Reviews: 99 Bottles On 'Gansett Bock

Spring may never be more welcome than it is this year, and with the changing season comes fresh beer. It may be difficult to envision yourself sipping from a tallboy on a patio amid the currently melting slush, but that time will be here before you know it. Just ...a little ...longer. This week I'm giving you a go-to spring beer that won't break your budget. Narragansett Bock is one of several offerings from the iconic brand that will exceed your expectations of what a Narragansett beer can be. You can now get several specialty 'Gansett beers in 22-ounce bottles, but Bock comes in the 16-ounce cans you're used to. That's good for portability, but just like with any beer, you want to pour it into a glass to get the full flavor. Brewed in the style of a German Maibock or Helles Bock, Narragansett Bock pours copper into a large tulip glass. It smells of flowers, fresh cut grass, and bread and butter. I don't get a ton of hops from the nose of this beer, which is brewed with Northern Brewers and Hallertau varieties. The first sip reveals honey and some apple. There's a creamy, almost chewy mouthfeel here with good carbonation. The finish is a touch bitter, but at 32 IBUs (international bitterness units), it's more clean than puckering. Bock packs an ABV of 6.5 percent. This is a very good example for the style, and it also represents an excellent value. A 6-pack of tallboys typically sells for $8.49 to $9.49. It's a good, solid beer to usher in the warmer weather. A quick programming note: I'll be away for a good part of the next week. E-mail me (gdzen@boston.com) and follow me on Twitter and I'll pick up the conversation when I get back. Cheers. - See more at: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/blogs/99bottles/2013/03/review_narragansett_bock.html#sthash.zJ5gihge.dpuf