Balmain Bock

“Rock out with your Bock out.”

This is an intense brew – dark brown and malty. It has the toasted malt flavours of a stout but with a little less creaminess and a little more caramel – so I was I big fan. I could quite easily knock back a couple of these around a camp fire after a long day spent out in the elements.

Would I buy it again?
Yes, I can see Balmain Bock keeping me warm on many a winter’s night.

“Latte meets beer.”

After a quick Wikipedia search to find out what a Bock actually is it was time to tuck into this very dark beer.

A strong coffee flavour came through despite my relatively small first sip and for me coffee and beer flavours just don’t mix.

As someone with a strong dislike for anything coffee flavoured, I think Essendon has a better chance at winning the flag this year than me liking this beer.

The coffee fiends in the office didn’t mind it though.

Would I buy it again?
I don’t think so.

“Stick a drip in me.”

I’m a sucker for coffee and everything about this brew reminds me of my morning and afternoon pick up. Original Bock is bold, flavour packed and deliciously bitter sweet. Hook me up to a drip on the weekends and let this dark goddess soak into my bloodstream.

In all seriousness, if you're keen on dark beer or just have an inkling to give one a go, definitely put this one down on your must-drink list. It's superb.

Would I buy it again?
Hell yeah!

“This is just coffee... cold, watered-down coffee.”

I don’t like coffee. And the Balmain Bock is simply cold, alcoholic, watery coffee. Ipso facto I don’t like Bock.

To me, there is no nuance to this beer. It tastes like coffee and it smells like coffee. If you like coffee, great – enjoy! If you don’t, great – avoid!

Would I buy it again?
No... unless I suddenly take a liking to coffee.