It’s that time of year again. The time where I start to mentally berate Capetonian architects for their inability/failure to insulate houses in an appropriate manner. Yeah, yeah – the weather is warm for much of the year, but from May to August I sit shivering in my own home and in the absence of insulation, double glazing, central heating or indeed a fireplace, I turn to the answer of most of life’s little problems: beer.
So it’s out with the pilsner and in with the porter, the Russian imperials and in this case – the bocks. Specifically, a pair of dunkles bock (bocken?? Never been too sure with German plurals). I ended up with both of them in the fridge at the same time so we opened them side by side and tasted them blind. “Them” being La Trappe’s Bockbier – the only bock beer brewed by Trappist monks – and representing Africa, Urbock from Namibia Breweries. (During the tasting they were known as Beer A and Beer B).
Both were similar hues of mahogany (oh come on, there’s only a certain range of colours a beer can be and I can’t always say “reddish brown”), both with very pleasing ruby highlights. Both came topped with a tan-coloured head, though La Trappe picked up its tan from two weeks in Mauritius, while Urbock only spent a long weekend in the south of France.
On the nose, the La Trappe delivered a prominent dose of liquorice and a dash of bubblegum. Urbock at first seemed much more complex – treacle toffee, sweet liquorice and toasted brown bread. As the beers warmed a little (which takes a long time in my freezing cold house in winter), La Trappe began to exhibit a touch of toast and some caramel. On sipping, you’ll find treacle toffee, brown bread and plums, with a beautiful creme brulee-like bitterness and a drinkability that Urbock lacked a little.
In the end, the Trappist beer took the win, but our local lad did us pretty proud. Urbock has a marvellous aroma – it just isn’t quite echoed in the flavour. There’s bubblegum and toffee there, plus a definite alcohol warmth, but I would love a bit more toast and a bit more bitterness. Both very enjoyable beers though and for those interested I’d give La Trappe 4/5 and Urbock a 3.5.
La Trappe is available at select liquor stores in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, East London and Nelspruit. Urbock you’ll find all over the place right now – it is brewed just once a year, and the 2016 version is now in shops. Buy a six-pack, drink a couple and use one to make this awesome apple crumble – a delicious winter dish and one of the best food and beer pairings I’ve ever tasted.
Actually had one of those La Trappes this past Friday, fantastic winter beer! The first whiff & sip reminded me a toasted marshmallow which got a bit too close to the coals.
Great description. Now I have a hankering for marshmallows…
So battle of the Bocks eh? I’d like to propose that our truly local warrior step forward for battle…our very own Stellies Hoenderhok Bock.
Thanks for the great review Lucy and keep warm 😉
Look familiar? https://www.facebook.com/beefybovril/posts/10154073062656141
If only I’d had one in the fridge at the time! Might just have to retaste with Hoenderhok in the mix 😀