Amsterdam Spring Bock

The Amsterdam Brewing Co. of Toronto walks a fine and difficult line. I don't find their flagship beers all that interesting (to my tastes--I know many people who enjoy them a lot), but they are well made, accessible and marketable.  Accordingly, they run the risk of alienating this particular beer geek. However, that same marketability of their flagship beers gives them some leeway to create more interesting ones.  One of these is undoubtedly their Spring Bock.

Sold in gnarly 500mL bottles topped with green foil and weighing in at a muscular 7%, this doppelbock pours a rich deep brown with bloody, ruby highlights. It is topped with a lively cream head and has a bready malt aroma.  Mild sweetness characterizes this brew, as do considerable notes of strong malt and an almost cola-like flavour. These flavours continue into the aftertaste, where they are balanced against a pleasant bitterness.

The Spring Bock is a quality brew from Amsterdam, a brewery that I am appreciating more and more with each limited run that I try.  It's an excellent Canadian version of a doppelbock, and one that is definitely worth your time.

Rating: 8.0 out of 10.