This brewery continues to be consistent in its brewing.  Namely, mediocrity is its most consistent attribute.  It is puzzling that some breweries continue to put out “craft” products that take very little crafting and ignore the traditional style.  I’ve written elsewhere about Bock as a style of beer and would point you that direction to refresh yourself about what a Bock is.  Here is my review of this “Bock.”

In the glass, the beer was a light brown and crimson color with a light cream-colored head.  The body was active, but the bubbles looked like they were in no hurry.  The beer was appealing enough in the glass, but what about the smells and tastes?

The aromas were where this beer started going downhill.  1888 had an aroma that was strangely similar to a certain cheap domestic beer (the “King of Beers”).  Barely overlaying this conspicuously similar aroma was a hint of malty sweetness and hints of coffee.  I thought Bocks were supposed to be malty beers.  I guess maybe the Germans have it wrong, and 1888 is actually the right balance.

When I drank this “Bock,” there was a touch of malty sweetness and hints of a weak coffee bitterness.  It drank an awful lot like a cheap domestic with a little extra grain and malt.  It finished out medium dry and hopelessly uneventful.  If you want to drink it, go ahead and give it a try, but I won’t be getting it again.

Mike’s Rating:

Overall Satisfaction:  

Among other Bocks