The first Bock of spring

Ah, the first Bock of spring!!!!  Spring is not quite here yet, but it is on its way.  Even though the March winds doth blow and we shall have snow, and lots of rain, it is time to begin enjoying the hearty, strong beers brewed to celebrate the arrival of spring.  Bock, or Mai Bock (May Bock), or Heller Bock (heller means pale) is a style that originated in Einbeck, Germany.  Some say that the name Bock came from a drunken malapropism of Ein-BECK.  Others say that the word bock comes from a German word for goat. Still others say that it's simply bock, like buck, as in male goat.  The male goat is a symbol of fertility and sexuality (you can go to Walgreen's and buy Horny Goat Weed!  It supposedly helps with erections).  So, the goat is all part of the rites of spring, which also include such symbols of new life and fertility as bunnies, eggs and baby chicks.  There are also dopplebocks, but I'll blog about that when I'm drinking one sometime soon.  

Anchor Bock was first available two years ago.  Like most beers of this style, it is rich, malty, dark brown (bocks range from light coppery to dark), and it is lighter on the palate than you would expect from looking at it.  Some dark bitter chocolate, some coffee grounds, not a lot of hop.  As clean and style-appropriate as one would expect from the most classic and arguably the classiest microbrewery in the USA.  

Now I must watch Dancing with the Stars.  Oh, if anybody has TIVO'ed The Bonnie Hunt Show today, it is worth watching.  Bonnie asks Jason and Molly the tough questions.