The release of bock beers has traditionally followed a regimented schedule.  The dark, extra-strong double bock beers have normally been released in mid to late March, just as the first traces of winter thaw is underway.  In April, as the spring gets into full swing, the dark single bock beers would become available.  And the party doesn't end just yet.  The month of  May is the traditional time to release the Maibocks, or May bocks.  Maibocks are, as defined by the style, always pale in color.  At first glance they appear a bit like Pilsners but actually have a deeper golden color due to the larger quantity of malts.  One superb example of the Maibock style is brewed by the renowned Spaten brewery, also in Munich.  I have never seen it in bottled form, but have been lucky enough to sample a delicious draught version of it in late spring.  It makes for a wonderful dessert beer due to its sweetness, but has just enough hop character to keep the glands salivating for one after another.  What a wonderful way to whittle away an afternoon while viewing the cherry blossoms!

Here in the U.S.A. it can be a challenge to find domestically brewed bock beers that are true to form.  The Yuengling Brewery of Pottsville, PA occasionally brews a dark bock beer on draught during the spring months.  It is a tasty and pleasant brew, but by old European standards of strength and gravity is not a true bock beer.  A more authentic version of the style is brewed by the Boston Beer Company, maker of the Samuel Adams line of beers.  Samuel Adams Double Bock is brewed to a whopping nine percent alcohol by volume, topping even the traditional doppelbocks of Germany.  It is a dizzying blend of malt and booze, and is not for the faint of heart.  Due to its strength, it is only available in four-packs.  I call that responsible marketing! 
Bock beer is great to share with friends when it is available.  I have fond memories of imbibing various bock beers at the Ginger Man Pub in New York, which sports more than sixty beers on draught at any one particular time.  The Ginger Man has frequently featured strong bocks in its selection, including Salvator and the also-famous Celebrator from the Ayinger brewery in Bavaria.  But when enjoying these robust lagers, be sure to keep your head and not take leave of your senses.  Otherwise, someone at the bar just might have you believing all of those stories about that mysterious black ooze again.  And bock beer is way too good to be wasted on conspiracy theories!

Prost,
Glenn 

Glenn P. Beck was born in 1962 and raised in Livingston, New Jersey.  He graduated from Seton Hall University in 1986 with a B.A. in Communication.  Glenn was previously the owner  and operator of the Hunterdon Homebrew Shoppe in Frenchtown, New Jersey. While there, he taught an adult education course in the fundamentals of homebrewing beer.  He  won a blindly judged national  homebrewing competition (Memphis 1995) in the German Ale category with a delectable altbeir that he created.  Our resident beer meister was also hired as an accounts representative with the River Horse Brewing Company in Lambertville, New Jersey from 1997 to 1999. Glenn is a passionate scholar of the brewer's art. He has extensive knowledge as to the history, lore, brewing techniques, ingredients, and last but not least, the enjoyment of beer. He currently resides in Bloomsbury, New Jersey with his wife Nancy and their faithful malamute, Sam.