Bowie Bock - Freetail Brewing Review
Bocks and Texas go hand in hand, and when us Texans pick one up, we expect a lot. Just about every brewery in Texas brews some form of this beer, and when they get it right, it’s something that can be consumed all year long, from the chill of winter to blistering heat of summer. It’s about refreshment and drinkability, community and tradition.
This week we’re trying Bowie Bock from one of San Antonio’s favorite breweries: Freetail Brewing. Freetail loves San Antonio, and San Antonio loves Freetail and their beers designed for this beautiful and diverse city. The Bowie Bock is one of those beers. Coming in at a sessionable 5.3% ABV and 24 IBU, Freetail brews this beer with a nod to German heritage but with Texas ingredients including Munich malt, malted corn, and Hallertau region hops.
With the foundation of Freetail unwaveringly in San Antonio, we expect a Bock to meet the culture and needs of us citizens. Let’s see how it holds up in our…
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Deep amber and clear with little head formation.
On the Nose--Crisp and sweet, with toasted caramel notes from the Munich malt giving it an old-world vibe, which we love. We’re curious how the corn will affect the brew though.
On the Palate--Strong toasted flavors from the Munich malt are followed by a touch of sweetness that lingers through the finish like a nice toasted bread. The Hallertau hops add a floral touch that meshes well with the Munich malt, a tried and true classic combination. Bowie Bock leans toward the malt heavy side of things but is surprisingly light in the mouth, maybe even too light for those looking for a bit more body to match the maltiness. The reason for the lightness is from the use of corn, which is known to lighten and thin beers out. The corn adds a bit to the overall lingering sweetness as well, making this, like many of Freetail’s brews, a unique Bock beer.
Final Thoughts:
This is a unique beer for sure, and for me it falls in nicely with the heavier, roastier, and maltier beers consumed in fall and winter, but it offers a unique lightness from being brewed with corn that makes it just as approachable during the triple digit days of a San Antonio summer. Freetail is known for taking old school styles of beer and making them their own, and Bowie Bock is no different. It has the Munich malt and Hallertau hops as a nod to the traditional Bock style, but it has a unique lightness and sweetness crafted for the people of San Antonio.
If you’re ever in San Antonio, give Freetail a try. They are regularly at the top of this great city’s most loved brewery list, and they always give back to their people. In fact, a portion of the proceeds from Bowie Bock sales go to the Remember the Alamo Foundation, and many of their other beers give back as well. You’re doing your part by having a few pints with them.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew