Judge’s Review: 92 Rating – Boomin’ Bock by Ahnapee Brewery

Helles Bock | Seasonal | USA

By Rick Franckhauser

Judges Rating: 92.00
Aroma: 22.00
Appearance: 5.00
Flavor: 38.00
Mouthfeel: 9.00
Overall Impression: 18.00

Boomin’ Bock by Ahnapee Brewery was judged as Helles Bock, style 4C, per the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.

The aroma opens with moderately high bready malt, supported by some underlying grainy notes. A red grape-like fruitiness comes through, a character I often associate with Munich malts. Low herbal hop notes are present, and some Maillard character appears retronasally. Overall, it is malty with clean fermentation and no evident alcohol. It pours a light golden color with a large, creamy, slightly off-white head and plenty of fine bubbles rising in the glass. Stylistically, the beer is somewhat cloudier than expected.

The flavor delivers moderately strong grainy-sweet malt up front, followed by some toast and a deeper, richer malt character. The grape-like notes from the aroma show up more as white grape on the palate. Low floral hop flavor adds some balance, and there is just enough hop bitterness to keep the malt from becoming overpowering, though a touch more bitterness would improve the balance. I would also welcome a bit more hop flavor. There is some sweetness in the finish, but it never becomes cloying. A slightly sweet finish gives way to lingering malt and floral hop notes in the aftertaste. The body is medium-full with moderate carbonation, offering a smooth, somewhat creamy mouthfeel and no warming alcohol presence.

Overall, Boomin’ Bock is a very enjoyable beer. My score reflects only the ways it falls slightly short of a classic example of the style. Taken on its own terms, it is a clean, malty lager with a lot to like. From a stylistic standpoint, a modest increase in hop flavor and bitterness would help, and slightly higher carbonation or a somewhat leaner body could improve drinkability. These are minor adjustments, however, and the beer remains highly enjoyable as it is.