Fort Collins Brewery – Hellesbock

Hello fellow snobs!

I have to say I am a little bit embarrassed right now. Earlier today I had identified a Fort Collins Common Ground as the beer I was going to review this evening. As I began the post I noticed in our fancy blog dealie (that’s a technical term – look it up) that there was a blog entry by the same name. Turns out old beer snob Don had already written one up on this very brew. So I’m switching gears to another Fort Collins Brewery beer – Hellesbock.

With the warmer temps increasingly waking us out of our winter slumbers, a bock may be a wee bit earlier for some but for me, it’s a welcome sight. It means spring is here, the flowers are blooming, the dogwoods are starting to bud and for those of us here in fabulous Knox-vegas, it means we probably have one more good freeze ahead of us. Most likely right before the Dogwood Arts Festival but let’s hope not (knock on wood).

First things first, this beer came from Vic’s Package Store out in North Knoxville. If you haven’t checked this place out yet, you’re only hurting yourself. This beer in particular came from the liquor store side as it is cranking in at about 7.6% ABV. Now that you know where you can get your own, let’s dive in. This beer pours a clear golden amber color with a nice head. On the nose you get scents of orange, grains, and just a hint of alcohol. On the tongue this beer starts out a little sweet but leaves with a distinct bitter flavor – doesn’t remind me of a typical bock but it does remind me of summer. It’s got some graininess to the taste but is very clear and very easy to drink.

Final snobs: if you’re looking for a clean drinkable high gravity that will bring summer on in, add this to your list. Think I’m going to put the computer down and enjoy the rest of this bottle out on the deck.

Cheers!