Phlicker
also know as @PhillyBeerGuy
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2007
- Messages
- 884
Earlier in the beer-drinking season, news came out that High Falls Brewing, makers of Genesse, had rereleased their seasonal bock beer. From what I can gather through a cursory search on Google, this beer goes way back, and hasn't been produced in a while. In an era where nearly every craft brewer has a full-slate of seasonal releases, imagine what it must've been like in the 60's and 70's for your dad and grandfather when their favorite everyday beer all of a sudden had something "different" for them to enjoy. After drinking Cream Ale for 9-10 months, a 2-3 month change-of-pace in the guise of a spring-green can adorned by a goat.
I have a special fondness for what I call "Old Man" beers. Those classic macro breweries (most of which have been lost to bankruptcy, consolidation, or BMC purchases) that our progenitors were weened on. Everyday drinking "lawnmower" beers. I used to drink Rolling Rock and still drink Yuengling, but have been on a search for a replacement in my fridge for the Rock since A-B bought them, closed the Latrobe Brewery and moved production to New Jersey (*vomit*). Even though this doesn't qualify as a year-round replacement, I begin a series in the spirit of Jonas' SBRS with a beer that a handful of you might take an interest in:
Genesse Bock
High Falls Brewing Company
Rochester, New York
Bock style Lager, Seasonal Release (for now)
Phenomenal retro packaging. Though many of us have a bit of nostalgia for the old post-prohibition brands, this one held the promise of actually offering a decent bit of flavor for the few dollars ($14/case) I had to shell out for it.
Appearance: Served into a pilsner glass. Clear amber-lager color with a huge, pillowy head of frothy tan foam that quickly dissipates to an opaque layer across the surface. No lacing to speak of. Definitely the nicest head I've seen on a macro of any kind.
Smell: Typical macro dishwater scent, some nice malt in there, but I'd never mistake it for a craft brew.
Taste: Nice initial rush of malt to the palate, with a hint of sweetness. Not too much in the way of hop bitterness, though there is a little. Aftertaste is slightly metallic. Overall a bit on the watery side.
Mouthfeel: Lightly carbonated after a vigorous pour and substantial head leaves a nice, pleasant somewhat creamy mouthfeel (for a macro). Metallic aftertaste does detract from the feel a bit.
Drinkability/Overall Impression: Overall this is a highly drinkable beer, and I might reach for it year-round if it were available. When I'm looking for something that I don't need to think about too much but I still want taste, this would be a perfect choice. Probably a step above Yeungling Lager on the macro-lager taste scale. Not too complex, but still enough backbone for those of us who like to actually taste our beer. The cans alone make this a worthy brew to try at least once. I commend High Falls for bringing it back, and hope it sells for them.
3.35/5.00
I have a special fondness for what I call "Old Man" beers. Those classic macro breweries (most of which have been lost to bankruptcy, consolidation, or BMC purchases) that our progenitors were weened on. Everyday drinking "lawnmower" beers. I used to drink Rolling Rock and still drink Yuengling, but have been on a search for a replacement in my fridge for the Rock since A-B bought them, closed the Latrobe Brewery and moved production to New Jersey (*vomit*). Even though this doesn't qualify as a year-round replacement, I begin a series in the spirit of Jonas' SBRS with a beer that a handful of you might take an interest in:
Genesse Bock
High Falls Brewing Company
Rochester, New York
Bock style Lager, Seasonal Release (for now)
Phenomenal retro packaging. Though many of us have a bit of nostalgia for the old post-prohibition brands, this one held the promise of actually offering a decent bit of flavor for the few dollars ($14/case) I had to shell out for it.
Appearance: Served into a pilsner glass. Clear amber-lager color with a huge, pillowy head of frothy tan foam that quickly dissipates to an opaque layer across the surface. No lacing to speak of. Definitely the nicest head I've seen on a macro of any kind.
Smell: Typical macro dishwater scent, some nice malt in there, but I'd never mistake it for a craft brew.
Taste: Nice initial rush of malt to the palate, with a hint of sweetness. Not too much in the way of hop bitterness, though there is a little. Aftertaste is slightly metallic. Overall a bit on the watery side.
Mouthfeel: Lightly carbonated after a vigorous pour and substantial head leaves a nice, pleasant somewhat creamy mouthfeel (for a macro). Metallic aftertaste does detract from the feel a bit.
Drinkability/Overall Impression: Overall this is a highly drinkable beer, and I might reach for it year-round if it were available. When I'm looking for something that I don't need to think about too much but I still want taste, this would be a perfect choice. Probably a step above Yeungling Lager on the macro-lager taste scale. Not too complex, but still enough backbone for those of us who like to actually taste our beer. The cans alone make this a worthy brew to try at least once. I commend High Falls for bringing it back, and hope it sells for them.
3.35/5.00
