9B Eisbock

Question 1

9B Eisbock - Overall Impression

Answer 1

A strong, full-bodied, rich, and malty dark German lager often with a viscous quality and strong flavors. Even though flavors are concentrated, the alcohol should be smooth and warming, not burning.

Question 2

9B Eisbock - Aroma

Answer 2

Dominated by a balance of rich, intense malt and a definite alcohol presence. No hop aroma. May have significant malt-derived dark fruit esters. Alcohol aromas should not be harsh or solventy.

Question 3

9B Eisbock - Appearance

Answer 3

Deep copper to dark brown in color, often with attractive ruby highlights. Lagering should provide good clarity. Head retention may be moderate to poor. Off-white to deep ivory colored head. Pronounced legs are often evident.

Question 4

9B Eisbock - Flavor

Answer 4

Rich, sweet malt balanced by a significant alcohol presence. The malt can have Maillard products, toasty qualities, some caramel, and occasionally a slight chocolate flavor. No hop flavor. Hop bitterness just offsets the malt sweetness enough to avoid a cloying character. May have significant malt-derived dark fruit esters. The alcohol should be smooth, not harsh or hot, and should help the hop bitterness balance the strong malt presence. The finish should be of malt and alcohol, and can have a certain dryness from the alcohol. It should not by sticky, syrupy or cloyingly sweet. Clean lager character.

Question 5

9B Eisbock - Mouthfeel

Answer 5

Full to very full-bodied. Low carbonation. Significant alcohol warmth without sharp hotness. Very smooth without harsh edges from alcohol, bitterness, fusels, or other concentrated flavors.

Question 6

9B Eisbock - Characteristic Ingredients

Answer 6

Same as doppelbock. Commercial eisbocks are generally concentrated anywhere from 7% to 33% (by volume).

Question 7

9B Eisbock - Style Comparison

Answer 7

Eisbocks are not simply stronger doppelbocks; the name refers to the process of freezing and concentrating the beer and is not a statement on alcohol; some doppelbocks are stronger than Eisbocks. Not as thick, rich, or sweet as a Wheatwine.

Question 8

9B Eisbock - Comments

Answer 8

Extended lagering is often needed post-freezing to smooth the alcohol and enhance the malt and alcohol balance. Pronounced “ICE-bock.”

Question 9

9B Eisbock - History

Answer 9

A traditional Kulmbach specialty brewed by freezing a doppelbock and removing the ice to concentrate the flavor and alcohol content (as well as any defects).

Question 10

9B Eisbock - Commerical Examples

Answer 10

Kulmbacher Eisbock

Question 11

9B Eisbock - OG

Answer 11

1.078-1.120

Question 12

9B Eisbock - FG

Answer 12

1.020-1.035

Question 13

9B Eisbock - ABV

Answer 13

9.0-14

Question 14

9B Eisbock - IBU

Answer 14

25-35

Question 15

9B Eisbock - SRM

Answer 15

18-30