Brewhouse Bock

Hallertau Mittelfrüh is the quintessential German noble hop — subtle, elegant, and perfectly suited for malt-forward lagers. Its soft aromatics offer gentle floral notes, mild spice, and a faint earthy sweetness, all delivered with exceptional smoothness.

Why it works in a Bock:
A Bock is defined by malt depth, not hop intensity. Mittelfrüh provides just enough bitterness to balance the rich Munich malt while adding delicate herbal complexity that stays firmly in the background. It supports the beer’s structure without ever distracting from the star ingredient — the malt.

German Munich
The soul of any true Bock. Munich malt contributes deep bread crust, toasted grain, and rich malt sweetness. It provides warmth, fullness, and that iconic “liquid bread” character that defines the style. Munich is also the main driver of the Bock’s rich amber-to-brown color.

Special B
A dark caramel malt known for its raisin-like sweetness, dark fruit notes, and rich toffee depth. Used sparingly, it enhances the complexity of the malt profile without turning the beer sweet. It adds subtle layers of dark sugar and dried fruit that round out the toasted Munich foundation.

Dehusked Carafa (Carafa Special)
A smooth, roasted malt that brings color and depth without harsh roast bitterness. Because it’s dehusked, Carafa contributes mild cocoa, soft roast, and a dark, clean finish. It enhances the beer’s visual richness and adds just enough roast character to keep the malt from feeling one-dimensional.

Why this malt bill is perfect for a traditional Bock:
This combination builds a deeply layered malt profile — toasty, rich, subtly sweet, and clean. Munich provides the backbone, Special B adds nuance, and Carafa deepens color and complexity. Together, they create a classic Bock character: warming, comforting, and endlessly drinkable.

Bock relies on exceptionally clean fermentation, and a German lager yeast delivers exactly that. This strain showcases:

• High attenuation, which keeps the beer from tasting overly sweet

• Cool, clean fermentation, highlighting malt nuance

• Smooth mouthfeel and crisp finish

• Subtle sulfur and light mineral notes typical of traditional German lagers

The yeast works quietly and cleanly, allowing the decoction-driven malt character to take center stage.

Brewing Technique: Decoction Mash

The hallmark of a true, traditional Bock.

A decoction mash involves removing a portion of the mash, boiling it, and returning it to the main mash. This old-world technique creates:

• Deeper malt richness

• Intensified toasty and bread-crust flavors

• Enhanced body and color

• A smoother, more rounded malt profile

It’s labor-intensive — and one reason why this Bock feels authentically German from first sip to last.