight spicy notes, and a great biscuit/malty flavor.  Very well carbonated.  Thicker mouthfeel then what I am used to for Hefe beers, but this seems to fit and didn't detract from the beer at all.  It was perfect for a summer day and paired best with the Peking wings.  Rating:  ** (Very Good)

Well Andy and I rarely get together and have just one.  A second one was definitely in the works.  For me it was Lift Bridge's Shadow Effect on Nitro:

This pitch black beer allowed no light to escape it.  The aroma gave off an inky chocolaty smell, and was served with a creamy head.  Smooth caramel like flavors with back hints of chocolate, and a fruity sweetness.  It had a silky medium mouthfeel.  A dry finish with a light coffee like bitterness.  This a very well put together beer, and a great choice for porter/stout beers who are looking for something different.  Rating:  ** (Very Good).

Great wings, great beer!  Who can ask for anything better then that!

Beer Style Guide: Bocks

Spring is just around the corner…

I say this as we are currently looking down the throat of a Winter Storm Warning.  But still the 40°F days we had this week was a welcome break to the -20°F we have had since early December.  While I am looking forward to Spring, I am also looking forward to the beer season that is represented by some of my favorite styles; Kölsch styles, Cream Ales, and Bocks.  Today we are going to talk about Bocks, an often overlooked member of the Lager family.  Bock style is actually a super style that encompasses many sub styles like Maibock, Dopplebock, Dunkel Bock, and the oft overlooked Eisbock.

First let’s take a look at the history of Bock Beers:

Bocks are a strong beer originating from Einbeck, Germany.  In general true bocks are above 6.5% ABV.  There are reports that Bock beer was being brewed prior to 1578 (Oliver, 2012).  Bock beer is actually a superfamily of beers and the family includes Maibocks, Dopplebocks, Dunkle Bock, and Eisbock.  Here are the general characteristics of each:

Maibock:  Maibocks are generally around 6.5% - 8% ABV.  They are rich and creamy, malty, with a slight bitter aftertaste (Mosher, 2009).

Dopplebock:  Roughly the same ABV.  The flavor is a big burst of Carmel that finishes with a roasty finish.  A lot of Dopplebocks have names that end in “-ator” (Mosher, 2009).

Dunkle Bock:    Dunkle being the German word for dark, this is one of the darker offerings from the bock family.  It has a creamy malt taste with a soft bitter finish, with a hint of cocoa (Mosher, 2009).

Eisbock:  This is a very strong version of one of the previous types of Bocks.  Usually the beer passes the 7% ABV mark.  It is a Bock that undergoes a process called freeze distilling.  This separates the water from the rest of product.  What is left is a stronger version of the beer that is more intense.

We have a lot of German Immigrants here in Minnesota.  As many of you know, New Ulm is home to a large population of German Americans.  August Schell’s Brewery from New Ulm specializes in traditional German style beers including Bocks.  In fact hey host an annual Bock Fest to celebrate this awesome beer.  If you are reading this before March 1^st, 2014 check out the link to find out about details on Bockfest!  Many places offer bus service to this big outdoor party including our friends at the Herkimer!

Here are examples of Minnesota Bocks:

• Schell’s Bock
• Summit Maibock (Seasonal)
• Schell’s Maifest (Seasonal)
• Harriet Brewing Sol Bock

Here are examples of other famous Bocks:

• Hinterland Maple Bock (Green Bay, WI)
• New Glarus Cabin Fever (New Glarus, WI) (Seasonal)
• Shiner Bock (TX)

Works Cited

Mosher, T. (2009). Tasting Beer: An Insider's Guide To The World's Greatest Drink. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.

Oliver, G. (2012). The Oxford Companion to Beer. New York: Oxford University Press.